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bkoser's review
4.0
Ward has a lot of good to say about the King James Version of the Bible. He grew up reading it, memorized its verses, and still uses it for study. In Authorized, he argues against using it as your only translation. The main thesis is that the KJV is not in today's language, leading to misunderstandings with archaic words or words that have changed meaning. He addresses all the counter-arguments I've heard growing up in churches and attending a college that only used the KJV.
My position for the last few years is that I wouldn't give the KJV to someone not familiar with the language. But I continued to use it because I grew up with it, my church uses it, and I understood the language fine. This book showed me that there are a lot of words and phrases I thought I understood, but don't. I read the ESV a few years ago; I'll pick another translation for my next read-through.
My position for the last few years is that I wouldn't give the KJV to someone not familiar with the language. But I continued to use it because I grew up with it, my church uses it, and I understood the language fine. This book showed me that there are a lot of words and phrases I thought I understood, but don't. I read the ESV a few years ago; I'll pick another translation for my next read-through.
mjjohn3's review
4.0
Wonderfully gracious and thought-provoking. I absolutely recommend this book.
A quote: The existence of multiple English Bible translations is a benefit to us all, not a justification for banner hoisting and wagon-circling. I hate to see Bibles becoming symbols of division: "I am of Crossway!" "I am of Zondervan!" "I am of B&H!"
A quote: The existence of multiple English Bible translations is a benefit to us all, not a justification for banner hoisting and wagon-circling. I hate to see Bibles becoming symbols of division: "I am of Crossway!" "I am of Zondervan!" "I am of B&H!"
charityhall's review
4.0
This is a must read if a choice of Bible translations has ever been a question or topic of interest for you. The author is very kind towards those he disagrees with, and if you have ever been around a conversation discussing kjv only or not, you know that is not a normal occurrence
As a result of reading this book I purchased a comparison study Bible with 4 translations and I am looking forward to reading through books of the Bible using it ( this seems like such a basic concept but truly the thought never occurred to me )
No matter what your beliefs are on the kjv, there is something for you in this book.
As a result of reading this book I purchased a comparison study Bible with 4 translations and I am looking forward to reading through books of the Bible using it ( this seems like such a basic concept but truly the thought never occurred to me )
No matter what your beliefs are on the kjv, there is something for you in this book.
lizbusby's review
4.0
A great overview of what makes the KJV great and not so great, along with why you should be reading multiple translations. A short book that covers all the basic arguments. As a Mormon, I wanted rather more background on each of the translations and the perspectives they came from (since I am not in the evangelical context assumed by the author), but at least after reading this book, I know where to start looking.
danyell919's review
5.0
I thought this book gave a wonderful balanced look at the KJV - how we can appreciate it but also appreciate other translations.
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