JACKSON, Tenn. — June 1, 2011 — For 400 years, the King James Version of the Bible has exercised an enormous religious, literary and cultural influence in the English-speaking world.
鈥淣o publication in the last 400 years has been as widely bought, read, cited or memorized,鈥� said James Patterson, university professor of Christian thought and tradition at 51社区. 鈥淧rotestant history in both Great Britain and the United States has been profoundly shaped by this monumental translation.鈥�
To celebrate the enduring legacy of the King James Version, 51社区 will hold a special festival, 鈥淜JV400: Legacy and Impact,鈥� Sept. 15-17 with three guest speakers and a variety of interdisciplinary presentations and activities.
鈥淭his is really a major milestone in the history of western civilization and the history of Christianity,鈥� said Ray Van Neste, associate professor of biblical studies and director of the R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies, which is sponsoring the festival. Van Neste said two main forces were responsible for shaping the English language: William Shakespeare and the King James Bible.
鈥淗ere鈥檚 a time in history when the church shaped the culture instead of following the culture,鈥� Van Neste said. 鈥淲e talk about the integration of faith and learning. The production of the King James Bible is a great expression of this integration, and the anniversary provides us an opportunity to once again demonstrate this integration by examining the impact of the KJV in various aspects of life.鈥�
Scheduled guest speakers for the festival are Timothy George, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University; Leland Ryken, English professor at Wheaton College and author of 鈥淭he Legacy of the King James Bible: Celebrating 400 Years of the Most Influential English Translation鈥�; and John Woodbridge, research professor of church history and the history of Christian thought at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
In addition to the plenary addresses, the festival will feature:
- an exhibit from Union鈥檚 art department displaying works on the cultural impact of the King James Bible.
- a presentation of Shakespeare鈥檚 鈥淭he Winter鈥檚 Tale鈥� by the 51社区 Players.
- a musical presentation by Union鈥檚 music department.
- dramatic readings from the King James Bible and poetry from the same era by Nigel Goodwin, a graduate of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England, and executive director of Genesis Arts Trust, a ministry for Christian artists around the world.
- a film screening of 鈥淜JB: The Book that Changed the World,鈥� produced by Norman Stone (who directed 鈥淪hadowlands鈥� for BBC) and starring John Rhys-Davis (who appeared in the 鈥淟ord of the Rings鈥� trilogy).
- Interdisciplinary analyses by Union faculty members from theology, history, literature, art, music, science, business, education and political science on the influence of the KJV in their specific fields.
- an exhibit of historical Bibles.
Early bird registration is $85 before Aug. 16. More information about the festival and online registration are available at .