BIBLES: The Message marks 10th year, King James continues to excel

Christian Retailing editors and writers reflected on what mattered and why in 2012. We share each of these segments with you online and in print in our January issue. In Bibles early in the year, Zondervan looked to former President Jimmy Carter who taught the Bible for years to join his lessons with the text of the New International Version (NIV). The result, NIV Lessons From Life Bible, features in-depth studies, application-oriented notes and prayers and quotations from the Sunday-school-teacher-turned-president.

NavPress marked the 10th anniversary of The Message with the advent of The Message Study Bible, adding Eugene Peterson’s insights to his colloquial translation of the text. In addition, the publisher celebrated the 400th anniversary of the King James Version (KJV) by producing the book of Proverbs with the KJV and The Message side by side.

Aiming to equip believers to stand firm against their enemy, The Spiritual Warfare Bible came to market in August. The Charisma House product features the New King James Version along with tools such as spiritual warfare declarations and prayers, lessons on the subject from Old and New Testament figures, interactive studies for deeper study and teaching on specific elements of spiritual warfare. Nearly 20 Bible teachers contributed to the new Bible.

In September, Thomas Nelson released the King James Study Bible, describing it as “the most comprehensive King James Version study Bible published in 50 years.” Featuring notes and commentaries from conservative scholars, the Bible also has more than 5,700 annotations offering a broad understanding of the Bible and how it relates to today’s world.

That same month, B&H Publishing Group launched the Holman KJV Study Bible. With the tagline “The Only Full-Color KJV Study Bible,” the new Bible adds color on every page to the King James edition, including full-color maps, charts and reconstructions. It also includes feature-length articles on the origin and transmission of the Bible as well as essays on practical and theological issues. Several binding styles were published with more expected in February and June, including a special Father’s edition.

October saw the release of Crossway’s English Standard Version (ESV) Global Study Bible. Published in partnership with international Bible societies, it was quickly made available in 20 countries. The Global Study Bible was also launched with a “Buy One, Give One” campaign, where for every print edition purchased in North America, free digital access is given to a person in need. 

Nearly a year in the making, the publisher also released a beta version of the redesigned ESVBible.org, Crossway's online Bible. There, users can set up free accounts to read the ESV text, listen to streamed audio, highlight passages, make their own notes and purchase additional study modules. The redesign is the foundation for an expanded platform that will eventually include cloud syncing with mobile apps. 

Tyndale House Publishers’ most significant Bible release in 2012 was the Chronological Life Application Study Bible, adding to other best-sellers wearing the Life Application Study Bible name. The Bible was “off to a very strong start,” according to Public Relations Manager Todd Starowitz, who said that an associated Twitter campaign saw NFL star quarterback Drew Brees and actress Patricia Heaton—both Tyndale authors—tweeting about the Bible. Brees links his Twitter to Facebook, and more than 6,000 of his Facebook fans “liked” his tweet about the Bible.

Thomas Nelson issued in October what is sure to be a Gaither fan favorite, The Gaither Homecoming Bible. Original poetry and insights from Bill and Gloria Gaither are includes, as are exclusive devotionals from 60 Homecoming artists. Nelson’s contemporary translation, The Voice, released in the full printed Bible in April along with several digital formats. The Newsboys and Gungor supported the release with readings at their concerts.

Hendrickson Publishers celebrated a well-loved theologian with the publication of The A.W. Tozer Bible, released in Tozer’s favorite version, the King James. Created in partnership with Kyria.com, Hendrickson’s Everyday Matters Bible for Women employs the New Living Translation and highlights 24 spiritual disciplines.

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