Note to publishers: Cease and desist on the new English Bible translations and study Bibles

Harper One has just published The C.S. Lewis Bible (an article on the Bible is here).
Bibles are big business for publishers and with the publishing industry
changing faster than you can power up your Kindle, it is understandable
that publishers would want to capitalize on a money-maker.

But
to Christian publishers and denominations (my own UMC was behind the
Common English Bible) I say enough is enough. We do not need another
English version, translation, or paraphrase. Moreover, as much as I love
C.S. Lewis (I am teaching a seminar on Lewis starting this next week)
we do not need a study Bible with certain portions of his writing lined
up with passages of Scripture. Lewis' writings are already available.
Those who desire are able to access his work quite easily.

In a
western culture of excess, the plethora of English translations and
study Bibles present just one more example of such excess... and all in
the name of Jesus! Anyone who speaks English not only can read the
Bible, they now have to wade through exactly which Bible they want to
read. If indeed one is confused over which English Bible to read,
perhaps that already reveals the problem.

I have an idea. Instead
of publishers and denominations getting behind yet another English
translation, why don't they put their energy and money and marketing
plans into publishing Bibles in other languages. They can then have a
program where those of us who have more Bibles on our shelves and tables
than we can count can actually purchase Bibles for poor Christians in
other countries. The publishers can still make a profit (which is
certainly OK with me) and those of us who are blessed with an abundance
of Bibles and enough money, can bring the written Word to those who have
limited access to God's Word or do not have access to it at all.

A
little over fifteen years ago, I took a mission trip to Puerto Rico.
Before we left on the trip we purchased a Study Bible for the pastor who
was going to host us. As our trip neared its end, we presented him with
the gift one night at dinner. He thanked us with tears in his eyes, as
all he and his family had was one Bible that was falling apart from use.

When
it comes to the Bible and Study Bible publishing industry, we can do
better. Publishing Bibles as a mission... that's something I would
support, not only with my voice, but with my dollars as well.