Have You Read the Preface?
No English translation of the Bible has had more influence on the world than the King James Version. But have you read its forgotten preface? "The Forgotten Preface" aims to bring to light this overlooked historical document written by the King James Translators. This book exposits their preface to bring to light what these men actually believed about inspiration, preservation, and translation.
Review by Dr. John Van Gelderen (Author and Evangelist)
Since the 1970's, several positions have formed over what has come to be known as the "translation issue." Much division would be avoided by reading the preface to the King James Version written by the translators themselves. Wherever you find yourself on this debate, honesty should welcome this insight. In The Forgotten Preface, Joshua Barzon provides an exposition of this preface with a kind tone and a desire for historical truth to be understood. Some may be surprisingly freed by simply knowing the position of the translators themselves.
About the Book
An exposition of the preface to the King James Version with 10 theses presented detailing what the translators believed.
An evaluation of modern English Bible translations with an in-depth case study presented using the NKJV.
A collection of quotes from historic and respected Christians who endorsed modern Bible translations including Charles Spurgeon, R.A. Torrey, John R. Rice, and more.
The original unabridged preface to the King James Version as well as an unabridged modern English translation of the preface.
About the Author
My name is Joshua Barzon, and I hold a B.A. in Pastoral Theology from Fairhaven Baptist College. The Forgotten Preface is my first published work which details the translational philosophy of the King James Translators.
The Lord has gifted me quite the exciting life so far, and all before the age of 30. I was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 1994. My father was a defense contractor working with the Saudi Government at the time. It was there on the coast of the Red Sea that both my parents heard and believed the Gospel at an underground bible study held on their compound. My parents raised me to fear the Lord, love His word, and care for others – which the Lord used to draw me to Christ and believe the gospel as a teenager. Due to my father’s job, I have lived in California, Texas, New Hampshire, Maryland, and Egypt over the course of my childhood.
I was privileged to study theology at Fairhaven Baptist College from 2012 to 2016. I still have many dear friends that teach, attend, and serve at that institution. During my college years, I was often told “your education doesn’t end at graduation, it begins there.” I took that saying to heart, and have determined since then to never stop learning, never stop questioning, and never stop weighing everything by God’s Word as the final authority for truth.
After graduating from college, I was able to work on staff at my educational institution and pioneer their online education program. My beautiful wife, Laura, and I were married soon after college and moved to Iowa to work on staff at a church in the Des Moines area. I was able to teach at a Christian Academy for the majority of those years. The Lord has now transitioned our family out of vocational ministry for this season of life. I currently work for Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, IA. I also do graphic design work and carpentry on the side. Our family loves enjoying fellowship with other believers and hearing the Word of God taught on a weekly basis at our local church in Indianola, IA. My wife and I have two lovely daughters – Tessa and Emma.
To read the whole story of how I came to write this book, click the link below. To contact me, click the other link below.