In March of 2009, Pastor Jack Schaap at the First Baptist Church of
Hammond drew national attention when he denied the inspiration of
the King James Bible at Pastor's School, changing the long held
historic position of the church that our King James Bible is
inspired by God. Dr. Schaap distributed
a booklet at Pastor's School in 2009 titled: “Where As We Going?”
The fallout was swift and harsh from preachers
worldwide. Jack Schaap became public enemy number one among
fundamentalist Baptists!
In an open letter to Pastor Schaap, Brother Fugate makes these 9 vital points to rebuke Dr. Schaap's denial of King James Bible inspiration:
-
You
say that the King James Bible had “more than 20,000 errors of
spelling...” (p. 85).
“Now, for you technical worriers out there, we understand that there were more than 20,000 errors of spelling and typesetting in the first edition of the 1611 King James Bible.” (Quoted from page 85 of Where Are We Going?)
The errors of spelling and typesetting in the first edition of the 1611 King James Bible only number in the hundreds. The number 20,000 does not apply to errors of spelling and typesetting in the first edition of the King James Bible. Even King James Bible critics admit this (see David Norton, A Textual History of the King James Bible, Cambridge University Press, 2005, pp, 167-172). No scholar uses the word “errors” when referring to evolving changes to orthography and typography. -
You say that the King James killed Baptists (p. 53).
“There are also those men we hold high with respect, and yet they murdered and tortured our Baptist forefathers. Four such men include Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Winthrop, and yes, even King James.” (Quoted from page 53 of Where Are We Going?)
This is not only another negative statement in an effort to seemingly demean King James, but it is also just downright not true! This is a lie that you have repeated from those that hate the King James Bible! This is the language of the enemy, not one that should be working to strengthen people's faith in God's perfect Bible! -
You mention that you have a pamphlet entitled, “Why Stand
Against The King James Bible?” (p. 58)
“I am a strong believer in the incorruptible seed (please see my booklet, “Why Stand Against The King James Bible?,” but practically I believe that I can win a soul to Christ without his seeing a Bible.” (Quoted from page 58 of Where Are We Going?)
I have never read nor seen this pamphlet, but what do you think anyone is supposed to think about you and your position on the King James Bible to even mention this? Do you have such a pamphlet? Do you teach in some way to stand against the King James Bible? Perhaps, I am totally misunderstanding this, and I hope that I am. -
You use the words “foolishness” and “barbarianism” to
describe those who have defended the King James Bible (pp. 84,
86)
“Because of the amount of foolishness being bantered about on this subject by careless Bible students, such as teaching that the King James Version is inspired...” (Quoted from page 84 of Where Are We Going?)
“...a multitude of younger pastors who had been looking to us for a role model and leadership but became confused and disenchanted with our near barbarianism.” (Quoted from page 86 of Where Are We Going?)
Admittedly, there have been some that have had a wrong disposition in their defense of the King James Bible. There are also those that have taken a stand that goes to the right - such as saying that you must be saved by the King James Bible or you are a two-fold child of Hell. However, I will guarantee you that there is a greater need to take a stand for the King James Bible because of the enemies that are printing perverted Bibles than there is a need to stand against the very few that might go to the right in this matter!
I would rather have someone that is too zealous for God's Word than someone who sows seeds of doubt about God's Word. I am not for wrong either way, but I would be quicker to criticize someone for being negative about God's Word than for being over-zealous! I will take men like the Apostle Peter, who was often over-zealous, than a Rick Warren. -
You say that it is deceptive and ignorant to teach that the
King James Bible is inspired (“Inspiration and Preservation,”
sermon, Sunday, November 23, 2008)
“We become confused when that word inspired is used by these ignorant or deceptive teachers when applied to the KJV. I believe the King James Version was not given by inspiration. It was given by hard work and diligent labor, and I believe that work was providentially superintended by God and that the KJV is the preserved Word of God, as the Scriptures promised that God would preserve His Words.” (Quote taken from “Inspiration and Preservation,” sermon, Sunday, November 23, 2008)
I believe that my King James Bible is inspired! If you think it is heretical to say that the King James Bible is inspired, then there are many heretics, including myself and the preachers I have already named in this letter. Can you say that men like Bob Jones Sr., Jack Hyles, and others were stating heresy when they said it was inspired?
Inspiration is more than a method. Inspiration means that the Spirit of God is within the Words. The Bible says, “All scripture is given by inspiration”! It does not say “was” but “is”! You can call me “ignorant,” “naïve,” “rat in the woodpile,” “uneducated” or anything else you want, but I am in good company.
You always use the word inspiration in the past tense (i.e., “was given”). That is not what the Bible says. The Bible says, “is given by inspiration.” In saying this, you cannot deny that you believe the Originals were inspired but not the Bible we have today. Inspiration means that my Bible is alive! It lost nothing in preservation—including inspiration!
You try to say that people who believe the King James Bible is inspired believe in “double inspiration.” My answers is, “The Bible never died! It did not need to be inspired again! If it 'was' inspired, then it 'is' inspired.” John 6:63 proclaims “...the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” 1 Peter 1:23 heralds, “...the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”
If you cannot say that your Bible is inspired (not because it was inspired again but because it never lost its inspiration) then you must conclude that only the Originals are inspired. Inspiration with preservation means nothing! Preservation without inspiration means nothing! This is not a matter of semantics. This is a matter of getting it right!
I have never heard a Baptist preacher say they have a “word of knowledge” (p. 85). Never! Perhaps you have. I do not think this danger exists, but perhaps you have heard this. I have heard some Charismatics say this, but we do not listen to them anyway. They are off on every major Bible doctrine. They would not be right even if they had the Originals! -
You say “there are nearly two dozen various KJV editions in
this country, with more than 100 variant readings.” (“Inspiration
and Preservation,” sermon, Sunday, November 23, 2008)
“At this present time, there are nearly two dozen various KJV editions in this country, with more than 100 variant readings.” (Quote taken from “Inspiration and Preservation,” sermon, Sunday, November 23, 2008)
I am aware that there are some differences of spelling in some and that we should use the correct one, but I would like to see the list of the “nearly two dozen” different King James Bibles. Once again, however, you cast clouds of doubts over the King James Bible. Why do you work so hard to do this? -
You say that God's Word does not need defending (p. 86)
“...our near barbarianism. Cursing, swearing, name calling, and character assassination were all considered fair play to 'defend God's Word.'”
But God's Word did not need defending; it needed obedience. If we had used the King James Version to build strong, soul-winning, thoroughly indoctrinated churches, our works would have been all the answer that was needed. (Quoted from page 86 of Where Are We Going?)
What were preachers supposed to do when their people were going to book stores to buy Bibles and they were getting everything from the New International Version to the Reader's Digest Version? If preachers had not taken a firm stand for truth then we would be in an absolute mess today concerning the Bible!
The Bible tells me to reprove, rebuke and exhort! We are to admonish and warn! We are to cry aloud against transgressions and sins!
I do agree that we are not to defend and polish the weapon, but we are to use it. But make no mistake, we are also supposed to defend and contend for the faith! -
You quote Dr. John R. Rice as saying that we are to, “...Be a
Fundamentalist, But Not a Nut” (p. 44)
“While Dr. Rice clearly linked the term Fundamentalism to vigorously defending the faith and to aggressive soul winning, he also wrote a chapter entitled 'Be a Fundamentalist, But Not a Nut,' in which he commented on the King James-only position and describes preaching for Dr. Harry Ironside at the famous Moody Church of Chicago. ” (Quoted from page 44 of Where Are We Going?)
After you give this quote by Dr. Rice you give the example of being a King James only person. Why would you put something like that in a book if you do not want preachers to think that they are a nut if they believe the King James Bible is THE Word of God? Dr. Rice was the preacher who preached the sermon, “Bobbed Hair, Bossy Wives and Women Preachers!” If I am a nut for taking a King James Bible only position - then I am a nut! -
You said to me on the telephone that you would not listen to
a woman, such as Gail Riplinger, and learn theology from a
woman.
Gail Riplinger is a woman who holds an honorary doctorate degree from Hyles-Anderson College for her work on the KJB. You sell or did sell her books in the Hyles-Anderson College bookstore.
You did send four of your men to meet with her for four hours to get her opinion about your teaching. I have a question here, “Had she agreed with your uninspired opinion of the King James Bible would you have quoted her?”
In light of these things, it appears to me that you are moving to the left of the stand that we, as Fundamentalists, have taken for these many years. I am not interested in moving to the left in any way. I want to remain firm on my position on the King James Bible and our Baptist Heritage. I will remain firm in my position on music that is Christ honoring and godly. I will continue to take a stand against perverted Bible versions, rock music, immodest dress and ecumenicism. I believe that it is time to take a difficult but necessary stand against this movement to the left. I will not be speaking at Pastor's School 2009 nor attending.
I will be praying that you will recognize that your influence is strong and that you will use it to strengthen that which remains rather than weaken it.
