In the year 1611, in London, England, a contingent of book publishers protested to King James I that if he allowed a new English version of the whole Bible to be made available to the public at large, they, the publishers, would be driven out of business; for who would buy any other book if he could own the Words of God?

Their protest was futile, as King James was delighted with his new English Bible and eager to have it distributed to “every shepherd’s cottage” in the land. He believed that a common Bible would increase unity among diverse Christian denominations in his realm, and improve the peace. For centuries the King James Bible was the standard for English speaking Christians. It became the publishers’ “best seller”.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish. . . so is my word that goes out from my mouth”; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:9-11)

It’s sometimes hard to believe that a supernatural God has given humanity a book full of natural and supernatural characters, as a way of revealing Himself to us. Each character testifies to that very reality. God speaks in the Bible over and over the words His people need to hear, and in the New Testament Jesus tells believers about the nature of their God and the share we may have in His nature: “Fear not, little flock, for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”(Luke 12:32) Without even understanding the full implications of these words, we are encouraged by their benevolent, kindly message; and, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to Her.” (Luke 1:45) There are “no strings attached” to these affirmations, just the tender reassurances of a parent to a much loved child. They are only a few of the ways the Bible draws us to Christ and to God. They are gentle, but persistent ways that God embraces and engages His people.

Written by many authors, the Bible testifies to a single God, whose character, manifested through many persons over many years, opens the way for us to engage in the dialogue with the One beyond the words. We may indeed read other books, and still own the words of God.

Love in Him,

Prue