THE BIBLE TRANSLATION CONTROVERSY AND THE PRINCIPLE OF SEPARATION

Republished March 25, 2004 (First published June 11, 2003) (Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -

The following is Don Jasmin’s review of the book Touch Not the Unclean Thing by Dr. David Sorenson (Northstar Baptist Ministries, 1820 West Morgan Street, Duluth, MN 55811. Phone: 218-726-0209). This review first appeared in Brother Jasmin’s paper The Fundamentalist Digest, Nov.-Dec. 2001:

This "explosive new" book is a powerful defense of the KJV, as well as a thoroughly documented expose of the modem versions and their inextricable links to religious apostasy. An adaptation of a doctoral dissertation, it is "written in a style so that almost anyone can understand the issue." The promotional leaflet claim that "the author has put the truth on a shelf where all can reach it" is not an overstatement!

In the reviewer's opinion, this book is not only the newest release on the market on this important issue, it is the most logical presentation and most thoroughly documented treatise since the publication of Dr. D.A. Waite's excellent treatise several years ago Defending The King James Bible.

FILLING A NEEDED VOID

This book fills a much needed void because it centers around a vital theme that has been vastly neglected in many otherwise excellent studies in this area: the application of the Scriptural doctrine of separation to the Bible textual/translation issue. Because of its logical order, reading format style and extensive documentation, this book can be equally used in a seminary classroom, as a college or Bible institute I text, or as resource for church adult training unions. The 296-page book contains 11 information-packed chapters, plus five extensive appendixes, a selected biography divided into two sections citing books and articles. The back section also contains a general index, plus a listing of all Scripture texts used, along with their corresponding page numbers in the book. Sorenson has superbly woven the difficult twins of scholarship and simplicity into a treatise that can be readily grasped not only by full-time Christian vocational workers, but also by the average layman in the pew if he will seriously ponder the book's contents.

A TIMELY INTRODUCTION

In the book's introduction, (chapter one), the author indicates that he is a "convert" to the TR/KJV position, having accepted the critical text without question during his college and seminary training. He began his pastoral ministry adhering to that position. After a friend gave him a copy of Dr. David Otis Fuller’s book Which Bible, however, Sorenson began to see that "the critical text had connections with apostasy" which made him, as a Fundamentalist, "quite ill at ease."

The crux of the book is stated on pp. 4-5 when the author relates that the history of the Received Text is associated with "persecuted, martyred brethren", while the "lineage of the critical text" is "linked to apostasy at virtually every step of its history." As the book unfolds it becomes readily apparent "that one lineage is linked with apostasy, and the other with true believers."

On p. 7, Sorenson makes a potent statement that zeroes in on the heart of the issue. Sorenson's quote is the reason why the Fundamentalist Digest (FD) editor has become so vitally involved in this issue: It is because leading Fundamentalists are standing now at apostasy's door but are seemingly unaware of where they stand! Sorenson discerningly writes: "As the debate regarding the textual issue continues, those supporting the critical text come perilously close to the position of 'thought' inspiration. "

Sorenson staunchly believes "the integrity of the Word of God is at stake" (p. 9) over this matter, a statement with which the reviewer heartily concurs! Another timely observation by Sorenson is that he believes that loyalist graduates of Fundamentalist schools that promote the critical texts are in danger of moving in a direction that violate Biblical
Principles. For Sorenson, as well as this reviewer, “the issue at hand is the "integrity, accuracy, and trustworthiness" of "the Word of God" (p.13)

THREE MAJOR POSITIONS DELINEATED

In chapter two, Sorenson delineates and explains the three major positions on the Bible text issue: (1) The KJV Only Position [KJV as "advanced revelation"], (2) the Critical Text Position and (3) The Preserved Text Position. Chapter three contains some very helpful pages as the author defines and explains the basic terminology used in this debate.
In chapter four, the author discusses the two streams of Biblical texts: The Received Text [RT] and The Critical Text [CT]. The RT is “based in belief of Providential Preservation,” while the CT is “based in scientific reconstruction of the text.” The RT is “guided by usage of believing churches,” while the CT is “guided by the philosophy [of] rationalism.” These two streams center in (a) two contrasting types of Bibles, (b) two different textual bases, and (c) two different undergirding philosophies.

Chapter five reviews the early history of the Received Text, while chapter six reveals the early historical background of the Westcott-Hort text. This chapter also exposes Westcott and Hort's theological liberalism in the crucial areas of inspiration and inerrancy, theology proper, evolution, the resurrection, salvation and Christology. The apostate beliefs of the noted textual critics of the 20th century are also factually documented.

EXPOSING THE FLAWS OF THE CRITICAL TEXT

Chapter seven exposes the flawed logic and logical fallacies of the critical text advocates. Their intellectually untenable positions are exposed as deceptive and misleading. Citing numerous passages, chapter eight delineates the Scriptural principles of separation from apostasy, while chapter nine applies these passages to the Bible text issue. This chapter documents Westcott and Hort's (a) theological liberalism, (b) liberal associates, (c) occult activities, (d) their fondness for Charles Darwin & his evolutionary views and (e) their defense of Unitarianism.

REFUTING THE DIVERSIONARY CT TACTICS

Chapter ten refutes the diversionary tactics of the Critical Text advocates. Sorenson skillfully handles the attacks that CT critics raise concerning Erasmus. Sorenson intriguingly divulges Erasmus's theological shift and shows that by the time of his death, Erasmus was a Catholic in name only, with close ties to the Anabaptists, even advocating baptism by immersion--and only after conversion! Sorenson lays the historical axe to the critics who slander King James I’s moral character, proving that he was a faithful husband, godly father, and ardent Bible student.

In this chapter, the author also rehearses the godly character and superior scholarship of the KJV translators. To those who charge that the King James translators and Westcott and Hort were all Anglican Church adherents, Sorenson adroitly notes that there was a vast difference between the spiritual and theological condition of the Anglican Church in 1611 and 1881!

In his final chapter, Sorenson discloses the reasons why, despite the strong evidence, some Fundamentalists still tenaciously cling to the CT. Sorenson closes his book with this stimulating and unanswerable question: "Why would God hide the best representation of His Word in such places of spiritual darkness [such as in the pope’s library and in an apostate monastery near Mt. Sinai] for 1500 years if it in fact most closely represents the autographa?" (p. 223)

THE HELPFUL APPENDIXES

Appendixes A, B and C deal with the problems of the NASV, NIV and NKJV [deletions, alterations, footnotes, etc]. Appendix D exposes the "weakened doctrine in the Critical Text" and discloses how the CT weakens the doctrines of heaven and hell, salvation, and the doctrine of Christ. Appendix E is a fascinating addition, citing evidences of a historical connection between the Waldenses and the King James Version. In the reviewer's opinion, Touch Not the Unclean Thing is one of the most valuable literature tools published in Fundamentalist circles in recent years. Don't just secure one--purchase several for your Christian friends as well. Order from: Northstar Baptist Ministries [NBM] 1820 West Morgan Street, Duluth, MN 55811. Phone: 218- 726-0209 (Contact NBM for multiple discount prices)