King James 21stCentury - KJV21
The way to improve Biblical knowledge and memorization, to make Scripture readings in preaching and teaching consistent, is to use the King James Version or the slightly updated KJV12. Below are KJV21 readings with an explanation of why they are test examples in my examination of Bible translations, paraphrases, and stream-of-consciousness living amplified nonsense.
KJV21 Readingsand Explanations
Mark 16 does not break off at verse 9 but retains the entire chapter.
This is consistent with the best evidence and does not relegate half of Mark 16 to a footnote.
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,
Teach all nations is the correct translation and grammar, and it avoids the Fuller Seminary agenda of making soul-winning disciples who will growth the church. Fuller teaches against inerrancy, against the efficacy of the Word, and for women’s ordination. Their agenda is suspect.
Acts 3:21 21 whom Heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
The Calvinists have the risen Christ trapped in Heaven, so He cannot be present in both natures in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The verb is definitely “receive” but The New RSV carries on the Calvinist perspective with remain -
”who must remain in heaven until the time of universal restoration that God announced long ago through his holy prophets.” Acts 3:21 NRSV
1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless: is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break: is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
The KVJ tradition uses the correct word – communion – twice, but that is horrifying for those who deny the efficacy of the Sacraments, reject infant faith, and question the Real Presence. Others use “a participation in,” a vague and wordy phrase for one word in Greek, used in the Pauline benediction, 2 Corinthians 13:14 – communion. The various translations use communion of the Holy Spirit, not a participation in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all those who believe. For there is no difference,23 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
The old NIV did not have a second “all” but the New NIV has all as sinners (correct) but “all” are justified, the second “all” found only in the imagination of mainline apostates.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and “all” are justified freely – New NIV.
1 Peter 3:21 21 The like figure to this, even baptism, doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
The anti-Sacrament denominations are not against baptism, just against the efficacy of the Word in baptism. The clear witness to the power of baptism is reduced to symbolism by the NIV
21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also…NIV
No Need for Another Translation
WELS is talking about making up their own translation, which will be done in 2217, if it goes as fast as the Hoenecke translation did. Lutherans should climb down from their Tower of Babel and resolve to use a faithful translation. The KJV may be a bit antique for some, but the answer to that problem is KJV21, with very modest changes, not unlike the modest changes made in the first version of the KJV from 1611.
Many traditional Lutherans have been caught up with the game of manuscripts and changing the original readings to suit their interests. That problem is solved with the KJV and the KJV21. The time is here to invoke the adiaphora article of the Formula of Concord, as it should be in times of confessional crisis.
But the other side contended that in time of persecution, in case of confession, especially when it is the design of the adversaries, either through force and compulsion, or in an insidious manner, to suppress the pure doctrine, and gradually to introduce again into our churches their false doctrine, this, also in adiaphora, can in no way be done, as has been said, without violence to conscience and prejudice to the divine truth.
Book of Concord, Formula of Concord, Article X, Solid Declaration, 3.
The Germans sought to have a single Bible to unify the Christian Church. Luther’s was not the first. The English also sought unity with one Bible rather than many versions, so King James I authorized the unified effort, honoring Tyndale’s martyrdom and Luther’s influence.
Owning the right Bible translation is not enough. We should avail ourselves of the Means of Grace, and apply the lessons of the Holy Scriptures to our daily lives.
Luther:
Therefore I beg such lazy paunches or presumptuous saints to be persuaded and believe for God's sake that they are verily, verily! not so learned or such great doctors as they imagine; and never to presume that they have finished learning this [the parts of the Catechism], or know it well enough in all points, even though they think that they know it ever so well. For though they should know and understand it perfectly (which, however, is impossible in this life), yet there are manifold benefits and fruits still to be obtained, if it be daily read and practised in thought and speech; namely, that the Holy Ghost is present in such reading and repetition and meditation, and bestows ever new and more light and devoutness, so that it is daily relished and appreciated better, as Christ promises, Matt. 18:20: Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.
Besides, it is an exceedingly effectual help against the devil, the world, and the flesh and all evil thoughts to be occupied with the Word of God, and to speak of it, and meditate upon it, so that the First Psalm declares those blessed who meditate upon the Law of God day and night. Undoubtedly, you will not start a stronger incense or other fumigation against the devil than by being engaged upon God's commandments and words, and speaking, singing, or thinking of them. For this is indeed the true holy water and holy sign from which he flees, and by which he may be driven away.
Now, for this reason alone you ought gladly to read, speak, think and treat of these things, if you had no other profit and fruit from them than that by doing so you can drive away the devil and evil thoughts. For he cannot hear or endure God's Word; and God's Word is not like some other silly prattle, as that about Dietrich of Berne, etc., but as St. Paul says, Rom. 1:16, the power of God. Yea, indeed, the power of God which gives the devil burning pain, and strengthens, comforts, and helps us beyond measure.
Therefore I beg such lazy paunches or presumptuous saints to be persuaded and believe for God's sake that they are verily, verily! not so learned or such great doctors as they imagine; and never to presume that they have finished learning this [the parts of the Catechism], or know it well enough in all points, even though they think that they know it ever so well. For though they should know and understand it perfectly (which, however, is impossible in this life), yet there are manifold benefits and fruits still to be obtained, if it be daily read and practised in thought and speech; namely, that the Holy Ghost is present in such reading and repetition and meditation, and bestows ever new and more light and devoutness, so that it is daily relished and appreciated better, as Christ promises, Matt. 18:20: Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.
Besides, it is an exceedingly effectual help against the devil, the world, and the flesh and all evil thoughts to be occupied with the Word of God, and to speak of it, and meditate upon it, so that the First Psalm declares those blessed who meditate upon the Law of God day and night. Undoubtedly, you will not start a stronger incense or other fumigation against the devil than by being engaged upon God's commandments and words, and speaking, singing, or thinking of them. For this is indeed the true holy water and holy sign from which he flees, and by which he may be driven away.
Now, for this reason alone you ought gladly to read, speak, think and treat of these things, if you had no other profit and fruit from them than that by doing so you can drive away the devil and evil thoughts. For he cannot hear or endure God's Word; and God's Word is not like some other silly prattle, as that about Dietrich of Berne, etc., but as St. Paul says, Rom. 1:16, the power of God. Yea, indeed, the power of God which gives the devil burning pain, and strengthens, comforts, and helps us beyond measure.
The Book of Concord, The Large Catechism, 9-11.
