As you know, Matthew 10:29 provides the answer to the question you asked. However, I can't help but feel this is just a lead-in to attack the King James Bible. Yes, the KJV does occasionally employ dynamic equivalence to convey clarity to the reader rather than expecting them to navigate foreign currency or cultural references on their own. In contrast, Modern Bibles have introduced so many heretical changes that any true seeker of truth should feel disturbed. Just as an atheist attacks the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Bible agnostic attacks the English Bible that has faithfully guided English-speaking Christians for over four centuries—the KJV.
Yet, while you may be groaning in your spirit in disgust at the idea of God preserving His Word in 1600s English, the Bible says: "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise" (1 Corinthians 1:27). One either believes in God's promises, that His Word is pure and perfect (Psalms 12:6-7), or one does not believe those promises. Remember, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). This refers to hearing Scripture; that’s how you gain faith. But if your Bible has errors, or you believe God speaks through a sea of conflicting Bibles, you risk entering into confusion, making either yourself or the scholar the authority.
But you are straining at gnats, focusing on supposed little problems, as you swallow doctrinal camels. Consider these significant doctrinal changes in Modern Bibles:
- Direct References to the Trinity Removed: Clear references to the Trinity are missing in Modern Bibles, including the Comma in 1 John 5:7, which explicitly states, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." The term "Godhead" is omitted in Modern Bibles, while it appears in the KJV. Although the Greek words underlying “Godhead”—theion in Acts 17:29, theiotēs in Romans 1:20, and theotēs in Colossians 2:9—primarily convey the idea of "divine nature" or "deity," the Cappadocian Fathers in the 4th century emphasized that this divine nature is most fully realized within the context of the Trinity. Much like the word "love," which can refer to a feeling of deep affection, the term reaches its highest and truest meaning when it involves a person laying down their life for others, as Jesus Christ did on the cross. Similarly, the term "Godhead" is fully expressed when understood as referring to God’s triune nature. Removing these direct references to the Trinity only waters down this beautiful truth about the Lord our God in Scripture.
- Abortion Justified: Certain Modern Bibles, such as the CEV and GNT, in Luke 1:15 state that John the Baptist would be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth rather than from his mother’s womb, as the KJV says. This subtle change implies that life does not begin until birth, which could potentially lead readers to justify abortion by implying that the unborn child is not yet considered alive in God’s sight. In contrast, the KJV preserves the message that John was called and filled with the Holy Spirit even in the womb, underscoring the value of life before birth.
- Characteristics of God's Word Altered: Modern translations adjust key verses that communicate the nature and attributes of God’s Word, often aligning them with the subjective perspectives of textual critics. For example, Psalms 12:6-7 in the KJV states, "The words of the Lord are pure words...Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever," indicating the preservation of God's words. Modern versions, however, sometimes reinterpret this to refer to God's preservation of people rather than His words. Similarly, Psalms 138:2 and 2 Corinthians 2:17 in the KJV emphasize the Word’s perfection and integrity, while Modern Bibles sometimes adjust the language in ways that lessen this focus. These changes raise questions about the intentions behind the rewording, as they affect the clarity of God’s promise to preserve His Word.
- Repentance for Sinners Inconsistent: Modern Bibles create inconsistency by stating in Luke 5:32 that Jesus calls sinners to repentance, while in Matthew 9:13 and Mark 2:17, He is said to call sinners with no mention of repentance. The NASB 2020 even goes so far as to imply that Jesus does not call sinners to repentance at all, potentially weakening the focus on repentance as a crucial step in turning to God. In the KJV, the call to repentance is a clear and unifying theme, underscoring the importance of this doctrine in the life of a believer.
- Omission of Apostolic Authority on Circumcision: In Acts 15:24, Modern Bibles omit the phrase “subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment.” This omission is significant, as it leaves out the apostles’ clarification that Gentile believers were not required to follow Jewish customs, such as circumcision, to be saved. By removing this direct statement, Modern Bibles potentially obscure the apostles’ intent and undermine the clarity with which they established Christian liberty from the Law of Moses for Gentile converts.
If your Bible contains these kinds of changes, it risks weakening key doctrines, leading to confusion, and making the reader dependent on scholars for interpretation. Stand firm on God’s promises and rely on His pure Word, instead. Do not be duped by the Scribes of our day.
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