The King James Bible, Its History and Excellence, edited by J R Broome, published by Gospel Standard Trust Publications, paperback, 142 pages, £3.50.
This book brings together four items. First, “The King James Version – A Summary”, the substance of an address by Stephen Hyde. Second, “The History of the English Bible”, a series of articles contributed by the book’s editor to the Friendly Companion in 1965. Third, the original introduction to the AV: “The Translators to the Readers”. And fourth: “The Old Is Better”, by Alfred J Levell, also available separately as a booklet; this is a discussion of various English translations, in particular of the New King James Bible, which concludes that the AV must “still be regarded as the best available English translation of the Holy Scriptures”.
The book has a number of relevant illustrations, but if the publishers had used the same typeface as in the book reviewed below, it would have been a more attractive production. However, it serves a worthy purpose: to point to the history and excellence of the Authorised Version.
Bible Search, by L R J Broome, published by Gospel Standard Trust Publications, paperback, 147 pages, £4.50.
Here we have 44 chapters written in an engaging style. They were originally produced for the Friendly Companion magazine when Mr Broome was editor. They cover a wide range of topics: for example, flowers, the sand and the sea, mistakes, the salmon leap, prayer and forgetfulness. In every chapter there are constant references to Scripture. The point is unconsciously being made that the Bible must be our foundation for the whole of life.
The title points to the series of questions with which each chapter ends, with a view to encouraging the searching of the Scriptures. Answers are provided at the end of the book. The age-group aimed at is not specified, but the book would probably attract a wide range of children and young people, particularly if, at the younger end of the spectrum, parents were to read the pieces to their children. The publication of this book is welcomed.
1Both books reviewed here are obtainable from the Free Presbyterian Bookroom.