Dispensational Publishing House Launches - Paul Scharf, Editor in Chief

Thanks for starting this sight. Looking forward to good things from it!

The site was launched by Randy White, who I believe is a Southern Baptist.

[TylerR]

The site was launched by Randy White, who I believe is a Southern Baptist.

I understand, but the organization holds to a strong preference for the KJV/NKJV (and I imagine the MT) in its publications. There aren’t many conservative evangelicals who hold that position or advocate it (Robinson and Pierpont being notable exceptions). Even Ryrie and members of the Council on Dispensational Hermeneutics don’t hold to this strong preference for the KJV/NKJV (MT).

This seems to narrow the audience to fundamentalist-leaning individuals, imho.

I wouldn’t worry too much. He’s just a guy who likes the KJV. I wrote to Bro. White a little while back on an unrelated matter, and watched a sermon of his as a result of our brief discussion. He references the Greek, and even disagreed with the KJV at one point. I think you’re simply dealing with a conservative guy who likes the KJV/NKJV. I saw a recent article on their website which referenced the NASB, so I wouldn’t be worried.

Tyler, perhaps you’re correct. However, based on the website they desire to change the conservative evangelical scholarly opinion about dispensationalism.Their peculiar position on the KJV/NKJV (MT) will actually hinder their ability to do that with conservative evangelicals or with CE scholarship.

T - Thanks for your interest. Changing “the conservative evangelical scholarly opinion about dispensationalism” sounds like a lofty goal! Please pray for us!! :-)

Regarding Bible versions, the statement on our “About Us” page speaks for itself: “We are committed to serious Bible study based upon the use of the original languages. We choose to be judicious in our use of English Bible versions. While it may be necessary to utilize multiple versions in our publications, the use of such versions does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of them by DPH. Our preference is to base our works on the texts of the King James Version or the New King James Version.” (http://dispensationalpublishing.com/about-us/)

As Tyler noted, we have already used the NASB, so I am not sure what problem you see.

We doubtless would refrain from printing something that refers to many different versions and paraphrases for variety’s sake, as is the case sometimes with popular Christian books. Also doubtless, such an author would probably not seek to partner with us in the first place.

On the other hand, if someone were comparing how various versions treat a specific word or phrase, that would be a different matter.

I hope that helps.

[Paul J. Scharf]

As Tyler noted, we have already used the NASB, so I am not sure what problem you see.

Paul, The only problem I see is that you already face an uphill battle for acceptance w/in CE scholarship. Why add another reason for the CE community to dismiss dispensationalism or your materials by insisting that “the King James Version of the Bible is the closest literal English translation” and holding a preference for the KJV/NKJV (MT) in your published materials?

Just an observation though.

T - I see your point, but I think you may be reading too much into this…

The statement you quoted about the KJV is from Dr. White’s blog, expressing his personal view. Other authors will not be required to abide by that statement in practice—and certainly not in belief.

The statement that relates to other authors is the one I quoted above, from “About Us.” It is an institutional policy, if you will, and does not rule out the use of any versions—it simply clarifies what our regular practice will be. There is no statement there about Greek text types.

Obviously these points could all be debated and better solutions sought, but overall, again, I think your concerns will be satisfied.

Also, I want to pick up on something else you keep going back to, because it is a fascinating and important subject. Is our goal to wade into the academy in an attempt to convince CE scholars of the need for dispensationalism? I guess it depends on what that means.

First, could this even be said to be the goal of the Council on Dispensational Hermeneutics or the Pre-Trib Study Group Conference? I truly doubt it.

Or, is Answers in Genesis, for instance, with its full complement of world-class scientists, making a huge impact on “CE scholarship” in terms of its views of origins and earth history? I think we know the answer. I see DPH as operating in a similar realm, at least for the most part.

We do want to promote real, true Biblical scholarship—which may or may not play in the marble halls of our most “esteemed” institutions. But in our first two weeks we have already run articles from two highly-qualified and capable contributing authors, with lots more to come, Lord willing. Stay tuned—it’s going to be good!

Paul,

Congratulations on the new venture.

DP