I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was asked to review another book. I don’t review every book I am offered. I typically want something to really grab my attention. This time I was offered to review the Bible. Wow! Me? Qualified to review the Word of God? I don’t think so…but I did want to offer some comments on this “new version and packaging of God’s Word.”
Let me clarify my position: I believe the Bible to be unchangeable, infallible, inerrant and fully inspired. As stated in the Westminster Confession, “the authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, depends not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.”
The Packaging
My review copy was a paperback version, so for a book that marries text with photo I was very disappointed to find out the physical quality was that of a thick magazine. Physically, a little sloppy in the hands, but better than reading online.
What makes this different? The pictures! This copy of the New Testament is infused with interesting, thoughtful and controversial photos which were chosen to “illuminate” a passage or section of scripture.
Click on the thumbnails for larger version
I love photography and I love how photographs can be used to tell a story or in this book…illuminate a point. Do we need to use photographs to illuminate God’s Word? I believe that God’s written Word is sufficient. Quoting again from the WCF, it says :“All things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.”
Some would argue that embedding photos into the Bible would only help to encourage people to read God’s Word. In a sense, I agree because I found that some of the photos did draw my attention to the highlighted passages they represented. However, I’m not a pragmatist and I don’t believe that cool photography, street vernacular or any number of modern twists are required to introduce God’s Word to modern mankind. Scripture alone is sufficient to communicate the truth of the gospel to the world.
The Version
Probably the biggest issue for me with this book is that they used the Good News Translation. The purpose of this post is not to open the controversy on bible versions, but it’s not a version I would prefer to use and readers should know that the GNT is used throughout this book. Does it take away from the project? No, but like embedding photographs into the Bible, it points to modernity’s need for something new and simple.
My Critique
Also, I already knew this, but the Bible Illuminated contains only the New Testament. This isn’t the Bible! It is only 1/2 of the Bible. In the absence of the Old Testament, the NT makes no sense! How do we understand the Good News of Christ’s advent, life, death, burial and resurrection, without understanding the previous covenants God made with with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and David? Full understanding of the Gospel is lost. One cannot understand their absolute need for God if they have not heard about the fall of man and their separation from him by death! Realize, that I am not being specifically critical of “The Bible Illuminated,” since this is the same thing that Billy Graham Ministries and Promise Keepers has done for years by handing out only the New Testament!
Most of the photos I found to be interesting, but I did find one section to be offensive and the source of much discussion for me as I’ve shown it to others. In the introduction to the book of Mark, they highlight the following verse: “God said, ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.’” Then throughout the book of Mark, the publishers chose to include full page photographs of modern day “messengers.” Their choices include Muhammed Ali, Nelson Mandela, Gahndi, Bono, Princess Diana, Che Guevara, Angelina Jolie, Bill Gates, and Al Gore.
Personally, I don’t see the connection. John the Baptist was a messenger for the advent of Christ. He proclaimed the coming of the Gospel. He proclaimed the Good News for the salvation of mankind. He was not offering social change! All of these modern day examples are not modern day Elijahs. There is no salvation for mankind in social awareness, world peace, or protecting the environment. I’m all for symbolism and allegory, but this one was so far off the mark that I actually laughed as I flipped through the pictures…seriously…John Lennon and John the Baptist? Give me a break!
Lastly, not that you don’t already know…this is not a book for Bible Study. In the same way, I wouldn’t buy a Big Mac for it’s wonderful beef flavor, I wouldn’t pick this up as my daily source of spiritual food. Big Mac hamburgers are fine for what they are. Likewise, The Bible Illuminated is fine for what it is: a conversation starter!
Final Thoughts
It is a contemporary version of the NT text packaged in a glorified magazine with inspiring pictures. Perfect for the coffee table…
Quietly Making Noise,
Fletch
Posted on November 16th, 2008 by Fletch
Filed under: theMT Recommendations
Just found your blog today through the awards. I loved this commentary about your review of this particular bible. You said so many things I’ve thought over and over again. Bless you!
Just another case of the dumbing down of our nation it seems (led by the masses of Christians?)! We now need pictures.
I gotta tell ya, something that doesn’t sit right with me. The use of the work illumination. Because that is the exact word that is used to describe how the Holy Spirit helps us to understand God’s Word. The Holy Spirit illuminates His Word –not pictures that man thinks are cool.
Well said Amy…Scripture alone is sufficient…
Carli…welcome to theMT…thanks for dropping by!
In Sweden, where The Book first was published, the old testament was released before the new testament. Dag Söderberg, who started the project is, as far as I know, not a confessing christian. The Book was made simply to introduce secular Swedes to the ancient texts.
As a christian I can agree with most of your critics, but those guys that made it, didn’t have much thought about saving the world. They only wanted to let the next generation read the stories that was common knowledge just 50 years ago – stories that nobody in Sweden have ever heard of today. We are a very secular country. To make the text seem more normal and readable all the numbers for the chapters and verses are taken away, the text (and the pictures)are the only that remains. There is also no notes (at least not in the Swedish edition), the text is supposed to stand for it self.
At first The Book wasn’t sold by churches or christian bookstores but by boutique stores etc. You could buy your copy of The Book together with a new pair of jeans! The embarrassing act of going to a christian store was no longer necessary to be able to read the good news. No, we haven’t heard of millions of conversions because of The Book, but there are probably very few that are more hostile towards Christ after reading it than they was before…
A little bit more info is to be found here: http://bibleilluminated.com/about/illuminated-world/#
Malgomaj, Sweden
Love your site. Just stumbled upon it while researching if the delicious chocolate chip cookie dough I was eating last night really would give me worms.
Interesting insight, you crack me up, love the book review.
Thanks for this. I really appreciate your perspective. I’ve also put in my 2 cents about the project, for anyone who may be interested.
Grace and Peace,
Raffi
Perfect for the coffee table?
I would have thought that it would be more useful in the bathroom… just in case you run out of paper.
Erik