Mark Strauss - 'The KJV and the Politics of Bible Translation'

[At the Moore Library KJV conference, July 7, 2011]

Translation is obviously effected by all kinds of social, political factors. See the 'Conservative Bible'!

Even the most venerated of English versions is effected by political considerations.

KJV is still a best seller. Some people follow it fanatically. 'God wrote only one Bible!'

The KJV arose from the tumultuous period of Elizabeth's reign.

The Puritans in Elizabethan England -

it was in a sense a golden age and saw the rise of England's power. But internally - we see the struggle between Puritans and conservatives. Elizabeth demanded a maintenance of traditions. When Elizabeth died, the Puritans saw their opportunity with James of Scotland - who had reigned in a Presbyterian system in Scotland. But - he hated it! And he especially hated the Geneva Bible.

It had been published in 1560 - with its extensive system of notes and commentary. This made it popular; Shakespeare used it.

But this irked the Anglican leadership. James wished to see its demise - see Psalm 105 'touch not mine anointed': Geneva interpreted it as 'the people'.

The Hampton Court Conference of 1604: the Puritans had hoped respectfully to push for their demands. James was willing to deal. He presided at the conference. The puritans were lead by John Reynolds, and the Anglicans were lead by Richard Bancroft. Bancroft was able to convince James in a middle path between Puritans and Catholics. The deck was stacked against the Puritans. The council began with a long speech from James defending his right as King to run the church.

Puritan demands:

1 - doctrine church preserved

2 - good pastors

3- church govt = presbyterian

4 - BCP revised (or abolished)

SO: Reynolds proposed a new Bible translation for the whole Church. Bancroft didn't like it: 'if every man's humour were followed, there would be no end of translating'.

James saw a chance to throw the Puritans a bone. And also it might render the Geneva redundant.

SO:

The production of the KJV:

47 Bible scholars

six panels of translators, three for the OT, two for the NT, one for the Apocraphya

two at Westminster, two at Ox, two at Cam.

Translation rules set out:

1 - Bishop's Bible to be followed.

3 - old ecclesiastical words to be kept

6 - no marginal notes at all to be affixed (except for explanations of Greek and Heb)

The reception of the KJV:

little initial interest. The Pilgrims didn't take it on the Mayflower.

Hugh Broughton (scholar) didn't like it: 'it is so ill done'.

The eventual triumph of the KJV... the Geneva was banned from printing by James in 1616. But they were imported. It was cheaper, clearer and smaller. Charles 1 appointed Laud to Canterbury - continued to suppress the Geneva. KJV sales started to grow.

Under Cromwell the Geneva had lost influence. With the Restoration, along with all things Puritan, the Geneva was rejected. It succeeded because it was finally now associated with a popular regime.

Mostly in early times people didn't comment on its noble prose. McGrath: how did the adulation grow? Was it is that it became a 'classic'? It became embedded in the memory.

Indeed, it is the noblest monument of English prose!