The KJV "Translators to the Reader" Refutes King James Version Onlyism? James White Debate Review 12

Dr. James White and Dr. Thomas Ross had a King James Only, perfect preservation of Scripture, or Confessional Bibliology debate on the topic: "The Legacy Standard Bible, as a representative of modern English translations based upon the UBS/NA [United Bible Society / Nestle-Aland] text, is superior to the KJV, as a representative of TR - based [Textus Receptus - based] Bible translations.” In the debate, James R. White claimed that the linguistic level of the Authorized, King James Bible is too difficult. He made the same claim in his book The King James Only Controversy. Furthermore, White argued that the level of English in the KJV contradicted the expressed statements in the “Translators to the Reader” about vernacular translation, so modern English versions are superior to the King James Bible. Dr. White said: "“translations should be in the common language ... the idea of having a translation that is not in the language of the people … is the exact opposite of the perspective that [the KJV translators] had.” Indeed, White claimed: "One of the most eloquent arguments against KJV Onlyism is provided, ironically enough, by the translators themselves.” Are Dr. White's claims valid? This twelfth debate review video completes an examination of the KJV's Translators to the Reader, examining James White's final claims about this source in his case against King James Onlyism.

James White quotes the preface to prove “the need for translations into other languages.” Of course, White provides no written documentation at all from any pro-Received Text, pro-KJV, or pro-confessional Bibliology source that is AGAINST translating the Bible into other languages.

James quotes the Translators to the Reader to prove that the KJV translators “use[d] … many English translations that preceded their work.” Of course, White provides no citation of any KJV-Only or Confessional Bibliology advocate who denies that the KJV built upon the good translation work of earlier English Textus Receptus-based versions.

James goes on to claim that the “The translators also had a very different view of the use of the Bible’s Greek and Hebrew texts” than do people in the KJV-Only movement. White writes: “KJV Only advocates should note Rainolds’ [a Puritan who was one of the KJV translators] own words, wherein he urged study of the Bible in Greek and Hebrew.” However, the large majority of KJV-Only Christians do NOT follow the foolishness of radicals like Mrs. Gail Riplinger who are against studying Hebrew and Greek. White never explains why what the KJV translators said here is different in any way, much less “very different,” from what the large majority of KJV-only Christians believe about the value of Hebrew and Greek. Here again, Brother White has nothing but empty assertion. Sound scholarship proves its claims, rather than merely asserting them.

White points out, concerning the KJV translators, that: “Their view that the Word of God is translatable from language to language is plainly spelled out.” Again, White provides no documentation at all of any KJV-Only group who denies that Scripture can be translated from one language to another. Denying the translatability of Scripture would be a very odd thing for a KJV-Only person to claim, since the KJV is a translation.

James White claims that the KJV translators “used the same sources and methods as modern translators, looking into the translations in other languages, consulting commentaries and the like.” The quotation Dr. White supplies from the KJV’s preface proves the totally non-controversial fact that the KJV translators looked at ancient sources, commentaries, translations, and so on. Again, James provides no source whatsoever of any KJV-defending institution or even individual that denies one should look at commentaries and the like. Where are his quotations citing leading defenders of the perfect preservation of Scripture who think that looking at a commentary is a sin? Why so many empty assertions backed by no evidence?

White argues: “[T]he KJV translators were not infallible human beings.” Of course, no advocate of perfect preservation is cited who has ever claimed that the KJV translators were “infallible human beings,” just like when White’s King James Only Controversy on page 106 talks about people who think that Beza was inspired, and on page 180-181 about people who think Jerome was inspired, and on page 96 about people who think Erasmus and Stephanus were inspired, no KJV-Only sources are provided who make these ridiculous claims, since, of course, there are no such sources.

James White stated: "I believe very, very, firmly the King James translators would be on my side in this debate ... they would definitely support the thesis that I am putting forward … a startling reality ... [is] that the King James translators would be completely on my side in the debate today.” What is actually a startling reality is that Dr. White makes many unsubstantiated assertions.