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Risqué Bible Magazine Looks to Create Buzz
Christian Post ^ | 3-25-2007 | ethan cole

Posted on 03/27/2007 8:24:32 PM PDT by Terriergal

By

Ethan Cole
Christian Post Reporter
Sun, Mar. 25 2007 11:42 AM ET

The Holy Bible has undergone a major cosmetic change including glossy pages and a seductive cover rivaling contemporary fashion magazines.

“Bible Illuminated, Gamla Testament: The Book” takes on the format of a magazine and was designed by former Swedish advertiser Dag Söderberg, who is now project leader for the new Swedish publication, according to an article featured on Sweden’s official website.

“Most people have issues with the Bible,” Söderberg said in the article posted in Sweden.se. “They have never gotten into it. They don’t find it accessible. But it’s our history, our heritage. And for most of us, we relate to it more than we think. Religious or not, it shapes much of our moral codes.”

Söderberg, who describes himself as not particularly religious, explains that “The Book” is not meant to be a religious ploy. Rather, he says the Bible is useful for moral and ethical guidance and is important in understanding many aspects of life.

He noted that millions of magazines are sold every month in Europe and hopes that presenting the Old Testament in magazine format will give it a greater appeal to readers.

“It’s closer to the way people read today,” said Söderberg. “People prefer a text that is journalistically laid out: split into articles, with headlines, quote boxes, pictures and captions. This way they can more easily pick the parts they’re interested in reading.”

However, the the Bible-magazine’s provocative images with scriptural verses running alongside might turn some heads and even make some Christians uncomfortable. Its images include a sensuous kiss, industrial smokestacks, a homeless man on the streets, and a topless male model emerging from the ocean.

“I didn’t make it for everyone to like,” said Söderberg. “More for people to think. Some people will like it, some hate it. Either way, I want it to be well spread, to create a buzz. I want people to start taking it to dinner parties, instead of flowers. That way, perhaps everyone can have a Bible on their table without causing too much panic.”

“The Book” – containing exact, unedited text from the Old Testament – has already printed 30,000 copies compared to about 70,000 traditional Bibles that are sold in Sweden each year.

According to Söderberg, the magazine Bible has received positive response from the Swedish church with the forward being signed by Anders Wejryd, the archbishop of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

Currently, plans are underway to translate the magazine into English and follow-up the magazine with a New Testament series.


TOPICS: Ecumenism; Evangelical Christian; Ministry/Outreach; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: apostasy; evangelicalism; popchristianity; seekersensitive; sweden
Oy... words fail...
1 posted on 03/27/2007 8:24:34 PM PDT by Terriergal
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To: HarleyD; TommyDale; Gamecock; Alex Murphy; shaggy eel; My2Cents; jumpdrive; Calvert Cliffs Cafe; ...

Boy -- looks like I know what rag I need to subscribe to next! {8-[


2 posted on 03/27/2007 8:25:41 PM PDT by Terriergal ("I am ashamed that women are so simple To offer war where they should kneel for peace," Shakespeare)
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To: Terriergal

So the solution to godlessness in Europe is to turn the Bible into softcore, socially conscious smut. Gotcha.


3 posted on 03/27/2007 8:45:56 PM PDT by Quick or Dead (Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms - Aristotle)
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To: Terriergal
seductive cover rivaling

Who's on the cover? Bathsheba on the rooftop? Rahab looking for "work?"

4 posted on 03/27/2007 9:44:17 PM PDT by Gamecock (Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei)
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To: Terriergal

Deborah does Damascus?


5 posted on 03/27/2007 10:08:27 PM PDT by Calvinist_Dark_Lord ((I have come here to kick @$$ and chew bubblegum...and I'm all outta bubblegum! ~Roddy Piper))
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To: Terriergal

The deceived "author" and promoter of this trash found one nugget of truth: "Religious or not, it shapes much of our moral codes.”

Too bad he is doing all he can to conceal the Foundation of those moral codes.

He is mistaken if he thinks for a moment that spiritually dead folk who pick up his magazine will gain true spiritual wisdom.

"This man, Jesus, whom ye crucified, died for the sins of man and was raised from the dead on the 3rd day - HE IS THE CHRIST! Believe on Him and be saved!"


6 posted on 03/28/2007 5:20:31 AM PDT by Manfred the Wonder Dawg (Test ALL things, hold to that which is True.)
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To: Terriergal
and a topless male model emerging from the ocean

A topless male? Scandalous!

(What's a dude supposed to wear in the ocean, a tuxedo?)

7 posted on 03/28/2007 5:57:58 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Hurry back Mr. Brightside)
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To: Gamecock

The smokestacks are obvious phallic symbols. What next, a train entering a tunnel?


8 posted on 03/28/2007 6:05:18 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Hurry back Mr. Brightside)
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To: Terriergal

More here, if you can read Swedish.

http://www.bibleilluminated.se/


9 posted on 03/28/2007 6:12:38 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Hurry back Mr. Brightside)
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To: Calvinist_Dark_Lord
Don't you mean Babylon?
10 posted on 03/28/2007 6:34:48 AM PDT by Gamecock (Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei)
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To: Terriergal; Alex Murphy; Calvinist_Dark_Lord; Larry Lucido
Hmmm, looks like it is designed to appeal to the Jesus is my Boyfriend crowd:

,center>

11 posted on 03/28/2007 7:32:02 AM PDT by Gamecock (Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei)
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To: Gamecock; Terriergal; Alex Murphy; Calvinist_Dark_Lord
Their boyfriend-Jesus doesn't even know enough to wear property attire when trying unsuccessfully to walk on water.


12 posted on 03/28/2007 7:48:31 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Hurry back Mr. Brightside)
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To: Larry Lucido

proper attire

Sheesh!


13 posted on 03/28/2007 7:49:03 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Hurry back Mr. Brightside)
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