I came across this image as I was hunting for suitable images for a newsletter article that I’m working on. I’ve grown up around Bibles of all shapes, sizes, colours and translations. Having served as a local church minister for many years, I’ve made quite a collection of Bibles for study purposes. I love the Bible. I particularly love the contents of the Bible. But that would be only part of what I’m trying to say.
My grandpa and my dad both had well read Bibles with well worn leather covers. Someone once accused my dad of carrying the ‘News of the World’ in his Bible because there were so many sermon notes tucked between it’s pages. I know that for many years, both men only had one Bible – unlike me. However, there are a couple that I really cherish.
I have a very well worn New American Standard Bible that took me through Bible College and the early years of my ministry. I even made the leather slip-on cover myself with my initials embossed upon it. It’s my favourite for study as it’s a good translation.
My pocket Bible comes encased in the form of a Palm Tungsten T3; the software is supplied by Laridian. It includes the Today’s New International Version and The Message. It’s useful when your on the move, but I miss the handling of a leather and paper Bible.
The Message is greatly underestimated for general reading. Many make the mistake of calling it a paraphrase because its in north American streetwise language. They forget it was translated by a well renown theologian and retired pastor. Eugene Peterson, I for one love it for everyday reading!
However, if I was given the choice, I’d like to use a leather bound New Living Translation Bible.
How do you read yours?