The Holey Trinity - Bias in the King James Bible

I have, for a long time, been opposed to the King James Bible. It was written in 1611, over 500 years ago. 500 YEARS! Before I even started deeply researching ad studying the Bible the antiquated Shakespearean language was an instant turn off. I find it hard to read which in turn makes it hard to understand. Since 1611 there have been hundreds of older (from the time closer to Christ's existence) manuscripts found. This has allowed modern translators to eliminate many of the problems with the KJV. While this entry won't directly address the Trinity as much, it will address how it has gained momentum over time. The KJV is the most used Bible translation in the world. Many denominations, such as the Mormons, rely strictly on this translation as the most accurate. Even individuals and churches use this version most commonly. To me, this really doesn't make sense. Why not use a modern translation that has corrected many of the blunders of the KJV? I'm not going to go into in-depth analysis of original Greek and Hebrew here, I'm going to address the glaring errors that exist in this translation. Errors that people turn to in an attempt to reinforce the trinity doctrine.

Some people may be surprised to find out the KJV speaks of mythical, magical creatures as if they were real! Example: unicorns. There are 6 instances, (Psalm 29:6, 92:10; Job 39:9,10; Numbers 23:22, 24:8), in which this word occurs. Who in their right mind would think a Bible writer would speak of a unicorn? This error is less harmful then others, but shows a lack of diligence and commitment toward accuracy.

More harmful is the spurious addition of certain verses for the sole purpose of enforcing a doctrine. Specifically, the trinity doctrine. This violates a specific warning given by God:

"“I am bearing witness to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone makes an addition to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this scroll" - Revelation 22:18 (NWT)

Now, let's go over the additions written in the King James Version.

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." - 1 John 5:7 (KJV)

That whole part after the word "record" - spurious. They do not exist in the earliest manuscripts. Completely made up because someone felt there needed to be at least one place in the Bible where the trinity was mentioned. And they were right. If the trinity was real then there would be a place in the Bible were it was mentioned. But there's not. It needed to be added in spuriously. Here is a literal translation from the original Greek:

"Because there are the ones bearing witness" - Kingdom Interlinear

That is it. That is the entirely of 1 John 5:7. What other reason could there possibly be to add this verse besides to prove a doctrine that otherwise could not be proven using the Bible?

"...these words are spurious and have no right to stand in the New Testament..." - United Bible Societies

"These words are wanting [lacking] in all the Greek MSS except two, in all the oldest Ancient Versions, and in all the quotations of v. 6-8 in the ancient Fathers before A.D. 475" - Robert Young; Concise Critical Commentary

 Revelation 1:11 attempts to accomplish the same goal. If you have read the entry titled The First and The Last then some of this might be familiar to you.

"Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send itunto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea." - Revelation 1:11 (KJV)

John is writing as Jesus was talking here. According to the KJV, Jesus said "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last". This would be an excellent way to prove that Jesus and Jehovah were the same. Only problem? These words weren't in the original manuscripts. This verse should actually read along these lines:

"saying: “What you see, write in a scroll and send it to the seven congregations: in Ephʹe·sus, in Smyrʹna, in Perʹga·mum, in Thy·a·tiʹra, in Sarʹdis, in Philadelphia, and in La·o·di·ceʹa.”" - New World Translation

I could not find any direct quotes from scholars regarding this spurious addition, which seems odd to me. However, basic research still reveals this truth. Not to mention the New World Translation, American Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, Darby Bible, Phillip’s New Testament, Douay Rheims Version, Weymouth New Testament Translation, Murdoch New Testament, Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible, Revised Standard Version all omit those words from their renderings.

Jesus is not the Alpha and the Omega. He would not claim to be, as we went over in that entry, he cannot be. This statement would cause a severe contradiction in the Bible. Once again a Trinitarian attempt at proving a doctrine that can otherwise not be proven. These, to me, appears to be acts of desperation. Why? Why try so hard to prove something that is false? Why completely alter God's Word to progress a doctrine that is not of Biblical roots?

Another spurious translation is this:

"...God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." - 1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

Huge issue here, saying "God was manifest". This is completely erroneous. Almost all modern translations render this verse "he", "he who", or "who". The best modern New Testament texts, including Westcott and Hort, Nestle, and the text by the United Bible Societies, have the Greek word ὃς (“who”) here instead of θεὸς (“God”). Additionally, we know that specifically, the Son of God was manifest from a verse used in the research of the archangel:

"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." - 1 John 3:8 (KJV)

“A capital example [of NT manuscript changes] is found in 1 Timothy 3:16, where ‘OS’ (OC or ὃς, ‘who’) was later taken for theta sigma with a bar above, which stood for theos (θεὸς, ‘god’). Since the new reading suited...the orthodox doctrine of the church [the Trinity], it got into many of the later manuscripts...” - Dr. Frederick Grant; Encyclopedia Americana

And still there is more.

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth...all things were created by him, and for him" - Colossians 1:16 (KJV)

Specifically focusing on the last part. The Greek word that the King James translators rendered 'by' does not actually mean 'by'. This word according to Strong's Concordance, and many other lexicons, actually means 'through'.

"A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act" - Strong's Lexicon

Jesus is the "channel" in which the "act" of things were created. Just as Jehovah is the Source of our salvation and Jesus is the means through which it can be obtained. Jehovah is the Creator and Jesus is the means through which things were created (Proverbs 8:30). If Paul were actually saying "all things were created 'by' him" then there's a heck of an argument for Jesus being the Creator. Unfortunately for Trinitarians, that is not what is being said. Let's take a look at how this verse should read:

"for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth...all things have been created through him, and unto him" - American Standard Version

This obvious bias and erroneous rendering also occurs in other beneficial places: John 1:3, 10; Colossians 1:17; 1 Corinthians 8:6.

So I ask again, why? Why was it necessary to alter words and verses to prove the trinity doctrine? If you haven't figured it out yet it's because the trinity doctrine does not appear on the Bible UNLESS you do that. People have relied on the KJV for over 500 years. Basing their beliefs on what they believe it to say. Millions of people have read 1 John 5:7, never thinking twice about it, and have based their belief of a triune God on that. They have been lied to. Fooled. Deceived. Who could possibly be responsible for lying about who God REALLY is?

"The one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth" - Revelation 12:9 (NWT)

"But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent seduced Eve by its cunning, your minds might be corrupted away from the sincerity and the chastity that are due the Christ." - 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NWT)

That last one really sums it up. The trinity doctrine has corrupted minds and people have been led away from sincerity and purity required when following Christ. If you are reading this blog though, there is undeniably a desire to learn the truth!

SIDE NOTE: As I'm reading and researching for this entry I came across this verse:

"And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it." - Revelation 21:22 (KJV)

It is worth mentioning for the simple fact that John, again, makes a clear differentiation in the fact that The Lord God Almighty (Jehovah) and the Lamb (Jesus) are not the same. Clearly through context John is not describing Jesus as the Lord God Almighty. Why would we?