A Book to Make you Think about The BOOK

If you are looking for something to read consider the book, “Wide as the Waters,” by Benson Bobrick. This is a book tracing the history of the English Bible, most notably the familiar King James Version. The book will cause you to appreciate what an incredible gift it is that we have the Bible (perhaps multiple copies) in our homes in our native language. This was not the case for much of the history of the church. We owe a debt of thanks to those faithful souls who have gone before us and sacrificed time, talents, life and limb to produce a Bible in the language of the people.
Some excerpts of the book: “The first question ever asked by an Inquisitor of a “heretic” was whether he knew any part of the Bible in his own tongue. It was asked in 1233 of a man who belonged to a dissident religious sect known as the Waldensians, which emphasized Bible study and lay preaching; and it would be asked again of thousands of others before the course of history would render its dark implications null and void.”
“In the beginning was the Word, and that word was Hebrew and Greek. In the fourth century, it was translated by St. Jerome into Latin, where in the form of manuscript copies it was reserved unto the medieval clergy to dispense as they saw fit. That period of scriptural exclusion endured for a thousand years, until it was shattered by the translation of the Bible into the vernacular. Of the vernacular translations, none would compare to the English in moral stature or literary power.” — we might debate that point as we consider Luther’s German translation! — Pastor Holtan
“It was known that Tyndale had consorted with Luther, and it was clear to anyone placing their two translations side by side that they were more than kin.”
Other interesting quotes:
“Holy Scripture excels all branches of learning in the very way it speaks; for with one and the same expression, while it recounts history it utters a mystery.” — Gregory the Great

“In the Bible there is enough clarity to enlighten the Elect, and enough obscurity to humble them.” — Blaise Pascal
If you read this book and have questions, this would be a great place to discuss them, just reply to this post.