going green

The gift-giving season has already started to creep upon us, and my mom has been digging for ideas.  Since I've been on the search for a new study Bible recently, I thought this might be a good suggestion for her.   I've actually been on this search for awhile, but the cost of having the extra notes, maps, references, etc throughout the pages does not come at a small price (another good reason to suggest it to the parents).  I've typically researched, shopped for, and purchased my own gifts (on my dad's credit card, of course) for the past five years, so why would this year be any different?

I have spent the previous few weeks doing my research online.  Today, I took the next step in my search, and I spent the afternoon pulling off version after translation after publisher off the shelf at Border's to review my options more closely.  I think a big factor to consider is whether the commentating and notes are objective and at the least, cover basic doctrine upon which most Christians can agree upon.  I am concerned that I do not buy something that has very polarizing or radical theological snippets casually embedded into the text.  NIV is definitely the translation I want, and Zondervan and Tyndale are the largest Bible publishers and offer enormous selections.  I have it narrowed down to the Zondervan Life Application Study and the Zondervan Archaeological Study.  If anyone, which would be the 3 people who read this, has any suggestions, please let me know what you currently use as your study Bible and any comments you like or dislike.

While I was perusing the shelves in the Religion and Bible section, I came across some unique finds.  I found an assortment of gender-specific Bibles, Bibles for Nascar lovers, and even "Collectible" Bibles.  However, one, in particular, caught my eye due to the nature of discussion in my ACG at church this morning.  We've been studying the five approaches Niebuhr suggests as the paradigm to which Christians have historically approached the world and its culture.  Working our way through these approaches has been interesting, evoking too much discussion to keep within our one hour on Sunday mornings, and after several weeks, we've finally gotten to the real application of how we, as Christians, should or do approach culture. Today's discussion revolved around the role of both the individual Christian and the Church as an institution in sociopolitical issues - obviously, a really hot topic! One group member remarked that the church she previously attended had a strong environmental agenda.  So during my browsing later today, I came across, what else? The Green Bible - "The Bible's powerful message for the Earth," complete with a foreword written by Desmond Tutu and essays by Wendell Berry.  What else does the Bible offer?  An NRSV translation, a green-letter edition (as opposed to a red-letter words of Jesus!), green topical index and an environmentally friendly cotton-linen cover, recycled paper, and soy-based ink.  The Bible actually has entire website where you can find more information and see that it also endorsed by The Sierra Club and The Humane Society.

One of the paradigms we've discussed is the 'Christ the Transformer of Culture' model,  but seeing the Green Bible on the shelf today, I have to question whether culture, on the other hand, was actually transforming the Christ that this group is trying to represent?

I have not made up mind as to whether the Green Bible is an example of the Church or the individual Christian's effort to push a social or political idea, and if it is, who does it belong to?  This morning, our group debated as to whether the Church as an institution should take a side in political thought, and this question seems to become increasingly more important every election year.  (As a former resident of Washington, DC, I can't help but think had this same conversation taken place in my old community group there, the debate would have looked a little differently.)  Our group is actually going to be exploring the history of Christianity in America next semester, an enlightening experience from which I think we will be able to see perhaps how the Church historically has or has not participated as an active voice in legislation and political issues, especially those which are controversial.  From there, we can gain insight on where this debate should go into the future and hopefully learn better, how we, as Christians and as the visible Church, can truly love the people and the world around us.