The Koran, Congress, and the King James Bible

Christian Newswire

While free speech is being debated near Detroit over whether Reverend Terry Jones, the Koran burner, has the right to protest outside America's largest mosque, Congress readies to debate debt ceilings and budget cuts. Both debates are important to the country's future. They both have an existential tone to the rhetoric. Passionate voices attempt to convince each other of the righteousness of their respective causes. There is yet another cause. Interconnected, perhaps more than we realize, is the steady cadence of another familiar voice offering a tried and true channel of safe passage through the country's woes. It is from a guidebook of nations, one that has already seen the United States of America through every single crises of its existence. In every war, every civil disturbance, every fiscal emergency, the King James Bible has been "the rock upon which our republic rests."

Since before Lexington Green through the current enduring of extreme spring weather events, the King James Bible has been and continues to be the reassuring prose of our national psyche. Of all philosophies, it has been the scaffolding upon which all other ideas must build upon, and has been the most fortuitous in constantly "delivering us from evil." While the Koran demands submission, and Congress pleads for patience and expediency, it is the voice of the King James Bible upon its quadricentennial that reminds us of liberty.

A National Expo will be held celebrating the 400th birthday of the KJV just as Congress steps back into business. On May 2-3rd on the national mall just outside of the Capitol building, the Expo tent will display a 1st edition 1611 King James Bible along with other Bibles representing the history of its publication. A working replica of a Gutenberg press will be printing copies of Exodus 20 (the ten commandments) from plates of the old 1611. The printing and distribution of this chiefest book in all the English speaking world will enter its 400th year with a number of celebratory events around Washington D.C.

On Monday, May 2nd, at George Washington University, a series of five lectures will be held from 11am to 4pm. This is free to the public. Then at 7pm a fine arts drama and musical presentation will be performed highlighting the making of and American influence of the KJV. On Tuesday, May 3rd, a rally will be held at 5pm communicating the incredible past impact and commending a future influence of the KJV upon our nation. A Congressional resolution, H. Con. Res. 38 will be read and multiple presentations made. More information concerning the event and resolution can be found at www.KingJames400.com.

The Society and culture that the King James Bible has fostered is much different than the one the Koran has fostered. Congress debates endlessly while the executive branch is accused of offering confusion as a course of action. Maybe America needs to pause and remember from 'whence' she came. Perhaps this anniversary is a Godsend, and the existential debates of personal freedom and national prosperity are right before us.