Paul has just written concerning the necessity of concentrating on a divinely-appointed goal if one is to make any real progress in his spiritual experience. Now he lays stress on the maintenance of a proper perspective.
    "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye shall be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." (Phil. 3:15-16)
    It is important to understand that "perfect" (from the Greek "teleios") in this context does not mean "without sin". This word is used in a "relative" sense throughout the New Testament - contrasting mature Christians with those who are "babes in Christ"; those who lack the experience and spiritual development to which others have progressed, (I Cor. 14:30; Eph. 4:13; Heb. 5:13; I Cor. 13:10; Gal. 6:1; Rom. 15:1). Paul wants, ultimately, to be able to present his brethren "perfect in Christ Jesus", (Col. 1:28). It is only in this position that ANY may develop to spiritual manhood.

    Whether of not the modern religio-political movement, to prove the Divine Inspiration of the King James translation, has yet attained cultic status, the concept is definitely being promoted with such cultic dogmatism as appears both deaf and blind to any evidence or reason outside its own closed system of illogic! The real tragedy of the situation is that brethren and churches are being divided over what is really an EXTRA-SCRIPTURAL issue that must have the devil dancing with glee!
    I do not want to be misunderstood. I, personally, USE THE KJV and consider it an excellent translation (insofar as I am capable of passing judgment on translations). But I try to remember that it is just that - A TRANSLATION of the Scriptures. Nor would I tell anyone that I considered it a "perfect" translation. If the original translation (of 1611) was PERFECT, it was the ONLY ONE - for to "add to" or "take from" perfection ends in "corruption". And, as early as 1613, there had already been 300 changes made in the TEXT of the KJV! There have been changes made in the text of almost every edition

issued since that date. In fact, it is almost impossible to find any two editions that are identical from start to finish!
    The King James Version was NOT a TOTALLY NEW TRANSLATION (made from the best available manuscripts). In reality, it was an up-dating and consolidating of 10 PREVIOUS ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS which were "diligently compared and revised by His Majesty's special command".
    Now, I do not mean to suggest that no reference was made to the best Hebrew and Greek manuscripts available. These were, indeed, carefully employed. However, a very large portion of the Old Testament was maintained word-for-word from previous English editions. It has been estimated that almost nine-tenths of the New Testament portion of this version may be found word-for-word in the Tyndale Translation of 1525!
    The purveyors of this "new dogma" seem not to consider that IF

GOD had undertaken to provide an INSPIRED TRANSLATION, as a special favor to English-speaking people, He, at least, WOULD HAVE ACTED ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PRINCIPLES, in the giving of the original documents! In giving both the Old and New Testaments, through divinely-inspired writers, EVERY INSTRUMENT OF INSPIRATION (every writer) operated WITHIN THE ORDER that God Himself had established for the working out of His holy purpose. That "order" was, exclusively, through His own covenant people - Israel, in the Old Testament, and the church, in the New.
    How ANY thinking Baptist parson could conscientiously consider the thought of Anglican bishops (operating under rules that forbad absolute integrity in any area that might tend to compromise the position of the Church of England) being INSTRUMENTS OF DIVINE INSPIRATION, while clearly OUTSIDE THE "ORDER" established by our Lord, is more than I can conceive!
    It is not necessary that one be a Greek scholar to recognize a deliberate manipulation of words in an effort to CONCEAL the true meaning of "baptism", wherever that word was used with reference to the ordinance commanded by our Lord. The same is true of the bishops' substitution of "Easter" for "Passover", in Acts 12:4. Thus, to insist that the KJV is "a perfect, inspired translation" - apart from which NO ONE HAS THE TRUE WORD OF GOD - will be recognized as unmitigated nonsense in any area but one wherein fanatical, religious emotionalism has gained control.

    Most of what I have seen written on this subject was more emotional than rational, more artificial than authoritative, more sentimental than substantive, more propaganda than evidence. The leading promoters of this fundamentalist concept are quick to anathamatize anyone who calls in question their (often dishonest) OVERSIMPLIFIED ILLOGIC. Though I am deeply troubled by some of the modern versions, I do not believe that a wholesale, fanatical condemnation of everything that has appeared since 1611 (though if they were consistent, even in this, they would have to pitch the copies of the KJV that they now possess) is the answer to the problem.
    I will continue to USE the KJV, but will NOT make an IDOL of it! I will continue to present it to my brethren as a safe guide to the Kingdom of God. But, I will NOT become a practitioner of the Romish "sacrifice of the intellect"! I will not uphold the KJV as a PERFECT, INSPIRED "TRANSLATION". In fact, I will encourage my brethren (with myself) to care- fully compare it with a number of other good translations. Honesty, integrity and true scholarship may be recognized in a number of them. In fact, an honest, unbiased examination of them might bring YOU - not only some pleasant surprises, but also a deeper, richer understanding and REAL BLESSING! E.G.
    A SPECIAL "Thank You" to those who have written to express their appreciation for the CLARION HERALD We appreciate your encouragement! EG

    Paul appeals to those who have grown to maturity, in Christ, that they may be like-minded with himself. They must understand that the "goal" is still unattained! Knowing that they have made SOME progress, they are urged to fasten their gaze upon the goal - never turning aside from its pursuit, (Phil. 2:5). Unfortunately, Christians sometimes assume that they have made sufficient progress for a lifetime - a foolish presumption that often leads to a terrible fall! The important thing is ALERTNESS to the Spirit's voice; when our minds wander from the true pattern, He will make us conscious of it - provided we are LISTENING! (comp. Eph. 1:17; I Thes. 4:9; Jn. 6:45).
    Young Christians often begin well, but the daily grind soon becomes dull and monotonous. Because the level of JOY is not always what it was when they first realized that their sins were forgiven, they turn aside. They no longer read the word, pray or witness with any regularity, and their spiritual health begins to deteriorate.
If one would ever reach the goal of true Christ - likeness, he must run the race to the very end. A spirit of worship and joyful obedience is not optional; it is ESSENTIAL! Mere religious activity never assures progress. One progresses toward "perfection" only as his eye is set on the goal, his feet on the divinely-appointed pathway and his heart fully confident of God's sufficiency and faithfulness.

    I want to express my deep appreciation to Landmark MBC, of Rockford, for providing me with a new Ibico Plastic Punch and Binding Machine. This will be a real help in the binding of study materials in the future - and far more practical than having a book come apart before one has studied half-way through it.
    Thank you, dear brethren (and sisters)! I LOVE YOU, and deeply appreciate everything you do with a view to lightening the load of your pastor. May the Lord richly bless you for your thoughtfulness.
    It is possible that I will be asking for volunteers to help assemble some of these books in the near future. E.G.

    In identifying Joseph of Arimathaea, who boldly assisted Nicodemus in preparing the body of Jesus for burial, Mark (approvingly) calls him "an honorable counselor, which also WAITED FOR THE KINGDOM of God", (Mk. 15:43; comp. Lk. 2:25, 38; Matt. 27:57; Jn. 19:38). The saints (and elect) are represented, in the Scriptures, as AWAITING the visible coming and Kingdom of our Lord, with its attendant blessings, (I Cor. 1:7-9; Rom. 8:23-25).
    James (the half-brother of our Lord) designates the saints as "HEIR OF THE KINGDOM", and exhorts his brethren to patient waiting for the Lord's coming, when the promises are to be realized, (Jas. 2:5; 5:7-8). In Acts 15:13-17 He clearly recognizes NO EXISTING KINGDOM, but declares that "after this, (the out-gathering of a special people from among the Gentiles) "I (Jesus) WILL RETURN and WILL BUILD AGAIN THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID, which is fallen down". This will involve the restoration of the Davidic throne, from which our Lord will rule (on earth) during the millennium.
    The apostles LABORED TOWARD the Kingdom (Col. 4:11; 2 Thes. 1:5; 2 Tim. 4:18; Heb. 12:28) which was promised to our Lord's "little flock", (Lk. 12:32); for the coming of which they were to pray, (Matt. 6:10); and which they were to "seek FIRST", (Matt. 6:33).
    When the Kingdom comes our Lord will again "drink of the fruit of the vine" with His disciples, (Mat. 26:29). Lord, HASTEN THE DAY! E.G.