Rev. Jim Linzey Speaks at Heritage Foundation on The Leader's Bible by Military Chaplains

Speaker John Boehner Also Speaks on Leadership

ESCONDIDO, Calif., Nov. 11, 2011  Rev. James F. Linzey, who is a retired military chaplain and general editor of The Leader's Bible by military chaplains, described the Bible project in detail while speaking at the 2011 Leadership Summit at the Heritage Foundation on October 24, 2011 in Washington, D.C., to bring awareness to this vital leadership project he spearheaded with military chaplains in the United States and in the United Kingdom.

The Leader's Bible, the retired chaplain said, is the military edition of a King James Version update. In explaining why the military chaplains produced this, Linzey said to the audience of politicians, academics, executives, and leadership of the Heritage Foundation, "Today, Chaplains to the Armed Forces of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and United States Armed Forces Chaplains frequently encounter troops who do not understand the beautiful Elizabethan English of King James' era. Realizing the need to update the King James Version for twenty-first century troops, chaplains of all major Christian traditions have joined forces with outstanding scholars to update the King James Version while retaining its style."

The chaplains and scholars began their work on the New Testament in June 2005, concluding in October 2011. The Committee on Bible Translation comprises eighteen chaplains and nineteen scholars, who have aided the chaplains by editing their translation work and giving it the scholarship required. The King James Version (2011) is the first translation by a committee of American and British military chaplains.

The chairman of the summit, Dr. William Owens, President of the Coalition of African American Pastors, stated, "When Dr. Linzey spoke about the background of the King James Version (2011) translated by Chaplains to the Armed Forces of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and United States Armed Forces Chaplains, everyone took a vital interest in it."

The chaplains represent Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Southern Baptist, Assemblies of God, United Methodist, British Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Congregational, and non-denominational traditions.

Dr. Owens presented the Leader of the Year award to Dr. Linzey's mother, 92-year-old Dr. Verna Linzey, who was an extremely inspiring presenter and brought everyone to their feet in a standing ovation during her speech regarding religious freedom and how to maintain it. Speaker John Boehner concluded the summit with an impressive presentation on American leadership in the face of worldwide challenges.