2022 marks 70 years since Queen Elizabeth II was presented with a copy of the Bible for the swearing of the Coronation Oath: “To keep Your Majesty ever mindful of the Law and the gospel of God as the Rule of the whole life and government of Christian Princes, we present you with this Book, the most valuable thing that this world affords.”
There are so many books in the world today that it’s hard to imagine life without them. Yet they used to be the preserve only of the rich.
Mary Jones
“In 1800 a 15-year-old Welsh girl named Mary Jones trekked 26 long miles through the rugged terrain of north Wales to buy a Welsh Bible. Mary was so determined to have a Bible of her own, in her own language, that she saved up for six long years before her walk to Bala.” (Source: biblesociety.co.uk)
This came to the attention of William Wilberforce MP and others, and in 1804 they formed the British and Foreign Bible Society, now called the Bible Society. Their aim was to make the Bible accessible to ordinary people all over the world.
Now that the Bible is available in more than 250 languages, many people can easily obtain their own copy. It is still a best-selling book. But how many people actually read it regularly?
Reasons for Not Reading the Bible
Some don’t see the Bible as relevant in the 21st century. Yet the situations we read about in the Bible often seem familiar. People don’t change: they behaved in the same way then as we would today. Characters are portrayed ‘warts and all’. In historical records, the foolishness of monarchs is usually glossed over; in the Bible the facts are presented without censorship.
Some think it is just too hard to read, but, more than ever before, there are translations that make it accessible.
Give It a Try!
Not only is the Bible fascinating, it is life-giving! God caused it to be written so that we can get to know Him and His Son the Lord Jesus. He wants us to be part of His family, with a future in His kingdom on earth. We can’t lose anything by opening it and beginning to read. Christadelphians offer distance learning courses, Bible reading planners, Bible talks, or just someone to write to or email with questions. We hope you will give it a try.
Rachel Leah