For the first thirty years of my life I used the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, but then about thirty years ago a strong western wind of change blew through the church leading many, myself included, to use the New International Version (NIV). I used the NIV for the next twenty years until the Spirit convicted my heart against the use of the NIV and I returned, not to the KJV, but the more modern vernacular-friendly, New King James Version (NKJV). Here’s why: the NIV greatly dulls and reduces truth and on many fronts boldly changes profound truths that must never be changed, truths that are retained by the NKJV from the original language. Here are just two examples of such reduced, covert change.
Romans 8:1 in the NIV, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ“, and moves on to verse two entirely liberating the reader from what might otherwise be conviction. But note the dramatic difference of Romans 8:1 from the NKJV, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” While the NIV, verses later, tries to recover this immediate impact and contrast, it omitted half the verse whereby is lost the Spirit-punch of life-changing conviction! The NIV makes the truth far less convicting to the fallen mind of flesh.
Again, from 1 Corinthians 6:9b-10 from the NIV, “Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders…will inherit the kingdom of God.” Here, now, is the whole truth from the original which says, “Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites…will inherit the kingdom of God.” The NIV obscures truth by adding the false qualifier of homosexual “offenders” and deleting the word and imagery of “sodomites“, overtly insinuating that its okay to be a homosexual just so long as you’re not an “offending” homosexual, in other words liberating those who in adult like-minded agreement practice such abominable lifestyles, to yet feel included as the bride of Christ. God forbid!
Time and space prohibit me from disclosing the many, many other examples wherein the NIV reduces the sharp dividing asunder God’s Word truly brings to the unbeliever, that is if he/she is confronted with whole truth. God’s Word strongly warns of adding to or subtracting from God’s Word, but we live in a day when men boldly move against God with that original deception of, “Has God indeed said…” Genesis 3:1. For these reasons, for the past ten years I have elected the safety of the NKJV as my personal default Bible from which to study and learn.
Marlin J. Yoder
Marlin , I just remember that you wrote The Friday Letter. I read it when I was in your class at MAG. I do not like NIV either. It changes a lot of the Bible and omits sentences which really change the meaning of God’s Word.
You may recall that I commented one time about all the flowers in a cemetery and the people buried there knew nothing about them. I said it would have been better if those flowers had been given while the person was alive. I then told the class that I appreciated your work and preparation for teaching our Sunday School Class.
I still appreciate the New King James Version of the Bible that the Sunday School class give me when I was leaving northern VA. Hugh
Hello Hugh,
It’s so nice to hear from you. Ten years ago God called me to teach the end-times, but there is much resistance to the Words of Christ and His apostles regarding the same. The evangelical church puts forth the promise of a pre-tribulation rapture which is a huge deception and lie. Please stay connected to TheFridayLetter.com as I will continue teaching truths of the end-times and our need to prepare in heart, mind, spirit and soul. Blessings in Christ, Marlin.
The old King James version is my choice. One difference that is not in any version that I have read is in Matthew 6:9 The Lords prayer in the old KJV go’s Our Father Who art in heaven Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Notice it says IN earth as opposed to on earth. All other versions I’ve read it say’s on earth.
We were made from the dust of the ground thus we are earth. I Love to know that Gods will is done in me as it is in heaven. Even the NKJV states on earth.
I will take this space to wish all a Merry Christmas. God Bless You all