USU Celebrates 400th Anniversary of King James Bible

The first King James Bible rolled off the presses in 1611. Four hundred years later it remains the most widely published text in the English language. In celebration of its 400th anniversary, the Religious Studies Program at Utah State University is hosting a panel discussion of the Bible’s virtues, precursors and limitations. Leading faculty scholars in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences will participate in the event March 29 at the Merrill-Cazier Library.

“We hope to communicate that the King James Bible is important, whether people know it or not,” said Philip Barlow, director of Religious Studies at USU and the Leonard Arrington Professor of Mormon History and Culture. “The interpretations and information in the Bible has affected more than just the belief systems of people, but the literature they read and the culture of today.”

Panelists include Barlow; Norman Jones, an internationally recognized expert of the Elizabethan and Reformation era; Christine Cooper-Rompato, co-editor of the “Journal of Medieval Religious Cultures”; and Stan Larsen, professor emeritus at the University of Utah and theology expert. They will discuss the influence of the King James Bible from both religious and cultural standpoints, as well as how it rose in popularity over the centuries. Cooper-Rompato will address medieval English translations of the Bible and the hesitation by religious scholars to originally produce the King James version.

“I plan to focus on the different kinds of translations that medieval scholars created and the concerns and fears that medieval people had with translating the Bible into English,” she said.

Today, the King James Bible is considered more than a religious text. Historians and literary scholars credit the Bible for inspiring political thought and spreading the English language.

Across the English-speaking world the occasion will be marked with readings, performances and festivals, as well as a new project on YouTube. For instance, actors from the Shakespeare Globe Theatre will recite passages from Psalm Sunday to Easter Sunday, and the Prince of Wales recently read from John 14 as part of an online compilation of the King James Bible.

The USU event is open to the public and sponsored by the Religious Studies program. Birthday cake will be provided. The discussion is Tuesday, March 29, at 4 p.m. in Merrill-Cazier Library, Room 101.

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Source: College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Contact: Philip Barlow, (435) 797-3406, philip.barlow@usu.edu