GOD’S SECRETARIES
Author ADAM NICOLSON
Publisher HARPER COLLINS
ISBN 0-06-018516-3
“The Making of the King James Bible” announces the subject matter of this book. The author informs us, “I am no atheist but I am no church goer,” and he writes that the reason for his non church attendance is partly because, “the beauty, plainness and richness, simplicity and majesty” of the King James Bible is “no longer voiced in church.” Nicolson (an Englishman and author of other books), writes in a style rich in vocabulary carrying the dedicated reader into the history surrounding the translation of the King James Bible. It was brought into being by fifty scholars at the command of James who had succeeded to the throne of England, Wales and Ireland having become King of Scotland some years earlier at the death of his mother Mary, Queen of Scots. However did fifty scholars produce such a work? They were far from the spiritual giants that many of us would have thought. Some were virtually anonymous divines, some muddled, drunk and self serving. The complexity of the age, the shift from the Elizabethan age to the rule of King James is reflected in the ambitious, ruthless and flawed men engaging in this most revered of Bible translations. James was endeavouring to bring peace between rival factions of churchmanship. Puritan, Anglican and Presbyterian were at loggerheads over so many things and he commissioned a translation to be used by all. It was a time of religious cruelty during which many suffered. There were so many influences in the Kings Court, the spirit of the age, pressures of Biblical interpretation that moulded the companies of translators in their slow steady process of translation. Nicolson moves us through the whole, bringing to light things that many of us, who have long enjoyed the King James Version would never have known. Obviously he is himself interpreting these and he is convinced that this version could not have been produced save in such a milieu. King James had a vision, a purpose, his court was shot through with intrigue and sensuality, both the political and religious spheres interconnected and were corrupt in many ways. The translators themselves were men of many sides, some buying and selling and increasing their own fortunes by abuse of church and university positions. It is all such a mixture and a muddle but from such emerges the KJV Bible. Where, in the English speaking world has its power and influence not been profoundly felt? “God’s Secretaries” is a great read, I recommend it as a book to open the understanding as to the way God works to do His will and bless untold millions in the midst of unusual circumstances of history.
