WHEATON, Ill. (ABP) — Kenneth Taylor, whose Living Bible made Scripture understandable for millions of people, died June 10 at the age of 88 at his home in Wheaton, Ill.
Taylor based his Living Bible paraphrase, first published in 1971, on existing English Bible translations. But by recasting complex verses and terminology in easy English, he made the Bible accessible to a new and larger audience. Over 40 million copies of the Living Bible have since been sold in North America, and it is available in over 100 languages.
Getting a Bible paraphrase published was no easy task. In fact, every publishing company Taylor approached rejected it. So Tyndale House Publishers was founded, eventually becoming the leading publisher of Christian books. The profits made from the publication of the Living Bible were donated to the Tyndale House Foundation trust fund, which supports mission projects.
Taylor, the father of 10, also authored 10 children's books.
He is remembered for his generosity and humility. Even after death, he keeps giving. A website in remembrance of the Bible translator asks people to skip the funerary flowers and donate money to the Seed Company, an affiliate of Wycliffe Bible Translators, or to the missions fund at College Church in Wheaton.