The Catholic Biblical Association of America

Celebrating the King James Bible:

A Roundtable Discussion with

Alister McGrath Wycliffe Hall, Oxford

AAR/SBL Premeeting

Friday, November 21, 2003

1:00pm to 5pm

(Venue to be announced)

The Society of Biblical Literature and the American Bible Society’s Nida Institute of Biblical Scholarship cordially invite you to spend an afternoon with Professor Alister McGrath of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford and a distinguished panel of other scholars. Professor McGrath and his colleagues will conduct a roundtable discussion centering on McGrath’s recent book In the Beginning: The Story of the King James Bible and How It Changed a Nation, a Language, and Culture New York: Random House, 2001.

In addition to Professor McGrath, panelists include Lamin Sanneh , David Daniell, Janet Larson, Lynne Long, and John Kohlenberger. Panelists will not only offer their assessment of the book, but also draw upon their own expertise to discuss key elements of the world behind the King James Bible, the world of the King James Bible, and the world in front of the King James Bible.

In particular, Lamin Sanneh will explore the King James Bible against the backdrop of colonialism, particularly in an African setting, while David Daniell will speak to the influence of Tyndale and other early English translators on the King James Bible. The textual resources available to the King James translators and the position of the King James in the vast polysystem of Anglo-Saxon and medieval English language and literature will inform the remarks of John Kohlenberger and Lynne Long, respectively. Janet Larson will revisit the literary influence and impact of the King James Bible.

An afternoon break with light refreshments is planned.

The venue for the roundtable will be posted as soon as it is available. Meanwhile, please contact Dr. David G. Burke (212 408 1317; Dburke@americanbible.org) or Dr. Robert Hodgson (417 869 0454; RHodgson@americanbible.org) for more information.