The Green Bible
Encyclopedia
The Green Bible is an English version of the New Revised Standard Version
Bible
with a focus on environmental issues and teachings. It was originally published by Harper Bibles on October 7, 2008. It is a study Bible
featuring essays by N.T. Wright, Barbara Brown Taylor
, Brian McLaren
, Matthew Sleeth
, Pope John Paul II
, and Wendell Berry
.
, stewardship of the earth, what many in the religious community call ‘creation care’ very seriously” He went further, exposing on the Green Bible’s purpose: “That the Bible has a profound message of sustainability—some might argue, the original message—is not all that surprising. What is surprising is that it is not one of the first things that comes to mind when most folks think about the Bible and its message... this Bible seeks to change that fact. We believe that the unique and specially added features by some of today's most important thinkers, writers and leaders, across the ecumenical spectrum make it a must-have for those who already find motivation, comfort and inspiration in it and for the many more who might see it freshly as a critical resource in their journey to sustain our planet”.
HarperOne also claims the Bible
contains more references to the environment than it does about love or most other subjects.
, and features a “green trail study guide” of the Bible, directing readers to specific verses on the environment and stewardship
. Additionally, it features a topical index for finding verses pertaining to specific subjects. Before the biblical text, the Green Bible provides an introduction from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and essays from Brian McLaren
, Cal DeWitt, Barbara Brown Taylor
, Pope John Paul II
, Ellen Davis, N. T. Wright, Ellen Bernstein, Matthew Sleeth
, James Jones
, and Gordon Aeschliman. Verses involving the environment or the earth are highlighted in green to draw reader’s attention.
Notable theologians including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and conservative N.T. Wright contributed material to the edition’s supplemental reading. To further support the green cause, HarperCollins printed the Green Bible on recycled paper, used soy-based ink, and made the cover from renewable cotton linen.
, The Humane Society, and the Eco-Justice Program have all officially endorsed the Green Bible. Reaction to the Green Bible among Christian leaders has been mixed. Some leaders have praised the concept of the Green Bible, but have raised issues with how some content is presented, stating that the environmental message deemphasizes the Bible’s central message of the Gospels. Richard Land
, head of the Southern Baptist Convention
’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission said about the edition: “Sure it's important, but when they asked Jesus what was most important, he said, 'Love your God, and love your neighbor as yourself.' He didn't say anything about creation”.
Evangelist Matthew Sleeth stated that the Green Bible may help bridge the gap between liberal and conservative Christians.
praised the Green Bible for giving “solid context” for environmentalism. In contrast some Conservatives, like talk show host Pat Gray
, accuse the Green Bible of merely being a marketing gimmick and money-making scheme for HarperCollins.
New Revised Standard Version
The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible is an English translation of the Bible released in 1989 in the USA. It is a thorough revision of the Revised Standard Version .There are three editions of the NRSV:...
Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
with a focus on environmental issues and teachings. It was originally published by Harper Bibles on October 7, 2008. It is a study Bible
Study Bible
A study Bible is an edition of the Bible prepared for the use of a serious student of the Bible. It provides scholarly information designed to help the reader gain a better understanding of the text.-History:...
featuring essays by N.T. Wright, Barbara Brown Taylor
Barbara Brown Taylor
Barbara Brown Taylor is an American Episcopal priest, professor, and theologian and is one of the United States' best known preachers....
, Brian McLaren
Brian McLaren
Brian D. McLaren is a prominent, controversial evangelical pastor. He was recognized as one of Time magazine's "25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America" in 2005, and is the founding pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church in Spencerville, Maryland.-Biography:Born in 1956, Brian McLaren...
, Matthew Sleeth
Matthew Sleeth
Matthew Sleeth is an Australian contemporary visual artist who lives and works between Melbourne and New York.-Summary:Sleeth established his early reputation with a number of photographic monographs...
, Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, and Wendell Berry
Wendell Berry
Wendell Berry is an American man of letters, academic, cultural and economic critic, and farmer. He is a prolific author of novels, short stories, poems, and essays...
.
Background
The Green Bible is meant to “equip and encourage [readers] to see God's vision for creation and help [them] engage in the work of healing and sustaining it”. Emphasizing what the publishers see as the Bible’s message on the environment, all passages mentioning the environment are printed in green ink to draw the reader’s attention.Inspiration
Mark Tauber, senior vice-president of HarperOne, has stated that the Green Bible was developed with the intention of being “the first ever specialty bible that takes the issues of sustainabilitySustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
, stewardship of the earth, what many in the religious community call ‘creation care’ very seriously” He went further, exposing on the Green Bible’s purpose: “That the Bible has a profound message of sustainability—some might argue, the original message—is not all that surprising. What is surprising is that it is not one of the first things that comes to mind when most folks think about the Bible and its message... this Bible seeks to change that fact. We believe that the unique and specially added features by some of today's most important thinkers, writers and leaders, across the ecumenical spectrum make it a must-have for those who already find motivation, comfort and inspiration in it and for the many more who might see it freshly as a critical resource in their journey to sustain our planet”.
HarperOne also claims the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
contains more references to the environment than it does about love or most other subjects.
Construction
The Green Bible is meant to be a study bibleStudy Bible
A study Bible is an edition of the Bible prepared for the use of a serious student of the Bible. It provides scholarly information designed to help the reader gain a better understanding of the text.-History:...
, and features a “green trail study guide” of the Bible, directing readers to specific verses on the environment and stewardship
. Additionally, it features a topical index for finding verses pertaining to specific subjects. Before the biblical text, the Green Bible provides an introduction from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and essays from Brian McLaren
Brian McLaren
Brian D. McLaren is a prominent, controversial evangelical pastor. He was recognized as one of Time magazine's "25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America" in 2005, and is the founding pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church in Spencerville, Maryland.-Biography:Born in 1956, Brian McLaren...
, Cal DeWitt, Barbara Brown Taylor
Barbara Brown Taylor
Barbara Brown Taylor is an American Episcopal priest, professor, and theologian and is one of the United States' best known preachers....
, Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, Ellen Davis, N. T. Wright, Ellen Bernstein, Matthew Sleeth
Matthew Sleeth
Matthew Sleeth is an Australian contemporary visual artist who lives and works between Melbourne and New York.-Summary:Sleeth established his early reputation with a number of photographic monographs...
, James Jones
James Jones (author)
James Jones was an American author known for his explorations of World War II and its aftermath.-Life and work:...
, and Gordon Aeschliman. Verses involving the environment or the earth are highlighted in green to draw reader’s attention.
Notable theologians including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and conservative N.T. Wright contributed material to the edition’s supplemental reading. To further support the green cause, HarperCollins printed the Green Bible on recycled paper, used soy-based ink, and made the cover from renewable cotton linen.
Reception
The Sierra ClubSierra Club
The Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
, The Humane Society, and the Eco-Justice Program have all officially endorsed the Green Bible. Reaction to the Green Bible among Christian leaders has been mixed. Some leaders have praised the concept of the Green Bible, but have raised issues with how some content is presented, stating that the environmental message deemphasizes the Bible’s central message of the Gospels. Richard Land
Richard Land
Dr. Richard D. Land, aka Chief Red Bull, is the president of The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission , the moral and ethics concern entity of the Southern Baptist Convention in the United States, a post he has held since 1988...
, head of the Southern Baptist Convention
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission said about the edition: “Sure it's important, but when they asked Jesus what was most important, he said, 'Love your God, and love your neighbor as yourself.' He didn't say anything about creation”.
Evangelist Matthew Sleeth stated that the Green Bible may help bridge the gap between liberal and conservative Christians.
Reception among political leaders
Reception to the Green Bible has also been differed among political leaders. Larry Schweiger, President of the National Wildlife FederationNational Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation is the United States' largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization, with over four million members and supporters, and 48 state and territorial affiliated organizations...
praised the Green Bible for giving “solid context” for environmentalism. In contrast some Conservatives, like talk show host Pat Gray
Pat Gray
Pat Gray is an American talk radio host. He is a co-host of The Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated radio talk show featuring host Glenn Beck. Gray was formerly the host of the morning show on radio station KSEV.-History:...
, accuse the Green Bible of merely being a marketing gimmick and money-making scheme for HarperCollins.