This fascinating new exhibition came to Macclesfield in the first week of August 2011. It celebrated the 400^th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible (1611 - 2011).

Centred round a display of original early Bibles, the exhibition explained how some amazing characters devoted, and sometimes lost, their lives in their efforts to preserve God’s word and translate it into the language of the common people. The drama also involved other powerful individuals, including kings and queens, who encouraged or hindered the work for their own selfish or political ends. From this complex interplay of conviction, passion and power, emerged the King James Version (KJV), which through its beauty, clarity, nobility and poetry has had a lasting effect on the faith and language of the English-speaking peoples.

 

As well as telling the story of the KJV, the exhibition showed how the work of Bible translation and revision has continued up to the present, and outlined how the key messages of the Bible still have relevance to our lives today and to the future that our world is facing. For those interested in getting better acquainted with the Bible message, the exhibition also offered advice on choosing a Bible, using study aids and finding courses or discussion groups to help make the Bible more accessible.

 

To read more about the people and events that led to us having the Bible in our own language, click on one of the following links: