The Bible we have today was written primarily in Greek and Latin for 1500 years. Along with the Reformation in the 1500’s, reformers began translating it into their modern, vernacular languages. Martin Luther translated the Bible into German around 1520. John Tyndale made an early English translation in 1535. But his translation was not allowed in England at that time! The state church under King Henry VIII outlawed it and wanted to keep the Latin version.
Imagine not having an English Bible until 500 years ago!! But the translation into English was propelled by the invention of the printing press in the 1450’s. Now, instead of being hand-copied, new books could be circulated in great numbers. However, for his “crime” of translating into the language of the common people, Tyndale was sentenced to death. His last words were a prayer; “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes.” God answered that prayer in just three years when Henry allowed the publication of the Coverdale Bible (largely based on Wycliffe and Tyndale versions.)
Also the turnaround was made complete in 1611 when King James authorized a fresh translation for the people. King James was more thoroughly Protestant and wanted the people to have the Bible. This version, with updates, has been with us ever since and the four hundredth anniversary was just ten years ago. Most of us grew up with the King James Version. But there have been other, equally good translations since.
Moreover, the King James Version, as a God-incidence, came just in time for the English settlement of America! It was vital in the creation of the republican form of government we have enjoyed since. It not only was available to common people in America, but was a huge part of early schools and education. This Bible eventually led to the creation of our republic under the Declaration of Independence. The same people who grew up on the Bible, became the Founding Fathers of our country!
How many Americans today know any of this? Until fifty years ago it was well known. I took an English Bible Class at Ohio State in 1971! While the Bible has been expunged from public education, you can still find lots of references to it from our Founding Fathers and most of our presidents. Many common everyday phrases originated with the Bible.
Franklin Roosevelt celebrated the 400th anniversary of the Tyndale Bible in 1935. Just eighty five years later, we are led to believe that the Bible had nothing to do with the founding of America, our form of government or our freedoms.
The Liberty Bell has an inscription from Leviticus- “Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to the inhabitants thereof.” But before that could be true in 1776 and 1789, the English Bible led a 150 year battle for religious freedom that marked the end of state churches. Prior to our independence, in most colonies you had to belong to one established church, and that church was supported by taxes! It is hard to believe now that that was normal for the time. But under the Constitution, state churches could not be mandated for the people. (That is the original and true meaning of “separation of church and state”.) Of course, the fundamental right stated in the First Amendment was “congress shall make no law regarding the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This meant that the people were free to follow any religion they wished.
The freedoms of speech and religion have been cherished ever since. But once again we are being threatened by suppression of speech and religious differences. If you dare to speak out against abortion, or any other popular position or made-up right, you can be suppressed. But as President Grant said, “the Bible is the sheet anchor of our liberties”. In other words, if we lose the right to speak and act on faith, all other rights are up for grabs!
Lord, thank you for the English Bible. Thank you for more recent translations that shed light on your revelation to this world. Thank you for your perfect timing in history of the printing press, English translations and the birth of America.
While it is still the most famous book in the world, it may today be the most neglected—at least in public culture. But thank you that our founding and our liberties trace back to it. Forgive us for our neglect of your word in our daily lives.
Once again, there are many lies about the founding of our country. Lord, take us back to our true history. We were not a secular nation, but a Godly one, based on the Book of All Books. That was one thing that bound us together, despite many ethnic and religious differences. The breakdowns we see today can be traced back to the abandoning of your Word. Restore your Word in our lives and our nation before it’s too late. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.