The Origin of “KJV Onlyism”

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Part 23 –
The Origin of “KJV Onlyism”
This episode reiterates the significance of Westcott and Hort’s revised Greek Text in 1881, the text upon which most modern translations rest. They wanted to incorporate newly discovered Greek manuscripts into the manuscript tradition, tweaking the Textus Receptus as needed. Importantly, the vast majority of the Greek text remained unchanged. Defenders of the Textus Receptus rejected any “tweaking,” insisting that God had perfectly preserved His Word in the Textus Receptus, the underlying Greek text upon which the translators of the KJV relied. The English divine John Burgon linked the doctrine of inspiration with preservation, arguing from some prooftexts that God’s providential preservation of the Scriptures followed from divine inspiration, and this miracle is evident in the KJV.

Podcast (kingdomquestions): Play in new window | Download | Embed

  • 00:00:35 – Introduction to Manuscript Evidence
  • 00:01:16 – Comparison with Classical Authors
  • 00:03:44 – Confidence in Classical Works
  • 00:04:58 – New Testament Manuscript Abundance
  • 00:06:23 – Significance of Pauline Corpus
  • 00:07:54 – Impact of the Church Fathers
  • 00:09:00 – New Testament vs. Classical Manuscripts
  • 00:10:30 – Skepticism and Manuscript Tradition
  • 00:12:07 – Call to Evaluate Beliefs
  • 00:12:54 – Closing Prayer
Part 23 –
The Origin of “KJV Onlyism”

Podcast (kingdomquestions): Play in new window | Download | Embed

  • 00:00:35 – Introduction to Manuscript Evidence
  • 00:01:16 – Comparison with Classical Authors
  • 00:03:44 – Confidence in Classical Works
  • 00:04:58 – New Testament Manuscript Abundance
  • 00:06:23 – Significance of Pauline Corpus
  • 00:07:54 – Impact of the Church Fathers
  • 00:09:00 – New Testament vs. Classical Manuscripts
  • 00:10:30 – Skepticism and Manuscript Tradition
  • 00:12:07 – Call to Evaluate Beliefs
  • 00:12:54 – Closing Prayer
This episode reiterates the significance of Westcott and Hort’s revised Greek Text in 1881, the text upon which most modern translations rest. They wanted to incorporate newly discovered Greek manuscripts into the manuscript tradition, tweaking the Textus Receptus as needed. Importantly, the vast majority of the Greek text remained unchanged. Defenders of the Textus Receptus rejected any “tweaking,” insisting that God had perfectly preserved His Word in the Textus Receptus, the underlying Greek text upon which the translators of the KJV relied. The English divine John Burgon linked the doctrine of inspiration with preservation, arguing from some prooftexts that God’s providential preservation of the Scriptures followed from divine inspiration, and this miracle is evident in the KJV.

Episode Scripture References -

Matthew 5:18-19, Isaiah 40:8, Psalm 12:6-7

More About This Episode -

In this episode of “Kingdom Questions,” hosted by Victor Vigorito, Victor addresses the topic of Bible translations and specifically the reliability of the New Testament manuscripts compared to classical authors.


Victor discusses how the accuracy of Bible translations relates to the availability of early manuscripts. He questions the confidence people have in reading classical authors like Suetonius, Tacitus, and Pliny the Elder, citing the number of manuscript copies and the time gap between the original autographs and the earliest surviving copies. For example, he notes that we have about 200 copies of Suetonius with the earliest dating from 800 AD, and only three copies of Tacitus dating to 1000 AD.


Victor contrasts this with the New Testament, emphasizing that it has significantly more copies available from an earlier timeframe. He highlights that the manuscript evidence for the New Testament is much stronger, pointing out that we have about 5,600 copies, with the earliest dating from around 125-150 AD, quite close to the original autograph.


He further explains that by the end of the second century, there are substantial portions of the New Testament available in manuscript form, particularly Paul’s letters. Furthermore, he states that by 300 AD, there are already 61 manuscripts, and by 350 AD, over 100 manuscripts, including complete New Testament versions.


Victor also mentions the existence of about 20,000 manuscript copies of the New Testament in various languages, like Latin, Armenian, and Coptic, reinforcing the point that even if these copies were eradicated, abundant citations from church fathers would allow for a near-complete reconstruction of the New Testament.

Key Terms From This Episode -

Main Theme: Determining the correct Bible translation from many available options

    Key Points:

  • Importance of manuscript availability for Bible translation accuracy
  • Substantial portions of New Testament available by the end of the 2nd century (especially Paul’s letters)
  • 61 manuscripts by 300 AD, over 100 by 350 AD, including complete versions
  • Argument for the New Testament’s superior manuscript evidence compared to classical works
  • Encouragement for skeptics to scrutinize classical authors similarly

    • Episode Scripture References -

    Matthew 5:18-19, Isaiah 40:8, Psalm 12:6-7

    More About This Episode -

    In this episode of “Kingdom Questions,” hosted by Victor Vigorito, Victor addresses the topic of Bible translations and specifically the reliability of the New Testament manuscripts compared to classical authors.


    Victor discusses how the accuracy of Bible translations relates to the availability of early manuscripts. He questions the confidence people have in reading classical authors like Suetonius, Tacitus, and Pliny the Elder, citing the number of manuscript copies and the time gap between the original autographs and the earliest surviving copies. For example, he notes that we have about 200 copies of Suetonius with the earliest dating from 800 AD, and only three copies of Tacitus dating to 1000 AD.


    Victor contrasts this with the New Testament, emphasizing that it has significantly more copies available from an earlier timeframe. He highlights that the manuscript evidence for the New Testament is much stronger, pointing out that we have about 5,600 copies, with the earliest dating from around 125-150 AD, quite close to the original autograph.


    He further explains that by the end of the second century, there are substantial portions of the New Testament available in manuscript form, particularly Paul’s letters. Furthermore, he states that by 300 AD, there are already 61 manuscripts, and by 350 AD, over 100 manuscripts, including complete New Testament versions.


    Victor also mentions the existence of about 20,000 manuscript copies of the New Testament in various languages, like Latin, Armenian, and Coptic, reinforcing the point that even if these copies were eradicated, abundant citations from church fathers would allow for a near-complete reconstruction of the New Testament.

    Key Terms From This Episode -

    Main Theme: Determining the correct Bible translation from many available options

      Key Points:

  • Importance of manuscript availability for Bible translation accuracy
  • Substantial portions of New Testament available by the end of the 2nd century (especially Paul’s letters)
  • 61 manuscripts by 300 AD, over 100 by 350 AD, including complete versions
  • Argument for the New Testament’s superior manuscript evidence compared to classical works
  • Encouragement for skeptics to scrutinize classical authors similarly
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