Back in 1930 B. G. Wilkinson published OUR AUTHORIZED BIBLE
VINDICATED. Some of his college colleagues took exception to his
book and criticized it publicly, Since Wilkinson, who was a professor
in one of our colleges, was having his scholarship questioned, it was
mandatory that he reply.
This book is his reply to their "review" and criticism. It
literally "downs" them on every argument. Since feelings and
rivalry were running high, the General Conference of those days requested
Wilkinson to not publish this work. He agreed.
Since the individuals concerned are no longer on the scene, and since
the issue of modern versions is now a very important topic, we feel that this
work should be available to students.
Many in our denomination are "pushing" the use of the New
International Version and repressing the use of the King James Version
from the pulpits. Since our doctrines, particularly the
Investigative Judgment and 2300 Day Prophecy cannot be taught from the
NIV, our people should be made aware of the dangers of this Romanized
Bible being foisted upon them.
It is time our members studied for themselves the history of the
English Bible, and its many modern versions. If we are to adopt the NIV
as a standard for use in the pulpit and in our schools, then we might
as well give up being Seventh-day Adventists and join the ecumenical
movement back to Rome. This is not an idle statement, Just a real, honest
bit of study will soon reveal how the enemy has crept within our ranks.
At the time OUR AUTHORIZED BIBLE VINDICATED was published, the NIV had
not come on the scene. Wilkinson's main concern was with the Revised
Version and the American Revision, both springing from the works of
Westcott and Hort (on the RV), All modern versions also have taken their
basis from the Westcott-Hort Greek Text, It is time we re-examined their
sources and reasoning. Our very denomination is at stake!