Is the KJV the only authorized English Bible in the 21st Century?

1. Is the KJV the only authorized English Bible in the 21st Century?

No. The King James Version (KJV) is not the only authorized English Bible today. Since the 20th century, numerous English translations have been produced (e.g., NASB, ESV, NIV, NKJV), and many Christian denominations use them freely. The KJV remains widely respected and used, but it no longer holds exclusive status across the English-speaking Christian world.

2. The “Authorized” in “Authorized Version” — Authorized by whom?

The KJV is called the “Authorized Version” (AV) because it was commissioned by King James I of England in 1604 and completed in 1611. It was authorized for public reading in the churches of England, essentially serving as the standard English Bible for the Church of England. The authorization came from the crown, not from divine mandate.

3. Does the Church of England uphold its authority now?

Not exclusively. The Church of England still uses the KJV in certain traditional liturgical settings (e.g., some cathedrals, royal services, or ceremonial occasions), but it does not require it as the sole translation. Modern translations such as the NRSV, ESV, and NIV are commonly used in Anglican worship and study.

Conclusion

The KJV was once the “authorized” English Bible, but that authorization was historical and tied to the English crown and Church of England in the 17th century. Today, no single Bible translation holds exclusive “authorized” status for all English-speaking Christians. The authority of the KJV now rests on its literary heritage, historical significance, and the conviction of certain groups (like some conservative Protestants) that it uniquely preserves God’s Word in English—not on an ongoing ecclesiastical decree.