400th anniversary
of the King James Bible to be observed
PRESQUE ISLE — It has been called “the best standard of our language” and “the noblest monument of English prose.” For 400 years, the King James Bible has been the standard text for millions of English-speaking Christians throughout the world.
On Friday, March 25, Northern Maine Community College will recognize the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Version of the Bible with a panel discussion on the history and significance of the publication. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at noon in the Edmunds Library at NMCC.
Historian David Raymond, department chair for NMCC’s arts and sciences department, will discuss the origins of the Authorized Version of the King’s Bible and provide examples of common phrases and key passages that attest to the lasting literary and spiritual significance of this translation.
Eric Pelkey, NMCC English instructor, will focus on the influence the King James Bible has had on popular culture. Pelkey will look at a variety of media, including music (Bob Dylan, reggae music, and rap), comic books (R. Crumb’s “Book of Genesis” and Frank Stack’s “The Bard Must Die!”), movies (“The Book of Eli,” etc.), and television (“The Simpsons”). He will argue that a basic knowledge of the King James Bible is essential to understanding and analyzing the culture in which we live.
For more information on the event, contact Gail Roy in the Edmunds Library at NMCC at groy@nmcc.edu or at (207) 768-2734.
