It has everything to do with the date of the translation. In
general, the later bibles reflect the discovery of more ancient
biblical manuscripts. The KJV could be most "perfect" when it was
first published, but not so anymore. Is it so hard to acknowledge
this fact?
Furthermore if they yearn so much for a literal, they could have
embraced other literal bibles that are later. I believe KJV is not
the only literal bible around.
You can disagree with their doctrine but surely they are
entitled to hold their own opinion. If you disagree with the
teachings of the pastor, you can leave the church. But if you
submit to the authority of the particular church, you will have to
accept the discipline of the church leadership.
Maybe he wanted to be kei gao before he left. 
Certain doctrines are non-negotiable, but definitely not bible
version. At the end of the day, they might still use KJV (because
of literary style) because of preferences but perhaps should also
acknowledge that it is no longer that "perfect". Is it so hard to
do so? Nobody asking you to renounce Christ right?
I would be surprised if this case can go anywhere. The plaintiff
will have to prove damage to his reputation and more importantly,
demonstrate that the damage is due to his ex-communication. I do
not think many businessmen would care about your doctrinal views
when deciding who to do business with, anymore than which football
team you support.
The damage was already done before the ex-communication.
A DIFFERENCE in opinion over theology has escalated into a
church-goer suing his pastors for defaming him in church.
Mr Lim Seng Hoo, a member of the Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian
Church since 1996, claims its leaders - senior pastor Tow Siang Hwa
and pastor Quek Suan Yew - have tarnished his reputation.
In March, the church's Board of Elders barred the
50-year-old businessman from all church services for six months,
when the threat of a lawsuit against them looked
imminent.
The dispute arose from a translation of the Bible, the King James
version, which the Pandan Gardens church has used for 27
years.
Over 20 English versions of the Bible exist. Some of the more
widely used ones here are the New International and New Jerusalem
versions.
Mr Lim, who read theology in a local bible college, believes the
King James Bible - widely thought by theologians as the most
accurate - is not as perfect as his pastors claim.
He made his view known to 60 church members following
church service in July last year, by handing out copies of
a petition for a public debate on the issue; he also e-mailed other
church members.
Stinging responses came from the pastors via e-mail, church
bulletins and sermons, which he felt hurt his standing as a
businessman and a devout Christian.
In his statement of claim against the pastors, he said they
had repeatedly run him down in church in front of people with whom
his firm may have business dealings. His company
distributes metrological instruments to the region.
In their written defence, the pastors, who have hired Harry Elias
Partnership to represent them, said any damage to Mr Lim's
reputation had been brought about by himself and that their actions
had 'no consequence on his trade reputation'.
Mr Lim, who will be represented by Mr Chia Boon Teck and Ms Jamie
Seah of Khattar Wong Partnership, claims his church friends have
shunned him and discriminated against his four children.
He told The Straits Times that taking up a civil suit was a 'last
resort', especially since he regarded senior pastor Tow as a father
figure.
In the course of the dispute, he said, the insults had grown
sharper. He listed some made by the pastors, which he felt caused
him 'serious injury'. In particular, he was upset at being likened
to Satan and referred to as an 'evil and sinister enemy'.
Senior pastor Tow said in his written defence: 'It is the teaching
of the Bible that any attack on the members of the church and the
pastors would be seen as a satanic attack, as Satan is the
mastermind behind all disturbances within the church.'
He added that as senior pastor and church founder, he had to shield
his flock from incorrect, divisive doctrines.
Mr Lim is also asking the court to quash his suspension
from church, which he alleges was aimed at stopping him from
presenting the church's accounts, which he audited.
He also claims to have found 'questionable' flows of about $450,000
from the church funds to the pastors.
Pastor Quek said Mr Lim had broken his vows to the church to submit
to its leaders and not raise divisive issues.
In a statement to this newspaper, church elders said he failed to
attend six counselling sessions following his suspension.
The statement also said it was a 'very
sad day' when a church member took to suing his own pastors: 'Such
an action is against the clear teaching of Jesus Christ in God's
Holy and perfect Word.'
Read the parts in bold.
I think the church leadership already tried to run him down between
july last year and his ex-communication this march. Furthermore I
think we missed the part about the church account also. Notice he
was the auditor.
That is hard enough but on top of that, it is difficult to
refute the defence argument that the BP church was only exercising
its right to discipline a member who by his continued membership
submits to the teaching of the church.
I think this is missing the point. The whole thing is about
defamation isn't it?
The part in red is a joke. Do they mean to tell me their action of
gunning him down is very Christ-like?
Notice the church leadership never deny the allegation, in their
written defence - "any damage to Mr Lim's reputation had been
brought about by himself and that their actions had 'no consequence
on his trade reputation'"
They never categorically deny those actions.
