July 13, 2017
Devotions: Timeline of the Reformation: Geneva Bible 1560

The Geneva Bible was the “Bible of the Protestant Reformation”, and it was the first Bible taken to America, brought over on the Mayflower. It is said that the Geneva Bible is the Bible upon which America was founded – it was preferred by Anglicans fleeing religious oppression and who did not want anything to do with the King James Bible of the Anglican Church.

Textually, the Geneva Bible offered a number of radical never-before-seen changes: It was the first Bible in English to add numbered verses to each chapter of scripture. Also, the Geneva was the first Bible to introduce easier-to-read “Roman Style Typeface” rather than the “Gothic Blackletter Style Typeface” which had been used exclusively in earlier Bibles. Another curious innovation; the Geneva was the first “Study Bible ” with extensive commentary notes in the margins.

The Geneva Bible is the version quoted from hundreds of times by William Shakespeare in his plays. Also called the “Breeches Bible”, the Geneva Bible is the only Bible ever able to outsell and exceed the popularity of the King James Bible, as it did in the early 1600’s until its printing ceased in 1644. Many Protestants have never even heard of the Geneva Bible – the early best known bible of the Americas. It was produced by John Calvin, John Knox, Myles Coverdale, John Foxe, & other English refugees in ever-neutral Geneva, Switzerland… fleeing the persecution of Roman Catholic Church. Another interesting comment in the Geneva Bible proclaims the Pope an “antichrist” in its commentary notes. (adapted from “geneva-bible.com, The History of the Geneva Bible”)

The beauty of living in 21st century America is that we have many, many, many different translations and study bibles to choose from for our own bible study. One thing you should know is that it is OK to write in your bible – to underline, to highlight, and to make notes. It helps when you want to cross-reference a text or a person.

Pastor Dave

Please collect bottles of shampoo and packages of deodorant for Trinity’s Table.