The Westminster Confession of Faith does not promote VPP and "KJV-Onlyism."

The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) does not promote the perfection of the Textus Receptus (TR), a specific translation like the KJV, or "KJV-Onlyism." Instead, it affirms the perfection of the Bible in its original manuscripts (autographs) and the authority of Scripture as God’s Word. Here’s a breakdown:

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1. The Confession’s View of Biblical Perfection

• Original Autographs: The Westminster Confession (WCF) teaches that the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts were "immediately inspired by God" and "kept pure in all ages" by His providence (WCF 1.8). This affirms the perfection (inerrancy/infallibility) of the Bible in its original languages.
• No Mention of the TR or KJV: The WCF does not reference the Textus Receptus (TR) or the King James Version (KJV) by name. The TR was the standard Greek New Testament text of the Reformation era, and the KJV (published in 1611) was widely used, but the Confession’s focus is on the theological principle of Scripture’s divine origin, not textual or translational debates.

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2. Translations and the Role of the Church

• Translations as Necessary: The WCF acknowledges that Scripture must be translated into the "vulgar [common] language" of people (WCF 1.8). It affirms the value of translations but insists they must be faithful to the original languages.
• No Exclusive Translation: The Confession does not endorse the KJV (or any translation) as uniquely perfect or binding. It states that if a translation’s meaning is disputed, the issue must be settled by "the original Hebrew and Greek" (WCF 1.8), not by elevating one translation over others.

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3. Rejection of "KJV-Onlyism"

• KJV-Onlyism Is Modern: The "KJV-Only" movement (which claims the KJV is uniquely inspired or superior to all other translations) arose in the 19th–20th centuries, long after the WCF. The Confession’s authors could not have anticipated this debate.
• The WCF’s Principles Contradict KJV-Onlyism:
• The Confession prioritizes the original languages, not a translation.
• It allows for revisions of translations as scholarship advances (WCF 1.8).
• It rejects the idea that any translation is "kept pure" in the same way as the original autographs.

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4. The TR in Historical Context

• TR as the Era’s Standard Text: The TR was the Greek New Testament text used by Reformed theologians in the 17th century, including the Westminster divines. However, the WCF does not declare the TR itself "perfect." Instead, it assumes the TR (and the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament) as the best available witnesses to the original autographs.
• Modern Scholarship: If alive today, the Westminster divines would likely approve of using older manuscripts (e.g., Codex Sinaiticus) and critical editions (e.g., NA28) to refine our understanding of the original text, as the Confession’s logic prioritizes the original languages over any printed text.

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5. Key Quotes from the Westminster Confession

• WCF 1.8:

"The Old Testament in Hebrew [...] and the New Testament in Greek [...] being immediately inspired by God, and by His singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical."
(Note: "Authentical" here means "authoritative," not "perfectly preserved in every copy.")

• WCF 1.10:

"The Supreme Judge [...] can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture."
(Emphasis on Scripture’s authority, not a specific translation.)

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Conclusion

The Westminster Confession promotes:

1. The perfection of the Bible in its original manuscripts (Hebrew/Greek).
2. The authority of Scripture over tradition or human authority.
3. The necessity of faithful translations into common languages.

It does not:

• Declare the Textus Receptus perfect.
• Elevate the KJV (or any translation) as exclusively authoritative.
• Support "KJV-Onlyism," which is a later, extra-confessional movement.

The WCF’s framework allows for textual criticism and updated translations, provided they align with the original languages. Its focus is on Scripture’s divine inspiration and sufficiency, not defending specific textual traditions or translations.

May the true Church of God lives in peace.