When King James of England commissioned the translation of the Bible into
English from its original languages, the massive undertaking was accomplished
by a large committee of scholars representing the best interpretative skills
then available. For almost 400 years this monumental work, completed in
1611, has been recognized as one of the premier translations ever undertaken.
Although the Bible has been translated into almost every language, this
English version remains the most influential of all.
Why is it that the Bible has been so predominant in Britain and the United
States?
The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy notes that the Bible is "the
most widely known book in the English-speaking world...No one in the English-speaking
world can be considered literate without a basic knowledge of the Bible" (Hirsch,
Kett and Trefil, 1988, p. 1). In Britain it was rated as one of the top
50 most-interesting books. In the United States it is perennially a best
seller and the single book that Americans say has most influenced their
lives.
The Bible is quoted by people of all walks of life including statesmen,
politicians, philosophers, poets and even astronauts. Here are a few comments
from some respected leaders:
• "It has been my custom for many years to read the Bible in its
entirety once a year" (John Quincy Adams).
• "A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college
education" (Theodore Roosevelt).
• "If we abide by the principles taught by the Bible, our country
will go on prospering" (Daniel Webster).
• "I believe the Bible is the best gift that God has ever given
to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us
through this Book. I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming
conviction that I had nowhere else to go" (Abraham Lincoln).
