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Tuesday, September 27, 2005

100 Minute Bible: Friend or Foe?

There is now a condensed version of Scripture that claims it can be read in less than 100 minutes. It is known as the 100-minute Bible. While I am sure the motivation for such a work was pure, wanting to get the Bible to a "my way right away" culture, the end result is tragic. There are precious promises connected to the Word of God, such as Psalm 19:7, "The Law of the Lord is perfect restoring the soul, the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple." There are many other verses like this one speaking of the power of God's Word (2 Timothy 3:15-17, Isaiah 55:11). So, when we pare down the Bible we have removed that which God has placed there to "restore the soul." That is why we need accurate translations of God's Word that seek to preserve the original language both in its content and style.
Now, to be fair, summarizing Scripture is not necessarily a bad thing. But, to call that summary "Scripture" or the "Bible" is misleading. So, do not be fooled by the promise of the "100 minute Bible." Reading it will simply fill your head with some knowledge, while God's Word (without deletions) can restore your soul. Let us not forsake such promises for the sake of expediency!

2 comments:

Kim said...

I agree with you that this "100 minute Bible" is dangerous stuff. It make me think of the end of Revelation. I don't know if this refers just to Revelation or the entire Bible. "And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." Rev.22:19 Thanks for the information. Kim

Anonymous said...

Kim's comment is what I would have written if I had read it first. Thanks Kim for reminding us all about the scripture in Revelations.