The Revision Revised by John William Burgon
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The Story
This isn't a novel with a plot, but the story it tells is full of conflict. In the 1880s, a group of scholars published the Revised Version (RV) of the New Testament, meant to be a more accurate update to the King James Bible. John William Burgon, a staunch defender of the traditional Greek text behind the KJV, saw this as a disaster. 'The Revision Revised' is his point-by-point takedown. He goes through the changes—words altered, verses shortened, whole passages questioned—and argues, often with great emotion, that the revisors relied on unreliable ancient manuscripts and misguided theories. For Burgon, this wasn't just academic; it was about protecting the very words of scripture from what he believed was corruption.
Why You Should Read It
You should read this not to agree with Burgon (many of his textual arguments have been superseded by later scholarship), but to feel the heat of a foundational debate. His writing is uncompromising and vividly opinionated. Reading it, you get a front-row seat to a moment when people were fighting over the bedrock of their faith. It shows how high the stakes felt. Beyond theology, it's a fascinating look at how we decide what an "authoritative" text is. Burgon forces you to think: Who gets to decide what the original words were? What do we lose—or gain—when we change revered texts?
Final Verdict
This book is perfect for readers curious about Bible translation history, or anyone who enjoys a good, old-fashioned intellectual brawl. It's not a balanced modern analysis—it's a primary source, a passionate manifesto from one side of a huge 19th-century battle. You'll need some patience for his Victorian prose and detailed arguments, but the core drama is timeless. If you've ever wondered why different Bibles have different verses, Burgon's fiery defense is a compelling place to start understanding the conflict.
This is a copyright-free edition. It is available for public use and education.
Oliver Moore
9 months agoSolid story.
Ashley Thomas
8 months agoTo be perfectly clear, the emotional weight of the story is balanced perfectly. Exceeded all my expectations.