A RESPONSE - Part 4 of 4


To Dr. Kennedy's Report on the Ron Minton Controversy


By Michael D. O'Neal, Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church
P.O. Box 3071, Albany, GA 31706 (229) 432-0039 Church / (912) 698-2127 House
Email: brothermike@brothermike.com
8/19/97

MDO - Beginning with the introduction by Dr. Kennedy, remarks by him and students will be preceded by the letters, "STU," while my initials will precede my response comments.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: One of the graduates, Pastor Timothy Shumer, has grown in his understanding of the Bible version issue and is now a King James Bible-believing pastor! See my response, including a quote from an email to me, and contact me for more information.


STU - Report of Former Students of Ron Minton

Of the concerns voiced in the meeting of state representatives last May was whether Ron Minton's teaching undergirded his students with an unshakable faith in the Word of God and support of our Fellowship's position on the KJV. In my investigation, I asked former students how he has influenced them in regards to the Bible and the KJV.


MDO - Notice in this introduction that Brother Kennedy refers to the Bible AND the KJV. The implication is that they are two separate entities. They are not, at least according to the BBFI resolution of 1979 and the BBC policy of 1983, which state that the King James Version is the Word of God preserved for English-speaking people.


STU - Space doesn't allow for complete letters, but the six paragraphs below are representative of letters and communication we have received from former students. --Leland R. Kennedy


MDO - One must recognize that these are SOLICITED testimonials, responses to Brother Kennedy's asking these former students to answer claims that Dr. Minton's teachings are detrimental, concerning the KJV. It is reasonable to conclude that most impressionable young men who sat under Dr. Minton's scholarship came out of the school believing Brother Minton was sound. Otherwise, they would have either protested or quit his classes.


STU - "To those who claim that Dr. Minton undermines the faith of students at BBGST, I suggest that they read Dr. Minton's book [Making the Bible]. Reading his book caused me to be more confident in the King James Version of God's word. I know that I have the very words God intended me to have. I can preach "Thus saith the Lord," and know that God really said what is written. I can tell our congregation, without hesitation, that we have the Word of God. My trust in the King James Version of God's Word was not destroyed or undermined by Dr. Minton, it was enhanced. I can now answer the critics with facts, not lies. I know the truth, not cunningly devised fables. I have Dr. Minton to thank for these convictions and this knowledge."
--Eric Doucet, Assistant Pastor, Emporia, Kansas


MDO - The wording of this testimony is an excellent witness on Dr. Minton's behalf. If a person did not read anything by Brother Minton, or if he did not read the testimonies of other students in this report (understand that these students are doing their best to defend their former instructor), he might even be persuaded that Brother Minton must in actuality be a King James Bible-believer and that his critics just misunderstand him. This one testimony is the exception, however, and almost directly contradicts of student Timothy Shumer, whose witness will be given shortly.


STU - "Having completed both master degrees from the Graduate School, I have taken over fifteen hours of classes with Dr. Minton. Never has there been one time in any of those classes where Dr. Minton has undermined my faith in the Word of God. In my opinion, few people have as much concern, appreciation, and dedication to the preservation of the Word of God as Dr. Minton. As a result of studying the Greek language and different methods of textual criticism, I have a strengthened faith in the King James Bible and a greater appreciation for the KJV. Further, through Dr. Minton's influence, I am now equipped more than ever to properly defend the KJV and have an unshakable faith in the word of God."
--Kevin Carson, Associate Pastor, Springfield, Missouri


MDO - With the exception of Eric Doucet above, you may notice, as you read the rest of the student testimonials, that neither Dr. Minton nor his students refer to "undermining" one's faith in the King James Bible. Perhaps you noticed that they do not refer to "an unshakable faith" in the King James Bible. They refer to the KJV. They talk about defending the KJV. They talk about using the KJV. But they place their faith in "the Word of God." That would not be a questionable statement if the issue here were not with regard to the King James Bible's status as the word of God.


STU - "As a recent graduate, having studied Greek and Theology under Dr. Minton, I would like to offer my unequivocal support of my former professor ... Let the matter be stated simply: Dr. Minton defends the Word of God. Especially with respect to his area of expertise, the New Testament, Dr. Minton does all he can to foster an appreciation, respect, understanding and love of the Word of God. Dr. Minton has also stated that he prefers the King James Version, and I believe he is sincere. However, he does give preeminence to the Greek -- which is, after all, the language of the New Testament -- and not to ANY translation, in ANY language. I know that he does so with something of a scholar's "sting," and that may at times work against his efforts, but those who know Dr. Minton as I do know that the accusation that he is undermining students' trust in the Bible, or even has such an agenda, is a claim which can not be substantiated by facts."
--Timothy Shumer, pastoral candidate, New York


MDO - Ah, thank you, Timothy! Now here is an honest and sincere testimony coming from one who not only supports his professor but courageously specifies a little of what Brother Minton actually believes. Timothy said, "Let the matter be stated simply: Dr. Minton defends the Word of God." Timothy did NOT say, Dr. Minton defends the King James Version. You say, "Other students say he defends the KJV." Yes, but if we continue to read Timothy's witness, we see that Brother Minton's primary defense is of some unseen Word of God (the original manuscripts) and that he only PREFERS the KJV, realizing that it is, in Dr. Minton's words, "only a translation."

Further, Timothy testifies, "Dr. Minton has also stated that he prefers the King James Version, and I believe he is sincere." What kind of witness is that? A man may PREFER Ford automobiles, but that doesn't mean I believe they're infallible!

Finally, the graduate states, "However, he does give preeminence to the Greek -- which is, after all, the language of the New Testament -- and not to ANY translation, in ANY language." Now we're getting somewhere. Brother Minton gives preeminence to "the Greek" and not to "ANY translation, in ANY language." In other words, Brother Minton is careful not to put the King James Bible on a plane with the Greek manuscripts we have available, even though the BBC statement says that the KJV is God's word kept intact for English-speaking people. Hmmm... does Brother Minton have some Greek manuscripts which are kept intact for GREEK-speaking people? The resolution of 1979 said nothing about the Greek manuscripts being kept intact for English speaking people; it was referring to THE KING JAMES VERSION.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: On May 29, 2003, Brother Shumer, now a pastor, wrote me to let me know that he now understands the issues better. I read an EXCELLENT statement on his church website about the King James Bible, so he has indeed grown. If anyone wants to know the specifics, contact me at brothermike@brothermike.com and I'll get you in touch with him. For now, I'll just rejoice that God turned Brother Shumer into a Bible-believing pastor IN SPITE of his training under Minton, and give you a little summary in his own words to me:

TS - "But now I'm wondering if perhaps would you consider adding a note there that as things stand TODAY, AFTER I got into the real world, and began pastoring and using my brain again and thinking for myself again, well, I came to some much better -- and CORRECT -- convictions and beliefs about the Word of God? (Luke 15.17 maybe?)


STU - "I wish to state that Dr. Minton has challenged me individually to be the best Bible scholar that I can. Dr. Minton in daily classes, after class and in social settings believes in the authority of the Bible. He has challenged every student to be biblically correct. Further, Dr. Minton does uphold the King James version to be God's blessed translation to the English-speaking people. He has stated on numerous occasions, that it is free from error regarding the doctrines of our faith. As a young student, without much knowledge of Bible origins and translation, I came out of this institution much better prepared to defend my faith and the words that are written in the Bible. Primarily, this is due to the teaching of men like Dr. Minton."
--Randy Conway, Graduate BBGST, Springfield, Missouri


MDO - Randy states that Brother Minton believes in the authority of "the Bible." Which Bible, Randy? The KJV or the Greek? He says, "Dr. Minton does uphold the King James version to be God's blessed translation to the English-speaking people." What does "God's blessed translation" mean, Randy? Does it mean, "God's inerrant, infallible word preserved in English?" Randy says Brother Minton "has stated on numerous occasions, that it is free from error regarding the doctrines of our faith." So it is free from error regarding the "doctrines of our faith," is it? What about other things? What about its statements on historical matters? What about the accounts in Chronicles and the alleged discrepancies? Is it free from error on "the doctrines of our faith" or is it free from error, PERIOD? Can you trust EVERY WORD of the King James Version? Randy's testimony is a little ambiguous, because Brother Minton's teaching has been so.


STU - "Dr. Minton has taught (me) Bibliology and Textual Criticism which address the history and translation of Scripture. In each class, the truth about manuscripts and translations was presented with brutal honesty and great care for detail. While the strengths and weaknesses of manuscript types and translations were revealed without bias, there is no doubt that Dr. Minton holds the KJV as the best translation to date."
--Greg Windell, Graduate BBGST, Springfield, Missouri


MDO - Greg's brief testimony implies much. Apparently, Brother Minton revealed the strengths and weakness of manuscript types and translations. Could it be that he believes the King James Version and the texts behind it may have some weaknesses? Of course, he does! He told me so. Greg says, "...there is no doubt that Dr. Minton holds the KJV as the best translation to date." That's good, Greg, but not good enough. Dr. Minton told me that on Titus 2:13, the NIV, NASB, and NKJV were all better renditions of the verse, to proclaim the doctrine of Christ's deity. I wonder how many other places of the KJV are weaker than the corrupt Alexandrian translations, in Brother Minton's eyes?


STU - As a result of the class (Textual Criticism), I have a better appreciation for the King James Bible, because it helped me to realize the truth in the making of the King James. Secondly, it helped me to know that the King James Bible is the best translation. Furthermore, it made me to despise the New International Version and the New American Standard Version because of their separation from the original Greek text. The class taught under Dr. Minton made me trust in God's provision for His Word in the English language. I amvery appreciative of his teaching."
--David Roach, Graduate Student, Springfield, Missouri


MDO - This testimony is not too bad, although we King James Bible believers hold to a position a little stronger than that "the King James Bible is the best translation." We believe it is infallible and inerrant.

I conclude this little response to the students' testimonials with this question to Dr. Minton, Dr. Kennedy, and Dr. Parker:

DO YOU BELIEVE THE KING JAMES VERSION IS INFALLIBLE AND INERRANT IN THE SAME SENSE THAT THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS WERE INFALLIBLE AND INERRANT? A simple yes or no answer is requested. Only after such an answer is given would additional comments be welcomed.

This concludes my response to the report I received in the mail from Dr. Kennedy. I pray that it is enlightening and encouraging to Bible-believers who might happen to read it.