Response:

I think you raise a very interesting question. In fact the answer to your question is going to determine whether or not "Fundamentalism" is going to split. I personally believe that it will, but that is just my opinion.

I could not bring a man into my pulpit who advocated using a version that was not translated from the TR. If a man is using something else in his pulpit, I can not have him preach for me. I believe you are correct: if we can not agree on the Scriptures, how can we agree on everything else? Fellowship is always based on unity of doctrine first. Acts 2:42 lists "continuation in doctrine" as the first characteristic of the early church. Christ's high priestly prayer in John 17:21 called for unity that was similar to the unity that Christ and the Father have. I believe Christ and the Father are united in doctrine, don't you?

The main problem as I see it is that a man who says that it doesn't matter which Bible or text you use must logically deny that God has preserved His Word. If we don't know which Bible to use, or if they are "all the same" even though they use different words, then either God did not inspire His Word in the first place, or He did not preserve It. The "it doesn't matter" forces are quick to say that no doctrine is harmed by the new translations, but that is not true. The doctrine of the preservation of Scripture is affected, and if we don't know if I John 5:7 and Mark 16:9-20 are really preserved, then we don't really know if John 3:16 or Romans 10:13 are preserved, either.

Let me add this. I am somewhat sympathetic to those who have gone to schools that teach the Westcott/Hort position, and therefore don't understand the situation. I know men who use the KJV, but don't think it is a problem for others to use the NIV/NASV, etc. However, the reason they believe this is that Bob Jones University, Northland, Central, Detroit, Lansdale seminaries, etc., have taught them incorrectly on this issue. They are just repeating what they were taught, and they have not been exposed to the truth. I might be able to have personal fellowship with these individuals providing they are personally using the KJV, and are not going to propagate their views. However, I do try to help these brethren see the light, and it doesn't mean that they would have access to my pulpit or my people. I do not want my people placed in a situation where their confidence in the KJV would be shaken.

Hope this helps. May the Lord bless you.

By Dr Mark Montgomery Ambassador Baptist Church 1926 Babcock Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15209 (412)477-3210