FTGF Lesson 266 | Assessing the Printed History of the King James Text (Criticisms of Thomas Curtis)

Summary: This academic teaching examines the printed history of the King James Bible, focusing on Thomas Curtis's 19th-century critique of textual variations between Oxford and Cambridge editions. The lesson explores how Curtis identified over 11,000 alleged departures from the 1611 Authorized Version, though many were spelling differences and marginal notes rather than substantive textual changes. The teaching demonstrates that while the 1769 Blaney edition remains the base text for modern King James Bibles, minor variations exist between publishers. Curtis's campaign, though considered excessive by some scholars, led to greater uniformity between Oxford and Cambridge editions and resulted in Oxford's 1833 exact reprint of the 1611 edition. The lesson ultimately affirms that textual work and standardization have been ongoing since the original translation, with precedent set by the translators themselves, and that American printings introduced additional spelling variations without substantive theological changes.

Chapters
Chapter 1: Introduction to the 1769 Text and Its Variations
0:00 - 5:00
We examine how current Oxford and Cambridge editions differ from Blaney's 1769 text and from each other, establishing the context for understanding textual variations in King James Bible printings.
Chapter 2: Thomas Curtis and His Campaign Against Textual Monopoly
5:00 - 15:00
We explore Thomas Curtis's 1833 critique of Oxford and Cambridge's Bible printing monopoly, where he claimed over 11,000 departures from the 1611 Authorized Version and demanded a return to the original text.
Chapter 3: The Universities' Response and the 1833 Reprint
15:00 - 25:00
We examine how Oxford and Cambridge responded to Curtis's criticisms, leading to greater uniformity between their editions and Oxford's publication of an exact 1833 reprint of the 1611 text.
Chapter 4: Implications for American Printings and Modern Controversies
25:00 - 35:00
We preview the upcoming discussion of American Bible printings and examine modern controversies over spelling variations, including claims that Americanized spellings change theological meaning.

Key Points:
Current Oxford and Cambridge editions are not identical to Blaney's 1769 text, nor to each other.
Thomas Curtis claimed over 11,000 intentional changes from the 1611, though this number included marginal notes, chapter summaries, and spelling variations.
Curtis was a "textual fundamentalist" who believed no changes should be made after 1611 without royal authorization.
The universities lacked standardization and proper record-keeping of editions in the 19th century.
Curtis's campaign led to greater uniformity between Oxford and Cambridge printings.
Oxford published an exact 1833 reprint of the 1611 edition, demonstrating the impracticality of returning to the original.
The original translators themselves made revisions between 1611 and 1613, establishing precedent for textual work.
American printings introduced Americanized spellings from the first 1782 Robert Aiken Bible onward.
Spelling differences (like "savior" vs "saviour") do not constitute substantive theological changes.
The Blaney text remains the de facto standard despite minor variations.

PDF Notes
https://gracelifebiblechurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Lesson-266-Assessing-the-Printed-History-of-the-King-James-Text-Criticisms-of-Thomas-Curtis.pdf

From This Generation For Ever Complete Class (GLBC Website Format)
https://gracelifebiblechurch.com/sermon-category/from-this-generation-for-ever/

GRACE LIFE BIBLE CHURCH INFORMATION & RESOURCES

Join us live from Grace Life Bible Church in Grand Rapids, MI, on YouTube or Facebook every Sunday at 9:00 and 10:40am Eastern Time.
https://gracelifebiblechurch.com/grace-life-bible-church-live-stream/

Visit Grace Life Bible Church online.
https://gracelifebiblechurch.com/

Follow Grace Life Bible Church on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Grace-Life-Bible-Church-198054163567994

Grace Life Press
https://gracelifepress.com/

Find us on Rumble
https://rumble.com/c/c-621625

Grace History Project
http://gracehistoryproject.blogspot.com/

The Day of the Lord Project
http://thedayofthelordproject.blogspot.com/

The Gospels Project
http://thegospelsproject.blogspot.com/

Why Use the King James Bible Resource Page
https://gracelifebiblechurch.com/why-use-the-kjv/

Keywords
#KingJamesBible
#TextualCriticism
#ThomasCurtis
#1769BlaneyText
#OxfordCambridge
#BiblicalManuscripts
#AuthorizedVersion
#PrinterErrors
#TextualHistory
#1611KJV
#BiblicalScholarship
#BiblePublishing
#TextualStandardization
#DavidNorton
#HerbertCatalog
#BritishPrintings
#AmericanBibles
#SpellingDifferences
#BiblicalAuthority
#TextualFundamentalism
#BiblePreservation
#ChristianHistory
#BiblicalIntegrity