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Della
Guest
You’re welcome.
Should I, as a Catholic, not read the King James translation of the Bible?
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Dan_Parker
Guest
I would say you should read as many translations as you can get your hands on. I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and I have the KJV and the Catholic NAB, JB and NJB as well as the Douay in my library along with a few dozen other versions.I’m 15 and am going to be confirmed in September. (A little late, I know, but I attended a non-Catholic Christian school for a few months last school year and was given a King James translation Bible, which was the accepted version at the school.) I’ve read in a religious booklet that the King James version of the Bible isn’t used in the Catholic Church. Is this true? If so, can someone tell me why, please? Sorry if it’s a really obvious question!
Thanks!
Dan
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Omyo12
Guest
I actually have a pocket New World Translation, my girlfriend use to be a Witness.
It’s not a bad translation in broad terms and I really don’t mind “Jehovah” since the traditional Masoretic text has those vowel markings, my copy of The Interlinear Bible by Jay P. Green also renders it “Jehovah.” Of course as you’ll understand I cannot recommend it to anyone trying to study the Word of God, but I do take a look at it from time to time.
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Dan_Parker
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You are correct that the pocket edition is not for serious study. For that you should get the Reference Edition and the Greek Interlinear.
Dan
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zach_dunn
Guest
I do believe Omyo meant she should not use the NWT for study AT ALL. The reason being it is not in agreement with Catholic teaching and Catholics looking to study the Bible should use a Church approved translation.
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Omyo12
Guest
Ummmm… I’m a he… hahah… :\
And yes, I did mean I’d never recommend the NWT to anyone, regardless of edition…
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zach_dunn
Guest
**When I said she I was referring to the OP.
I assumed the OP was a girl, sorry if you’re not OP! I knew you are a he because you mentioned having a girlfriend in your previous post. 300 posts!! :extrahappy:**
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Dan_Parker
Guest
So I can quote the NAB, JB or NJB and because they have the Imprimatur you must accept it? Cool
Dan
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Dan_Parker
Guest
If you are up to it, and time permitting on both sides, would you mind picking your best example which illustrates why you feel the way you do so that we can discuss it?Ummmm… I’m a he… hahah… :\
And yes, I did mean I’d never recommend the NWT to anyone, regardless of edition…
Dan
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Della
Guest
Sure, but we are not obligated to accept your interpretation. Even cooler!
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Dan_Parker
Guest
As it should be. I would prefer to allow God’s inspired word to work on your heart than to have you feel obligated to believe a certain way.Sure, but we are not obligated to accept your interpretation. Even cooler!
Dan
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tobinatorstark
Guest
Exactly why do you feel that way?? Assuming that you have an NWT, compare it to the KJV and Douay-Rheims John 1:1. See what you come up with. Two totally different doctrines
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Dan_Parker
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Dan:
Perhaps you don’t understand how Jehovah’s Witnesses view John 1:1. We view the Word in John 1:1 as being presented as the spokesman of God in a similar manner to how Moses was the spokesman for God.
If one accepts a translation of “the Word was God” then I would view this as similar to how the NWT renders Ex 7:1
NWT Exodus 7:1 Consequently Jehovah said to Moses: "See,** I have made you God to Pharaoh**, and Aaron your own brother will become your prophet.
The KJV renders this verse:
In John 1:1 the Son existed in heaven with his Father before he became a human being. He was the Word or spokesman for his Father. He was not the Father nor was he a second God alongside his Father. The former would be modalism, the latter polytheism.
Interestingly, the Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich Greek lexicon financed by the Lutheran Missouri Synod says to compare Exodus 7:1 (LXX) to John 1:1.
The matter of John 1:1 is more a matter of interpretation than it is a matter of translation. That being said, I do believe that the Greek QEOS HN hO LOGOS (lit a god was the Word) is the best translation for the verse. Discussing that is beyond the scope of this short post.
You have not shared how you view John 1:1. Even amongst Trinitarians there is a large difference.
For example Catholic John L McKenzie, S.J.
Note that McKenzie is a Trinitarian and a Catholic who interprets John 20:28 and Titus 2:13 as examples where he feels the Son is called God with the definite article. But he agrees with Jehovah’s Witnesses that Jesus was “a divine being” and not “God” in John 1:1.
Dan
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wmscott
Guest
As you can see there are a lot of opinions out here. Since you are starting out to seriously learn about your faith I feel that you should start by building a solid foundation for yourself. I would suggest that you get a Catholic Bible, NAB or RSV-CE. the reason is it contains all of the conical books of the Bible which most Protestant Bibles do not, at least as part of the main body any ways. I would also get a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. if you can not afford these, I am sure that if you go to your parish office or the RCIA group and let them know your situation, they can give you a copy of these books. as for apologetics, most any Catholic book store has books on this subject and is good for learning the Faith. the library here at this site also has a wealth of information. You may want to go there and there is information on the Bible and the differing translations. I hope this helps.I’m 15 and am going to be confirmed in September. (A little late, I know, but I attended a non-Catholic Christian school for a few months last school year and was given a King James translation Bible, which was the accepted version at the school.) I’ve read in a religious booklet that the King James version of the Bible isn’t used in the Catholic Church. Is this true? If so, can someone tell me why, please? Sorry if it’s a really obvious question!
Thanks!
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Michael_Francis
Guest
Please stay on topic of whether Catholics should read the KJV.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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ThuriferAcolyte
Guest
Remember, the King James Version is missing a number of books. Therefore, it is okay if you read it, as long as you have a complete Bible in addition. Who wants only part of the written word of God? 
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