King James Version Debate, The: A Plea for Realism [Paperback]

D. A. Carson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1978

D. A. Carson addresses laypeople and pastors with a concise explanation of the science of textual criticism and refutes the proposition that the King James Version is superior to contemporary translations. The King James Version Debate provides a readable introduction to two things: biblical textual criticism and some of the principles upon which translations are made.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

D. A. Carson (PhD, University of Cambridge) is research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author or editor of more than forty books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic (March 1, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801024277
• ISBN-13: 978-0801024276
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

D. A. Carson (Ph.D., University of Cambridge) is research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He is the author or coauthor of over 45 books, including the Gold Medallion Award-winning book The Gagging of God and An Introduction to the New Testament, and is general editor of Telling the Truth: Evangelizing Postmoderns and Worship by the Book. He has served as a pastor and is an active guest lecturer in church and academic settings around the world.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

106 of 112 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A scholarly and respectful treatment of a thorny issue, March 23, 2000

By 

Brian Prucey "1-888-Jesus-2000" (Benton, LA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: King James Version Debate, The: A Plea for Realism (Paperback)

D. A. Carson's primary purpose in writing The King James Debate: A Plea for Realism is to refute those who advocate the superiority of the Greek textual tradition behind the King James Version of the Bible. As a consequence, his effort has produced a wonderful primer on textual criticism. The book is divided into two parts: Textual Question and Nontextual Questions. Carson makes every effort to treat the position of his opponents with respect although it is quite evident their position frustrates and even angers him.

The first six chapters are dedicated to surveying the different text-types and their historical traditions. He gives his readers a succinct overview of very complex issues regarding the rise of the four major textual traditions (Byzantine, Western, Alexandrian and Caesarean) and briefly discusses their strengths and weaknesses. Carson also navigates the thorny issue of how variations between these text-types developed.

Carson briefly discusses the origins of the Textus Receptus (TR) and makes the case that the TR is based upon the inferior and late Byzantine text-type. He traces the history of the TR through Erasmus's Greek Testament. He affirms that the KJV translators used the best manuscripts available to them at the time, but subsequent discoveries cast doubt upon the accuracy of the Byzantine text-type vis-à-vis the other traditions. In Chapter 7, Carson methodically summarizes the reasons why the TR is an inferior textual tradition.

Part Two deals with what Carson calls "Nontextual Issues." In actuality, this major division addresses Carson's thoughts on translating scripture. He deals with seven popular arguments some uses to support the superiority of the KJV translation over other modern English translations. Carson respects those who have a deep personal and emotional commitment to the KJV but has harsh words for those who use historically and scholarly fallacious methods to claim KJV superiority over other modern translations. He points out that the KJV is quickly falling out of favor because the Elizabethan English is obscure, confusing and sometime incomprehensible.

Carson includes a lengthy appendix presenting a critique of the book "The Identity of the New Testament Text" by Wilbur N. Pickering. Pickering's thesis is that eclecticism is not a method to be trusted. Pickering objects to the concept of text-typing and supports the majority reading approach to determining the most accurate text. Carson refutes Pickering on eight points. Many of these points refer back to his 14 theses in chapter seven.

D. A. Carson's point-by-point analysis and refutation of the "King James-only" element in American Christianity should be required reading as an introduction to textual criticism. The book is also helpful for anyone entering the pastoral ministry. Carson thoroughly and forcefully presents both sides of the issue with more respect than his interlocutors provide him.

63 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thomas R. (KJB1611) has not read this book!, May 31, 2000

By 

Robert Frazier - See all my reviews

This review is from: King James Version Debate, The: A Plea for Realism (Paperback)

A response to a previous review:

"Mr. Carson does a good job of defending the modern versions."

Very true.

"Unfortunately, in order to do so, he must misrepresent the KJB only side and make it seem like Mr. Ruckman and Ms. Riplinger are actually representative of the KJB only position, which they are not."

Ruckman and Riplinger are NEVER mentioned in the book, nor are their writings.

"He ignores the scholarship of men like D. A. Waite, D. O. Fuller, Edward F. Hills, etc. to focus on two weirdos, Ruckman and Riplinger."

Carson didn't mention Waite, but he did deal with the theories of Fuller, Hills, Hodges, Ray and Pickering. Carson cannot honestly be accused of employing a straw-man argument. Thomas is either lying in saying he read the book, or lying about the book's contents.

"Of course, since Biblical preservation dictates the KJB only position, since the Textus Receptus is the vast majority text, it is necessary to distort the KJB only position to attack it."

Biblical preservation says nothing about the King James Version. The TR is not the Majority Text. It is never necessary to use a straw-man argument, on this topic or any other, and Carson does not do so. Rather, he deals with the best arguments available in favor of the proposition that the KJV is the best (or only!) Bible translation on earth, and he refutes them calmly and reasonably.

"However, if you want to defend the modern versions, this is as good as you'll get."

Unfortunately, if you are looking for honesty and sanity in KJV-Onlies, Thomas R. is about as good as you will find -- a person who shamelessly fabricates "facts" even though he knows anyone can read the book and discover that he's lying.

I commend D.A. Carson for writing such a calm and irenic book when I consider it's people like Thomas R. that he's responding to. Read the book yourself. Don't let Thomas put you off.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but has been surpassed, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: King James Version Debate, The: A Plea for Realism (Paperback)

D.A. Carson's book, published in 1978, is a tremendous volume. However it has been surpassed by James White's KING JAMES ONLY CONTROVERSY published in 1995. Carson even endorses White's book. Buy both for a complete look at this convoluted subject.