In 2010, the Institute for Creation Research celebrated 40 years of ministry. Looking back on four decades of research, teaching, and communicating the wonders of God’s creation, all of us are humbled at how God has used ICR to impact millions around the world with biblically based scientific truth and apologetics.
Fifty years ago marks the launch of the modern creation science movement with the publication of The Genesis Flood by Drs. John Whitcomb and Henry Morris. That book, still in publication, continues to influence scientists and laymen alike with the message of creation and the global Flood.
And yet, none of this ministry or impact would have been possible were it not for one other book, much more important than any other publication in the world: the Holy Bible. The inspired, inerrant Word of God is the bedrock foundation for all we do, not only at ICR, but for every true believer in Christ. Consider the amazing fact that God from the time of Adam began preserving His Word to be made available to every generation in the millennia to come. The miracle of inspiration among the original authors of Scripture and the subsequent transmission of God’s Word through copyists and translators in the ages to follow all point to the providential care of God in ensuring that His Word would eventually reach to the uttermost part of the earth.
In the Western world, the most influential translation of God’s Word has been none other than the King James Version, first brought to life in 1611. And while most people today could not read the original 1611 English, the KJV has been carefully reworked over the last four centuries to ensure that English-speaking people everywhere could read and understand the Bible. Even with numerous up-to-date English translations available today for Christians to read, the KJV is by far the most popular translation of the Bible in history.
There is no doubt that God providentially used King James to initiate what is likely the greatest translation project in history…one that brought the Word of God to multiplied millions of English-speaking people around the world.
Thomas Nelson, the premiere Bible publisher in the world, has recently launched a website to honor the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible: www.kjv400celebration.com. On it are interesting facts about the Bible, videos describing the making of the KJV, and other resources to help Christians appreciate the rich blessing this English translation has been for four centuries.
Thomas Nelson is, in fact, the publisher of the KJV The New Defender’s Study Bible by ICR’s founder, Dr. Henry M. Morris. There is no question that the King James Version was the very favorite Bible translation of our founder and many Christians of his generation. Near the end of his life, Dr. Morris wrote a compelling article on the preservation of God’s Word. Visit our website at www.icr.org and type "Preserving the Words of God" in the Search box.
Forty years, half a century, four hundred years…how many of us will be able to look back and say that God has used us with such influence? May all of us redouble our commitment to remain faithful to the Word of our Creator.
* Mr. Ford is Executive Editor at the Institute for Creation Research.
Cite this article: Ford, L. 2011. Celebrating 400 Years of Influence. Acts & Facts. 40 (4): 10.
