[Update: Oops, I didn't realize that someone already posted about this earlier here. (File under: The Dangers of Group Blogs.) Instead of deleting this post (which would mess up some RSS readers), I'm just adding this note. Oh, and based on the comments at the other post, I was right about some folks not liking this at all!]

In Britain (and somehow associated with Canterbury Cathedral) the 100-Minute Bible was just released. I actually found out about it on a couple geek blogs that I check occasionally. They were very interested in the notion of getting the Bible's big picture in less than two hours.

The BBC called it the "page turner Bible." In that article the author said this:

"This is an attempt to say, 'Look, there's a great story here - let's get into it and let's not get put off by the things that are going to be the sub-plot. Let's give you the big plot'."

"We have majored on Jesus, because he is the central figure in the Bible."

Others are calling it the Cliff Notes version of the Bible. And that's probably the best description - it's a simple summary, especially for those who don't think they have time to commit to being a seeker, but are still curious. It's a low barrier to entry, as marketing folks would say.

I really like the sample on their site, which is a summary of Matthew 5-7 (The Sermon on the Mount). Here's the opening paragraph:

Much of Jesus’ teaching was brought together when, seated on a hillside, he spoke to his disciples about life in the kingdom of God. He taught that true happiness comes from having the right attitudes. Those who are humble, concerned about the world’s sinfulness, gentle, devoted to goodness, merciful, single-minded in God’s service, and peace-lovers will be blessed by God. Those of his followers who are persecuted in this world should rejoice, because they will have a rich reward in the next.

I'm sure some folks will freak about this, thinking it a bastardization of the Holy Book. But I see it like most books about the Bible - helping us to grasp the big picture of God's vision for his people.