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Tue 22 Feb 2011, 18:05As part of the Biblefresh initiative in 2011 (timed to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible), churches around the UK are taking up the E100 challenge.
The E100 Bible Reading Challenge is 50 readings in the Old Testament and 50 readings in the New Testament. It's designed to help people get back into reading the Bible and also help them better understand the Bible story.
The programme was pioneered by Scripture Union in the USA where it is now a joint project with American Bible Society. Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Argentina are implementing or planning nationwide E100 campaigns.
A consortium comprising the national Bible Societies and the Scripture Union movements of England and Wales, Ireland Northern Ireland and Scotland, along with Wycliffe Bible Translators has been formed to promote the programme throughout Britain and Ireland.
It's exciting to read of the E100 challenge and the emphasis on reading God's wonderful Word. I do hope, however, that the readings are NOT in the King James Version. While acknowledging the role that version has played in millions of people's lives over the years, I don't believe that any version of the Bible that was translated 400 years ago should still be in use. Languages change so much over that period of time. As a Bible translator and consultant I firmly believe everyone should have access to the Scriptures in their own heart language. The problem is that the English of the KJV is NOBODY'S heart language today. There are so many English versions that are much more clear and natural - those are the ones we should be using, so that people will truly understand God's precious Word and thus be more able to apply it to their lives.
Yes, as far as I know, people can choose whichever Bible version they prefer for the E100 challenge - since as is often said: 'the best Bible version is the one you pick up and read and understand and put into practice!'
The Biblefresh initiative in the UK in 2011 is timed to coincide with the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the KJV - but it's aim is not to promote any version of the Bible but rather to encourage churches and Christians to re-focus on the Bible, given the low level of Bible literacy and engagement found today.
Indeed, as you say, "everyone should have access to the Scriptures in their own heart language". One of the themes of Biblefresh is encouraging the church to support Bible translation around the world: http://www.biblefresh.com/resources/translation/
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