Open Blogging
I spent part of this week participating in Tim Wildsmith’s premium bible giveaway.
A few years ago I didn’t even know what a “premium” bible was until I was graciously gifted one.
It quickly became my primary and teaching Bible…though I use many others during any given week.
For those of you still unaware, basically a premium bible is one that has great craftsmanship including sewn bindings and real leather covers and a dozen other upgrades to the bible you buy at the local book store.
They are beautiful and meant to last a lifetime.
They are also expensive…starting at around 200 bucks.
Wildsmith has turned his irenic personality and knowledge of premium bibles into a book contract and thriving YouTube channel…and lifted these expensive bibles into the mainstream.
Since the first one I received, I’ve received two more…and they are beautiful and they do enhance the reading experience.
Still…I’m not sure what I think about this new trend.
The cost makes them out of reach for me and most folks I know…but you can’t help but want one or a dozen of them.
Covetousness is still a sin even if you’re coveting a bible…
I do enjoy the channel and entered the giveaway…but the Word is still the Word no matter what kind of cover it has…
Now, it’s all yours today…
I have to believe in some kind of postmortem sanctification — call it purgatory if you like — because I have a painful awareness of how sinful and imperfect I’ve been all my life, am now, and imagine I will be until the end of my days; and because God has never wrought any change in me in which I was not involved. God’s grace makes it happen, but no magic trick is involved: it’s personal and visceral from start to finish, and it must extend beyond this life if I’m ever to be pure of heart.
The uncontrolled measles outbreak in South Carolina is directly the result of vaccine skepticism spread by ignorant social media influencers and the Trump government aiding and abetting such skepticism at every opportunity. We are at the beginning of an era when diseases that were not too long ago nearly banished from the landscape will return with a vengeance because of arrogant ignorance.
Robert F,
There are a few of us here who hope in universal reconciliation…without defining exactly how that will work…
Michael,
I share that hope.
I have two and got both at a significant discount. I like these premium Bibles too, especially the Crossway and Humble Lamb ones, and have had to keep myself from crossing the coveting line; I’d like to say pleasing the Lord is my only reason but sticker shock honestly has played a role, too…the latter is a reason I haven’t splurged on one of the Crossways, or the new KJV Bible designed by YouTuber Randy Brown that looks great.
I would recommend readers consider one of the Humble Lamb Bibles; the layout and font are gorgeous, and the blue letters of Christ are distinctive and to me easier on the eyes. Also, it’s a small business based in the US.
Many publishers do publish less expensive versions of these Bibles, so if you like the layout and overall look you can pay a TruTone or hardback price for the same Bible.
BrianD,
I’m not an ESV fan, but I do have one those KJV bibles you mentioned…it’s gorgeous.
First time I’ve wanted to read a KJV in ages…
My preaching bible is a NLT Schuyler Quentel that I think was made especially for me…it’s like a perfectly fitting piece of clothing.
I also have a Humble Lamb NASB History…very pretty and my choice when I consult the NASB.
I’m in need of a new Bible. I’ve been using NT Wright’s New Testament with John Goldengay’s Old Testament (2 hardcover books) along with an old beat-up hardcover NIV Study Bible.
This may sound wacky, but I’m curious about getting an NRSV with Aprochrypha. I’m also curious about the NET and Lexham versions. I want this to me my go-to physical Bible. Any recommendations?
Those “premium” bibles are a 21st century rehash of an older phenomenon: The Family Bible.
In earlier eras, families had a family bible that was had all kinds of artistic touches, illustrations, etc and it was passed down from generation to generation. It also served another purpose: To record births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths in the family (empty pages or sections were sometimes added to the bible to record those). Because they were so expensive and had such high craftsmanship, families typically only had 1 bible, and that was it.
Terry,
There are some very nice NRSV bibles with the Apocrypha. The NET is a study tool and damn near unreadable as anything else.
Lexham is good but digital only. If you have the YouVersion Bible app you can read it there.
https://amzn.to/4q2GimC
I know some people like to rip on the NRSV but I’ve found it a useful translation for at least twenty-five years. In some ways I prefer the RSV but I read from both. The JPS Tanakh is also fun reading and I’ve been reading the Revised English Bible translation of late. I’ve also been reading Robert Alter’s translations of the Psalms now and then.
I’m a big RSV/NRSV fan…Alter is amazing…
I read the RSV which was my childhood Bible cover to cover at least five times the first year I got saved.
Eminently readable but unfortunately looked down upon because of those two words: “young woman”.
I especially liked the complete cross references which I would make notes of as I read. I read much faster then when I was younger.
As a youth, I used the NIV. Then later on I went to the NLT for regular reading, and the NASB for study. Never really got into the ESV. Of course for the poetic flourish of the language, nothing beats the good old King Jimmy. Of course, I also enjoy Shakespeare’s plays from time to time as well. As an aside, Shakespeare and the KJV is early MODERN English (not Middle English). Middle English would be Chaucer. My old British Literature grad school roommate would have a fit if anyone said that Shakespeare was Middle English.
First up: King Jimmy (thanks Ra’s!)
Forayed into: ESV, NASB, TLB
My go-to: NIV
Bondi and the DOJ redacted the hell out of the Epstein files. This is not a release of the files; it is a selective political edit of them. Did anyone expect otherwise?
And on the same day that Trump’s name is disgracefully added to that of JFK on the signage of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. When low-class Trump is done with the Center it won’t be a fit venue for a cattle auction.