In Discordance with the Scriptures: American Protestant Battles Over Translating the Bible (Religion in America) - Hardcover

Thuesen, Peter J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195127366 ISBN 13: 9780195127362

Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc, 1999

Synopsis

The story of the translation of the Bible in America begins with the King James Version. In fact, many Americans thought of the KJV as the foundational text of the Republic, rather than a cultural inheritance from Anglican Britain. In the nineteenth century, however, as new editions of the Greek New Testament appeared, scholars increasingly recognized significant errors and inconsistencies in the KJV. This soon led to the Bible revision movement, whose goal was the uniting of all English-speaking Protestants behind one new, improved version of the Bible. Ironically, as Peter Thuesen shows in this fascinating history, the revision movement in fact resulted in a vast proliferation of English scripture editions and an enduring polarization of American Christians over versions of holy writ. This proliferation of translations, he argues, shows something important about contemporary attitudes toward scripture. Although the Bible is regarded as immutable, conservatives and liberals alike now believe the text must evolve to fit the needs of each era.

About this title

About the Author

Peter J. Thuesen is Assistant Professor of American religious history and the history of Christianity in the Department of Comparative Religion at Tufts University.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0195127366
• ISBN 13: 9780195127362
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 250