FBFI and the KJV

Some questions have arisen as a result of Mark Ward’s presentation at our Annual Fellowship regarding the King James Version.  I would just like to clarify a few things on this topic.

1. As with all of our speakers in all of our General Sessions and Workshops, Mark was speaking “to” the FBFI not “for” it.  The FBFI only speaks officially in official statements and position statements.  Part of the genius of a fellowship like ours is the interaction we can have with people who hold slightly different views than our own, yet within the confines of orthodoxy.
2. Mark was asked to speak about the concerns of a younger generation. One of the specific concerns Mark has is that the Bible be readable.  He has very strong views regarding fellowship with those that differ that do not necessarily reflect the views of FBFI leadership or the membership at large.  If you are interested in what he has to say, I suggest you buy his book. It is his best explanation.
3. The FBFI is not opposed to the use of the King James Version. It is a faithful translation and has been used and blessed by God in its present form for 250 years (since the most recent major revision by Blayney in 1769).  It is the translation that most of us have committed to memory and is indelibly and delightfully imprinted in our thoughts. We believe that the continued use of the KJV (or the use of another faithful translation) is very much a personal and local church decision. We absolutely respect the decisions of local churches.
4. We do not make the use of a particular translation a test of fellowship and we do not think it should be. The more important question is not what translation you use, but why you use it. It is increasingly clear that we need to talk more about this, not less.  David Shumate is presently working on a clarifying statement on reasons for using the KJV that would be outside the realm of orthodoxy and biblical principle regarding how to interact with those that differ.