100 minute Bible aims to spread the word
-21/09/05
A new, highly compressed summary of the Bible aimed at people reared on fast food, instant credit and the high-paced lifestyle was launched today, in the comparatively timeless setting of Canterbury Cathedral.
As its name suggests, the Hundred Minute Bible reduces the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament to a volume which a busy reader could get through in around an hour and 40 minutes.
The venture is one of a number of popularized renditions of the Bible, including The Message (Eugene Peterson), and As Good as New: A Radical Retelling of the Scriptures (John Henson) ñ which has a forward by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and caused controversy over its translation of passages concerning sexuality.
It also follows in the wake of an avalanche of titles using one-, five- and ten-minute excerpts of prayers, stories and life lessons from biblical material.
The Hundred Minute Bible was put together over several years by the Rev Michael Hinton, a retired school head teacher. He explained, ìWe have majored on Jesus because, for Christians, he is the central figure in the Bible.î
The publisher, Leonard Budd, hopes that the new version of the worldís best-seller will also be a big hit. But although it is aimed at people who are unlikely to plough through a standard translation, he insists that there is no gimmickry, and no ëdumbing-downí.
The social and religious context of the stories about Jesusí life, work, death and resurrection is provided by outlining the ups and downs of the history of his nation.
The Bible precis then proceeds to record the story of the growth of Christianity during the first century; firstly among the Jews, then amongst the other peoples living in Israel and then throughout the eastern Mediterranean through to Rome.
Mr Hinton explained to the BBC today that in the 100 minute bible ìall the really famous stories are thereî. A Radio 4 selection of initial public reaction in central London was positive.
Jesusí famous Sermon on the Mount, as summarised in the Hundred Minute Bible, is available as a sample on the publisher’s website.
As well as going to bookshops, nearly 12,000 copies of the Hundred Minute Bible have been produced for distribution to churches and to schools. The book is also being sold online.
The 100 Minute Bible can be purchased by clicking here
100 minute Bible aims to spread the word
-21/09/05
A new, highly compressed summary of the Bible aimed at people reared on fast food, instant credit and the high-paced lifestyle was launched today, in the comparatively timeless setting of Canterbury Cathedral.
As its name suggests, the Hundred Minute Bible reduces the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament to a volume which a busy reader could get through in around an hour and 40 minutes.
The venture is one of a number of popularized renditions of the Bible, including The Message (Eugene Peterson), and As Good as New: A Radical Retelling of the Scriptures (John Henson) – which has a forward by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and caused controversy over its translation of passages concerning sexuality.
It also follows in the wake of an avalanche of titles using one-, five- and ten-minute excerpts of prayers, stories and life lessons from biblical material.
The Hundred Minute Bible was put together over several years by the Rev Michael Hinton, a retired school head teacher. He explained, ‘We have majored on Jesus because, for Christians, he is the central figure in the Bible.’
The publisher, Leonard Budd, hopes that the new version of the world’s best-seller will also be a big hit. But although it is aimed at people who are unlikely to plough through a standard translation, he insists that there is no gimmickry, and no ëdumbing-down’.
The social and religious context of the stories about Jesus’ life, work, death and resurrection is provided by outlining the ups and downs of the history of his nation.
The Bible precis then proceeds to record the story of the growth of Christianity during the first century; firstly among the Jews, then amongst the other peoples living in Israel and then throughout the eastern Mediterranean through to Rome.
Mr Hinton explained to the BBC today that in the 100 minute bible ‘all the really famous stories are there’. A Radio 4 selection of initial public reaction in central London was positive.
Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount, as summarised in the Hundred Minute Bible, is available as a sample on the publisher’s website.
As well as going to bookshops, nearly 12,000 copies of the Hundred Minute Bible have been produced for distribution to churches and to schools. The book is also being sold online.