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SeanF1989
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Maybe this is just because I live in England (a Protestant country where the KJV was published) but I get the impression that some people think that the KJV is the only version (I had a relative who thought this)
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ltwin
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It was just used in English speaking countries for so long.
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Texas_Roofer
Guest
It is not very clear when the Catholic Church endorsed Catholics reading an English version of scripture, however it was certainly late. German’s and Catholic certainly had English versions before the KJV however it seems those versions were treated as heavily restricted in use and generally discouraged. So the KJV became the first mass published to the general public and KJV was developed by a scholarly body. Given many predecessor English versions were personal translations by a single individual and often met with heavy complaints about quality of translation, the KJV became the standard street bible.
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Swiss_Guy
Guest
Idk. Probably cuz the Fundamentalists down south only use and since in America the people who stand out get all the attention… But the Latin Vulgate was the only Bible known in the West for over 1000 years, so you could argue that it was the most well known. 
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Texas_Roofer
Guest
Down south was very anticatholic and Latin was nonexistent, so to southerns a latin based system from the Catholic Church authority was a last resort. But an english bible from their home land of England made sense.Idk. Probably cuz the Fundamentalists down south only use and since in America the people who stand out get all the attention… But the Latin Vulgate was the only Bible known in the West for over 1000 years, so you could argue that it was the most well known.
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Swiss_Guy
Guest
Correction: Down south IS very antiCatholic.
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Anna_Scott
Guest
It took about 40 years for the KJV to overtake the popularity of the Geneva Bible, also an English translation.Maybe this is just because I live in England (a Protestant country where the KJV was published) but I get the impression that some people think that the KJV is the only version (I had a relative who thought this)
Ironically, many of the King James only Protestants preach the evils of Anglicanism. One website actually says the Anglican Church is straight out of the pits of hell (they say the same about Catholics); but they use the King James Bible authorized by King James, Monarch and head of the Church of England.
Even we, Anglicans, know the KJV is a translation with many flaws.
Peace,
Anna
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Nine_Two
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The KJV, along with the works of Shakespear, was instrumental in the standardization of the English language. This helped its spread.
As for the select few Protestants who believe it is something special, I personally believe they’re attracted to the (now) archaic sound of the words. It helps them to believe it is an ancient book. Many of these seem to think it is the original bible and everything is a translation of the KJV.
As for the select few Protestants who believe it is something special, I personally believe they’re attracted to the (now) archaic sound of the words. It helps them to believe it is an ancient book. Many of these seem to think it is the original bible and everything is a translation of the KJV.
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septimine
Guest
I would say it’s due to the influence of the British Empire at some level. The KJV came over to America with the colonists, and made it’s way to other areas the same way. I think the KJV only stuff is a reaction to other more modern translations that are less translation than interpretation.
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Indiana_Jones
Guest
I agree. Its use probably did spread with the British Empire. My grandparents and great-grandparents were only familiar with the KJV, since it was the only translation that was really available in this area in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
It is beautiful English, despite whatever flaws it might possess. The language of the KJV Psalms is especially impressive.
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Filii_Dei
Guest
I believe some of the users over at Sacred Scripture would have plenty to contribute here.
In Britain, the KJV was authorized as the only Bible permitted for liturgical and instructional use in the newly-reformed Church of England, hence all other Bible translations (if they existed, like the Douay-Rheims) were instantly disregarded, especially if they were made by Catholics. As such, I would not be surprised if some British assume that the KJV is the only translation of the Bible, especially the older generations. However, if the younger generations still believe this, it would be either a sign of ignorance or of radically right-wing KJV-onlyism.
In Britain, the KJV was authorized as the only Bible permitted for liturgical and instructional use in the newly-reformed Church of England, hence all other Bible translations (if they existed, like the Douay-Rheims) were instantly disregarded, especially if they were made by Catholics. As such, I would not be surprised if some British assume that the KJV is the only translation of the Bible, especially the older generations. However, if the younger generations still believe this, it would be either a sign of ignorance or of radically right-wing KJV-onlyism.
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John7
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btw, NIV has only been around since '78 but now outsells the KJV. i don’t know though if it’ll last 400 years.Maybe this is just because I live in England (a Protestant country where the KJV was published) but I get the impression that some people think that the KJV is the only version (I had a relative who thought this)
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Publisher
Guest
So much of our “sacred language” in English is based on the KJV…and it’s language is beautiful…especially when read by a talented orator…I rarely use the KJV any longer…I have my mom’s Bible and the family Bible…only when I take a trip down “memory lane” do I read the KJV.
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Phyllo
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No. The Geneva or Bishop’s Bible came over with them. John Alden had a KJV but he was considered a ships carpenter and not a colonist.
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Anna_Scott
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Indiana J,
You’re right about the beauty of language in the KJV. We still use it in our Liturgy from time to time. We use the RSV/NRSV for study.
Peace,
Anna
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liturgyluver
Guest
I agree. And many common phrases used today eminate from the KJB. Here are just a fewIndiana J,
You’re right about the beauty of language in the KJV. We still use it in our Liturgy from time to time. We use the RSV/NRSV for study.
Peace,
Anna
Salt of the earth
The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
A labour of love
Gird you loins
Get thee behnd me Satan
Sign of the times
The powers that be
You reap what you sow
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Calgar
Guest
Don’t know who these fundamentalists are, but I use the NIV. Don’t even own a copy of the King James.Idk. Probably cuz the Fundamentalists down south only use and since in America the people who stand out get all the attention… But the Latin Vulgate was the only Bible known in the West for over 1000 years, so you could argue that it was the most well known.
By "antiCatholic, do you mean “not Catholic”?
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Texas_Roofer
Guest
I think that started with me…
By "antiCatholic, do you mean “not Catholic”?
FYI - just a place to start
www2.trincoll.edu/~dcruzuri/anti-catholic/religious.html
or
fallenfromgrace.net/2012/01/23/i-was-a-good-baptist-and-all-good-baptists-hate-catholics/
or
Bob Jones Oct 1978 article " Faith for the Family " ( I have no copy available)
Really the comment was from my personal experiences
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Calgar
Guest
The links are interesting, although the anti-catholic organizations listed on that site aren’t all southern.
I tend not to be concerned with persecution, but it is sad when it comes from other Christians.
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Anna_Scott
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