Human Nature in The Bible

In "Human Nature in the Bible," published in 1922, William Lyon Phelps offers an insightful and passionate defense of the Authorised Version of the English Bible as the finest example of English literature ever produced. He argues that a thorough knowledge of the Bible is essential for any truly educated person, as it contains not only the loftiest religious aspirations but also a candid representation of all that is earthly, sensual, and devilish. Phelps emphasizes the importance of the Bible as a revelation of divinity and humanity, and asserts that it provides a more accurate charting of human nature than any modern novel or play.

Phelps praises the Elizabethan period as the most important era in English literature, with the crowning achievement being the 1611 Authorised Translation of the Bible. He contends that the translators' remarkable achievement is even more impressive considering the imperfections of the English language. Phelps asserts that the English-speaking people have the best Bible in the world, and that it is their incomparably rich inheritance. He argues that the Authorised Version should be used exclusively in private reading and on public occasions, as it is the most beautiful monument ever erected with the English alphabet.

Phelps concludes by discussing the Old Testament as a work of literature, revealing the grandeur, folly, nobility, and baseness of human nature. He presents the characters in the Bible as just as real as any historical figure, interpreting interesting and significant episodes and passages to renew readers' zest for the Bible. In sum, "Human Nature in the Bible" is a compelling and persuasive tribute to the enduring literary and cultural significance of the English Bible.