Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible

Mark Ward’s Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible is a well-balanced and thoughtful book that gives the KJV the honor it deserves as a historic and faithful translation, while also making a compelling case for why it is no longer the best option for clear, everyday use. Rather than attacking the KJV, Ward affirms its legacy but shows, with clarity and grace, why translations like the NKJV, ESV, NASB, NIV, NLT, and NET, among others, benefit modern readers. One of the book’s strengths is Ward’s use of real examples that expose the linguistic barriers modern readers face with the KJV. His argument isn’t that the KJV is bad, but that language changes—and if we want people to truly understand God’s Word, we must use language they actually speak. Ward demonstrates that no translation is perfect, but each has unique strengths, and using multiple translations brings richness and insight to Bible study. This book doesn’t promote division—it promotes humility, clarity, and thankfulness for the “embarrassment of riches” we have in English Bible translations today. Highly recommended for pastors, teachers, and any believer serious about understanding the Bible well. Let me know if you want a shorter version for Goodreads or a back cover blurb!

This is an excellent book. I’ve been watching Mark's YouTube videos lately, and love his content. He’s an excellent communicator and makes things very easy to understand. In short he’s a wise steward of the gifts God has given him. This book sounded interesting, and since I trust his judgment, I figured it’d be a good read, but honestly his writing still exceeded my expectations. I read through this book the day I got it, and come away feeling enriched. I do currently consult multiple Bible translations, and like to look up the original Greek and Hebrew at times, so I’m not one that needed convincing, but feel more confident now with the knowledge gained. This can help to provide an answer for our faith in a great way.

While one might think this book would be quite dry, I was so pleasantly surprised to find that it was extremely engaging! There were moments when I would smile or even laugh at the author's witty and creative writing style. I appreciated that he shares my value and warm feelings for the King James Version. He gave me pause to consider what the King James Version has brought to our society and English speaking Christianity as a whole. He also spoke to the needs that have arisen as I have dealt with new believers who know nothing of the stories in Scripture. In counseling, for example, three-quarters of my counselees have never heard of Joseph in the Bible. About one-quarter of these Christians know English as their second language. It is new material for them, and taking all of this in in a language that is not in their vernacular only slows the process of growing in their faith. The author also helped me, as my preferred version is actually the KJV, since that is what I grew up with and enjoy. He helps make the reader aware of words to watch for whose meanings have changed over the course of years. That is a great study in and of itself. He also recommended the best dictionary to use when studying certain words from the King James. I also have found that as he suggested, it is true that using other versions has helped me greatly in understanding the Word of God. I loved his perspective that we have an "embarrassment of wealth" when it comes to the many versions we have to study and understand the Bible. So often, this is presented as a negative, but what a positive it is! The author also explains some things that I have heard but never investigated such as how a "reading level" is determined- chapter four deals with this. Again, I thought it would be a chapter that would be uninteresting, but it was enlightening and engaging. The author handles what can be a tender and dear topic with humility, clear exposition, and grace; truly helpful and so practical. I walked away with not only a better understanding of the versions of the Bible, but also many interesting quotes from leaders - both Christian and non Christian- such as CS Lewis and Benjamin Franklin, and some gems uncovered in some Scripture passages addressed in the book. I feel this is a book that really should be on most every Christian minister and laypersons reading list.

I like this book very much. It is an excellent review of the issues around the KJV and those whose and misuse it. I have reviewed these things myself and I find significant agreement with the author in his conclusions. It is time for a change and I believe it has already begun. My only criticism of this work is the general tone. The author tends to come across as overly intellectual in his presentation. I don’t mean that he is being snobbish but it is headed that direction. I appreciate all his work and time involved in this work but you should never talk down to your readers. The tone approaches that. However I do not believe it to be intentional. All that said, if you are working through these things then you should read this book. If you’re curious about these things then you should read this book. If you’re KJV-only in your disposition, then you should read this book. You probably won’t Ike it, but you should.

Written in a way that I can hear him speaking. Couldn't put it down until I was about halfway done and had to go to bed. Looking forward to finishing it tonight. So thorough and yet easy to understand.

Loved this highly informative and greatly engaging book. Mark Ward has a deep love for God’s Word and a fantastic writing style.

Mark Ward has written here a very useful and highly respectful addition to the ongoing debate on Bible translation and the use of vernacular in modern translations. Bible translation is a vexed issue today, of that there is no doubt, but Mark`s tone throughout is both thoughtful and sensitive, something which is sorely lacking when one reads the diatribes often being handed out, particularly by those of the KJV only movement, especially those belonging to the Ruckman camp. I myself, am a King James user, and like Mark, I recognise its huge contribution to the Christian world and the wonderful Missionary tradition it upheld for many years. In this, I do agree with David Daniels, who is by far, the best of the KJV only apologists. However, we must understand one vital component of language, something which Mark does outline well in his book, which is that language itself, is dynamic and does evolve and change over time and this is something we cannot escape. Many people today, simply cannot follow the archaic language of the King James Bible, something I do feel is a shame, because there is a timeless quality to the KJV, and historically I believe, this makes it a hugely important Bible for study. Surprisingly, the KJV is still the favoured translation in many countries around the world, especially the Sub-Continent and South Asia, where I was a missionary. That said, in our biblically illiterate society now, we do need a translation that most people can at least follow and understand and that will encourage them to pursue further study. Where I do think Mark may fall short, is perhaps in his failure or dismissing of dealing with the issue of gender-neutral language. Whilst I do not think this is a particularly huge problem within the New Testament, I do think it can be problematic within the Old Testament. Context is important, even in translation and as the Old Testament world was a very patriarchal society, we do need to understand the language in this context, else we risk altering the meaning conveyed. The bible was written for us, not to us, so we do need to understand the culture to whom it was written, not solely to focus on today`s modern culture, lest we try to make the bible appealing more simply to the new sects and fashion fads of today. Mark though does love the KJV as do I and I do agree, that we do need to use more than one translation in our studies, it is helpful, plus it opens up the debate in a more progressive and helpful way, rather than just engaging in tribalism, something which is harmful to the cause of the growth of the Kingdom. The KJV only movement does have some merit, in that it defends the KJV in its historical value, but sadly, all too often, it can give the impression itself, of being a cult, which is unhelpful and can appear judgmental. Despite that, I will recommend only five translations, as I do believe there are too many translations out there just now, something else I would agree with Daniels on. The translations I would recommend are the KJV, NKJV, NASB, NIV and ESV, as these all possess good scholarship, and I do also think Mark perhaps didn`t address the issue of bible translations for profit, which are unnecessary and only add to the confusion. There are I believe, just too many translations out there, some clearly for economic gain. Mark has done the Christian a good service here though, and this book needs to be read widely. It is not patronising and he fully understands the reading needs of the masses, something that clearly comes from someone who is well read and has the gift of teaching. He has a clear grasp of the old and the new and of the best way to bring them closer together, for this I salute him. This I believe, is what makes this book a useful addition to anyone`s library which deals with the often thorny issue of translation. Leighton Medley

As much as I love my KJV, Mark makes great points and I’m so grateful he brought up “False Friends,” words I didn’t understand and words I thought I understood in my modern English. Thanks Mark! Love the book cover too

I highly recommend this book for anyone struggling to understand the KJV. Ward’s charitable handling of this topic is to be highly commended. Any review that claims Ward “hates the KJV” is completely dishonest. The first chapter of this book is devoted to a veneration of the KJV, and the remaining chapters provide a charitable argument for the use of vernacular translations.