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Touch Not the Unclean Thing : The Text Issue and Separation
Touch Not the Unclean Thing The Text Issue and Separation
- GenresTheologyNonfiction
295 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 17, 2016
Why are there so many Bible translations? Are they really any different? Why does the King James Version (KJV) use so many archaic words? Why are some verses so different from translation to translation? Can we really know what God said so long ago? Is the Bible we use the same one the Early Church used? How did it reach us today? Was King James a moral man?
These are just a few of the many questions David Sorenson methodically answers in this excellent book. First, he explains the issue and its importance. Why is there a debate over which Bible to use? Does it matter which Bible we use?
Then He explains the three major factions around the translation issue. He briefly debunks the KJV Only position; leaving the majority of the book to deal with the remaining two positions: the Critical Text and the Received Text position.
Don’t get scared off by the technical terms. He spends a good amount of time defining all of the specialized terms. They really aren’t hard. They even make sense after you’re used to them.
The next chunk of the book is a detailed history of both the KJV and the other translations. That was eye opening. Did you know that Luther, Tyndale weren’t the first to translate the Bible into the common language? It’s amazing to watch as, through the centuries, God protected His Word enabling us to have it as a sure foundation for our salvation. Sorenson also introduces us to many of the men who labored so hard to bring the Bible to us in English, Erasmus, King James, Dr. John Reynolds, Dr. Lancelot Andrews, and so many more.
No book is perfect, and I would have to say that the part of the book I question is Sorenson’s inclusion in the history section of this book a rather speculative discussion of Westcott and Hort’s beliefs. Yes, it is important to know what they believed, but if there is not very definite proof it should not be included.
How does all this history affect us now? Can it affect the way we know God? Can it affect our doctrine? Is it important? The answer that Sorenson has reached is. YES! It does. It is.
This book helped strengthen my trust in the Bible as the Inspired Word of God. It removed the confusion that surrounds this issue. He strongly exhorts us to ‘earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints’. That in the author’s opinion included standing firm for the inerrancy of Word of God. Not just what the scholars have cobbled together today, but for the entire Bible as read by generations of Christians.
These are just a few of the many questions David Sorenson methodically answers in this excellent book. First, he explains the issue and its importance. Why is there a debate over which Bible to use? Does it matter which Bible we use?
Then He explains the three major factions around the translation issue. He briefly debunks the KJV Only position; leaving the majority of the book to deal with the remaining two positions: the Critical Text and the Received Text position.
Don’t get scared off by the technical terms. He spends a good amount of time defining all of the specialized terms. They really aren’t hard. They even make sense after you’re used to them.
The next chunk of the book is a detailed history of both the KJV and the other translations. That was eye opening. Did you know that Luther, Tyndale weren’t the first to translate the Bible into the common language? It’s amazing to watch as, through the centuries, God protected His Word enabling us to have it as a sure foundation for our salvation. Sorenson also introduces us to many of the men who labored so hard to bring the Bible to us in English, Erasmus, King James, Dr. John Reynolds, Dr. Lancelot Andrews, and so many more.
No book is perfect, and I would have to say that the part of the book I question is Sorenson’s inclusion in the history section of this book a rather speculative discussion of Westcott and Hort’s beliefs. Yes, it is important to know what they believed, but if there is not very definite proof it should not be included.
How does all this history affect us now? Can it affect the way we know God? Can it affect our doctrine? Is it important? The answer that Sorenson has reached is. YES! It does. It is.
This book helped strengthen my trust in the Bible as the Inspired Word of God. It removed the confusion that surrounds this issue. He strongly exhorts us to ‘earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints’. That in the author’s opinion included standing firm for the inerrancy of Word of God. Not just what the scholars have cobbled together today, but for the entire Bible as read by generations of Christians.
May 10, 2018
This book is filled with fallacies and weak arguments, let alone false information in the appendices.
But, on the bright side, this book is what started my journey to become a free thinker, to learn to not trust everything that is told me from a teacher/pastor/authority figure etc, and that God is the only One Who is Truth.
Not well written, I know the author meant well.. but there are other books that can be read that do a better job at presenting an old school TR position.
But, on the bright side, this book is what started my journey to become a free thinker, to learn to not trust everything that is told me from a teacher/pastor/authority figure etc, and that God is the only One Who is Truth.
Not well written, I know the author meant well.. but there are other books that can be read that do a better job at presenting an old school TR position.
April 29, 2013
One of the worst books to read on this issue.
March 25, 2026
I found this book to be very informative and educational. It was hard to get passed the first few chapters of context and background and I feel like there was a good amount of repeated information. Nevertheless the contents were fascinating!
May 25, 2026
There is no doubt this was Sorenson’s dissertation, or at least was derived from his dissertation. It is incredibly dense non-fiction reading. The essence of a dissertation is to defend your position, and the author does that thoroughly.
Many modern Bible translations (NASB, NIV) are based on different Greek texts than those used to make earlier translations such as the King James Version (or even the newer NKJV). This is unfortunate because these Greek translations differ in many points from what is known as the Received Text, ultimately diluting doctrine of the modern Bible translations. These different Greek texts were translated and published in the late 19th century by two men with questionable beliefs.
I think there are many cases in which Sorensen needlessly repeats statements or arguments, annoying me as the reader.
Many modern Bible translations (NASB, NIV) are based on different Greek texts than those used to make earlier translations such as the King James Version (or even the newer NKJV). This is unfortunate because these Greek translations differ in many points from what is known as the Received Text, ultimately diluting doctrine of the modern Bible translations. These different Greek texts were translated and published in the late 19th century by two men with questionable beliefs.
I think there are many cases in which Sorensen needlessly repeats statements or arguments, annoying me as the reader.
July 5, 2008
deals with the "which Bible" debate. the arguement is for the KJV. very well researched and relavent material and conclusions.
April 16, 2026
"Touch not the unclean thing" has been the most helpful book in my opinion on the textual issue. I recommend it to anyone searching for information about why using the King James Version is preferred over the more modern versions for the English language. The book was well written and easy to understand, I thought.
The issue of the King James Version was a topic I thought I would never be convinced of but reading this book and several others from both sides I have come to the conclusion to only use versions derived of from the Majority Text. I would encourage Bible believing followers of the Lord Jesus to think deeply about this topic and explore it more as it is indeed important. If you read this book i hope it will be a blessing like it was for me.
The issue of the King James Version was a topic I thought I would never be convinced of but reading this book and several others from both sides I have come to the conclusion to only use versions derived of from the Majority Text. I would encourage Bible believing followers of the Lord Jesus to think deeply about this topic and explore it more as it is indeed important. If you read this book i hope it will be a blessing like it was for me.
November 18, 2024
This book is a great overview of the textual issue and why we should use the King James Bible and separate from the Critical Text. This book is compelling and well researched and I would recommend it for any Independent Fundamental Baptist (or anyone) who doesn't fully understand their stance on the King James issue. I don't think everyone needs to be a scholar on the subject, but this gives the information needed to be informed. It's easy enough to read and presents all the evidence one needs.
August 21, 2025
I appreciate the author’s diligence is sourcing his claims and information while keeping a loving attitude.
December 5, 2014
Some good info.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews