Bible Society UK Publishes New Bible for Unchurched Generation
Bible Society U.K. has released a new version of the New Testament geared towards people who do not ordinarily read the Bible, or who find traditional translations hard to access.
Despite being the world's best-selling book, fewer and fewer people in the U.K. are reading the Bible today. Bible Society is now trying to counter this trend by reworking the New Testament to help provide an answer to the question "who is Jesus?"
The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) are run together into one story and John's gospel is put at the end of the book to give the full sweep of the story.
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It is the first time ever that the Bible Society has produced a non-literal translation of the New Testament.
Bible Society hopes the new version will encourage people who have never made it past the front cover of a New Testament, as well as those who have but find themselves "stuck."
Author Paul Langham, vicar of Christ Church Clifton in Bristol, England has said: "This book is for people who don't read the Bible. I have tried to imagine how the New Testament authors might have written had they been alive today."
Commissioning Editor Carolyn Armitage has said: "It's one thing to have a Bible, but quite another to read it and get the picture. This project is about why people might not find it straightforward to read the Bible and what might nudge them to give it a first – or another – try.
"From Bible Society's point of view it is about providing tools for Bible engagement – which is really about encountering God. It's an exciting project."
