History of the Bible in English: From the Earliest Versions, 3rd Edition

by F.F. Bruce

F.F. Bruce shows he is as equally adept in church history as he is in exegesis with this fine introduction to the history of the English Bible.

Genres: Religion, Church History

234 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 1978

About the author

Frederick Fyvie Bruce FBA was a Biblical scholar who supported the historical reliability of the New Testament. His first book, The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? (1943), was voted by the American evangelical periodical Christianity Today in 2006 as one of the top 50 books "which had shaped evangelicals".

Reviews

[Jared Saltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

FF Bruce's classic, "History of the Bible in English" is really quite excellent. I read the third edition (1978). What Bruce does better than other books that do something similar is provide immensely valuable quotations from the history and translators and councils and problems that lie behind various versions. This is particularly valuable in the earlier versions (leading up to the RV, in particular), as accessing such details is otherwise quite complex. Rather than just telling you what or why various translators and committees sought to do, he lets your read and consider this from their own words. It's really invaluable if you're interested in these sorts of questions.

Alas, a star gets knocked off for usefulness _today_ because knowing what is going on up to 1978 is only of limited value when we're living 50 years (and many English versions) later, and I must admit that his last few chapters lack the usefulness, clarity, and precision that the major chapters had. Still, if you're interested in the question of the English Bible and the forces that led to its translation--especially leading up to the KJV--you won't go wrong, here.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a useful, informative book. It's not long, but I've gone back to it a few times in my life and my cover is actually a little worn now. I memorized the Lord's Prayer in Old English from this book (for fun!) and whenever I get the urge to attempt learning Old English I bring out this book. I never get much farther than that, but maybe someday.

[Cbarrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bruce does a nice job tracing the history of the English Bible up the New English Bible. It has been fascinating to see the Reformation in England from the perspective of Bible translation. Bruce was helpful in this regard.

[Seth Alcorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess I only read the portion of the book leading up to the Revised Version. My purpose in obtaining this volume was to do research on the English Bible before the KJV and closely thereafter.

I really enjoyed the portions I read. Bruce explains the long history for the English Bible which began in the 600’s. The predominate struggle for the Bible took place in the14th century with John Wycliffe and the 16th century with leaders like Tyndale, Coverdale, and John Rogers. He explains this story in a more scholarly manner than a story teller’s disposition.

There are a few take aways I had from the book. First, the fight for the English Bible was a predominantly Protestant fight. Pretty much all translations of Scripture in English were opposed by the ruling Catholic Church. The Catholic Church did authorize their own English translation in the early 1600’s but this was more or less to pacify their faithful constituents who wanted their own English Bible and to fix the Protestant errors through their translation works. The opposition was so fierce at times, that Roman Catholics such as “Bloody Mary” killed several individuals who fought for the English people to have an English Bible. Protestants or Pre-Protestants opposing the Catholic system of the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries fought for the Scriptures in the common tongue and many pod for their pursuit dearly. A second take away is that virtually all translations and translators saw their work as an improvement of the Bibles that came before them. Also, they never saw their work as the be all end all. As a matter of fact, most translations in English are not original but rather revise some contemporary version of their day. Thus, the Bible should continue to be translated in the spirit of Protestantism to continue to help the common person know the Scriptures as much as the most learned scholar. Bruce’s work though dated is highly recommended for those interested in the history of the English Scripture.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource for the history of English Bible translations, especially for the earlier period. The main downside is it is now rather dated as far as modern translations go; the NIV was still brand new and not prolific just yet. Still quite a useful tool regardless.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Super informative and fun to read, with lots of examples of differences between different translations. F. F. Bruce is such an engaging writer.