The Gold Standard: Every industry has one; a standard by which everything else is measured. In the realm of English Bible translations, like it or not, the King James Bible is that standard. Whether consciously or not, this is the version with which all others compare themselves, some in vehement disagreement while others acquiesce with reverential homage. But nonetheless, this is the version to which all must compare because at least up until just a few years ago, the King James Bible was still the No. 1 best seller of all time, and likely it continues to retain that distinction today.

One of the complaints leveled against the King James Bible by modern translation efforts is that it is not always consistent in translating the same Greek word into English. Take for instance I John 5:7-8, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” The words “record” in verse 7 and “witness” in verse 8 come from the same Greek word; anyone with a Strong’s Concordance can tell you this.

While no one is calling this a contradiction, what they are saying is that this is inconsistent, and thus to the rescue they come. Take for instance the New King James Bible: Since the King James translates that Greek word twice as many times as “witness” than it does as “record,” the New King James consistently translates them all as “witness.” Never mind that in doing so they have damaged the doctrine of the Trinity; at least they are more consistent. But in their zeal for consistency, the aroma of contradiction arises. As I said last week, there are three areas where biblical contradictions are found, and this is the second, that of contradictions within versions. If the complaint of modern translation is that of inconsistency, it becomes a contradiction when these modern versions are inconsistent within themselves. Take for instance the word “fornication” as found in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9. Both of these texts have affectionately become known as the exception clause for modern day Christianity as they seem to allow remarriage after divorce for the singular reason of fornication. To this, the New King James has changed “fornication” to the phrase “sexual immorality.”

While this sounds good, the same Greek word is found in John 8:41 and this time the New King James retains the King James rendition of the word fornication. While the New King James is not alone in this, it now has a contradiction within its pages, the significance of which is huge.

What we find when we compare Matthew 5:32 and 19:9 with John 8:41 is that American culture has no exception clause when it comes to remarriage after divorce. Here me well: All three of these verses point to a Jewish context of marriage, the very one portrayed for us in the lives of Mary and Joseph. The truth is that the only time any wife can be guilty of fornication is before she visits the marriage bed; after the marriage bed it is called adultery. And in America, the bride and groom go to the marriage bed within hours of their vows, but in ancient Israel, these two events were separated by about 365 days.

In this contradiction we see two things of great significance, the first being a willingness on the part of modern Bible translation to bend the plain teachings of the word of God to come into conformity with the standards of a Christ-rejecting society. This is nothing short of Christianized political correctness. It is the fulfillment of Paul’s prediction to Timothy that the day would come when professing Christianity would not endure sound doctrine, but in exchange would heap to themselves teachers, having “itching ears.”

But while they are willing to be inconsistent when it is to their advantage, their insistence on consistency in other areas is also significant. What it reveals is their true convictions toward the doctrine of the Trinity. You see, replacing the word “”record” with the word “witness” is to replace a stronger word with a lesser word. Look it up for yourselves. The use of the word “record”” in the King James gives honor to the Godhead as being the Judge of all the universe. It is a tacit warning to everyone who can read that some day we will all have to stand before this Judge and give account of ourselves to him.

Folks, you are free to choose which ever version you desire, but as for me, I’m sticking with the Gold Standard, the King James Bible.

Ron Hamman is pastor of Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla. Contact him at 357-4229 or rghamman@mtaonline.net.