Ken looked up from his Bible into the faces of his children, gathered for their family devotions [1]. He’d been reading to them from a puzzling passage, and the circle of glassy eyes betrayed their lack of understanding.
Ken knew the problem; he’d dealt with it himself growing up in the 1920s. The King James Version of 1611, used by most Protestant churches at the time, was difficult for modern generations to comprehend—much less Ken’s children growing up in the 1940s and ‘50s.
He stopped reading and explained the meaning of the confusing verse.
“But Daddy,” said one of his daughters, “if that’s what it means, why doesn’t it say so” [2]?
Why not, indeed, thought Ken. That’s when he decided to rewrite certain Bible stories for his ten children.
Ken’s background provided a strong foundation for such a project. He’d grown up in the home of a pastor father and godly mother, and earned an advanced theology degree.
That training served him well, first as editor for HIS magazine, then at Good News Publishers, and finally as director of Moody Press in Chicago.
Ken’s children loved his stories, and when he shared them with colleagues at Moody, they urged him to publish. (He’d already published two children’s books.) The first collection of scripture-stories, The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes (1956), was followed by several more.
Then came a new God-inspired epiphany. What if he rewrote scripture thought-for-thought instead of word-for-word, but still based on the original Hebrew or Greek? Could he make scripture—even the non-story parts—more understandable for his children?
Ken flipped open his Bible, and his eyes landed on 2 Timothy 2:4.
“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (KJV).
After careful thought, Ken wrote: “As Christ’s soldier do not let yourself become tied up in worldly affairs, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army [3].”
That night he shared his rewrite with the family. They approved.
Thus began a multi-year commitment of evenings, weekends, and vacations, revising scripture for his family. Ken even worked during the 45-minute commute by train from his home (in Wheaton, Illinois) to Chicago.
Each evening he’d share the results of his efforts with the family.
A few years later another possibility occurred to Ken. Other families might also appreciate a scripture revision in modern-day English. By this time (1962), he’d completed the twenty-one epistles (letters) of the New Testament. He called the book Living Letters.
However, publisher after publisher rejected the manuscript. They doubted people would be interested in a modern version of the epistles so far removed from the familiar King James.
Ken and his wife Margaret decided to finance from their savings a printing of 2000 copies. He then rented half a booth at a Christian book convention and sold 800 copies.
The family helped process the orders at the dining room table. Boxes of books were stored under their beds.
Several months passed before the first orders arrived at their home. Ken dipped into their savings again and printed 5,000 copies. A few months later, 10,000 more.
In 1963 the Billy Graham Association contacted Ken. They wanted to offer Living Letters to anyone who requested a copy. They distributed six hundred thousand copies world-wide.
Considerable proceeds began to accumulate, but Ken and Margaret weren’t interested in upgrading their modest lifestyle. They set up a foundation in order to fund Christian mission projects worldwide [4].
Another prompting from God led Ken to leave Moody Press so he could write full-time and revise more books of the Bible into modern day language.
From 1964 to 1970 Ken added such volumes as The Living Prophecies (1964) and The Living Gospels (1966). Each one included a different portion of the Bible.
By 1965, the dining room no longer sufficed for conducting the business of their company, Tyndale House Publishing [5]. Ken moved the operation to offices nearby. Another move became necessary in 1967 when even more space was required.
By 1972 Ken had completed the revision of the entire scriptures. The Living Bible was released, selling eight million copies by the end of that year.
In 1973, The Living Bible became the best-selling book in America, and Tyndale House Publishing soon became the well-known and highly-respected company it is today.
By the late 1980s Ken had been semi-retired for several years and his son Mark served as CEO. Tyndale House brought together ninety Bible scholars to work on The New Living Translation, which would be “faithful to the ancient texts and eminently readable” [6]. That volume was released in 1996 and has sold more than 50 million copies.
To this day Tyndale House carries on the passion and Living legacy of Kenneth N. Taylor (1917-2005), ministering to “the spiritual needs of people, primarily through literature consistent with biblical principles” [7].
[1] A time of Bible reading and prayer
[2] https://todayschristianliving.org/ken-taylor-making-scripture-clear/
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] William Tyndale translated the Bible into English, and was burned at the stake in 1536 for doing so.
[6] https://www.tyndale.com/about-the-nlt
[7] https://www.tyndale.com/kenneth-n-taylor
Other sources:
https://www.zianet.com/maxey/ver4.htm
https://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/6/Tyndale-House-Publishers-Inc.html
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In our current read through the Bible, my wife and I are using the NLT. Although I use other translations for study, the ease of reading the NLT makes it ideal for daily reading. Thanks for the background story.
You’re welcome, Robert. I agree–the NLT is a worthwhile translation to add to our scriptures shelf!
I didn’t know that background. Thanks for sharing it. I particularly like the New Living Translation.
I’m so glad I could introduce you to Ken Taylor, Chris! And I agree: the NLT is a very useful translation!
I find the NLT helpful also, Chris!
Nancy – this was fascinating! I never knew the origins of Tyndale House although I have been blessed by dozens of their books over the years. Thank you for writing this.
You’re welcome, MHK Mouse! I had the privilege of knowing this story since my youth–the Taylors lived down the street two blocks and around the corner when my family moved to Wheaton, Illinois in 1959. Mark was a year younger than I, one of his older sisters was a year older. When we were in high school, she and I served on a summer mission project for two weeks with Rural Outreach. As their father completed each of the “Living” series, my parents bought them for me. They were so helpful in my understanding of scripture.
Wow 😯 who knew!! Thanks for sharing, my friend. I most certain,y didn’t know that
I’m so glad you found Ken Taylor’s story interesting, Brenda. He offers us a wonderful example of persevering on God’s path step-by-step.
Reading about Kenneth N. Taylor’s wholesome life and his passion to share God’s Word so others could more easily understand scripture was captivating. Thank you for sharing this! 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed the story, Nancy!
I was completely unaware of this fabulous history of the origin of Tyndale publishing, Nancy. Wow! It makes me recall the year I read The Message translation, and felt I finally understood some of the more confusing verses much better. Thanks to innovators like Ken, we are all enriched in our spiritual growth.
Blessings!
Amen to your comment about innovative translators, Martha. Each one adds to our understanding of the scriptures. I too appreciate The Message. Peterson’s unique writing style led to some memorable passages!
Wow! Never knew. Fascinating. Thank you for sharing Nancy.
You’re welcome, Manu. I’m so glad you found Ken Taylor’s story fascinating!
I, too, was totally unfamiliar with the origin of the NLT version and Tyndale House Publishing. It is the preferred version of a pastor friend of mine. Many of us growing up in the 1950s memorized verses translated into the KJV, but when reading a verse in the KJV I sometimes find myself confused and turn to the NIV for help in understanding various passages. Thanks so very much for the backstory of the Living Legacy series. I was totally unaware of this wonderful history.
You’re welcome, Cheri. I agree that reading confusing passages in several different translations often helps to clear up confusion. The Living Bible is certainly a worthy volume to keep handy for that purpose. (I must clarify that “Living legacy” was just my way of expressing the lasting legacy he bestowed upon us with his series of “Living” books that were eventually turned into the Living Bible.)
Wow! Thank you for sharing this with us…It just goes to show what wondrous things will grow when nurtured with faith in God. Very inspiring!
Amen, LInda! So glad you found inspiration through Ken’s story!
So fascinating to read this background. The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes was a staple for our family!
TT
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I’m so glad you found Ken Taylor’s story to be fascinating, Linda!
What a story! I grew up at a time and in an environment where the King James Version was the ONLY acceptable version of the Bible. I am so glad we have moved on to all the wonderful translations that are so helpful when we study the Bible. I must admit, however, that when I try to memorize Scripture, it is easier to memorize the KJV because of the repetition over the years. We owe a big debt to the original Tyndale, Ken, and Tyndale Publishers.
Indeed, we DO owe a debt to such translators as Tyndale, Taylor, and others. I am so thankful to be the beneficiary of so many translations these days. I can understand why you choose to memorize scripture in the KJV. There’s a certain cadence to the Early Modern English that must be imprinted in our brains from our childhood and youth!
Wow!! I LOVE this!! Thanks for sharing this inspiring story!! ❤️
I’m so glad you found inspiration here, Lisa! You might be interested in what I shared with another commenter, MHK Mouse: I had the privilege of knowing this story since my youth–the Taylors lived down the street two blocks and around the corner when my family moved to Wheaton, Illinois in 1959. Mark was a year younger than I, one of his older sisters was a year older. When we were in high school, she and I served on a summer mission project for two weeks with Rural Outreach. As their father completed each of the “Living” series, my parents bought them for me. They were so helpful in my understanding of scripture.
Oh this brings back such poignant memories … we grew up on his first book for children, Nancy. I can still picture the cover and some of the illustrations all these decades later.
We too had a copy when I was growing up–probably for my little brother!
I thought this story might lead to “Immerse – The Reading Bible”, a collection of books which has been a wonderful rediscovery of the Bible after only having original versions. Not a replacement so much as an enhancement of those long-ago words.
I wasn’t familiar with “Immerse–the Reading Bible”–had to look it up! I can see its value for reading larger portions at a time, in order to better understand the whole picture of God’s redemption story.
Wow Nancy, I never heard to story behind the Living Bible and had no idea the connection between its inception and the creation of Tyndale House publishing. When my Nana passed away, I acquired her hardbound copy of /the Living Bible from the early 70’s and used it that year to read through the Bible.
Was the cover dark green? I have my mother’s copy, and treasure the notes she wrote here and there!
Yes, it is dark green. To have your mother’s notes is a treasure indeed!
I had no idea that this was how the New Living Bible came to be, but I’m so grateful for Ken’s work, for his listening to the Lord, and his faithfulness to the true meaning of the Scriptures. Thank you so much for this insightful story.
I’m so glad you found this story insightful, Dayle. I’ve been surprised to learn myself that Ken Taylor’s story was not better known. He’s a worthy hero of the faith to celebrate, given his dedication to God and his work.
This is one translation I usually look at when studying verses. I love comparing the different translations and deepening my understanding of God’s word. Thanks for this wonderful background story
You’re welcome for the background story, Jean. With you, I love comparing translations too!
How interesting to read the history of The Living Bible and Tyndall House! Thank you, Nancy!
You’re welcome, Patty. I’m so glad you found Ken Taylor’s story interesting!
Wonderful to learn the history of the Living Bible and Tyndale publishing. I’d never heard it before. Just one thing, though, my friend. I had to read the comments to discover Ken’s last name. It’s not in your article! But it’s so good and interesting!
I’m so glad I could introduce Kenneth N. TAYLOR to you, Sheila! (You’ll find his last name in the last paragraph. I waited to reveal it, in order to include an the element of surprise for those who might recognize his name, but not know much about his background!)
Nancy,
Change is never easy. But it be life-changing for sure. You do whatever you need to win the lost.
In Christ, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
And surely through Ken Taylor’s efforts, many of those lost have been won!
That’s right.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com