I recently found out that HarperCollins will be publishing a Green Bible in October. Its purpose is to show
that God is green and explains how we can care for and protect God’s creation. According to the Amazon link above, there are over 1,000 references to the earth in the Bible, compared to 490 references to heaven and 530 references to love, so the Bible carries a powerful message about the earth. This Bible is designed to draw attention to each and every reference by highlighting green scriptures in green ink in an effort to bring greater awareness to how this message is woven throughout the Old and New Testaments. It is supposed to help us view it through a “green lens”.
This Bible also has some other unique features like essays from key leaders and thinkers on various aspects of scripture and its mandate for creation care as well as quotes from Christian teachings throughout the ages from St. Augustine to C.S. Lewis.
The book itself is also green . It is printed on environmentally sustainable FSC paper, has a cotton and linen cover, and uses soy-based inks.
So what do you think? Is this just a shameful way to make money off of green or a needed product? Personally I think it is a little of both. The Bible is the number one bestseller right? And green is HOT right now. Of course publishers would love to tie the two together and make some money. BUT in my experience the most hardened global warming skeptics and environmental deniers are religious. No of course this doesn’t apply to all but in my community at least the religious folk are the first to scream scam when it comes to anything environmental. I have heard of preachers who give lectures about denying global warming and staying away from the “religion” of environmentalism. No Impact Man recently posted an email he got from one such person who claimed that God would never allow global warming to occur. I commented on that post if you care to read the comments. Franky it boggles my mind. I have read the Bible several times in my life and got no such message. Maybe this Bible has some possibilities then?
Well regardless I do have a collection of Bibles at home. I started collecting them when I found the version I grew up with had some erroneous translations that completely changed the meaning. I love all the different kinds of Bibles there are and wouldn’t mind having this one either. The cover is lovely. You can preorder them on Amazon.
So what do you think? Shameful or cool? Would you buy it?
I would definitely buy it – I just bought a new bible that cost way too much otherwise I would be on it right now!
I would definitely buy this Bible. I’m in need of a new one anyway. I am pretty Dark Green and pretty Christian… I will need to gather more information on the content and translation of this Bible before making the purchase. The Bible does direct us to be Good Stewards of the Earth. Of course, the publishing house is also hoping to cash in on the current green trend. If peeps run out and purchase this Bible when they really aren’t in need of one, that’s not being green (green=less). Thanks for posting this!
Cheers!
Jamie
I am a Christian and I believe that God has called us to take care of this earth that He has given us. I wish more churches were trying to convey that to the congregation. The paper recycling program that I suggested 4 years ago finally got implemented this year at my church and I am THRILLED. Let’s work together to make this a great world for everyone. And no, I don’t plan on buying yet another Bible just because it has green ink.
Thanks for blogging.
JJ
I am not a religious person, I do try and live by the words in red because they make sense for everyone. Jesus has a good philosophy and I think if he were alive today, he would probably endorse this version of the Bible.
I would buy it.
Cindi
I am a Christian as well and very upset how poeple take for granted this beautiful earth God created just for us. I am however the only one who uses cloth diapers and a shampoo bar at my Church. Like Clorox bringing out green cleansers maybe this is an anwer to bring more awareness to much needed consumers.
“God would never allow global warming to occur”
Uhh… this person is ignorant. The Bible states that God will not allow man to destroy the earth… but it also states that God will “bring to ruin those ruining the earth”… due to greed or warmongering or whatever.
I read an article, can’t remember where, that said religious people are one of the 3 groups most likely to be concerned about the environment – because they believe the earth was a gift to them from God.
I’m an atheist so I wouldn’t buy it, but I think its a good idea. Several years ago I considered the idea of holding presentations about the environment to Christians under the context that we should preserve the earth that god created. At the time I was living in a town with several churches with-in walking distance of my house and it seemed like a good idea. Now, it seems like that conversations has happened without me as evangelicals have jumped onto the environmental band wagon too. I believe the mix of religion and the green movement is awesome, because to me it makes so much sense of Christians or members of any religion to find it with-in their religious text to preserve our planet. It was Mother Teresa who once said “I live simply so that others can simply live” and that is really environmentalism in a nut shell.
I wouldn’t buy it because I’m atheist, but I’m sure it is a pretty good idea. I’ve always been concerned with the environment & truthfully always surprised that Christians were not. Especially since they believe God made the earth for them, you’d think they’d want to take care of it. Maybe this will get some awareness out there!
I think this just expoits the Go Green philosophy for monetary gain.
This is probably not a popular stance, but I think that this (or any) bible is just a book. God didn’t write it, people like us wrote it… just regular people.
It has a lot of good lessons but also many many ideas that cause division and judgement among people.
If I’m going to use a book to guide my life, I’d rather live my life according to “The Lorax”. Good lesson, hate-free, plus it has pictures.
I don’t know that I’d buy it but I do know that we’re supposed to be good stewards of this earth…I don’t feel like that is happening as best as it should.
I think it is a neat idea from the religious aspect of appealing to eco-friendly people who may be normally turned off from Christianity or the Bible. I think it is sad that it is the religious fenatics who are quick to dis the green philosophy as the Earth is God’s creation… it would be like going and destroying a great and beautiful piece of artwork in the National Gallery in front of the artist and saying that we aren’t really hurting it. That is truly ignorance at best.
I wouldn’t buy the green Bible personally out of the fact that I already have a few Bibles and don’t need one, but it would make a really neat gift.
My church is environmentally aware. I know of several other churches who are actively going green. Even so, I don’t know that green the norm among Christians.
When you look at the Christian community in the US, you see the largest growing segments are the fundamentalists and the progressives and not much in the middle. Each faction looks at the environment in unique ways. Some of my more fundamentalist brothers and sisters see the earth as something God gave us to exploit. My progressive sisters and brothers see it as a gift and we’ve been charged to be good stewards of it.
I’m here reading this blog, so I’m obviously on the progressive side. Even so, I probably won’t buy the Green Bible. Dunno. Maybe if it comes to my favorite used book store.
If I was in the market for a new bible I would give it a try. I actually just bought my first ‘grown up’ bible last night. I would love to do an environmental bible study and learn more about how God wants us to tread on the Earth.
PS…you’ve been tagged over at http://www.theecochic.com. Go check it out!
I think it is a misconception that religious people are non-green and I think that is exactly the point. I think there are lots of us out here who are religious and think that as God’s people who are charged to take care of creation. Unfortunately, those of us who think that don’t tend to be as vocal as the far right. So the idea that religious people don’t care for the earth gets perpetuated. I agree that having a green bible will promote the idea that being Green is not being anti-God. And that’s a good thing. Of course, I’m sure making a buck was also a consideration for publishing companies, but I see it as a larger reflection of what is happening in society.
would definately buy it. i too am a bit of a ‘collector’, when doing my daily devotions i like to have different versions to compare, and this looks like it’d be great to read! will probably get it when it clearances out at cbd. :)
I would not buy it. I have too many Bibles as it is between attending a Christian school from grades 4-12 and then seminary for grad school. I have numerous versions and sizes and feel guilty for how many I have when there are people who have no Bible at all.
I have never been a fan of any type of “gimick” Bible. There are all kinds out there – teens, kids, moms, dads, recovery . . . Those things are fine but I would prefer to have my devotionals separate from my Bible. The Bible can speak well enough for itself. I would have rather the authors written a book/commentary about what the Bible has to say about green living and the earth rather than highlighting those passages in the Bible.
That is my opinion. On the other hand if it gets someone to buy a Bible who did not have one or encourages someone to read it who has not been reading then I pray that God uses it as a tool for His glory.
I would probably buy it to research the scriptures they highlight as I work with many christians who do not see living green as a necessity and have issues with natural living. So I think it would be helpful in that respect.
Christy stole the words RIGHT out of my mouth!! AMEN sista!
I’m pretty conservative when it comes to Biblical interpretation so it would be easy for me to rip into this one. However I love this idea. There are all sorts of study bibles so to say you just need a bible and no commentary is not accurate. I would way these words just like any other Bible commentary. I’m not stupid. I’m pretty capable of seeing what is reasonable and what is not… So point being that a Bible that helps me find how God wants me to live in regards to His Creation is a good thing.
Hi. I’ve already pre-ordered my copy. :) Sure it’s a gimmick, but it could also be a great way of convincing some people that care for creation is a Christian responsibility.
I think it’s a great idea. Since we’re already printing millions of copies, we should be thrilled they’re starting to do it “greenly.” If the commentary and highlights provide thought-provoking motivation to live more responsibly, Woo-hoo! I’m all for it.
Although I’m sure the publishing company would not have done it if it wasn’t a money-maker (they ARE in business to make money after all), maybe we should at least consider the possiblity that exactly BECAUSE of the “green movement,” there was also a huge call from people for one printed responsibly with thoughtful commentary. Maybe they’re filling a gap that people asked to be filled rather than our assumption that they’re trying to CREATE a niche. Just a thought, but I’m very tired, so maybe it doesn’t make any sense….
I would buy a green Bible. I find the Bible an interesting piece of reading and I always find something new in it I haven’t read before. I would be very interested to see all the references to the earth. Maybe we could get some new insight on how to save our planet! As for the person who said God would not allow global warming. Is he kidding? It says in the Bible we are on our own down here. There wouldn’t be cancer , diabetes or sick children either. He should get a clue.