The following is something very few Adventists know. Somehow, this bit of history is left out beause it does not fit our narratives. If you did not know the origin of the King James Bible, you might be in for big surprise.
The King James Version of the Bible: A Historical Overview
Henry VIII, the Catholic Church, and the English Reformation
In the early 1500s, England was a Roman Catholic country, and the Pope in Rome was the ultimate religious authority.
King Henry VIII (ruled 1509–1547) was initially a strong supporter of the Catholic Church—he was even given the title "Defender of the Faith" by the Pope for opposing Martin Luther.
However, when Pope Clement VII refused to annul Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon (who had failed to produce a male heir), Henry broke away from the Roman Catholic Church.
The Act of Supremacy (1534)
In 1534, Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy, declaring the King of England as the "Supreme Head of the Church of England."
This move not only started the English Reformation, but also gave the monarchy control over religious doctrine, appointments, and practice within England.
This new church—the Church of England, or the Anglican Church—retained many Catholic traditions at first but gradually shifted toward Protestant theology.
Early English Bibles: From Forbidden to Required
Before the KJV, the Bible in English was a controversial subject:
William Tyndale, in the 1520s–30s, translated large parts of the Bible into English. He was executed in 1536 for heresy, as the Catholic Church banned unauthorized vernacular Bibles.
Ironically, much of Tyndale’s work would later be absorbed into the KJV.
After the break from Rome, Henry VIII authorized:
The Great Bible (1539), the first English Bible authorized for public use, often placed in churches.
Later, Elizabeth I (Henry’s daughter) approved the Bishops’ Bible (1568), meant to counter the popular but Calvinist-leaning Geneva Bible used by Protestants.
James I and the Birth of the King James Version (1604–1611)
When James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603, he inherited a religiously divided nation.
Puritans wanted further reforms and pushed for a new, accurate Bible translation.
At the Hampton Court Conference in 1604, James agreed to a new translation—free from divisive marginal notes (like those in the Geneva Bible), politically neutral, and linguistically majestic.
Translation Process
Around 50 scholars, from Oxford, Cambridge, and Westminster, translated the Bible using:
Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament) manuscripts.
Existing translations (especially Tyndale’s, the Bishops’ Bible, and Geneva Bible).
The translation was published in 1611 and became known as the King James Version or Authorized Version.
Legacy: The KJV and the Monarchy's Religious Role
The KJV solidified the role of the English monarchy not just as a political leader but as a religious authority.
It was a key instrument in unifying England religiously and politically under the Anglican Church, with the monarch at its head.
The King (or Queen) remains the Supreme Governor of the Church of England to this day—a position born out of Henry VIII's bold break from Rome.
King Charles III is currently the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, which is the mother church of the Anglican Communion. This position was established by Henry VIII after the break with the Roman Catholic Church in 1534 and has been held by English monarchs ever since.
What Does It Mean That King Charles Is Head of the Anglican Church?
Title: Supreme Governor of the Church of England
This is a constitutional and ceremonial role, not one of spiritual leadership.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual head of the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion.
The monarch’s role is to:
Protect and uphold the Church of England.
Appoint bishops and archbishops (formally, on the advice of the Prime Minister).
Defend the faith, as reflected in the coronation oath.
In Practice, This Involves:
Responsibility Explanation
Coronation Oath During his coronation, Charles promised to maintain “the Protestant Reformed Religion” and uphold the Church of England.
Royal Assent to Church Laws Church laws (called Measures) require royal approval, similar to acts of Parliament.
Spiritual Patronage The monarch appoints senior clergy (bishops, archbishops) based on government and Church advice.
Symbolic Unity As head of state and Church governor, the monarch embodies unity between the Crown and the Church.
Charles is a symbolic head of the Church of England only, but his leadership role is noted across the Anglican world.
King Charles’s Interfaith Interest
Charles has shown deep interest in interfaith dialogue.
He has expressed a desire to be known not just as “Defender of the Faith”, but potentially “Defender of Faiths”, showing respect to other religions in modern Britain.
Your King James Bible was a Bible born out of the uniting church with state.
Today, many Adventist churches are realizing that the KJV is not exactly accurate in many instances, and are using the NIV. Did you know it even contains the word, "Easter"? See Acts 12:4. The word was used in place of Passover.
Now you know the history of the King James Bible, perhaps Adventists should not be so quick to cherish a book that was created to solidify a king's position in religon.
Are we doig things because of tradition or accuracy?
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