I'm not religious, so I don't care either way, but the idea strikes me as fundamentally irreverent.

I mean, come on, Angelina Jolie? REALLY? Did they make her Magdalene or what?

I think this is an interesting concept. As long as the message is still there, the images are just a way to communicate more effectively to a younger more pop culture driven audience.

I guess the Buddy Jesus from Dogma was ahead of it's time.

I looked at a couple of pages on Amazon (they don't show the Angie page), and it looks interesting enough but I'd have to be able to see much more to decide what I thought. Problem is, if I find it compelling, it'll likely turn off a whole lot of people!

Angelina?! Who is she supposed to represent, the last temptation of Christ?

terrible idea...nothing is sacred anymore.

sex sells..even Bibles.

or in this case...sexiness sells

I have no words...

You really ought to go look at the book on Amazon first - it's not as blasphemous as it sounds.

I'll go look at it.

I'm going to have to check this out. It seems interesting, but I don't think we should encourage youth to read the Bible because there is a picture of Angelina in it (as much as I like her). They should read the Bible because they want to read the Bible.

Angelina Jolie ~ why not? When I think of her I think of someone who is trying to bring the world together within her own family. I imagine she would like to raise leaders for peace to join at least four countries She and Brad are both very proactive in doing good for others and using their money for that good....and who cares if they also use their money for luxury as well. I think they are great examples...and I'm sure the book could possibly be an interesting blend of historical reference mixed with with a modern perspective...which a lot of people have trouble with.

What the heck? Angelina Jolie is probably a fine person, but is she a Biblical scholar? No. She's just an incredibly beautiful woman. It's unfortunate that someone feels this is the only way to sell the Bible.

I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but I do remember reading about a "sexed up" version of the bible a few years ago and I'm curious to know if making the bible more modern actually attracted more readers or not

Well according to the article cited in this post, in Sweden, where this book originated, 60K traditional bibles were sold yearly. This version had 30K sold in it's first year. So there's definitely an interest. I think it's a brilliant idea. This book isn't full of celebrities, there's also spiritual and influential people like Martin Luther King, as well as stunning photography of everyday people and places.

JazzZ

Oops the rest of my comment was left out, but I was just wondering if you (JazzZ)were referring to me as "Angelina Jolie" and not by my username. If you are talking to me, I have no problem with Angelina specifically being in it, I was talking about celebrities in general. Although it is odd to include someone who doesn't believe in God...

Kind of pathetic that it would take a pic of some celebutard to sell the bible, how low have we sunk???? Getting closer to that awful Saint angelina tag she has, what an insult to the real saints.

Californiagirlx7 although I love your avatar, I was referring to the significance of Angelina Jolie (herself) as a reference to the Bible.

UnDave there are actually some of us out there who see the Bible as a historical book rather than the word of God, but I still think it could be helpful for some who do believe to be able to correlate the Bible with modern times to show how one can apply the principles in this day and age. Those who don't like it could certainly stick with the standard.

Somehow I doubt that those who see the bible just as a historical book will be swayed by the pillow lipped one.

Oh sorry, Jazz Z

This version is going to be irrelevant in a few years when Angelina is off on some UN thing and a whole new crop of celebrities. I never though the bible would be outdated, lol.

blashphomy to reinterpret the Bible. it is the Word of God. and has nothing to do with, angelina, the husband stealer. i have never liked her, never will, and it grosses me out to think she is being associated with this. the Bible is not about money, it's about Love! celebrities who need the limelight for attention are not good examples of how to be a good person. really i could go on and on and on but i feel it is wrong. there are other ways to seek out Christ if a young person is so inclined. i have held my tongue on all these brangelina posts lately but i cannot stand them or their little family. something about them rubs me the wrong way and now this, the last straw. "how low have we sunk???? Getting closer to that awful Saint angelina tag she has, what an insult to the real saints." end times, end times.

you've got to be kidding.

The Bible goes above "making it hip" and "grabbing people's attention." It's the Truth, not some marketing gimmick.

I have nothing against Angelina Jolie. But I have no interest in this "bible".

wow, i didn't realize the first time i read this that it included angelina jolie. how stupid is that? hahah. just let the idiots who care about reading about celebrities continue buying US magazine and leave the bible out of it! we've got enough problems with people reinterpreting the bible to fit their narrow, ignorant views of the world... adding in celebrity, and frankly, someone who does NOT in any way, shape or form embody the values of the bible, is really quite an insult to those who take it very seriously. i'm 100% against this.

I don't think I entirely get the concept.
But it sounds stupid.

"last temptaion of Christ" -

I'm horrified. The Bible is NOT a storybook or an issue of Vogue, and it is NOT open to interpretation. I'm sure Jews would feel the same way about the Torah, Muslims about the Koran, etc. I'm all for being creative in how you distribute information, but this is just wrong.

The Bible is not open to interpretation? It is reinterpreted ALL the time! How else do we end up with so many religious variations? So are Bibles made for children wrong? Or is just because it uses the image of someone that some people don't like?

IMO - This Bible is wrong because it implies what she has done for this short period of time makes her a saint. Mother Theresa did this for most of her adult life, she's a saint. AJ isn't a saint.

Is Angelina even really involved in this or are they just using a picture of her?

That's a really good question. I'm thinking that she isn't necessarily aware, or there would've been talk about royalties from the sale of these Bibles...

I think they're just using a picture of her. So I don't think the Angelina "husband stealer" Jolie hatred is really necessary.

Seriously, people are still upset about Brad and Jen breaking up?

I'm not. Now I have a chance with Jen.

(OK, maybe not really, but I can dream can't I??)

Dave if you're gonna dream, dream BIG. You have a chance with both of them!

Jen and Brad?!?!
WooHoo!!!

BTW - We need a male cheerleader please

But you'd look so cute with the pink pom-pom's and little bow in your hair!

Wow. If I was religious, I'd find that deeply annoying. It's the BIBLE...it's not meant to be a fun and entertaining glossy read.

And...

"now they are scrambling to meet a culture where people are moving away from print reading."

What I said on that David Brooks thread about the glorification of stupidity and ignorance (and here I suppose illiteracy) applies just as well here.

If someone can't be enticed to read the Bible without glossy photos, what kind of churchgoer would they be anyway?

Oh, and YY!

*just a little side note

yesterday went and ate lunch with my Father in law, we were praying before the meal, and after i hear some kid say "mom what were those people doing holding hands?" ...anyone else ever get the "eye" for praying at restaurants?

yes, me too, caterpillar girl (#42)!