Glossy Bible

About every couple of months it seems like some hip new way of presenting God's Word hits the streets. It's often billed as the most relevant translation ever created and it often makes a lot of Christians groan. So, why then do we always need more versions? Because everyone is different, and despite the Bible's ubiquity people still have not heard about it. And frankly, people read them, which is always a good thing.

Church Times talks about a new glossy magazine version of the Bible replete with high-quality photographs, slick design and great marketing that took Sweden by storm:

'The Book' is a glossy magazine-style version of the Bible that has been very popular in Sweden - over 10 percent of Stockholm came to see the outdoor show of the book and there have been large increases in Bible sales. An English language version is shortly to be launched...

Yep, 10 percent of the city came out to see the launch of a book and that book was a rendition of the Bible. The Book's English site.

Here's the CEO talking about the project:

Personally, I think that we need more and better ways of communicating God's word to every generation and people. Not by changing the message, but by changing the presentation.Thoughts?

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Comments (10)

Highly agreed! As long as we always have access to the original language, that is. I love the different translations and unique versions. Just as there are different members of the body, and different types of churches and worship services, so too, a variety of Bibles can add lots of flavor.
Greek and Hebrew? As someone who took New Testament Greek, the original languages are great, but very few people actually know these. Indeed, we don't even have the original manuscripts, our versions are based on the copies made by monks of the early church. Even so, all versions speak to the same truth, which is simply miraculous in and of itself.
If it will get just one more to come to Christ then they have created something that we all should at least look at. I like to look at new versions in our local library before I commit to buying one, but this one really looks good. Bringing more to Christ, in God's Grace John
The problem with "new" translations is that sometimes the context is taken away. Sometimes even a missing comma can give a different meaning to a text. How much more a "well intended" word that fits better with our generation. I hope the CEO knows the high standards of God's word and what is required when translating. Make a mistake of adding or taking away of God's word and live the consequences of his decision.
This is hardly a Bible. There are no verses. There are only pictures with vague titles. The publishers claim to have no religious ties or purpose according to their website.

I'm all for new to communicate God's message and better context, but this book appears to be nothing more than a pop psychology self help book with pictures. I don't see how this "Bible" would lead anyone to Christ or allow them to know him better.

I believe the publishers when they say they have no religious ties, but their purpose seems clear - make a buck off misusing God's word.
Verses were not in the original Masoretic, Septuagint or Greek New Testament. They were later added--verses as late as the 14th century!--and are not central to the message of the text. They are useful for reference and memorization, but do not mistake the form for the message.

Secondly, to call it a "pop psychology" book is very misdirected when you haven't read the text. There is obviously text in the magazine format, as is seen in the video; the picture of the "Holy Family" three-pack as well as the mention of "the text is our history, our heritage" by Mr. Soderberg shows text juxtaposed to images. The Church's use of "sanctifying" cultural images and forms for the glory of God dates back to the reclamation of "high places" as congregation sites for believers.

What we tend to ignore with the Gospels is that Christ Himself did this--most of His parables were twists on common cultural stories. The story of the prodigal son, for example, is recorded in tons of places--but Jesus' ending, with the love of the Father and the banquet is unique to the Gospel; it reveals God's love for us through images the people He was talking to were familiar with.

I'm not sure how faithful a translation the text is, but there is nothing wrong with putting the Word into a magazine format. The Magisterium cried foul when the Bible was put into mass print and distributed to the people instead of held by the clergy. Now we distribute it to the people, instead of being held solely the churched, and you cry foul, Brent? I think not. I, for one, am willing to give this format a chance.
I dig this! I actually thought about buying one of these glossies and tearing out all the pages and putting one page inside each of the free trash newspapers read by millions every day.
"Our Mission

Illuminated World seeks to introduce today’s audience to a revolutionary contemporary Bible, one that encourages dialogue and is culturally relevant, readily accessible and easily digestible for any reader regardless of religious, economic, racial or social background.

----- We have no religious agenda and support no specific faith. -----

Bible Illuminated is intended to be a unique vehicle for reacquainting today’s reader with one of history’s most important texts.

Keep reading to find out more about Illuminated World." (emphasis and offset added)

Just FYI.


This isn't a Christian or religious program. It's a historical one.
No book for me because it is more about visual learning than sharing "How to listen better". The only presentation I've been using is the Holy Spirit. Through my experience it is much easier for me to teach a person to listen and hear the Holy Spirit for themselves than trying to share scriptures or other literature to them. His Amazing. His solved issues such as family, social and drug related. One non believer became a believer and started seeing angels shining light walking around. Another non believer that became a believer (who never had a bible before) began qouting the book chapter and verse of scriptures floating in the air. I've seen christians who've gone to church for years cry because they never heard his voice speaking so clearly before. When people hear his voice they listen and he changes their lives. It's just amazing! As for a translated language, me and a friend visited a Soman church and as they sang in their native language we could hear the words in english.

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