Godward Thoughts

To those who don’t know: Gail Riplinger is lady who teaches that the King James Version of the Bible is the exact Word of God. All Hebrew and Greek studies are tainted; in fact, all Hebrew and Greek Bibles are tainted. According to her, only the King James Version is pure. I’m not sure if she considers the 1611 printing or later revisions such as the 1769 that is used in most modern printed editions of the KJV. She doesn’t believe God’s promise to preserve His words in their original languages: “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). Jesus clearly designates the Hebrew language and says not one Hebrew letter or part of a Hebrew letter will be lost. Mrs. Riplinger apparently does not agree. If I am misreading her, please correct me in the comments.

On to the point: Mrs. Riplinger has distributed a “Final Reply to “all” (1 Tim. 5:20) about D.A. Waite.” From what I understand the Waite’s questioned Mrs. Riplinger about her previous divorces and she flatly denied ever being married to anyone other than her current husband. Then court records were discovered that proved otherwise. This really stirred the hornet’s nest! In answering her critics, Mrs. Riplinger manages (without ever mentioning the word “marriage” or “divorce”) to ramble for 61 pages in her “defense” (er, I mean attack of the Waites). Phil Stringer’s assessment seems to be accurate. I agree many pastors have dealt with such women – unable to see their own faults they go on a rampage against all who try to expose them.

Personally, I do not have a dog in this fight, but it is disturbing that so many Bible-believing Christians will link with this lady. She has a very difficult time being accurate in her research. Proponents of the King James Version make themselves fools when they reject Greek altogether saying: “We believe Greek study has been and will continue to be the downfall of Protestant Fundamentalism.” Over at Jackhammer, you will find a good article on different views on the KJV.

Instead of leading on Mrs. Riplinger, let’s head to the Bible for what we believe about the KJV and preservation. There is a very helpful book, entitled Thou Shalt Keep Them, which examines what the Bible says about its own preservation.