Class taught by Dr. John Oakes 11/14/10. The lesson focuses in on the definition and evidence for biblical inspiration, the meaning of biblical inerrancy, errors of copyists and translators, followed by an introduction to the English translations. The final section discusses claims that the King James Version is the only acceptable translation and that others are of the devil.

1. Bible Manuscripts and TranslationsBible Manuscripts and Translations
John OakesJohn Oakes
11/13/201011/13/2010

2. Our OutlineOur Outline
 First Considerations: Inspiration andFirst Considerations: Inspiration and
InerrancyInerrancy
 English Translations: Which is the “best”English Translations: Which is the “best”
translation?translation?
 What about the KJV?What about the KJV?

3. First ConsiderationsFirst Considerations
 What do we mean when we say the Bible is inspired?What do we mean when we say the Bible is inspired?
 Exactly what is inspired?Exactly what is inspired?
 Original autographsOriginal autographs
 Manuscript copiesManuscript copies
 TranslationsTranslations
 Is the Bible inerrant? If so, in what sense?Is the Bible inerrant? If so, in what sense?

4. The Biblical Meaning of InspirationThe Biblical Meaning of Inspiration
 2 Peter 1:20-212 Peter 1:20-21
 1 Thess 2:131 Thess 2:13
 I believe that the entire scripture is inspired by GodI believe that the entire scripture is inspired by God
because:because:
 The Bible says soThe Bible says so
 The evidence supports this conclusionThe evidence supports this conclusion
 By faith in GodBy faith in God

5. What, Exactly, Is Inspired by God?What, Exactly, Is Inspired by God?
 The Original Autographs For sure!The Original Autographs For sure!
 (But we do not have those)(But we do not have those)
 The Copyists? NoThe Copyists? No
 Why would God trust his inspired word to fallibleWhy would God trust his inspired word to fallible
copyists?copyists?
 The Translators? NoThe Translators? No
 Why would God trust his inspired word to fallibleWhy would God trust his inspired word to fallible
translators?translators?

6. InspiredInspired TranslationsTranslations??
 Q: God is sovereign: Wouldn’t he see to theQ: God is sovereign: Wouldn’t he see to the
inspiration of the translators?inspiration of the translators?
 Q: Does this mean we do not have direct access toQ: Does this mean we do not have direct access to
the inspired Word of God?the inspired Word of God?
 The question of exaggerated and unreasonable faith.The question of exaggerated and unreasonable faith.
 Does God change lights from red to green for us?Does God change lights from red to green for us?
 Does God move the had of the copyist or the mind of theDoes God move the had of the copyist or the mind of the
translator?translator?
 Does God reveal his one chosen mate to us?Does God reveal his one chosen mate to us?

7. Conclusion (with regard to Biblical inspiration)Conclusion (with regard to Biblical inspiration)
 Although it is true that we do not have a perfectAlthough it is true that we do not have a perfect
Greek or Hebrew text, and although we do not haveGreek or Hebrew text, and although we do not have
inspired, inerrant translations, with the help ofinspired, inerrant translations, with the help of
modern scholarship of the languages, knowledge ofmodern scholarship of the languages, knowledge of
OT and NT cultures, careful textual criticism and soOT and NT cultures, careful textual criticism and so
forth, we have at least as good access toforth, we have at least as good access to
understanding the original inspired Word of God asunderstanding the original inspired Word of God as
Christians living in the first or second century.Christians living in the first or second century.

8. Is The Bible Inerrant?Is The Bible Inerrant?
 The Simple Answer: Yes, definitely.The Simple Answer: Yes, definitely.
 The Nuanced Answer: What do you mean byThe Nuanced Answer: What do you mean by
inerrant?inerrant?
 Are Jesus’ speeches transcripts?Are Jesus’ speeches transcripts?
 What about speeches by Abraham or Noah?What about speeches by Abraham or Noah?
 How would a Near Eastern Jew 700 BCHow would a Near Eastern Jew 700 BC
understand inerrancy?understand inerrancy?
 Does the chronology have to be strictly correctDoes the chronology have to be strictly correct
for the text to be inerrant?for the text to be inerrant?
 The question is not what can God do, but whatThe question is not what can God do, but what
did he do.did he do.

9. Inerrancy: A ConclusionInerrancy: A Conclusion
 The Bible is theologically and doctrinally inerrant.The Bible is theologically and doctrinally inerrant.
 Theological inerrancy holds up to careful scrutiny.Theological inerrancy holds up to careful scrutiny.
 Evidence for doctrinal inerrancy is also very strong.Evidence for doctrinal inerrancy is also very strong.
 The Scripture is verbally inspiredThe Scripture is verbally inspired
 Paul agrees with this! Galatians 3:16Paul agrees with this! Galatians 3:16
 Careful analysis of the scripture supports this conclusionCareful analysis of the scripture supports this conclusion

10. English TranslationsEnglish Translations
 Word for WordWord for Word
 Phrase for PhrasePhrase for Phrase
 Thought for Thought (ie paraphrased)Thought for Thought (ie paraphrased)

11. NASB New American Standard Bible (1971;
update 1995)
AMP Amplified Bible (1965)
ESV English Standard Version (2001)
RSV Revised Standard Version (1952)
KJV King James Version (1611; significantly
revised 1769)
NKJV New King James Version (1982)
HCSB Holman Christian Standard Version
(2004)
NRSV New Revised Standard Version (1989)
NAB New American Bible (Catholic, 1970,
1986 (NT), 1991 (Psalms)
NJB New Jerusalem Bible (Catholic, 1986;
revision of 1966 Jerusalem Bible)
NIV New International Version (1984)
TNIV Today’s New International Version
(NT 2001, OT 2005)
NCV New Century Version
NLT1
New Living Translation (1st
ed. 1996;
2nd
ed. 2004)
NIrV New International reader’s Version
GNT Good News Translation (also Good
News Bible)
CEV Contemporary English Version
Living Living Bible (1950). Paraphrase by Ken
Taylor. Liberal treatment of ‘blood.’
Message The Message by Eugene Peterson
(1991-2000s)

12.  VersionVersion TypeType # Translators# Translators
 NASBNASB word for wordword for word 5454
 AMPAMP word for wordword for word 1313
 ESVESV word for wordword for word 100+100+
 KJVKJV word for wordword for word 5454
 NKJVNKJV word for wordword for word 119119
 HCSB word for word/phrase for phrase 90HCSB word for word/phrase for phrase 90
 NRSV word for word/phrase for phrase 30NRSV word for word/phrase for phrase 30
 NABNAB word for wordword for word 5555
 NJBNJB phrase for phrasephrase for phrase 3636
 NIVNIV phrase for phrasephrase for phrase 115115
 TNIVTNIV phrase for phrasephrase for phrase 115115
 NLTNLT phrase for phrasephrase for phrase 9090
 CEVCEV paraphraseparaphrase 100+100+
 NIrVNIrV paraphraseparaphrase 1111
 GNTGNT paraphraseparaphrase 77
 MessageMessage paraphraseparaphrase 11

13. Which is the Best Translation?Which is the Best Translation?
 It Depends... Probably more than one. What is the goal?It Depends... Probably more than one. What is the goal?
 To do a deep and detailed study in order to do BibleTo do a deep and detailed study in order to do Bible
teaching or to deepen our own personal knowledgeteaching or to deepen our own personal knowledge
of the scripture.of the scripture.
 Reading the scripture to allow an entire section haveReading the scripture to allow an entire section have
an impact.an impact.
 Reading scripture in public (what public?)Reading scripture in public (what public?)
 Studying out, defending and explaining a doctrine.Studying out, defending and explaining a doctrine.
 Reading for inspiration and to give personal faith.Reading for inspiration and to give personal faith.
 Doing a word study, Doing a topical study, etc….Doing a word study, Doing a topical study, etc….

14. We are not limited to English translationsWe are not limited to English translations
 Greek InterlinearGreek Interlinear
 Greek LexiconGreek Lexicon
 Comprehensive ConcordanceComprehensive Concordance
 CommentariesCommentaries

15. Should We Stick to the NIV?Should We Stick to the NIV?

16. What About the KJV “Authorized” Version?What About the KJV “Authorized” Version?
Critics of the NIV (and other translations) say:Critics of the NIV (and other translations) say:
 In every case, when the KJV is compared with theIn every case, when the KJV is compared with the
NIV, the KJV is better.NIV, the KJV is better.
 The KJV contains the whole Bible and has noThe KJV contains the whole Bible and has no
deletions. Revelation 22:18deletions. Revelation 22:18
 The KJV is more hard hitting and does notThe KJV is more hard hitting and does not
compromise with the world.compromise with the world.
 The KJV uses better Greek and Hebrew manuscripts:The KJV uses better Greek and Hebrew manuscripts:
TheThe Textus ReceptusTextus Receptus..
 The translators of the NIV were homosexuals and/orThe translators of the NIV were homosexuals and/or
deists who reject the deity of Jesus Christ.deists who reject the deity of Jesus Christ.

17. Authorized Version KJV Is Always More AccurateAuthorized Version KJV Is Always More Accurate
 Examples:Examples:
 Holy GhostHoly Ghost
 James 3:13James 3:13
 Proverbs 18:24Proverbs 18:24
 Romans 3:25Romans 3:25
 This is a biased analysis which no serious scholarThis is a biased analysis which no serious scholar
would support.would support.
 KJV uses archaic words, poorer manuscripts, wordKJV uses archaic words, poorer manuscripts, word
meanings have changed…..meanings have changed…..

18. KJV (Unlike The Others) Has No DeletionsKJV (Unlike The Others) Has No Deletions
 Revelation 22:18 Matthew 5:18Revelation 22:18 Matthew 5:18
 Acts 8:37, 1 John 5:7-8, Luke 17:36, etc.Acts 8:37, 1 John 5:7-8, Luke 17:36, etc.
 Which is worse, additions or deletions?Which is worse, additions or deletions?

19. AV Uses Superior Greek ManuscriptsAV Uses Superior Greek Manuscripts
 Textus ReceptusTextus Receptus (Erasmus, 16(Erasmus, 16thth
century)century)
 Byzantine Text FamilyByzantine Text Family
 Alexandrine Text FamilyAlexandrine Text Family
 Western Text FamilyWestern Text Family
 Telephone…Telephone…
 Hebrew Text and Scholarship ProblemsHebrew Text and Scholarship Problems

20. ConclusionConclusion
 The entire Old and New Testaments are inspired by God. WeThe entire Old and New Testaments are inspired by God. We
know this both by evidence and by faith.know this both by evidence and by faith.
 The Scripture is verbally inspired and inerrant. We also knowThe Scripture is verbally inspired and inerrant. We also know
this by evidence and faith. However, we ought to be cautiousthis by evidence and faith. However, we ought to be cautious
about over-committing ourselves with regard to the meaning ofabout over-committing ourselves with regard to the meaning of
the word inerrant.the word inerrant.
 We English speakers do not read the original inspired text, butWe English speakers do not read the original inspired text, but
with sufficient help from scholars we have at least as good anwith sufficient help from scholars we have at least as good an
access to understanding the original as the majority who livedaccess to understanding the original as the majority who lived
in the first and second centuries.in the first and second centuries.
 The debate over the “right” English translation is not a usefulThe debate over the “right” English translation is not a useful
one. A student of the scriptures who does not have a deepone. A student of the scriptures who does not have a deep
knowledge of the original languages will use more than oneknowledge of the original languages will use more than one
translation, as well as other resources to arrive at a goodtranslation, as well as other resources to arrive at a good
understanding of the meaning of the text.understanding of the meaning of the text.
 Arguments that the King James Version is the only acceptable,Arguments that the King James Version is the only acceptable,
inspired translation and that others are demonic are biased, fullinspired translation and that others are demonic are biased, full
of logical fallacies and simply not valid.of logical fallacies and simply not valid.