Priceless
that is the kind of stuff that nightmares are made of
What are the major arguments used to support KJV only?
1. All the other versions are perversions, i.e., no other translation should be used for personal study or in worship.
2. Offering variant readings of the underlying Greek text undermines the authority of the written word of God.
3. The Septuagint is a false translation that isn't even close to the Hebrew text of the KJV OT.
Any many others.
I was in your crowd once ... but I read something that totally changed my view about the KJV. It wasn't a book by some author, it wasn't a Sunday school class or a Chick pamphlet, it was something right under my nose.
What was that document? It was the Preface to the 1611 version. What is the Preface? The Preface to the 1611 version is a short (relatively) section before the text of the Bible where the KJV translators discussed their translation approach and philosophy. One day I took the time to read the Preface and was astounded how much information is in there.
But what I noticed most of all was that the translators addressed each of these three issues (and more) in the Preface. And their discussion made anything that Dr. Ruckmann said on the topic irrelevant.
If you have any doubts I encourage the more adventurous out there to do the following:
1. Go find a few of the KJV only sites and make a list of their grievances with other versions.
2. If your 1611 version does not have a Preface then consult Dr google, you will find it.
3. Take the time (it will be painful in the old English but you can do it) to read it, maybe multiple times.
You will find that many of the topics KJV only bases their position on are covered (and demolished) in the Preface ...
Why do I post this: because as one other fella posted in so many words:
It is important to read the Bible ... and if you are having trouble grasping a passage, a multiplicity of translations will aid in sorting out the meaning. You can't do that if KJV is the only translation you use. The KJV is a very good literal translation and I have no problem with people that insist on the KJV only in a church worship service. I would rather have everyone following along in the KJV than half the people flipping through other translations wondering why the passage the pastor is preaching on doesn't say the same thing in their version.