Bible Illuminated: The Book: New Testament

Bible Illuminated: The Book

New Testament

Paperback: 264 pages

Publisher: Illuminated World (October 28, 2008)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 919766944

XISBN-13: 978-9197669443

Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches

Having had the wonderful chance to get a sneak peek preview at this, I had a pretty good idea of what this was all about. After receiving an actual copy of this, my first impressions were nothing but further confirmed.

The thing that really stands out to me in Bible Illuminated, is the photographs. The photos are incredibly strong, bestowing upon the reader a huge impact of the world around us. Each photo speaks volumes in and of itself. In a world were visual stimulation is the strongest form of communication, Bible Illuminated really stands out and grabs the reader into the written word.

This is written in a very easy to understand way and seems a bit like a “novel” reading experience, as opposed to other Bibles that I have read. There are some variances, of course, and the wording is not as extensive as in a "typical" Bible, however none of the important lessons or meanings are removed or taken away. I can see where this may be a bit on the controversial side for those who are die hard old fashioned Christians. The reason I say this, is because it is very modernized, especially with the photos and the way the text is written. However, I find this to be a very interesting and fascinating take on the Bible, as a whole. It brings to light what “real life” is like in society today and I feel it will be more engaging to this generation.

Even the formatting of magazine form seems to be lending toward modernization. However, this is one possible downfall that I can see. The magazine format is attractive, however I don't see it to be very time withstanding, especially in a house with children. This is just my personal opinion. I try to keep important things out of reach, but with Bible Illuminated, I feel that it would be a good way to show/introduce older children to what the Bible has to say and teach. Plus just every day wear and tear could easily damage the magazine like cover and pages. So while this is a fascinating take on the Bible, I would say presentation may have been better for longer life.

Bible Illuminated: The Book: New Testament is meant to cross all religious barriers, rather than focus on one particular sect of religious belief. It is written using the Good News Translation approved by the American Bible Society and is like nothing ever published before.

I anxiously look forward to the Old Testament version, due to release in 2009.

*overall rating 4.5/5

*special thanks to Lisa Roe at Online Book Publicist for giving
me the wonderful opportunity to read and review this awesome work!

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Book Description:

A homeless man walking. A soldier preparing for combat. A mother nursing her newborn child. Never before has a publisher illuminated the Bible with such an array of striking, even provocative contemporary photographs. Wrapped in an arresting cover, Bible Illuminated: The Book: New Testament presents The Bible in a full-color, glossy magazine format, set in running text with no verses, inviting readers to step into the Bible and experience it in a whole new way. The Book, using the Good News Translation as approved by the American Bible Society, will introduce believers and non-believers to a culturally relevant, accessible Bible and will encourage dialogue between people from all walks of life.

When was the last time you picked it up and read it?

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Who created The Book?

The company that created The Book is called Illuminated World. The co-founder and creative visionary for the Bible Illuminated is Dag Söderberg, former CEO of one of the largest advertising firms in Scandinavia. Dag's passion for photography and innovative design helped with the creative direction of such a huge undertaking. He loves art and finding unique ways to present traditional things in a non-traditional way, a part of his advertising background that definitely shaped The Book and ultimately its look and feel. His vision from the beginning was to re-brand the Bible for a consumer audience but remain true to the text (which is why The Book uses the standard Good News Translation).

What is the goal of publishing The Book?

There is no religious mission behind The Book. We believe that its success will be driven by the fact that this is not coming from any specific faith, religion or church. We are from many faiths, backgrounds, and beliefs; ultimately we are trying to create something for the many and not just for the few. The goal is to drive an emotional reaction and get people to think, discuss and share. It's meant to trigger bigger moral questions that will in turn help people to understand the common heritage between all religions through the Bible's text. We hope people will find the images, design and layout intriguing—intriguing enough to talk about the actual stories in the Bible and what the morals and lessons mean to them. The more you know, the more you can participate in discussions about the world and understand the bigger picture.

What does The Book look like?

Bible Illuminated:The Book looks like a high-end magazine. It presents the New Testament as it's never been seen before in full-color, glossy format, illustrated throughout with striking, sometimes provocative, contemporary photographs. It is meant to be comfortable and easy to flip through and used as you would use any Bible. There are no verses and the text runs with columns and paragraphs just like in a magazine.esents the New Testament as it's never been seen before in full-color, glossy format, illustrated throughout with striking, sometimes provocative, contemporary photographs. It is meant to be comfortable and easy to flip through and used as you would use any Bible. There are no verses and the text runs with columns and paragraphs just like in a magazine.

Who is Illuminated World trying to reach with The Book?

The Book is meant for anyone and everyone. It is for people who currently own a Bible but never read it, people who don't own a Bible or would never even consider picking it up, as well as people who currently read or use the Bible, but want to experience this new, innovative design.

What do the highlighted passages and sentences mean?

The meaning of these passages is open to readers. We highlighted and underlined passages throughout The Book as a way to draw the reader's attention and provide an opportunity for reflection.

What should people do with The Book?

We want people to be able to flip through the pages and find something that they relate to, whether it's an image of a war-torn soldier or homeless person, a celebrity or an endangered animal—or a certain passage paired with a powerful image that resonates with them.