Got A (hundred) Minute(s)?
Don’t have time for devotions? Want to bypass the genealogies for the “good parts” of the story? Here’s your solution: The 100-Minute Bible. You can read about its public release here. The idea is that you can read the entire book, and get the full story of the Bible, in just 100 minutes.
This new publication was “written as a page-turner for those who do not have the time to read the full version.” I’m not quite sure how to react. After all, if it ends up being the appetizer that entices unbelievers to come to the table to eat the rest of the meal, then it is a great tool. But if it is a shortcut to avoid reading the Scriptures (”I know all I need to know, I read the CliffsNotes version”), then I’m not so sure (and, by the way, CliffsNotes actually does have an edition for The Bible and it’s 224 pages).
The knowledge of this new publication was brought to my attention today in my Psalms class by Professor Doug Green. After telling us about the book he gave us a rare treat: a “Second Reading” (maybe that should be “singing”) of verse two from the old hymn, “Tell Me the Old, Old Story.”
So, here’s the original:
Tell me the story slowly, That I may take it in.
That wonderful redemption, God’s remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, For I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning Has passed away at noon.
His very clever adaptation (published with permission):
Tell me the story quickly, that I may take it in;
A wonderful exemption, from reading everything.
Tell me the story briefly—you can chuck what’s picayune:
At breakfast, “God created;” “earth passed away” by noon.
Actually, I think The 100-Minute Bible should be assigned reading as an example for all WTS students who struggle to reduce 500 pages of Turretin, Calvin, and Bavinck into a 10-page reading digest.
September 24th, 2005 at 11:47 am
Hi Karyn. Two thoughts. 1 - it’s interesting to see so many people in the blogosphere bash it without actually even having looked at it yet, 2 - speaking of looking at it, any idea where one can get it? Amazon doesn’t seem to have it yet… I’d really like to order a copy.
September 24th, 2005 at 12:06 pm
Christian,
I don’t think my post is “bashing” this book. I think I’m commenting on the pace of our society and the lack of time even for things that are considered important and worthwhile. I would similarly be confused/amused by someone who thought they could embrace the world of J.R.R. Tolkien by reading a 50 page summary of The Lord of the Rings.
I did comment that “if it ends up being the appetizer that entices unbelievers to come to the table to eat the rest of the meal, then it is a great tool.”
A sample of the book can be found here. It is also posted on the 100-minute Bible website, but it seems to be overwhelmed.
Some comments from readers at the BBC site (the Bible was announced and released in Canterbury) can be read here.
Information on ordering is found here.
September 27th, 2005 at 8:23 pm
um… then how many minutes is Creation now?