Crowned With Glory : The Bible from Ancient Text to Authorized Version [Paperback]

Dr. Thomas Holland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2000

Crowned With Glory is an insightful look at the history of the Traditional Text and its impact on the crown jewel of English translations, the Authorized Version. Approaching the issue from a scriptural and scholarly perspective, Dr. Holland explores the science of textual criticism in light of biblical preservation. From the rich history of the early English versions to the modern discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, this book takes the reader on a captivating journey through the translation and transmission of Scripture. Differences between the Traditional and Critical Texts are examined, "mistranslations" and debated passages are explained, corrupting forces in the transmission of Scripture are exposed, and the testimonies and sacrifices that paved the way for the Authorized Version are exalted. Regardless of one's view on this controversial issue, Crowned With Glory is a must-read for the scholar, pastor, or layperson who seeks a greater understanding of the translational debate.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

For over twenty years, Dr. Thomas Holland has been a pastor and scholar. He has taught courses on the subject of biblical textual criticism and preservation, theology, and Christian apologetics at various Bible Institutes. Dr. Holland is an ordained minister with the American Baptist Churches (ABC-USA).

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (December 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595146171
• ISBN-13: 978-0595146178
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #519,907 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Book Presenting the Rich History Behind The KJV, April 6, 2001

By 

Luis Hurtado (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crowned With Glory : The Bible from Ancient Text to Authorized Version (Paperback)

Among those christians that consider themselves to believe in the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture, there are two basic approaches to the text of the Scripture as it exists today. The first, held by the majority of conservative christians, is that we should criticize the text of the Bible as we would any other book to determine its text to the best of our abilities. This view insists that since we can find the most important truths of christianity in whichever Bible we use, we can be assured that we have the message God wants us to have. The second view, which is the view of Dr. Holland, myself, and many others, is that the body of Christ must have a Bible which speaks with authority. The scripture promises the preservation of its words, not just its general message and fundamental truths, so that the very words God wants us to have must be somewhere. The author believes these words for the English speaking people are to be found in the King James Version of the Bible. The King James Bible has come under heavy fire in the 20th century, being disparaged by many modern scholars. Its translators have been put down, its text has been put down, and some have gone so far as to suggest that the reason christian conservatives are considered "backward" is because some still use it and believe it!

The author of this book, in a sweet spirit, free of rhetoric, biting remarks, or insults of other versions of the Bible or people who use them (you wont find any version called a "perversion," etc.), presents the rich history behind the King James Version and the traditional Greek and Hebrew texts it was translated from, along with the other traditional early versions which preceeded it. Unlike other books on both sides of this debate, Crowned With Glory does not "preach to the choir." The Foreword was even written by a man who disagrees with his views! In fact, one of the best descriptions of this book is found in the foreword: "Other recent and popular attempts at presenting a foundation for discussion have occasionally betrayed their own ignorance, but Dr. Holland pulls every scrap of evidence-for and against his view-out of the closet of the certainty of the modern paradigm and reopens an honest discussion of the issues themselves."

This is a wonderful book that I believe should be read by all, regardless of which view they hold. It is scholarly, geting into deep subject, yet manages to keep things at a level where anyone can understand, and I definitely give it five stars.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid scholarship, informative overview, February 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Crowned With Glory : The Bible from Ancient Text to Authorized Version (Paperback)

Dr. Thomas Holland has written an excellent work that both gives an overview of how we got our Bible and conveys a well-informed picture of how the KJV came to be, and why its translators made some of the choices they made.

Amply documented, this book contrasts more than favorably with other books on the subject, such as one I forbear to name by an Arizona professor which conveys much of the same ground (re: how we got the Bible) but is smoothly but carelessly written, contains an anti-KJV apologetic with a nasty edge, and is blatantly unfair at many points. Holland on the other hand makes his points with due respect for alternate perspectives, but with tenacity. His is the kind of book that all will find informative, and many will find persuasive. I heartily recommend it to anyone interested in this topic.

24 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book on Textural Criticism that I have ever read!, August 24, 2001

By 

Sean Hanley (Belfast, Northern Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crowned With Glory : The Bible from Ancient Text to Authorized Version (Paperback)

I have read several books on the subject of textural criticism including the King James Defended, Unholy Hands on the Bible and several others. I found Dr. Hollands book to be very readable and very informative. As others have pointed out... He does not force his arguments down your throat... but looks at them in a very unbiased view. I would STRONLY recommend this book for anyone interested in finding out more information on the Subject of God's Preservation of His Holy Word: the Bible.

Two Thumbs Up Dr. Holland!