The KJV Is Not the Only Bible That Unites the Church

The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is a translation, not a denomination, sect, or group. It was completed in 1611 by a team of scholars under the authority of King James I of England. The KJV itself does not promote any heresies or false teachings—it is a respected and historically significant English translation of the Bible.

However, certain groups or sects that utilize the KJV have been criticized by mainstream Christianity for teachings perceived as heretical or unorthodox. Below is a list of such groups and their controversial doctrines, along with explanations of why these teachings are contested:

1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormonism)

Controversial Teachings:

Belief in additional scriptures (e.g., Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants).

God was once a mortal man who progressed to divinity (the concept of "eternal progression").

Plurality of gods and potential for humans to become gods.

Rejection of the traditional Trinity in favor of a tritheistic view (three separate beings).

Criticism: Mainstream Christianity rejects these teachings as deviations from Nicene orthodoxy, particularly the nature of God, the uniqueness of Christ’s atonement, and the closure of the biblical canon.

2. Oneness Pentecostalism (e.g., United Pentecostal Church International)

Controversial Teachings:

Denial of the Trinity, advocating Modalism (God manifests as Father, Son, or Holy Spirit, but is not three distinct persons).

Baptismal regeneration (salvation requires baptism in Jesus’ name, often coupled with speaking in tongues).

Criticism: Traditional Christianity condemns the denial of the Trinity as a rejection of the Nicene Creed and Chalcedonian orthodoxy.

3. Jehovah’s Witnesses

Note: They read the KJV in the begining, later they make their own translation. While they primarily use their New World Translation, they occasionally reference the KJV. 

Controversial Teachings:

Denial of Christ’s divinity (viewing Jesus as a created being, not co-eternal with the Father).

Rejection of the Trinity.

Salvation through works (e.g., door-to-door evangelism) alongside faith.

Criticism: These doctrines conflict with core Christian teachings on Christ’s divinity, the Trinity, and salvation by grace alone.

4. King James Only (KJV-Only) Movements

Controversial Teachings:

Assertion that the KJV is the only inspired or valid English Bible, often dismissing modern translations and textual criticism.

Some factions accuse other translations of being "corrupt" or "Satanic."

Criticism: While not a heresy per se, this view is seen as bibliolatry (elevating a translation above the original texts) and risks isolating adherents from broader scholarship.

5. Christian Identity Movement

Controversial Teachings:

Racist interpretations (e.g., claiming Anglo-Saxons are the "true Israelites").

Anti-Semitic and white supremacist ideologies.

Criticism: These groups distort Scripture to justify bigotry, directly opposing the biblical emphasis on unity in Christ (Galatians 3:28).

6. Hyper-Dispensationalist Groups

Controversial Teachings:

Overly rigid division of biblical history into disconnected "dispensations," often denying the applicability of certain Scriptures (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount) to modern Christians.

Some reject water baptism or the Lord’s Supper as obsolete.

Criticism: Mainstream theology rejects such extreme compartmentalization as undermining the coherence of Scripture.

7. Prosperity Gospel Preachers (e.g., some televangelists)

Controversial Teachings:

"Health and wealth" theology, claiming faith guarantees material blessings.

Blaming poverty or sickness on lack of faith.

Criticism: This contradicts biblical teachings on suffering (e.g., Job, Paul’s thorn) and risks reducing God to a transactional figure.

8. Westboro Baptist Church

Controversial Teachings:

Extreme Calvinist predestination twisted into hate speech (e.g., "God hates sinners").

Homophobic and inflammatory rhetoric.

Criticism: Their teachings violate the biblical call to love neighbors (Matthew 22:39) and misrepresent God’s character.

9. Ruckmanism (extreme KJV-Only position taught by Peter Ruckman)

Controversial Teachings:

Claiming The KJV is not only inspired but corrects the original Greek and Hebrew manuscripts.

Criticism: This is a radical departure from historic Christian belief in the primacy of the original languages of Scripture.

Conclusion:

Not everyone who prefers or uses the KJV is heretical or in error. Many faithful Christians and churches use the KJV without falling into the above extremes and heresies. Most KJV readers hold orthodox beliefs. Criticism applies only to specific groups.

The KJV Is Not the "Only Bible" That Unites the Church. Unity is rooted in shared orthodoxy, not translation. The universal church is united by core doctrines such as the Trinity, Christ’s divinity, salvation by grace through faith, and the authority of Scripture—truths affirmed across faithful translations (e.g., NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV). No single translation is inherently superior for fostering unity.

The church’s unity rests on the substance of Scripture—the gospel of Jesus Christ—not the style of a translation. When reading the KJV, celebrate its beauty and history, but remain anchored in the orthodoxy it shares with all faithful Bible versions. As Augustine wisely said: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” 

By focusing on Christ and loving one another, believers transcend translation debates and embody the unity Jesus prayed for (John 17:21).