I had the chance to view an online preview of Bible Illuminated: The Book, New Testament, which will be published by Illuminated World on Oct. 28. The idea behind this new version of the Bible is to make it more accessible to members of contemporary society.Bible Illuminated presents the New Testament in the Good News Translation without verses, making the Word flow more like a story and making it easier to understand than other translations.
But what really makes Bible Illuminated unique is the inclusion of full color images. While I was a bit worried about the Bible looking more like a magazine, at first glance, I'm impressed. The images are bold and definitely make a statement. They are bound to get readers to think more about the message in the New Testament and how it pertains to them today.
Bible Illuminated also features photos of celebrities and other well-known people, and while I'm waiting for the hard copy to form an opinion about this, I'm thinking that it's meant to show how these people are living out (or lived out, in some cases) at least some of the Word.
As a Christian who is active in church ministry, particularly one focused on welcoming newcomers, I'm very interested in resources that get people excited about their faith. I hear a lot of people say they need to read the Bible more or it's hard for them to read the Bible because it's difficult to understand. Or they want to know how the Word is relevant to them where they are right now.I'm looking forward to receiving and reading the hard copy of Bible Illuminated, pondering the Word and the images together. I think the vivid pictures will draw people in, and I hope they help readers to understand that the message in the New Testament is important and relevant today. I'm excited about having the chance to look at the Bible in a way so different from what I am used to. Stay tuned for my review!
19 comments:
I just love that revelation photo! Reminds me of those photos where the Tibetan monks set themselves on fire. I wonder if this concept will work.
Serena: That is a great pic, right?! There's a lot of Bibles out there. You should see the shelves at the Christian bookstore we go to. I'm sure there's room for one more, and this certainly is different!
"...I was a bit worried about the Bible looking more like a magazine..."
I hope this style will actually encourage people, who find the Bible difficult or intimidating, to read it again.
I'm a very "pro-religion" and am for almost anything that helps a person better understand their faith. I'm really looking forward to your review.
Jeannie: I agree!
Horray, another thing we share!!
:D
Jeannie: We really do have a lot in common, don't we?? How cool!
I will definitely be getting myself a hard copy of this Bible. I have so many Bibles but I don't think one more can hurt. This one sounds awesome in that it may appeal to those who have trouble understanding the Bible or who may not find it interesting. I also like the idea of the full color images-I imagine they add a lot. I agree the Bible has so much to offer people especially today with the way our world is. Great review here Anna and I look forward to when you review the hard copy.
This looks like it will appeal to a demographic that has difficulty with a traditional Bible, making the stories/lessons more accessible in this format.
I'm wondering if the text has any footnotes (like a study Bible, with inserts/sidebars), or if is so simply translated that this isn't needed.
I'll look forward to your full review.
I'm glad you posted about this because I'd only heard a little bit about it. I think anything that attracts people to the word has the potential to be a good thing. It will be interesting to see how this version is embraced.
Bible Illuminated book looks absolutely fascinating :-)
Anna, I can't wait to see what you think of this.
I just linked to this blog thru Jen (Devourer of Books) and saw another pic other than the ones you posted. It's hard to visualize what this book is going to be like, for me at least.
http://mixed-upfiles.blogspot.com/2008/10/food-for-thought-bible-part-2.html
Shana
Literarily
This is an interesting idea. I think it's great that they are trying to make the Bible more accessible. Although, sometimes, these "changes" make me uncomfortable. I even feel a little uncomfortable with Biblical fiction, sometimes. I can't wait to hear your full review of this.
I really, REALLY want to get my hands on this one!!!! :)
Dar: Thanks! I have numerous Bibles in my house, too, and I like each of them for different reasons. Some of the pictures I've seen are a bit disturbing, but I'm waiting for the hard copy to look at their placement within the Word to see if they fit.
Dawn: I have no idea about footnotes, but from what I looked at, it seems as though the Good News Translation is meant to be easy to read by itself.
Karen: I know I was a bit shocked when I read that it was a Bible with color pictures in a magazine format! I think if you're familiar with the Bible already, you just have to look at it with an open mind.
Marie: I agree!
Shana: I'll check out that link. In previewing Bible Illuminated, I think the main focus is on the images. I'm really looking forward to having it in my hands and looking at the whole picture.
Nicole: I know how you feel. I felt that way reading the Left Behind Books, especially when they got toward the end and Jesus was speaking. I'm excited about this new Bible because I think it has potential. I'm cautiously optimistic.
Bethany: If you do get a chance to read it, I'd love to know what you think. Seems like it's going to raise a lot of questions. I'm looking forward to the discussion.
This seems like a super exciting project! I've been overjoyed ever since I was asked to be part of it!
my copy of this is on its way!!! :) I can't wait!
My copy arrived today! Can't wait to peruse it over the next few days!
Alea: I feel the same way!
Bethany: Yippee! Can't wait to hear what you think!
Ahh! I can't wait for a copy to arrive in my box! Does it really look like a magazine, like the outside, shape and size and page weight?
Alea: It really is a magazine. The feel of the pages, the size, everything. I was a bit disappointed because my mailman shoved the envelope in my box and the back cover is ripped, but what can you do? I haven't had much of a chance to look it over, though. Just a quick flip-through. Can't wait to hear what you think about it.
Post a Comment