KJV vs NIV: Which Bible Interpretation is the Best?
There is an ongoing debate over which version of the Bible — King James (KJV) or New International (NIV) — better interprets the Word of God. The argument is borne out of the insistence of Christian conservatives that the KJV is the only English Bible to be trusted.
Bible purists would often refer to a comparison chart to prove their point that the KJV is the most complete and most accurate translation of God's Words. Choice verses from both versions are laid side-by-side for comparison. Not only does the KJV contain longer phrases, the chart also shows verses purportedly missing in the NIV.
Supporters of the NIV admit that the KJV was the best available translation in its time (14th–17th century). Their only beef is that it was based merely on a few Greek manuscripts compiled into the "Textus Receptus" or the Received Text. The NIV, on the other hand, is "based on much stronger manuscript evidence."
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Others argue that the KJV was produced by puritans handpicked by King James with an anti-Catholic bias which made it vulnerable to forgeries. On the other hand, modern versions like the NIV were translated by more scholars based on newfound manuscripts.
Some KJV defenders label other versions as "tampered" due to the missing verses which for them violates Revelation 22:18-19 regarding taking away from God's Word. Other religious groups throw the accusation back at the KJV for allegedly adding passages in the Bible.
But the argument is pointless for Christians who would rather use the Bible to win souls than engaging in a never-ending pointless debate. The KJV remains to be highly regarded by Protestants in general but its usage of old, outdated English prompts them to use newer versions for easy reading. And one of the most popular modern translation of the Bible is the NIV.
