Wednesday, January 7, 2009

The Bible printed green


Last year I went searching online for "green" Bibles to see if any were out there, but never had any luck. Apparently, I was about a year too early because NOW there is one...wait for it...it's called The Green Bible. Some people seem to be offended by it, although I don't fully understand why. Is it the title? Putting "Green" between "The" and "Bible"...hmmmm...yeah, that doesn't sound right. I've been trying to think of another name that would have been more appropriate but cannot think of one. Any ideas? It's still the same Bible of course, just printed green. Also any text that mentions the environment is printed in green ink. Maybe they should have made it a red letter Bible of Jesus's words (which they didn't do) AS WELL as green ink the verses that mention the environment. But not every Bible is a red letter one anyway...mine isn't. Hmmmm....Regardless, I think it's a wonderful thing overall, despite the name and whatnot.

I think the other thing that is bothering people is they think that The Green Bible is going to take away from The Good Book's true intention...but I don't get that honestly at all. Sadly, most Christians don't see the connection between us and the environment, and most ignore that God asked us to be good stewards of the planet and not destroy it. So I think it's a great thing to highlight the MANY verses (over 1,000) in the Bible that focus on His creation as a constant reminder of what we are supposed to be doing (and more importantly, not doing).

Really it's about time that the best-selling book on the planet went "green" as far as I'm concerned! Further details include that it is printed on recycled paper (although I couldn't find a post-consumer percentage anywhere) with soy ink, has a cotton/linen cover, and includes a "green" topical index.

So if you're in need of a new Bible or know someone who is, check out this one that is available at Amazon.

10 comments:

The Rozell Family said...

i just saw that book at Barnes the other night, looked really cool!

Maria Rose said...

I am not offended by it in the slightest. I think it is important to look at faith with changing emphasis.

Alicia said...

I've seen the Bible converted into a teenage magazine style format and nobody seemed to have a problem with that. I guess people think it's getting too "trendy" - but really the content is still the same - it's the Word, I guess it will always cause a little controversy for what it is! But throw in a little green, and that doesn't hurt anything! Good call.

Rubyellen said...

that's cool. different but cool. as long as the truth of it isn't altered, i think that idea is grand!

Leigh said...

That's so cool!

Anonymous said...

Though I am not personally against "The Green Bible" I do feel it is risky to use this book as a tool to further an evironmental movement. I would rather use this book to further the spreading of the Gospel.

For instance, Creation Care has distibuted "The Green Bible" to Christians so that they might know how to be better stewards. Why not rathr give any Bible to any non-Christian?

Rev. Stuart Taylor of St. Mark's Presbyterian Church in Tucson said (about the Green Bible), "Within the mainstream denominations, there is a real growing concern for these (environmental) issues," he said. "Within the evangelical community... I can't speak in detail to that, but I am just grateful that there is debate at all. This is basic to the Gospel."

I guess I am just concerned that by the Green Bible highlighting environmental issues with the green ink and essays it creates focus to be drawn from the purpose, the love story, of the Bible.

Joslyn said...

i think this is a wonderful idea!

Jashley and Grant said...

I thinks it's all in the way you take it! I don't think it's a big deal at all to highlight things about nature that are in the Bible! No, those are not the reasons why the great book was written, but I do believe that nature is important to our Creator who breathed it all into being. I think people need to look at the overall picture of why the book was written not highlighted verses! I love the recycled paper!

Grace and Aria said...

Wow. I hadn't heard of this. I'm glad they made a bible with recycled materials, but I think the green without the red is just not right... it doesn't sit too well for me. I think they should have just left it without any highlights. Or used both! then it would have looked Christmasy ;)
Either way, interesting topic!

Angela Harris said...

I think it's great!