Patterson, 63, might seem like an unlikely scribe for the King James version of the Bible.

WSJ: Unlikely NY scribe handwrites Good Book in 4 years

The Bible's exact word count depends on who is doing the tallying, but multiple sources put the King James version at around 788, 000 words or more.

WSJ: Unlikely NY scribe handwrites Good Book in 4 years

But it's the story of the King James Version of the Bible, which celebrates its 400th anniversary on May 2nd 2011, that is likely to provide the greatest spread of cultural events.

ECONOMIST: Prepare for a celebration of biblical proportions

As we speak, he is just two verses away from completing a handwritten version of the King James Bible.

NPR: Making Peace With The Bible By Writing It Out Word For Word

He is just two verses away from finishing a handwritten version of the King James Bible, and he was kind enough to join us from his home in Philmont, New York.

NPR: Making Peace With The Bible By Writing It Out Word For Word

The King James, also known as the Authorised Version, remains one of the most frequently used Bibles in the English-speaking world, especially in the United States.

ECONOMIST: Prepare for a celebration of biblical proportions