Benjamin G. Wilkinson
Encyclopedia
Dr. Benjamin George Wilkinson (1872–1968) was a Seventh-day Adventist
missionary
, educator, theologian
and the Dean of Theology at the Seventh-day Adventist Washington Missionary College (now known as Washington Adventist University) which is located in Takoma Park, Maryland
, near Washington, D.C.
. Some years later Independent Baptist
preacher David Otis Fuller
also wrote a book concerning the Textual debate entitled, Which Bible?, which helped to popularize King James Only
beliefs because he excluded Wilkinson's Adventist beliefs from his book.
Wilkinson criticized the English Revised Version, which was completed in 1885, because he claimed it was translated from inaccurate Greek texts. For example, in a change in the Greek
text removed the word Gentile
s in a text that says they observed the Sabbath, which ultimately changed the Adventist belief in Sabbath keeping. In a translation more literal than the King James Version
(KJV) altered a proof text for the Adventist belief in 'soul sleep.'
Wilkinson was the first known person to criticize Westcott
and Hort
, believing they made changes to the text in translation, due to the fact that they rejected the use of the Textus Receptus and instead, used text based mainly on the Codex Vaticanus
and Codex Sinaiticus
. Those who preferred not to use the Textus Receptus, such as Westcott and Hort, used what Wilkinson claimed were corrupted manuscripts and which other authorities on the textual issue such as John Burgon
, who called it a "fabricated text", and "among the most corrupt documents extant" and likened the manuscripts used as to the "two false witnesses" of Matthew 26:60.
the Codex Vaticanus
and the Codex Sinaiticus
. The Codex Vaticanus that has come down to us had portions which have been collated and changed or edited by several scribes over the centuries, with many exclusions and errors that were intended to be corrections made in the process, while the Codex Sinaiticus
has known textual variants in its text and exclusions.
Wilkinson was also the first person to associate claiming, that this verse was God's promise to preserve the KJV The majority of Christians, however, do not believe in this particular interpretation of biblical scripture.
In his book Truth Triumphant, Wilkinson painted a true church after Jesus' ascension in the face of apostasy and persecution, fled into the wilderness, preserved the Word of God and teaching of Jesus. The true church manifested during the Reformation
, bringing in long lost teachings of the bible that was forbidden during the Dark Ages, and that she will triumph over the beast and its image in the last days.
Benjamin was also a participant in the Seventh-day Adventist 1919 Bible Conference
which was a highly significant event within the Adventist Church. Like other conferences at the time amongst fundamentalists it discussed the nature of inspiration, both of the Bible and Seventh-day Adventist prophetess Ellen G. White
. Wilkinson was a representative of the conservative faction at the conference, arguing that White's writings were inerrant. However, other leaders such as A. G. Daniells argued that White's writings were not inerrant, but still supported biblical inerrancy
. Mainstream Adventists today use the King James Version, but they do not necessarily support the King-James-Only movement
.
Wilkinson Hall, the main administrative building on Washington Adventist University's campus, is named in his honor.
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
, educator, theologian
Christian theology
- Divisions of Christian theology :There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on the History of Christian theology.- Sub-disciplines :...
and the Dean of Theology at the Seventh-day Adventist Washington Missionary College (now known as Washington Adventist University) which is located in Takoma Park, Maryland
Takoma Park, Maryland
Takoma Park is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a suburb of Washington, D.C., and part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1890, Takoma Park, informally called "Azalea City," is a Tree City USA and a nuclear-free zone...
, near Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Biography
Wilkinson is an obscure figure today, and is remembered mainly for a book he wrote in 1930 entitled Our Authorized Bible VindicatedOur Authorized Bible Vindicated
Our Authorized Bible Vindicated is a book written by Seventh-day Adventist scholar Dr. Benjamin G. Wilkinson advocating the King James Only position, published in 1930...
. Some years later Independent Baptist
Independent Baptist
Independent Baptist churches are Christian churches generally holding to conservative Baptist beliefs. They are characterized by being independent from the authority of denominations or similar bodies. Members of such churches comprised three percent of the United States adult population according...
preacher David Otis Fuller
David Otis Fuller
David Otis Fuller was a graduate of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois and Princeton Theological Seminary...
also wrote a book concerning the Textual debate entitled, Which Bible?, which helped to popularize King James Only
King-James-Only Movement
The "King James Only movement" advocates the superiority of the Authorized King James Version of the Protestant Bible. The topic increased in newsworthiness in 2011, the 400th anniversary of the translation's 1611 initial publication....
beliefs because he excluded Wilkinson's Adventist beliefs from his book.
Wilkinson criticized the English Revised Version, which was completed in 1885, because he claimed it was translated from inaccurate Greek texts. For example, in a change in the Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
text removed the word Gentile
Gentile
The term Gentile refers to non-Israelite peoples or nations in English translations of the Bible....
s in a text that says they observed the Sabbath, which ultimately changed the Adventist belief in Sabbath keeping. In a translation more literal than the King James Version
King James Version of the Bible
The Authorized Version, commonly known as the King James Version, King James Bible or KJV, is an English translation of the Christian Bible by the Church of England begun in 1604 and completed in 1611...
(KJV) altered a proof text for the Adventist belief in 'soul sleep.'
Wilkinson was the first known person to criticize Westcott
Brooke Foss Westcott
Brooke Foss Westcott was a British bishop, Biblical scholar and theologian, serving as Bishop of Durham from 1890 until his death.-Early life and education:...
and Hort
Fenton John Anthony Hort
Fenton John Anthony Hort was an Irish theologian and editor, with Brooke Westcott of a critical edition of The New Testament in the Original Greek.-Life:...
, believing they made changes to the text in translation, due to the fact that they rejected the use of the Textus Receptus and instead, used text based mainly on the Codex Vaticanus
Codex Vaticanus
The Codex Vaticanus , is one of the oldest extant manuscripts of the Greek Bible , one of the four great uncial codices. The Codex is named for the residence in the Vatican Library, where it has been stored since at least the 15th century...
and Codex Sinaiticus
Codex Sinaiticus
Codex Sinaiticus is one of the four great uncial codices, an ancient, handwritten copy of the Greek Bible. It is an Alexandrian text-type manuscript written in the 4th century in uncial letters on parchment. Current scholarship considers the Codex Sinaiticus to be one of the best Greek texts of...
. Those who preferred not to use the Textus Receptus, such as Westcott and Hort, used what Wilkinson claimed were corrupted manuscripts and which other authorities on the textual issue such as John Burgon
John William Burgon
John William Burgon was an English Anglican divine who became the Dean of Chichester Cathedral in 1876. He is remembered for his passionate defence of the historicity and Mosaic authorship of Genesis and of Biblical inerrancy in general.-Biography:Burgon was born at Smyrna, the son of an English...
, who called it a "fabricated text", and "among the most corrupt documents extant" and likened the manuscripts used as to the "two false witnesses" of Matthew 26:60.
the Codex Vaticanus
Codex Vaticanus
The Codex Vaticanus , is one of the oldest extant manuscripts of the Greek Bible , one of the four great uncial codices. The Codex is named for the residence in the Vatican Library, where it has been stored since at least the 15th century...
and the Codex Sinaiticus
Codex Sinaiticus
Codex Sinaiticus is one of the four great uncial codices, an ancient, handwritten copy of the Greek Bible. It is an Alexandrian text-type manuscript written in the 4th century in uncial letters on parchment. Current scholarship considers the Codex Sinaiticus to be one of the best Greek texts of...
. The Codex Vaticanus that has come down to us had portions which have been collated and changed or edited by several scribes over the centuries, with many exclusions and errors that were intended to be corrections made in the process, while the Codex Sinaiticus
Codex Sinaiticus
Codex Sinaiticus is one of the four great uncial codices, an ancient, handwritten copy of the Greek Bible. It is an Alexandrian text-type manuscript written in the 4th century in uncial letters on parchment. Current scholarship considers the Codex Sinaiticus to be one of the best Greek texts of...
has known textual variants in its text and exclusions.
Wilkinson was also the first person to associate claiming, that this verse was God's promise to preserve the KJV The majority of Christians, however, do not believe in this particular interpretation of biblical scripture.
In his book Truth Triumphant, Wilkinson painted a true church after Jesus' ascension in the face of apostasy and persecution, fled into the wilderness, preserved the Word of God and teaching of Jesus. The true church manifested during the Reformation
Reformation
- Movements :* Protestant Reformation, an attempt by Martin Luther to reform the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in a schism, and grew into a wider movement...
, bringing in long lost teachings of the bible that was forbidden during the Dark Ages, and that she will triumph over the beast and its image in the last days.
Benjamin was also a participant in the Seventh-day Adventist 1919 Bible Conference
1919 Bible Conference
The 1919 Bible Conference was a Seventh-day Adventist Church conference or council held from July 1 to August 9, 1919, for denominational leaders, educators, and editors to discuss theological and pedagogical issues. The council was convened by the General Conference Executive Committee led by A. G...
which was a highly significant event within the Adventist Church. Like other conferences at the time amongst fundamentalists it discussed the nature of inspiration, both of the Bible and Seventh-day Adventist prophetess Ellen G. White
Ellen G. White
Ellen Gould White was a prolific author and an American Christian pioneer. She, along with other Sabbatarian Adventist leaders, such as Joseph Bates and her husband James White, would form what is now known as the Seventh-day Adventist Church.Ellen White reported to her fellow believers her...
. Wilkinson was a representative of the conservative faction at the conference, arguing that White's writings were inerrant. However, other leaders such as A. G. Daniells argued that White's writings were not inerrant, but still supported biblical inerrancy
Biblical inerrancy
Biblical inerrancy is the doctrinal position that the Bible is accurate and totally free of error, that "Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact." Some equate inerrancy with infallibility; others do not.Conservative Christians generally believe that...
. Mainstream Adventists today use the King James Version, but they do not necessarily support the King-James-Only movement
King-James-Only Movement
The "King James Only movement" advocates the superiority of the Authorized King James Version of the Protestant Bible. The topic increased in newsworthiness in 2011, the 400th anniversary of the translation's 1611 initial publication....
.
Wilkinson Hall, the main administrative building on Washington Adventist University's campus, is named in his honor.
See also
- Seventh-day Adventist theology
- Our Authorized Bible VindicatedOur Authorized Bible VindicatedOur Authorized Bible Vindicated is a book written by Seventh-day Adventist scholar Dr. Benjamin G. Wilkinson advocating the King James Only position, published in 1930...
- King-James-Only MovementKing-James-Only MovementThe "King James Only movement" advocates the superiority of the Authorized King James Version of the Protestant Bible. The topic increased in newsworthiness in 2011, the 400th anniversary of the translation's 1611 initial publication....
- Bible version debateBible version debateThere have been various debates concerning the proper medium and translation of the Bible since the first translations of the Hebrew Bible into Greek and Aramaic...
- David Otis FullerDavid Otis FullerDavid Otis Fuller was a graduate of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois and Princeton Theological Seminary...
- Revised VersionRevised VersionThe Revised Version of the Bible is a late 19th-century British revision of the King James Version of 1611. It was the first and remains the only officially authorized and recognized revision of the King James Bible. The work was entrusted to over 50 scholars from various denominations in Britain...
External links
- Andrews.edu, Articles by Wilkinson as cataloged in the Seventh-day Adventist Periodical Index (SDAPI)