Now there's a bright idea...

Now, I'm not a huge fan of the "Biblezines" and other worldly ways of repacking God's Word, in order to make it more "appealing" or "user-friendly." Some of these marketing ploys are just sad, or even offensive.

(By the way, want a good laugh? Then read Phillip Johnson's (he of PYROMANIAC fame) look at one such attempt here, and then read this unforgettable and hilarious post on his blog from a couple days later. These are from a couple months back. I was crying...)

Too much of the English Bible industry out there is motivated by money, and any new gimmick that will sell more items seems to be okay these days. Even if it means dumbing down the words of Scripture (often in the name of making it more readable) to the point that many so-called "Bibles" out there are more products of interpretation than they are of translation, and really would be more honestly sold as Bible commentaries than as "Bibles" (paraphrases like The Living Bible and The Message come to mind).

However, I have to admit that I'm really intrigued by this idea.

For once, an innovation that's actually practical and doesn't make a tabloid or other mockery out of the Bible. It doesn't seem to add a whole lot of bells and whistles to make the Word more alluring (no lipstick hints here, thankfully), and it's a good translation - the Updated NASB is possibly the most literal, word-for-word English translation out there. This would be great for camping, hiking, etc., especially if you're doing it as a family or church activity. And as a soldier, I like the idea of a Bible that could withstand tough field conditions.

Just bring along some Staedtler permanent overhead pens to make notes, and some nail polish remover to erase them...