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The following item is taken from the December
2008 issue of “Diocesan News
A Bible is not just for Christmas…:The BBC is reporting a huge upsurge of
interest in the Bible - as yet another popular version is published.
Recently a report on the national broadcaster’s website was one of the most
read items. It told of the success of the striking newly packaged modern
rendering of the New Testament. Subtitled ‘Bible illuminated’, The Book is a
radical departure from the traditional package known, but not necessarily
loved, by so many. Yet the essential content remains the same. A popular
translation is presented without chapter headings or verse numbering and is
lavishly illustrated with photographs. These are in turn inspiring, shocking
and provocative, but always well placed to illustrate the text.
More in the style of a glossy magazine than a library volume, The Book will
make a great present for the young, says the Swindon-based Bible Society.
This particular book comes to us from Sweden where it has already proved its
worth. It was the idea of a businessman who is, he says, not particularly
religious or on a mission to convert. He simply thinks that this most sold,
but probably least read book should have another airing; better on the
coffee table than stuck unused in a bookcase!
Over recent years a number of new versions of the Bible have been published.
Not all of them are universally liked, but each one seems to want to get
more people engaging with God’s word. A Manga Bible (using the highly
popular Japanese-style illustrations) is said to have ‘intrigued’ the
Archbishop of Canterbury. The Brick Testament uses Lego models for
illustration and often gives a somewhat irreverent take on the stories. The
Bible in Cockney offers a rhyming slang version. Inspired by... the Bible
Experience is an audio version for MP3 players using the voices of Hollywood
stars.And so the list goes on…
‘It’s great that there is such a choice out there,’ says Lee Rayfield, the
Bishop of Swindon. ‘More than anything else I want people to know and love
the Bible. It is a book with such life-changing possibilities and all church
people should be looking to promote it - perhaps using some of these
attractive versions and repackages. We know that it’s not a dull book. Let’s
have the courage of our convictions and consider giving it as a Christmas
present. After all, that’s where we can read about the very first
Christmas!’
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For further details
about, baptisms, Weddings etc. please do not hesitate to contact the Revd
Simon Drew, The Vicarage, Church Lane, Marshfield (Tel: 01225 891850).
Please note that the Vicar’s day off is Friday.
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MARSHFIELD
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