A Review of “Our Authorized Bible Vindicated,” by B. G. Wilkinson

Bible Society Translations Not Confined to A.V

On page 257 the statement is made that the King James Version is translated into over eight hundred languages. But investigation upon this point brings the following information from the General Secretary of the American Bible Society, who speaks virtually for both the American and the British and Foreign organizations, and gives this authoritative word relative to the rules and practices governing these translations: RABV 36.1

“The policy recommended by the British and Foreign Bible Society in their rules for the guidance of translators, revisers and editors is that also recommended by this Society. I quote from the rules before mentioned: RABV 36.2

“‘The Committee of the Society desire that, wherever practicable, versions should be made and revised from the Original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, advantage being taken of any previous translations in the particular language, and of versions in cognate languages. RABV 37.1

“‘For the Old Testament, the latest Hebrew Bible published by the Society for the time being is its standard text, both as regards consonants and vowels,—liberty being given to Translators and Revisers to follow the Kethib or the Qeri, or renderings sanctioned by the English Authorized or Revised Versions, or by their marginal readings. RABV 37.2

“‘For the New Testament, Translators and Revisers are recommended to follow the text of the original Greek edited for the Society by Dr. Nestle, but are at liberty to follow that underlying the English Authorized Version ¹ (edited by Dr. Scrivener, for the Cambridge University Press), or that underlying the Revised Versions (edited by Archdeacon Palmer, for the Oxford University Press). RABV 37.3

“‘Translators who are unacquainted with the originals are desired to follow the text or margin of the English Authorized or Revised Versions, or, in the case of Translators unacquainted with English, some other version sanctioned by the Committee. RABV 37.4

“‘Words or sentences for which the English Revisers in their Marginal notes declare that there exists ancient authority, should find a place either in the text or in the margin. The Committee deprecate their entire omission. RABV 37.5

“‘The American standard Edition of 1901 may be used instead of, or alongside of the English Versions. ’ RABV 37.6

“We find that it is the usual practice of translators, in order to make their meaning clear to their readers, to consult many versions. The ‘Textus Receptus’ or ‘Received Text’ is now rather out of date because of the later discoveries of more ancient sources and of improved scholarship and most modern translations take advantage of this advance. RABV 37.7

“Both Societies endeavor to make sure that translations they print have been faithfully done and as literal as the idiom of the language will permit.” RABV 37.8

Signed: Eric M. North, General Secretary. Jan. 6, 1931. RABV 37.9

This letter is most illuminating. First, it is made clear that translation from the Authorized Version into a foreign language is allowed only in case the translator does not know the original language of the Bible, and that such a case is an exception to their general policy of translating from the original. Second, that the changes recognized by the English or American Revisers are to be placed either in text or margin, their omission being deprecated. And third, that the faulty character of the “Textus Receptus” is recognized by the responsible leadership of these great societies. It is thus apparent that it is not the King James Version which is translated into over eight hundred languages. RABV 37.10

The uncompromising position of the author, in the light of the import of this letter, raises the question as to whether or not he would commission Seventh-day Adventists to bring forth their own translations in every current language and dialect in order to be in literal conformity to the “Textus Receptus” RABV 38.1