Correction appended
For the first time next month, NIV outreach-oriented Bibles will be made available in retail stores at the same low-cost offered to ministries and evangelism organizations.
Finding God, which features the New Testament and extensive in-text note system, is based on the best-selling New International Version (NIV) translation. The outreach-oriented Bible version will help Christians reach out to family and friends by including sections titled “The God Who Seeks You,” “The God You Seek,” and “True Encounters.”
“Scriptures is the most important resources believers have, so this isn’t just about introducing a product line – it’s about equipping a movement,” said IBS-STL Global Publisher Steve Johnson. “By providing Christian retailers with a high-engagement, high-impact Scripture resources, we can help them help the believer in their communities reach out and share God’s Word.”
Authentic Publishing, a division of IBS-STL Global, and Zondervan partnered to produce “Finding God.”
Previously, IBS created low-cost NIV Bibles but only offered them to ministries and directly to consumer for evangelism and discipleship purposes. Next month will be the first time IBS-STL and Zondervan will allow customers to buy outreach Bibles at ministry price with the hope to equip them to reach more people in their community.
The publishers will release four editions in the new line that will be priced under $5 each – Finding God, Finding God for Men, Finding God for Women, and Finding God for Young Adults. “We’ve been blessed to share a tremendous partnership with IBS-STL for decades and are thrilled to expand our partnership with a line of Bibles that are designed to help transform lives,” said Paul Caminiti, vice president of Bibles for Zondervan.
“For the cost of a greeting card, Finding God New Testaments are the perfect gift to share with family, friends, and neighbors,” he continued. “We’re confident that retailers will get behind this product line in a major way, as they are truly one-of-a-kind and are perfect for engaging the hearts of those who seek direction from God.”
Finding God New Testaments will release in February and features the NIV translation – the most popular modern English translation of the Bible in the world. The NIV celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2008 with more than 300 million copies in print worldwide.
Correction: Monday, January 21, 2008:
An article on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, about the upcoming release of an NIV Bible version tailored for outreach purposes incorrectly reported that it was the first-ever NIV Bible made specifically for evangelism. IBS-STL confirmed that there have been previous evangelism-focused NIV Bible versions, but the Scripture version to be released next month will be the first time the outreach NIV Bible version will be offered at low ministry price in retail stores.
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Comments
What is the harm in a legitimate tool to further God's word to those who haven't heard the Good News?! The NIV is a respected translation of the Bible. I think you all need to get lives for your knee-jerk reactions surrounding this topic. The Good Shepherd will leave the 99 to seek out and bring home the 1 lost sheep. If this publication brings in even one new believer to the priesthood of all believers we should all rejoice for the good work done in the Kingdom!
I agree with Online4Him. Well stated fact. Kudos also, to JasonJeffrey, Slacker and Citizen. What has the world of "Christianity" come to? It's all about money and new Bible translations!!! Sad!
Let's get back to praying, fasting, reading our Bibles and seeking the Lord for guidance and direction.
And by the way, Jesus said, "Freely you have recieved, freely give." What's free about "under 5.00 each" for one of these new "Bibles." And how sad that the Old Testament is left entirely out of God's Word these days.
Shame, shame, shame!!!
If someone finds a tool "out there somewhere" that enables them to share their faith and preach the gospel without compromising the gospel - then I'd say use it but it shouldn't replace the boldness that comes with being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Oh, the old discussion of which translation is better... Folks, there is no one perfect translation. Sometimes the NIV translates a passage well, sometimes the NRSV does a better job. But to say that the NIV, or any other translation, is incorrect because it does not match the KJV assumes that the KJV is the absolute standard - which it is not.
See for yourself:
http://av1611.com/kjbp/charts/various.html
Here is another tool for the all inclusive-lets water down the gospel club.
Here's the answer Jason, Christianity had no problems...until man became involved.
Here we go again... just another addition to the already over 1000 English translations/study Bibles available which no doubt will cost the same as the entrie familys monthy income of over one billion people who have never heard the Gospel of Christ. It is distressing to think that over 4000 languages still do not have a Bible translated in their own language... it is a shame to Western Christianity. Why do we need a new evangelism Bible??? Why can't people just spend a couple of hours each day reading praying and seeking the Lord and reading their own Bibles and listening to the Lord's voice for scriptures to evangelise the lost???
Because they Hate the truth, they will believe anything except the truth of the word of God and that is what the cross represents...
Why do these handout bibles just feature the new testament? The ones I've seen previously were also the just new testament, plus the psalms and proverbs.