I read on the Beatitudes blog (taken from Sustainablog) recently that HarperOne is offering a new Bible that seems quite interesting: The Green Bible. Not only is the Bible made of sustainable materials (recycled paper, using soy-based ink, with a cotton/linen cover), but it includes “green” features such as:
- Information on how to read the Bible through a green lens,
- Green-Letter Edition – verses that speak to God’s care for creation will be highlighted in green ink,
- Quotes from Christian teachings on creation throughout the ages from St. Augustine to C.S. Lewis,
- Inspirational poems from St. Francis of Assisi and Wendell Berry,
- Green Bible “trail guides”, pointing out six green themes throughout the scriptures,
- A green topical index,
- And even a resource guide with suggestions to help your congregation get more involved in the green movement and practical ways to make a difference in your daily life.
Chad Crawford, who wrote the post, rightly points out, “You don’t need a new eco-friendly Bible to be a green Christian. Keeping that old tattered Bible you got when you were baptized or confirmed is still greener than purchasing one made with recycled paper.” But if you’re looking for a new Bible (that isn’t the standard study Bible) and you’re into “green” stuff, this looks like an interesting choice. For some reason, I can find the pre-order page on Amazon, but cannot find it on the publisher’s website. If anyone else can find it on the publisher site, let me know.
Oh, and it’s NRSV.
Call me a skeptic, but I think this has less to do with making people more aware of a Christian ethic concerning the environment and more to do with consumerism.
I understand your skepticism. I think it’s both. I don’t think the editors and contributors are caught up in consumerism. But the publisher does have to produce a product that sells and there seems to be a good market. Check out this post at the IVP blog Behind the Books: How publishers make publishing decisions.