Sept. 7, 2011
For Immediate Release
By Elena Groholske, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University will be hosting a celebration for the 400th year anniversary of the King James Bible. There will be three evenings of celebration as well as a morning chapel service.
In 1611, after years of translating and revising previous versions of the English Bible, a version authorized by King James I of England and King James VI of Scotland was published. This version became the standard for people and Protestant Christians in the English-speaking world.
“As a child, it was in the language of the King James Bible that I memorized the Lord’s Prayer,” said Glen Taul, Campbellsville University’s archivist for the Montgomery Library and co-chair of the 400th anniversary observance of its publication.
“It is still the way I recite the prayer whenever it is collectively said in worship services.”
The celebration begins Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Ransdell Chapel, 401 N. Hoskins Avenue, Campbellsville, Ky. Guest speakers will be Dr. Larry Kreitzer, tutorial fellow in New Testament, Regent’s Park College, Oxford University, Oxford; and Dr. Deborah Rooke, research fellow, Centre for Christianity and Culture, Regent’s Park College, Oxford University.
The celebration continues on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Banquet Hall of the Badgett Academic Support Center, located at 110 University Drive, Campbellsville. CU’s Dr. Bob Doty, professor emeritus of English, and Taul will be speaking about the King James Bible’s influence on English literature and about translating the English Bible as a political act.
On Thursday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Banquet Hall of the Badgett Academic Support Center, Dr. Shawn Williams, assistant professor of political science, will speak about the “KJV and the Origins of the Modern Constitutional State,” Dr. John Hurtgen, professor of New Testament and Greek and dean of the School of Theology, will speak on the KJV’s influence on succeeding translations of the English Bible. Both professors teach at CU.
The celebration will conclude Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. with a chapel service titled “The Kings James Bible: A Musical and Cultural Celebration of 400 Years.” The event will take place in Ransdell Chapel with a short reception to follow.
An exhibit of the English Bible to 1611, courtesy of Dr. Joel Drinkard, senior scholar and professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, will be presented throughout the celebration.
“This year’s events are occurring around the world to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the publication of the Authorized Version (King James Bible),” Taul said. “Campbellsville University, with homage to its Christian traditions, thought it important to observe this landmark anniversary by sponsoring lectures, musical events and exhibits this fall semester.”
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.