Do more people prefer the KJV?

10 Replies

OK, I fell for USA Today’s headline. “Bible readers prefer King James version,” it said. And the story itself even said: “82% of those who read the Good Book at least once a month rely on the translation that first brought the Scripture to the English-speaking masses worldwide.” Now, as Peter Kirk over at Better Bibles blog pointed out, unless the USA Today is talking about the Geneva Bible, that sentence isn’t very accurate. But it’s inaccurate for another reason: the Lifeway Research study on which the article is based doesn’t say that!

Here’s how Lifeway put it:

Among those who read the Bible regularly the percentage of KJV owners is even higher. A full 82 percent of Americans who read the Bible at least once a month own a KJV.

That’s a far cry from saying that 82% prefer the KJV. Lots of people own a King James Bible; how many of them read it? How many prefer to read it? That’s not reported. Which is why the USA Today headline was totally misleading.

I’m not looking to bash the KJV. I’m merely pointing out the fallacy, which I fell into, of relying on second-hand media reports. When possible, check the original source. As I’ve said before, I’m uneasy when someone says “Paul says…” or “the Bible teaches…” unless what is reported is a direct quote from the Bible. Because you always run the risk of someone misinterpreting a passage and reporting it as the truth from the Bible. Like USA Today did with this report from Lifeway.

Photo by Ove Tøpfer; from Stock Xchange

10 thoughts on “Do more people prefer the KJV?”

  1. Vern

    As enjoyer of the writings of an author who is often misread, I appreciate your taking the time to check this out. But on the face of it, from the many Christians I’ve met and fellowship with, the 82% preferring the KJV would catch my attention immediately. Of course once you establish the first parameter of reading at least once a month, I’m sure the number of regular Bible readers that prefer KJV over other translations would be high. Most people I’ve met don’t read the Bible often. Due to the general characteristics of those who prefer the KJV, I’d also image they tend to read the Bible more than others who prefer different translations. That would be an interesting study to do. Anyone?

  2. Royce Ogle

    I would think that far more than 82% of all Bibles in the U.S. are collecting dust. What a book! Many people who do not even claim to be Christians or even attend church find some comfort in having a Bible on a bedside table, or on a shelf in the family room. After all these years the Bible continues to be the best selling book ever printed. I have many KJV quotes tucked away in my gray matter that have been planted there for more than 50 years. No other book in the history of print comes close to the Bible.

  3. Tim Archer Post author

    I would guess NIV if I had to, Vern, but that may just be what I’ve been around. Seems like more people, even older ones, READ from the NIV. However, if we want to talk about memorized Bible verses, I think KJV would win hands down.

  8. K. Rex Butts

    I own a copy of the KJV translation just as I own a copy of most English translations but that doesn’t mean I use them as my primary Bible. I mainly read from the NIV (2011) and the NRSV.

    Grace and Peace,

    Rex

  9. BOB BLISS

    Tim, you may remember what Mark Twain said about statistics: “Figures often beguile me, particularly when I have the arranging of them myself; in which case the remark attributed to Disraeli would often apply with justice and force: ‘There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.'”

    Or you might remember the statistician who drowned trying to wade a river that averaged four feet in depth.

    I read the same stuff on another blog. Makes you wonder if we can trust anything newspapers (i.e. journalists) write these days.

  10. Tim Archer Post author

    Bob,

    Now one’s making the rounds about “21% of atheists believe in God.” Reading the article, that’s not EVEN what it says.

    Grace and peace,
    Tim Archer

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