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Where there is no counsel the people fall -
Proverbs 11:14
How did I ever get to this topic of the KJV only debate? At the age of 67, I first got acquainted with this movement. My first introduction was not kind or loving; it takes a certain personality to be such a person. I began receiving mail from an individual who was narrow-minded and leaning toward heresy. He condemned me for my use of the New King James Version. I also got emails and notifications telling me I should stick with the KJV.
After three years of harassment, I once again received another shipment of propaganda in the mail about the KJV, along with other material. Now I must carry another parcel to the burn barrel. What these people are doing is a revelation of their manipulative character. They want to dictate what Bible people should use.
I have chosen to allow others the same freedom I have in Christ, and because of this, I am condemned. So here is my statement on this debate; there should be freedom at home, and in the church just as Christ has given that freedom according to II Corinthians 3:17. No version for conformity, and no version to cause division, or drive people away from the gospel message.
A former pastor of mine was very clear that the use of different versions was a great asset to the church. I recently sent him an email, inquiring about the church that he was now a part of. Did they expect the pastor or the congregation to use a certain version? I truly loved his response; this was his answer, "No and No."
Proverbs 11:14b says, "But in the multitude of counselors there is safety." I decided to contact a church of several hundred people at Lewes Delaware, the New Covenant Presbyterian Church. When I asked the secretary about the requirement for the pastor or the congregation to use a certain Bible, I think she thought I was a joker, or a nut-job. She informed me that no such requirement was expected in their church.
She also went on to explain how they use the various versions as teaching tools. The wording of one version may flip a light on a certain passage as the Holy Spirit illuminates the mind of the reader. I also reflected on the South Juniata Baptist Church, where there was complete freedom, as the church grew to 200-300 people on Sunday morning. So why am I saying all of this? I think it is mostly to get it off my mind; but also to let others know how stiff-necked, hard-headed, and divisive some people can be.
The people (theologians) who have studied this subject to great length, have found this obvious truth to be the case. The KJV Only group does not care about facts, or statistics. They don't care that this belief stunts the church and is a hindrance to the gospel message. But as the attendance drops, people withhold their tithe, they close the door to the church, and turn the lock for the last time; they can hold up their banner, "We were a KJV Only Church." Wouldn't it be better to be a church where Christ is exalted, instead of a version of the Bible? Contact the author at: (thoughtsonword@gmail.com) if you have any comments or questions.
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Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published four books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016, Eye of a Needle in 2017, Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019 and A Bridge Between in 2023. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children's book.