The New KJV

The method and manuscripts used in translation preclude the authenticity of this modern version. D.A. Waite believes that, "the New King James Version is probably the most dangerous of the new versions on the present market because it is the foot in the door and the camel’s nose in the tent to lead eventually to even more dynamic equivalency." "Dynamic equivalency" (49) is interpretation to convey contemporary meaning in contrast to "verbal equivalency" which is direct, non-culturally biased, word-for-word translation. The flexible dynamic equivalency method gives ample opportunity to translators for personal interpretation, a practice which Scripture does not allow. (II Peter 1:20) The word ‘dynamic’ means "opposed to static," "tending toward change" and by definition indicates a departure from the original intent.

The Preface of the NEW KING JAMES VERSION claims that this modern translation "follows the Authorized Version in maintaining a literal approach to translation, except where the idiom of the original language cannot be translated directly into our tongue." (50) However, in addition to the Hebrew Masoretic Text, the NKJV used the corrupt Septuagint authored by Origen, the Latin Vulgate and the esoteric Dead Sea Scrolls in translating the Old Testament. Consulting these late, heretical manuscripts violates the biblical doctrine of preservation. (51) Variations taken from the cultic Alexandrian Egyptian text type found in the Nestles/UBS Critical New Testament Text are used and appear in verses where fundamental doctrine is altered by revision. For example, Acts 3:13, 26 refers to Jesus Christ as God’s "servant" instead of His "Son." Acts 17:29 changes the Trinity from "the Godhead" to "the Divine Nature."

Moneychangers in the Temple

Royalties received from each edition, rather than preservation of the text, seems to be an additional underlying motive in the creation of new translations and revised editions. Copyright law requires that all new translations and editions have a certain percentage of changes within the text. The Authorized King James Version of 1611 A.D. had no copyright. However, all modern translations of the Bible hold copyrights and publishers receive sizeable profits from each new edition. From 1898 to 1979, there were twenty-six editions of the Nestle/Aland Greek Text alone. (52) Correspondingly, publishers have produced an average of two new versions of the English Bible each year since 1900.

"They see in the translations of the Bible a chance for millions upon millions of dollars for their publishing houses. This is what sells. How do you account for many of the 135 complete English Bibles and 293 complete English New Testaments (a total of 428 altogether) that have flooded the English speaking world from 1380 through 1991?" (53)

The Book of Life

Bible revision is an insidious method of corrupting and destroying the Word of God. Casual reading or study of a new version does not reveal the cumulative effect of thousands of alterations to the Holy Scripture. The substantial differences between the King James Version and the new versions represent a change, or at least a weakening of the acceptance, of a minimum of nineteen (19) fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. Deuteronomy 8:3 states, "Man doth not live by bread only, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord."; 32:47 states, "it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life." Jeremiah 36 records the story of King Jehoiakim who dared to destroy the word of the Lord. God punished his defiance by removing him from the genealogy of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 1:11 records only Josias and Jechonias, the father and son of Jehoiakim.) Revelation 22:19,20 warns that the identical judgement will befall others who presume to change the Holy Writ:

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

Another Gospel

Jesus Christ said, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life." (John 6:63) Removing or adding to Jesus’ words results in preaching "another gospel," which is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul implies that preaching another gospel leads people to receive "another Jesus" and "another spirit." (II Corinthians 11:4) I Peter 1:23,25 shows that there is a direct correlation between the preaching of the pure Word of God and spiritual regeneration: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, but by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever…and this is the word by which the gospel is preached unto you."

The prophet Amos spoke of a day in which there would be a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. (Amos 8:11) Today, man-centered messages and experiences have largely replaced the expository teaching of the Word of God. Often missing from the Gospel presentation are vital doctrines of the Christian faith, such as the cross, the blood atonement, genuine faith, repentance, sanctification and judgement. Many in the church are busy serving, like Martha, but few are hearing Jesus’ words, as Mary did. (Luke 10:38-42) Deprived of the Bread of Life, many who profess to be Christians have an outward form of godliness but, perhaps unknowingly, do not possess true spiritual life.

The Apostasy

Today, a theological shift is occurring which can be observed as prominent evangelical leaders encourage unity with the Roman Catholic Church, maintaining that "doctrinal differences are minor" and we must "focus on the things which unite us." (54) However, II Thessalonians 2:3 foretells that, prior to the return of Jesus Christ, there will be a "falling away" from the true faith. Verse 11 reveals that those who do not have a love of the truth will believe "a lie." Revelation 17 describes the final apostasy -- a unified world religious system, the Great Harlot Church, which appears to be led by Rome. (v.9) Ecumenical bibles that have crept unawares into the evangelical Church are subtly preparing Christians for this world religion. In his timely book, No Place For Truth, professor of systematic theology, David Wells wisely discerns,

"The impotence of the evangelical Church does not stem from inadequate technique or diminished enthusiasm. Where enthusiasm has waned, the malaise is but a symptom of a far deeper and more troubling problem -- a problem that is not going to be solved by the church’s efforts at self-regeneration, however fine the religious language in which they are cloaked. What the Church now needs is not revival, but reformation." (55)