Time Magazine Explores History of the King James Bible

Time magazine is certainly no stranger to in-depth editorials, but a recent article penned by the Center for Jewish History is sure raise Christian interest. The new feature explored the history of the King James Bible, from its first appearance in 1611, to how it has shaped modern Christianity throughout the ages. In particular, the magazine explained how the new translation first came about when King James began searching for a way to unite the warring factions within the English Church.

“In 1604, King James, himself a religious scholar who had re-translated some of the psalms, sought to unite these factions — and his people — through one universally accepted text. The idea was proposed at a conference of scholars at Hampton Court by a Puritan, John Rainolds, the seventh President of Corpus Christi College. Rainolds hoped that James would turn his face against the Bishops’ Bible, but his plan backfired when the King insisted that the new translation be based on it and condemned the ‘partial, untrue, seditious’” notes of the Geneva translation.”

A complete history of the KJV Bible can now be seen at the 500 Years of Treasures from Oxford exhibit currently showing at Yeshiva University Museum at Manhattan’s Center for Jewish History.

*Published 6/21/2017