So, what's this book actually about? In the late 1800s, a group of British scholars published a new English translation of the Bible called the Revised Version. To most of us, that sounds pretty standard. But to John William Burgon, a dean and theologian, it was an act of near-sacrilege. 'The Revision Revised' is his point-by-point, 500-page takedown of their work. He argues they relied too heavily on a couple of ancient manuscripts (like the Codex Vaticanus and Sinaiticus) that he believed were corrupt, while ignoring the bulk of historical evidence—the 'Traditional Text' passed down through centuries of use. He accuses them of chopping out verses (like the ending of Mark's Gospel) and watering down key doctrines about Jesus. For Burgon, this wasn't just academic nitpicking; it was a fight for the soul of Scripture itself.

Why You Should Read It

You should read it not to agree with him (many modern scholars certainly don't), but to feel the raw passion of a defender of tradition. Burgon doesn't hold back. His writing is full of conviction, sarcasm, and a deep love for the Bible as he knew it. It pulls back the curtain on a huge moment in religious history—the birth of modern textual criticism—and shows just how controversial it was. You get to see the arguments that shaped the Bibles we read today from the 'losing' side, which is fascinating.

Final Verdict

This is a niche but gripping read. It's perfect for history buffs, theology students, or anyone curious about how the Bible was translated. It's not an easy, breezy read—Burgon's Victorian prose is dense and his arguments are technical in places. But if you want to understand the intense debates behind the pages of a modern Bible, and witness a brilliant, stubborn mind defending what he saw as sacred truth, this book is a must. Just be ready for a very strong, one-sided opinion!