The translators of the King James Version followed an essentially literal philosophy of translation. In other words, they saw it as their task to present the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures in readable English that most nearly reflected the words and forms of the original.

English-speaking Christians around the world celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible this year. First published in 1611, the King James Version has had a greater influence on English language and culture than any other book.

To celebrate this anniversary, Grace Presbyterian Church of Hudson recently hosted the “KJV@400 Conference” with Leland Ryken as the keynote speaker. Ryken is a professor of English at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., and a noted authority on Bible translations and the study of the Bible as literature.

He also served as the literary stylist for “The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.” His latest book is “The Legacy of the King James Bible” in which he calls the publication of the King James Version “a landmark event in the English-speaking world.”

Why should Christians in the 21st century be concerned with a 400-year-old Bible when there are so many modern versions on the market? There are several good reasons. First, until the mid-20th century, the King James Bible was the Bible in England, America, Canada, Australia, and other countries where English is the dominant language. No one can appreciate the theological and literary influence of the Bible without talking about the King James Bible.

Inscriptions of its verses don our public buildings. Its phrases occur in everyday speech. Consider the following common expressions: “at their wits’ end” (Psalms, 107:27), “the salt of the earth” (Matthew, 5:13), “a law unto themselves” (Romans 2:14), “in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians, 15:52), and “labour of love” (1 Thessalonians, 1:3), to name just a few.

Read more about the KJV Bible celebration here.  Rhett Dodson is a former seminary professor and currently the pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Hudson. You can reach him at [email protected]