From: John Burgeson (hoss_radbourne@hotmail.com)
Date: Wed Sep 18 2002 - 10:57:05 EDT
My good friend Robt Schneider brings up several points which I, of course,
agree with. But none of them have any weight to the convinced KJV-only
proponent, of which Peter Ruckman is the most visible sign.
Following is the response to Robt's points as I think a KJV-only person
would address them. BTW -- NOT as Ruckman would address them -- he is a very
blunt writer. < G >
>>In their original introduction, "The Translators to the
Reader," the KJV translators (who never claimed for their version the
"inerrancy" at issue here)>>
Agreed that this is so. I'm not sure any of the biblical writers ever
claimed it either -- at least not explicitly. However, God was pleased to so
direct the translators in such a way that the results WERE exactly correct
and inerrant.
>>... include a section entitled "Reasons moving us to
set diversity of senses in the margin, where there is great probability for
each." In this section they state that for various reasons "it hath pleased
God in his divine Providence here and there to scatter words and sentences
of...difficulty and doubtfulness, not on doctrinal points that concern
salvation...., but in matters of less moment, that fearfulness would better
beseem us than confidence.... There be many words in the Scriptures which
be never found there but once...so that we cannot be holpen of confidence by
places [i.e., so that help cannot be gained by comparing passages]. Again,
there be many rare names of certain birds, beasts, and precious stones,
etc., concerning which the Hebrews themsevles are so divided among
themselves in judgement, that they may seem to have defined this or that,
rather because they should say something, than because they were sure of
that which they said.... Now in such a case doth not a margin[al note] do
well to admonish the Reader to seek further, and not to conclude or
dogmatize?" (p. 57-58 in the edition by E. Rhodes and L. Lupas. American
Bible Society, 1997)>>
What the translators may have said or written before, during or after their
sacred work was done is clearly outside the direct guidance of God and so
has no more weight than any other commentator.
>>In an earlier note, Burgy summarizes the views of the KJV only people as
>>"2Tim 3:16 refers precisely to the 1611 version and to no other. Likewise
>>2 Pet 1, 20-21. It is on account of these verses that we know that the
>>scriptures are God-breathed, and that therefore there CANNOT be ANY
>>errors; it is perfect historically, scientifically, grammatically and
>>numerically." If his characterization is
accurate, and I don't doubt him, then how to account for the many "words and
sentences of...difficulty and doubtfulness" that led the translators to
include many marginal notes offering alternate readings and translations
(i.e., interpretations of meaning)? Since many of these doubtful and
alternate readings have to do with matters that would be classified as
"science," how would the KJV Perfectionists explain this fact? Or have
their editions of the KJV eliminated these margins, as they have eliminated
the lengthy but valuable "From the Translators to the Reader"?>>
The marginal notes are just that -- marginal notes. They are not part of the
text.
>>All readers of Scripture would do well to follow the advice (and
emulate the humility) of the KJV translators and not "conclude or dogmatize"
upon every verse of the Bible.>>
Agreed. But we are not speaking here of interpretation, but only upon
whether the 1611 text is especially God-brathed, inspired and inerrant. The
claim is that this is so. There is no claim of any particular interpretation
of the text -- that is another subject.
>>It is truly unfortunate that this unwarranted claim of inerrancy for
the KJV should occasion the time and trouble to respond to it. But many of
us know that there are those in our classrooms or churches who have been
persuaded of it, and we who know better would be derelict if we did not
challenge this claim. But let us not spend too much time on it, as the Lord
has better things for us to do (2 Cor. 5:18-20; Eph. 2:10; Matt.
25:31ff.).>>
Ruckman would say something to the effect that since it is true, you do a
disservice by rejecting it, and that if you are not convinved it is true,
you do a disservice by not investigating it.
Speaking back in character, I somewhat agree with your last sentence. And if
few people here want to "play," I'll take that as signifying general
agreement. As I mentioned before, I have a dear friend of 40+ years, a
retired professional who held technical and managerial positions at BF
Goodrich and the University of Akron, who really really believes the Ruckman
claims. My suspicion is that the claim of KJV inerrancy cannot be refuted as
long as it is viewed as a closed system. But I don't know this.
Cheers from Denver.
Burgy
www.burgy.50megs.com
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