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Answering a Few More Objections to Authorized: Part 1, The Modern Versions Are Copyrighted; They’re in It for the Money

By Filings on Tue, 07/30/19
Bible, Theology & Philosophy
KJVO
Books
English Bible Translations

“…in a debate like this one, the objections never really end. And I think there are a few more that merit attention.” - Mark Ward

Discussion

Profile picture for user Bert Perry
Bert Perry

NewOn copyrights

Tue, 07/30/19

It’s worth noting that legally speaking, there are at least two reasons to copyright a work. First is to collect royalties, but second is to prevent someone from changing your work and presenting it as your own. I’ve seen a fair number of works where the copyright is retained, but specific permission is given to copy it unaltered for local church use.

Regarding the issue of profit and royalties, that objection bothers me, as (as an engineer) I work in areas where I get paid not because of widgets I make, but because of ideas I create. If I argue against copyrights, I’m basically saying I shouldn’t get paid. The same applies to experts in ancient languages and culture who help us to understand the Scriptures. Idea rats need to eat, too!

Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.

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GregH

NewThe irony is that Erasmus was

Tue, 07/30/19

The irony is that Erasmus was quite obsessed with money. In fact, a credible knock on Erasmus is that he often rushed works to print without enough editing because he needed money. Historians have access to numerous letters written by him that give insight into his thinking.

Also, though of course this is no condemnation but interesting nonetheless, according to what I have read, Erasmus was apparently the very first writer ever who was able to actually earn a living through publishing.

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M. Osborne

NewAnd derivative works, too

Wed, 07/31/19

Copyright allows you to prohibit alterations. It also allows you to prohibit derivative works you wouldn’t want. If someone wants to produce the Queer Study Bible in the ESV, the copyright holder can say, “Um, no.”

Michael Osborne
Philadelphia, PA

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Steve Newman

NewNot advocating for the position, but..

Wed, 07/31/19

When people say “they are in it for the money” I think they mean the copyrighters and the publishers rather than the translators in general.

Profile picture for user Bert Perry
Bert Perry

NewWell....

Wed, 07/31/19

[Steve Newman]

When people say “they are in it for the money” I think they mean the copyrighters and the publishers rather than the translators in general.

They might, but the book/work exists because of the publishers and copyright owners. They are the ones that got the author (s) connected with the project, and they’re the ones who lose out if someone steals the pdf and spreads it around the world without attribution or payment. Very often, they give the author an advance so he has the chance to write it. No? I would argue that demonizing the publishers/copyright holders is exactly the same, practically speaking, as demonizing the authors/composers/etc..

Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.

Profile picture for user Jim
Jim

NewAbout all that $$$$ in Bible publishing

Wed, 07/31/19

Zondervan is the publisher of the NIV. Owned by Harper Collins … owned by News Corp

EPS is negative

Twitter

Jim's Doctrinal Statement

Profile picture for user Bert Perry
Bert Perry

NewUm....

Wed, 07/31/19

….can’t help but note that NewsCorp’s HQ hasn’t existed for nearly 18 years….maybe that explains their negative EPS? :^)

Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.

Profile picture for user Jim
Jim

NewNWS HQ =

Wed, 07/31/19

[Bert Perry]

….can’t help but note that NewsCorp’s HQ hasn’t existed for nearly 18 years….maybe that explains their negative EPS? :^)

Info on their HQ:

News Corporation

1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
United States
212-416-3400
http://newscorp.com

–––––—

As for me:

  • I have a nice NIV - the Zondervan NIV Study Bible
  • I dabble in stock investing - NEWS has never been on my radar!

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Jim's Doctrinal Statement

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Larry Nelson

NewThis conversation (or something similar) has never occurred.....

Wed, 07/31/19

…..except in Gail Riplinger’s or Jack Chick’s dreams:

Person #1: “Hey, let’s publish and sell Bibles. Then we will be rich!”

Person #2: “Sounds great! I’ve always wanted a Bentley and a yacht!”

Profile picture for user TylerR
TylerR

NewLarry

Wed, 07/31/19

If people would only heed Psalm 12 and stick with the KJV …

Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.

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M. Osborne

NewWorked for a publisher

Wed, 07/31/19

[Larry Nelson]

…..except in Gail Riplinger’s or Jack Chick’s dreams:

Person #1: “Hey, let’s publish and sell Bibles. Then we will be rich!”

Person #2: “Sounds great! I’ve always wanted a Bentley and a yacht!”

I worked for BJU Press during grad school, and a thought like this was in the back of my mind. Unless your name is Tim LaHaye or Beverly Lewis, there’s not a whole lot of money in Christian publishing.

Michael Osborne
Philadelphia, PA

Profile picture for user T Howard
T Howard

NewMoney in Christian Publishing

Fri, 08/02/19

[M. Osborne] I worked for BJU Press during grad school, and a thought like this was in the back of my mind. Unless your name is Tim LaHaye or Beverly Lewis, there’s not a whole lot of money in Christian publishing.

Unless you’re Dave Ramsey, Johnny Mac, or Beth Moore.

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… not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

(NKJV, 1 Peter 3:9)

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