The Necessity of Biblical Comradery in the Fight of Our Lives

          I was very thankful for the opportunity to set up a book table at the King James Bible Research Council annual conference in King, NC. In addition to the books You will notice a 1891 Bible, a photo of Dr. David Otis Fuller as he travelled in defense of the KJB/TR in the 70’s and 80’s, and a photographic facsimile of Sinaiticus where the scrapping off of the last 12 verses of Mark’s Gospel can be readily seen. Annette was able to come with me for both days and took this photo.

 The King James Bible Research Council held its annual meeting in King, NC at the Calvary Baptist Church last Thursday and Friday. Only about an hour drive from my home I messaged Dr. David Brown, the President of the council and told him I was planning to attend. He asked if I wanted to bring the StandardSacredText publications and set up a book table at the conference which I did. The first King James Bible conference I attended was in 1986 at Calvary Baptist Church in Grayling, MI where Pastor Robert Barnett pastored. After the first session I texted Dr. Brown to say that the conference reminded me of the old, exciting days of Bible defense, especially when Brother Reno mentioned Pastor Barnett and Dr. Don Waite, then leading the Dean Burgon Society of which I was a member. Pastor Barnett’s booklet, The Word of God on Trial succinctly and accurately summarized the core historic issues of the textual debate and served the Church well. Dr. Waite’s reprinting of the works of Dean John William Burgon performed an inestimable service to the Church and the defense of the Faith.

That having been said, Dr. Waite and others on the Dean Burgon Society had a low regard for Calvinism, but, for the sake of unity around the defense of the KJB/TR, overlooked that soteriological difference. My attendance at Westminster Theological Seminary made Dr. Waite shudder but I was still on the DBS executive committee. The Dean Burgon Society was a one issue work – defending the KJB and Reformation era Greek and Hebrew texts. For instance, Dr. Waite, a fundamentalist depended on the Anglican John William Burgon for his polemic. Dr. Edward F. Hills, a Presbyterian, provided a covenantal, erudite defense of Scripture’s providential preservation. Dr. Theodore Letis, a Lutheran, likewise presents a sound and compelling argument. A Princeton-trained Baptist, Dr. David Otis Fuller, was also abandoned by his fundamentalist brothers for his defense of the King James Version. If we learn anything from these historic facts it is that the foundation of our Bible defense is ecclesiastically eclectic. Dr. Larry D. Pettegrew of Central Seminary was apparently correct when he writes that one is “actually less of a fundamentalist” if he holds to the King James Version.^[1] Although the Fundamental churches held to the KJB, you will be hard pressed to find any leaders of the 20^th century Fundamentalist movement who exclusively did.

I say this to plea for the advocates of the King James Bible and Reformation Greek and Hebrew texts to keep their endeavors focused solely on Bible defense and not wander into the myriad of ecclesiastical, soteriological and eschatological differences that make up the body of Christ. We will never agree on every point but we should never disparage another work and those brothers if on the source and foundation of our Faith, the KJB/TR is vigorously defended. That is, if you don’t have anything good to say, then don’t say anything. If you want to argue over ecclesiastical, soteriological and eschatological differences then do it somewhere else but don’t undermine the common cause of Bible defense by ridiculing a proponent.

In the late 70’s and early 80’s we realized how unprepared the Church was to combat the concerted attack by professors and publishers upon a standard sacred text and in our frailty sought out every means of defending the Faith. Perhaps now, we incorrectly assume that our position has returned to its pre-critical strength and now it’s time to define our Bible defense in terms our ecclesiastical, soteriological and eschatological differences. If it needs to be said, the same concerted attack by professors and publishers upon a standard sacred text has been and will be forever upon us, and in our frailty we need all the help we can get from one another. It’s tough enough dealing with the post-critical corruption of the text and those of that ilk, without dealing with brothers in Christ who just don’t like our soteriology, etc. As I wrote in a prior article, “I don’t think there has been a more divisive topic among King James Bible/TR supporters and advocates than the King James Bible and TR.”

This article is not written to the elderly lions of the Faith. This is written to the young men that have witnessed the infighting, don’t want any part of it, and are committed to defending and advocating for the KJB and TR. In the delight the Lord has given us to speak on behalf of His Holy word, support those who do the same, refrain from discouraging of undermining their efforts, support their work, and be gracious in admonition. The world will know we are followers of Christ by our love for the brethren. Do you love your Arminian and Calvinist brother? Do you love your a-mill, post-mill and pre-mill brother? Do you love your paedo-baptizing and believing baptism brother? Do you put adherence to the Christ complex – death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and Pentecost first and foremost in your heart and mind when it comes to your brothers in Christ? Does the exercise of good works and abhorrence of sin by your brother mean anything to you. Dr. David Otis Fuller, himself a Calvinist after the tradition of Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote that he would rather be a knee-knocking, fearful Arminian than a “cocksure Calvinist” when it came to one’s attitude toward sin and God’s judgment of it.

Be a uniter around this which is indeed the fight of our lives and the fight for the lives of the generations to follow.

It was a delight to attend the King James Bible Research Council’s annual conference. It was wonderful to be in the company of like-minded men who love the KJB and Reformation Greek and Hebrew texts. Next year (2027) the conference will be held in Bel Air, MD. If you can, plan to attend.

The Reformation Bible Society is holding its annual conference at the Greenville Presbyterian Seminary in Greenville, SC this August 1. Dr. Peter Van Kleeck, Jr. will kick off the conference by looking at Confessional Bibliology from a Bible-based, philosophical perspective. I am mulling over what to present in one of the break-out sessions but I’m leaning towards Franciscus Gomarus (1563 – 1641) and his defense of the authenticity of the pericope de adultera in John 7:52-8:11.  

Blessings!

---

[1] Grisanti, Bible Version Debate, 13.