The King James Bible – or Authorised Version - is not the first
English translation of the Bible, but it is the one that has done more
than any other book or Bible translation to transform English society
and culture - and indeed the world.
Carried far beyond Britain’s shores by pilgrims, missionaries,
traders and travellers, the KJV brought respectability and coherence to
the English language such as had never existed prior to 1611 and set
English on the path to becoming a world language.
As the most printed book in the English language, it has influenced
the works of writers from Shakespeare, to Charles Dickens and Philip
Pullman, and is the Bible of the established Church and the Royal family
to this day, not to mention the Bible of choice for many churches
around the world.
“It is so many different things to so many different people,” Tim
enthuses. “It’s always had that kind of timeless grandeur and it’s
extraordinarily beautiful. Modern translations are great if you want to
understand something very clearly but they will often go out of date
because they are idiomatic translations. The KJV has stuck around.”
While Tim is clearly a big fan of the King James, he stresses that
the trust’s aim is not to see its return to the pulpit of every church
in the country - it's understandable that the King James is not the
first Bible pastors reach for when they want to easily explain the
Gospel, he admits.
What he would like to see, though, is churches having fun and gaining
a new perspective of the Bible, perhaps by holding creative events or
special services in which they substitute their usual Bibles with the
King James.
“The trust’s aim isn’t to say we’ve got to get the King James in our
churches but it is to say that it’s out there and that this is an
opportunity to look at this rather neglected national treasure.
“While some of the modern translations give a clarity of meaning,
their precision sometimes comes at the expense of the mystery and
spiritual power the King James can give you and it’s a chance for people
to rediscover that - and enjoy it.”
The King James Bible Trust is overseeing celebrations of the
anniversary in Britain but part of its work is also to bring the KJV
back to the nation’s classrooms.
Tim remembers the KJV being read to him every day at school when he
was growing up but after decades of its absence from classrooms,
awareness is, not surprisingly, plummeting (a recent poll by the trust
found that 51% of under-35s had never heard of it).
Tim says he is deeply concerned by the level of ignorance surrounding
a text he feels young people should know about, even if only for its
cultural importance.
“I think clearly something’s happened and it’s not just with the King
James but with the whole issue about the Bible’s place in schools – the
Bible full stop, let alone the King James,” he says.
He admits that hard pressed teachers would far rather teach the Bible
in its simplest form if they have to teach it at all. Despite this,
Tim believes the King James’ significance is too great to allow it to
“drop off a cliff”. That’s why the trust is developing modules for RE,
ethics and English literature lessons in schools.
“The KJV’s impact on the English language is as great if not greater
than that of the works of Shakespeare. Everyone agrees that children
should not leave school without some encounter with Shakespeare and yet
not the King James. You have to ask what the difference is between the
two and you come down to the fact that it’s a religious work,” he says.
Although some people may be nervous about the King James being taught
in a multi-cultural and multi-faith society, Tim’s experience tells him
that most people are fine with it, including those of other faiths and
none.
“There are many secular people who are not paid up churchgoers but
who will nevertheless enjoy hearing the words of the King James Bible -
it means an awful lot to a great many people who are not necessarily
churchgoers.
“If children don’t have any knowledge of the faith and religion that
has shaped their own culture … if you don’t know anything about the
Bible, even walking into the National Gallery half the pictures in there
won’t speak to you.
“You are simply locked out of an appreciation of your own history, our nation’s writings, our arts and our culture.”
It boils down to ‘raise awareness, leave a legacy’, Tim’s motto for
the trust’s work in 2011 and the point of all the workshops, readathons,
exhibitions, lectures and other countless events taking place to
celebrate the KJV’s 400th anniversary throughout the year.
Tim concludes: “Whether you are a Christian, agnostic, atheist or
heathen, the Bible has got something to say to you. It’s a shame if we
ignore it, but actually it’s even dangerous if we ignore something so
central to our culture.
“I would love to see people reengage with the King James Bible. It
may be the dusty old Bible on the shelf with the forbidding black cover
and gold writing that they haven’t looked up for a while but perhaps
they could take it down and look at certain passages and see something
they’ve perhaps neglected, because the Bible is worth finding out
about.”
SIC: CT/UK