From ENS-
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has celebrated the impact of the King James Bible since its publication 400 years ago.
"When we try to make sense of our lives and of who we really are, it helps to have a strongly defined story, a big picture of some kind in the background," said Williams, in his annual New Year message, recorded for the BBC. "As the King James Bible took hold of the imaginations of millions of people in the English-speaking world, it gave them just that -- a big picture, a story in which their lives made sense."
The Authorized King James Version is an English translation of the Bible begun in 1604 and published in 1611. James I, who instructed the translation, was king of England at the time.
"Things move on but it's good for us to have some long-lasting furniture in our minds, words and images that have something a bit mysterious about them and that carry important experiences for us that we can't find words of our own for," Williams said.
The archbishop underscores that some kind of "big picture" matters for people to make sense of their lives, regardless of their beliefs. "This year's anniversary is a chance to stop and think about the big picture -- and to celebrate the astonishing contribution made by that book four hundred years ago," he said.
The full text of the Archbishop's message follows.
http://www.episcopal-life.org/79425_126362_ENG_HTM.htm
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