About those "Perversions..."

“How much poison would it take to make a cup of water poisonous? Just one drop, right?” I’ve heard this arguments or variants on this argument 1,000 times as an attack on the modern “perversions.” This is so simple and so clear, yet it is an absurd comparison. The assumption being made is that “wicked people” insert poison into the Bible, therefore making it a “perversion.” The opposite is true. Why do we have to get all worked up about the textual debate instead of standing back in awe and gratitude that in a supernatural way God’s word has been preserved in the body of the texts and that there is unquestioned agreement over 98% of the text? Why can’t we rejoice that the 2% that is disputed and can be debated does not change ONE single truth? There are no contradictions and no truth left out! It is an AWESOME thing that ought to be celebrated! Even if one were to come to the conclusion that one family of texts is to be preferred based on an examination of the evidence, why is there a need to turn it into an argument about “poison?’ I mean, if you were to be fully convinced that some of the readings the critical text omits should be in there, how does the absence of those passages turn the rest of God’s word into poison? Isn’t that rather close to blasphemous? This type of approach is usually done by men who simply parrot those who they have heard and “amened” by those who blindly accept what they are presented with. Never is the fact presented that there are serious debates and questions to be confronted. Does the common KJV waving fanatic have any idea about the manuscript evidence supporting the “Comma Johaneum” in the majority text? Nope. I tell you what though, a good story about poison with some frantic waving of the KJV and an amen line like “Bless Gawd, you can keep your HIV’s I’ll keep my BIIIIIIBLE,” will certainly make you feel like you’re standing for God. Is it possible that in the end you are denigrating His word and causing harm for the cause of Christ? You sure you want to burn those “perversions?”

Note: I do not mean to broad-brush all KJV advocates. I realize there is a wide range and if this does not speak to your position, please disregard it. It very specifically addresses a mentality I spent a lot of time around. If you feel from an examination of the evidence that the KJV is the best translation I have no beef with you. God bless! Please be careful however how you feel about and describe other translations of God’s word.

Tony