Jumpstarter 7 of 10

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Question 7

David points out the irony that Puritans and Pilgrims preferred the Geneva Bible and even denounced the King James, while many modern “KJV-only” Christians claim those groups as their heritage; what does that historical detail expose about how Christian communities construct “tradition,” and how should it affect our confidence in inherited Bible preferences?

Another way to ask: Puritans and Pilgrims often preferred the Geneva Bible and criticized the KJV, yet many KJV-only groups claim them. What does that tell you about how Christians build “tradition,” and how should it affect how sure we feel about the Bible version we inherited?

Direct Answer David’s historical point exposes that communities can reshape “tradition” by selective memory—claiming past heroes while ignoring what they actually used and believed. That should make us humbler about inherited Bible preferences and more willing to re-check our assumptions against facts.

Support from Transcript:

David says it took “almost 40 years” for the KJV to replace the Geneva Bible.
He calls it an “irony” that pilgrims and Puritans “refused to use the King James Bible,” even “denounced it as a satanic work,” and used the Geneva Bible.
He observes modern KJV-only fundamentalists often claim heritage from “Puritans and…the pilgrims who came…on the Mayflower.”
He also notes many KJV users think they are aligned with Reformers, yet may repeat a medieval “holy language” impulse.
His broader theme: people can give “rationalizations” that sound faithful while the real reasons are attachment and tradition.

Discussion Follow-ups If our spiritual ancestors didn’t do what we assume, how should that change the authority we give to “we’ve always done it this way”?

Jumpstarter 7 of 10