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Words’ Worth

Starting the last section!

“When the King Saved God”

Hitchens’ commentary on the many translations of the bible. He takes some time to show his support for the Tyndale/King James version for its thoughtful and impactful language. A good comparison he offers is from Tyndale (and read by Hitchens at his father’s funeral):

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. [Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians]

…vs. the “Contemporary English Version”:

Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.

…which Hitchens call “Pancake-flat.”

Throughout the essay, there is a strong undertone of Hitchens belief that all of this is completely man-made and not the ‘word of God” at all. He ends by saying as much,

“Its [Tyndale Bible] abandonment by the Church of England establishment, which hoped to refill its churches and ended up denuding them, is yet another demonstration that religion is man-made, with inky human fingerprints all over its supposedly inspired and unalterable texts.” 

Tyndale Bible:

New learning: Quote attributed (with little evidence) to the first female governor of Texas, Ma Ferguson in 1924 as her argument for why Spanish should not be used in Texas schools,  “If the King’s English was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for the children of Texas.”

New word: ensamples = 1611 English for “examples”