400th Anniversary of the King James Bible

Google, where are you? Why didn't you have a creative Google Doodle today for the King James Bible? 400 year anniversary is a pretty rare thing! Why did this date go unnoticed?

Chris Jackson/AP

No, I'm not a KJ Only fanatic, and I won't tell you that if it was good enough for the Apostle Paul, it's good enough for me. Or even "1611, straight from Heaven." Hey, I prefer the NAS!

And NO, I'm not an Anglican or an Anglo-Saxon or a follower of the Royals.

Okay, so maybe Google didn't mark this day because we don't know the day it was printed. We do know the year. And on this day, the anniversary was marked by the Queen (the head of the Church of England), Prince Phillip, Charles, the Church and about 2000 congregants.

The King James Bible is important. It is often considered the most influential book ever printed in the English language. And I use the KJV for unity, because it's what we use in our church.

The King James Version is important. It was "Authorized" by the Church (of England) to be the official source of reading in Anglican worship. It was the third English translation of the Scriptures. The translation brought into English the Old Testament from Hebrew, and the New Testament from Greek. The King (James) wanted it to reflect the teachings and structure of the Church of England.

It was assembled by 47 translators in 6 committees working in London, Oxford and Cambridge. All were from the Church of England.

Back in the day, King James I brought together a conference to discuss and argue the differences between the Anglicans (Church of England) and the Puritans. Lots of discussions were unresolved. James Reynolds of the Puritans proposed a new translation of the Scriptures, which took seven years and was published in 1611.

The Scots (Presbyterians) were heavily involved in their own works. And, at this same period, the Psalms of David in Metre was produced. God's hymnbook, laid out in English to fit meter and rhyme of common (familiar) tunes, which, when written on a musical staff, were called "bar music." (Nothing to do with pints and taverns, LOL). Several years later they finished the Westminster Confession of Faith.

If you want to understand what it means to be a Protestant, and not to be under a pope (that is an Anglican/Episcopalian, or a Roman Catholic), then buy a copy Westminster Confession of Faith (make sure it's Free Presbyterian Press edition) and learn. Avoid any American editions. They've been changed.

The truth is is eye opening. It will set you free.

Then enjoy anew the dedication page of the KJV.