The Greatest English Classic A Study of the King James Version of the Bible and Its Influence on Life and Literature

"The Greatest English Classic" by Cleland Boyd McAfee is a scholarly work written in the early 20th century that focuses on the King James Version of the Bible and its profound influence on both life and literature. The text explores the historical development of Biblical translations leading up to the King James Version, its literary significance, and its lasting impact on English and American history. As such, the book likely appeals to readers interested in religion, literature, and cultural history. The opening of the work serves as a preface to a series of lectures given at the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences in 1912. McAfee outlines the historical context of the English Bible leading to the King James Version, discussing previous translations, societal attitudes toward scripture, and key figures such as John Wiclif and William Tindale, who contributed to making the Bible accessible to the English-speaking population. This introduction sets the stage for a deeper examination of the Bible's translation processes, its role in the evolution of the English language, and how it shaped literacy and religious thought over centuries. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Cleland Boyd McAfee was an American theologian, Presbyterian minister and hymn writer, best known for penning the gospel hymn, "Near to the Heart of God," and its tune called "McAfee". He wrote the song after the concurrent deaths of two of his young nieces, caused by diphtheria. He also is believed to be the creator of the acronym TULIP, which represents the Five Points of Calvinism.