The King James Bible's Profound Influence on English Literature

Explore APU's 73rd Annual Dinner Rally!

Scroll to mn content

Apply Now

SEARCH

NAVIGATION MENU

Home APU Articles News Article

The Impact of the King James Bible on English Literature

October 24, 2011 JAMES HEDGES, PH.D., PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH EMERITUS

Renowned dictionary compiler Noah Webster once remarked that the language of the Bible has an extensive influence in shaping and preserving our national language. More recently, theologian Alister McGrath echoed this sentiment by asserting that it is a landmark English text whose impact on history's literature cannot be overstated.

In his 1950 lecture titled The Literary Impact of the Authorized Version, C.S. Lewis elaborated further on this notion. To understand how the King James Version KJV, a translation, has served not only as a source but also as a powerful cultural force influencing thought and language patterns, one must consider its role in relation to being both a source text and an adaptation of biblical literature. The Bible's linguistic impact is further enhanced when it is seen as a major influence on the development of English literature.

Lewis pointed out that Webster's acknowledgment underscores the KJV's significance as a foundational document for American English language culture, while McGrath viewed it as not only a religious source but also an essential literary text with historical and stylistic value. The KJV is often cited as a pivotal text in forming the vernacular of literary expression across several centuries.

The King James translators followed a directive to base their work on existing s from the 16th century, creating a unified expression for Christian beliefs that would be suitable for public worship and private study alike. They relied heavily on William Tyndale's translations from the early 1530s, which formed approximately 83 of the New Testament text and nearly 79 of the Old Testament. By doing so, they med to preserve a style that was simple yet eloquent, abstning from overly complex or inkhorn terms.

The KJV's linguistic influence exts beyond its role as a sacred text; it is also recognized for serving as a treasure house of English prose, as Lewis described. Its rich vocabulary and evocative phrases have permeated the fabric of literature since its publication in the late 17th century, becoming part of everyday .

Oxford's atheist Richard Dawkins acknowledges this influence by citing over one hundred expressions that are now common in both religious and secular discourses due to their origin in the KJV. Additionally, literary critics like Northrop Frye have offered courses exploring the Bible as literature, highlighting William Blake's words that The Old Testament and the New Testament are the Great Code of Art.

The dominance of the KJV has been profound; its linguistic style has become familiar to generations of readers, deeply ingrned in their cultural memory. It has enriched literary works across multiple genres from classic to contemporary literature, serving as a rich source for literary allusions that add depth and meaning.

In East of Eden by John Steinbeck, Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, and The Violent Bear It Away by Flannery O'Connor, the KJV's language echoes throughout texts revered for their literary merit. Even in less-obvious contexts like J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, where characters use phrases that echo biblical concepts of sacrifice and redemption.

Literature is rife with parallel biblical events, retold through poetry, fiction, drama, and apocalyptic narratives as well as pastoral tales. The Bible's influence on English literature spans over centuries, shaping the texture of our cultural heritage.

The KJV has inspired and informed the work of creative minds across generations, serving as a source that can continue to illuminate our beliefs, inspire artistic expression, and enrich our collective understanding of both language and fth.
This article is reproduced from: https://www.apu.edu/articles/the-influence-of-the-king-james-bible-on-english-literature/

Please indicate when reprinting from: https://www.vo00.com/The_Christian_Bible/BIBLE_INFLUENCE_ON_LIT_KJV.html