Monday, October 6, 2008

handwriting the bible

Here's something interesting I came across.

The publishing house of Zondervan launched a campaign last week creating a unique edition of the NIV (New International Version) Bible, which will include its 31,173 verses, each handwritten by a different person.

A big blue RV with the logo "BibleAcrossAmerica.com" splashed on its side and "Inspiration at every turn" on its back took off on a five-month journey bringing "writing stations" to 90 stops in 44 states at churches, landmarks and popular settings such as NASCAR races.

Here's how it will work: (source)

Two young married couples will be living in the RV, driving it cross-country and setting up each stop. They'll give out 500 index cards a day, each with a verse from the NIV printed on the front, to 500 people to copy twice onto special paper.

Someone standing in line might draw their favorite verse, or the longest (Esther 8:9, with 72 words) or the shortest (John 11:35, "Jesus wept.")

A photo facsimile of all the verses will be compiled and published in time for Christmas 2009; the index will list each participant's name and the number of the verse he or she copied.


They have asked President Bush and Vice President Cheney to write out a verse, as well as Presidential hopefuls Obama and McCain. Billy Graham has also been invited. You can get more information on this campaign along with a map and timeline of destinations at www.bibleacrossamerica.com. They also post frequent updates through Twitter.

I think it would be cool to contribute to such an effort but I'm not sure I'd enjoy reading from such a Bible. That's just my initial thought. What do you think?

11 comments:

Karen said...

I love this idea! It reminds me that scripture is alive and present in our life. I think it would be neat to know about the people who wrote each verse, but that would require an appendix the size of an encylopedia set.

Unknown said...

My initial thought is your initial thought. I would especially have issues if people were quoted who I knew who did not live the teachings!

Barb said...

It's an intriguing idea! It made me think of the scripture saying that we are all "living letters."

I do wonder how readable it will be, with different handwriting for each verse.

Just Mom said...

I'm not sure how readable it would be. I base this on the fact that my handwriting isn't exactly the purtiest.

Neat idea, though.

Sally said...

I think it would be neat to see so many people writing scripture by hand just like the scribes originally did. I would wonder though as Amber said how I would react if someone wrote a scripture who I didn't feel truly believed or lived by it.

Anonymous said...

It's a nice idea, but I'm sure I'd read it.

Anonymous said...

I, too, would have a problem knowing that those who are not followers of Christ had written a verse. There are enough ways to get attention than to be part of something you do not believe or choose not to follow.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm... what would it hurt?

MightyMom said...

would make an interesting way of collecting autographs.

but my guess is the finished product will be BIG and EXPENSIVE and not terribly readable....how many people do you know alive today with really legible handwriting....AFTER being faxed. How many times has a book you read or referenced had a page with something that was handwritten on it that was legible?

there's a reason the printing press came into being!

Momma Roar said...

Cool! I agree, it would be neat to be part of it, but I don't think I'd have the patience to read other people's handwriting! LOL!!

Jen - Queen of Poo said...

It's a really neat idea. I'm not sure I'd enjoy reading more than a passage or two at a time either, but I'd probably like to own something like that, and it would be really exciting to be able to contribute by writing a verse.