Jeffrey Khoo, Quek Suan Yew, Prabhudas Koshy and others,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I write this letter not with a spirit of condemnation, but with a heavy heart and deep concern, compelled by love for the truth of God and for the well-being of His Church. It is with profound sorrow that I observe the doctrines you are actively promoting – namely, the concepts of Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP), the exclusive authority of the King James Version (KJV-Onlyism), and the belief in a "Perfect" Textus Receptus (TR).
These teachings have become a source of significant division and confusion within the Body of Christ. More alarmingly, they appear to have led you, and those who follow your instruction, away from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ and the sound doctrine delivered to us. My concern compels me to bring before you the sobering words of the Apostle Paul to Timothy:
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain." (1 Timothy 6:3-5, ESV)
Paul then concludes his letter with a final, urgent charge:
"O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge,' for by professing it some have swerved from the faith." (1 Timothy 6:20-21, ESV)
I urge you to hear these words afresh and examine your teachings in their light:
1. "Different Doctrine" & "Not Agreeing with Sound Words": The doctrines of VPP, KJV-Onlyism, and a "Perfect" TR elevate specific textual theories and a single translation far beyond their historical and textual warrant, effectively creating a new standard of authority alongside or even above the original autographs as God intended them. This is a "different doctrine" concerning Scripture itself. It does not ultimately agree with the "sound words" of Christ and the apostles, who pointed to the substance of revelation, not the exclusive perfection of one manuscript tradition or translation centuries removed. The focus has shifted from Christ and the gospel message to intricate, divisive arguments about textual minutiae and translation superiority.
2. "Puffed Up with Conceit," "Unhealthy Craving for Controversy," "Quarrels about Words": Do we not see these very fruits manifesting? The insistence on these doctrines often breeds intellectual pride ("we alone possess the true text/translation"), fosters an "unhealthy craving" to debate textual variants and translation choices above proclaiming the gospel, and generates endless "quarrels about words." The vitriol directed towards fellow believers who use other faithful translations, or hold to mainstream textual criticism, is palpable and deeply damaging to the unity of the Spirit.
3. "Envy, Dissension, Slander, Evil Suspicions, Constant Friction": These are the undeniable results. Look around at the division sown within churches and between believers over these issues. Witness the slander hurled at godly scholars, pastors, and translators who disagree. See the "evil suspicions" cast upon the motives and salvation of those using the ESV, NASB, NIV, or other translations. The "constant friction" generated consumes immense energy that should be devoted to worship, discipleship, and mission.
4. "Depraved in Mind and Deprived of the Truth": Paul is describing the state of those consumed by such controversies. When the defense of a specific text or translation becomes the primary mark of orthodoxy, displacing core gospel truths and Christlike love, it indicates a mind distracted from the central truths of the faith and deprived of its liberating power.
5. "Avoid Irreverent Babble... Falsely Called 'Knowledge'": Paul explicitly warns Timothy against the kind of speculative, divisive arguments that masquerade as profound spiritual insight ("knowledge"). The intricate, often historically anachronistic, arguments used to defend VPP, KJV-Onlyism, and a "Perfect" TR against the overwhelming evidence of textual scholarship fit this description of "irreverent babble."
6. "Some Have Swerved from the Faith": This is the most solemn warning of all. Paul states unequivocally that by clinging to and promoting such false "knowledge," some have departed from the faith itself. This doesn't necessarily mean a complete denial of core salvation doctrines (though it can lead there), but a fundamental deviation in understanding the nature of Scripture, the work of the Holy Spirit in its transmission, and the unity of the Church. Prioritizing textual and translational perfectionism above the clear gospel message and the fruit of the Spirit is a dangerous swerving.
Therefore, I appeal to you in the name of Christ:
Repent of elevating these man-made constructs (VPP, KJV-Onlyism, Perfect TR) to the level of divine doctrine. They are not found in Scripture and cause immense harm.
Repent of the division, pride, slander, and uncharitable judgment these teachings foster.
Return to the true "deposit entrusted" – the apostolic faith centered on Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection, and the gospel message faithfully preserved in the totality of the manuscript evidence God has sovereignly overseen, not in one idealized stream.
Embrace the rich heritage of the Church, which has used and benefited from multiple faithful translations throughout history, trusting the Holy Spirit to speak through His Word.
Focus your teaching on the "sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness," not on divisive battles over texts and translations.
Guard the true deposit. Avoid the babble that leads to swerving. The faith once delivered, the gospel of grace, and the unity of Christ's body are at stake. May the Spirit grant you humility, discernment, and a renewed love for the truth that sets free and unites.
With a prayerful heart for your restoration and the peace of the Church,
A Concerned Brother in Christ
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