Hugh's News & Commentary

400th Anniversary of the King James Bible

Countless among us grew up hearing--and even memorizing--words of Holy Scripture such as these:

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake."

Many readers likely recognize these phrases as the first part of Psalm 23. They might also recognize the distinctive Bible translation--the King James Version.

Throughout 2011 there are celebrations to honor the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible. Last April in the United Kingdom Daily Mail, columnist David Starkey paid tribute to the anniversary and stated, “It is the greatest book in the English Language. It made English, and remade England.” While such absolute claims are quite strong, there isn’t any question about the profound influence of the King James Bible has had over the last 400 years.

Not long ago I acquired the Lionsgate Films video, "KJB--The Book That Changed The World." John Rhys-Davies narrates this fascinating treatment. The video begins with James VI of Scotland and goes through his upbringing from infancy as a king under the care of various regents to the point that Elizabeth I died. Soon after her death, he became James I in England. The video ends with focus on the Bible that goes by his name. This is by no means a comprehensive treatment of history leading to publication of the King James Bible. However, this video is well worth purchase.
Among other things, the narrative tells us about the exceptional gifts and scholarship of King James. Due to personal skill and the influence of his tutors, he held deep reverence for the Holy Scriptures. King James also possessed a sharp critical eye towards existing Bible versions. Although coming from Scotland where Presbyterians were the established majority, James was no fan of their popular Geneva Bible. He particularly disliked the marginal notes that challenged “the divine right of kings.”
There were significant conflicts between leaders of the High Church and Puritan parties in England. When King James convened the Hampton Court Conference in January 1604, both sides took their turns in “the King’s barrel.” But, he made a concession to the Puritans for developing a new translation of the Scriptures to be “authorized” across the realm.

Launching the effort for a new Bible translation was a spur of the moment decision. Likely King James’ motive for seeing this through to completion included political necessity. He needed something to help create unity and working civility among various factions in England. The new translation took several years to accomplish. But, the collaborative effort is worth study for its own sake.

Those interested in further research will find considerable help at websites from English-speaking nations. For the United Kingdom see www.kingjamesbibletrust.com The Canadian Bible Society has a special section at www.biblesociety.ca Click on “What We Do” at the top of the page and then find the anniversary link in a menu on the left hand side of the page. The Australian Broadcasting Company covers the anniversary at www.abc.net.au on the “Religion and Ethics” page. In the United States, Thomas Nelson Publishers are sponsoring substantial tribute at http://kjv400celebration.com Find a list of events and exhibits in the United States at www.storyofbible.com

In hard print, I have acquired two interesting volumes that might take a while to read cover to cover. Leland Ryken, Professor of English at Wheaton College, has written The Legacy of the King James Bible, Crossway, 2011. Alistair McGrath, Professor of Historical Theology at Oxford University, published In the Beginning, Anchor Books, 2001. The subtitle reads, “This is the story of the King James Bible and how it changed a nation, a language, and a culture.”

For those intrigued by the origin of idioms and proverbs, David Crystal recently published Begat: The King James Bible and the English Language. Honorary Professor of Linguistics at the University of Wales, he is acclaimed by many as “the world’s greatest authority on the English language." Oxford University Press printed this volume. I obtained all three books through Amazon.

One of my KJV Bibles from Sunday School days is still carefully tucked away with other mementos. Since then, like many others I have moved through several translations, most of them with the word “New” in their titles. All have their specific virtues. These days, my favorites to read are The New Jerusalem Bible for comparative study and The English Standard Version for daily prayer offices.

Yet old training persists--and delightfully so. If you began with the KJV, just try to recite Psalm 23 in another version.

Alone to God the honor, glory, and praise!

Captain Gary R. Pollitt, Chaplain, U. S. Navy, Retired
Executive Director, Military Chaplains Association
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This article originally appeared under a slightly different form in The Military Chaplain, Volume Eighty-four, Number Two, Summer 2011.

Gary Pollitt is a friend of mine. I am grateful for his excellent article about the 400th Anniversary of the King James Version. After reading his account of the King James Version for the 400th Anniversary, I knew I wanted to share it with you my readers for information and edification. I met Gary during my fourteen years as an endorser for the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. He encouraged me to become a member of the MCA (Military Chaplains Association), in fact, I am now a Life Member. A couple of years ago, he asked me to preach at the MCA Convention on a Wednesday night in Dallas, TX. My good friend, the Honorable Mr. Allen Clark attended that worship service. Gary and Allen are avid readers of Hugh's News.

This cover of the video is used “By permission 1A Productions LTD, UK and Lionsgate Films”