Have you heard about the American Patriot’s Bible slated for release this spring from Thomas Nelson? 
Here’s a description from the site:
“THE ONE BIBLE THAT SHOWS HOW ‘A LIGHT FROM ABOVE’ SHAPED OUR NATION. Never has a version of the Bible targeted the spiritual needs of those who love our country more than The American Patriot’s Bible. This extremely unique Bible shows how the history of the United States connects the people and events of the Bible to our lives in a modern world. The story of the United States is wonderfully woven into the teachings of the Bible and includes a beautiful full-color family record section, memorable images from our nation’s history and hundreds of enlightening articles which complement the New King James Version Bible text.”
They also posted a video on YouTube promoting it:
I have mixed feelings about this.
I rejoice over the people that will read the Bible for the first time because someone took the time to associate the stories found therein with their heroes. I rejoice over those that give their lives to Jesus because of this Bible. I rejoice over those that this Bible will help, but I’m a little worried a Bible like this may do more harm than good.
Let me see if I can explain with a few pictures.
A patriotic citizen of the United States may embrace images like this:
But what does the rest of the world see in an image like that?
Maybe something like this:
Striking images, huh? And maybe a little offensive? Yes, I’d say so.
But that’s the Jesus many people think patriotic Americans believe in (and that may be true for some). But here’s the thing – that Jesus isn’t real!
I’m not saying I’m ashamed of my country – to the contrary; I’m proud of my country. I’m not saying that I’m not a patriot – to the contrary; I am. I’m not saying I’m not proud of my family members who have (and are) faithfully serving in the military – to the contrary; I’m very proud of my family members who’ve served and are serving (especially my nephew, Josh, who just returned from a tour in Iraq with the Marine Corps).
What I AM saying, is Christians need to be very careful mixing Jesus with their politics.
It could be, by doing so, we’re doing a lot more harm than good for the cause of Christ.
What say you? And what do you think about this new Bible?
The Overflow 