By Alana Hu
Staff Writer
Several Union professors have contributed to a new book that evaluates the impact and importance of the King James Version of the Bible that is being distributed across the nation online and at Christian bookstore retailers.
“KJV 400: The Legacy and Impact of the King James Version” was published by BorderStone Press in September 2012 and was edited by Ray Van Neste, associate professor of biblical studies and director of the R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies.
The KJV was originally published in 1611, and more than 400 years later, it is still widely used today.
Inspired by an event held on campus in 2011, “KJV 400” contains essays written by various Union professors describing the impact of the KJV Bible.
The book’s sales numbers have yet to be released.
The idea for the conference was prompted by a suggestion from Justin Wainscott, who is now pastor of First Baptist Church of Jackson,Van Neste said.
“He was then serving in Kentucky and wrote me asking if Union would be doing anything to mark the 400th anniversary of the KJV,” he said.
As a result of Wainscott’s influence, Van Neste organized a wide-ranging event to mark this celebration, which received positive feedback from the community.
The collaborative book includes chapters by Leland Ryken, professor of English at Wheaton College; Timothy George, dean of Beeson Divinity School; and John Woodbridge, research philosopher of church history and the history of Christian thought at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
It also contains essays from Union faculty members in English, theology and missions, philosophy, political science, art, biology, music and history.
They included Gene Fant, Scott Huelin, Gavin Richardson, Steve Halla, Jennifer Gruienke, Bobby Rogers, James Patterson, Micah Watson, Hunter Baker, Chris Mathews and Keith Bates.
University President David Dockery also contributed.
Van Neste edited the book, so the completed essays were submitted to him and prepared for publication.
Van Neste said he hopes the book will make people aware of how mightily God has used this translation to shape the world that we know, since it is an example of the church shaping culture.
The book also can serve as an example of the integration of faith and learning, as faculty from a wide range of disciples focus on one issue and how faith impacted their discipline, he said.
