NLT MOSAIC HOLY BIBLE HB [Hardcover]

1. <em>The Mosaic Bible</em> is actually two books under one cover. It is a 52 week devotional resource keyed to the Christian year using art, quotations and extended selections from a broad sampling of Christian traditions on every continent, tradition and period of history. The second book is a two column NLT Bible, with center references, an excellent concordance, a Greek/Hebrew dictionary, maps and other helpful materials in most standard Bibles. These two books use different kinds of paper and are easily distinguished for one another. I was particularly glad that these materials are separated, because I do not want a Bible to look like a workbook or anything other than a text of Holy Scripture.

2. <em>Mosaic</em> is heavily graphical, with a generous sampling of Christian symbolism and an excellent selection of Christian art. All the artistic and literary resources are listed in an index. There is an intentional effort to capture an ecumenical, pan-traditional look that some might call "post evangelical" or "emerging." Some may find this trendy. It is well-done and a pleasure to work through.<!--more-->

3. The diversity of resource selections is truly wide ranging, from Athanasius to Brian Maclaren, classic to contemporary, Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Anabaptist, etc.

4. The Christian year is the key to the weekly devotions and studies. For those who seriously are at variance with high levels of denominationalism, the <em>Mosaic Bible</em> will be particularly appreciated. For those operating in a particular tradition, there is a need for more resources. Perhaps this can be addressed in future editions. (Tyndale- call me :-)

5. I appreciate the Bible portion of <em>Mosaic</em> because it is not a study Bible (no notes, charts, essays, etc.) and it does not attempt to fill the Bible with "relevant" thematic material. It is a useful two column text with good concordance and Greek/Hebrew dictionary. This makes NLT Bible useful and not busy or gimmicky.

6. The NLT needs to include a brief, but prominent, explanation of two things: 1) It is not The Living Bible and 2) Dynamic equivalence is not heretical or dangerous. The translators of the NLT are well-known conservative scholars. Some worked on the ESV as well as NLT. The scuttle that NLT is somehow less than orthodox should be addressed directly with endorsements and information that can be read and understood.

7. The NLT's cross references are less ambitious than other Bibles. I have not spent a lot of time with them- I don't use them often- but with cross-references, less is more as far as I am concerned.

8. <em>Mosaic</em> will make an excellent specialty edition of the NLT for those who appreciate it's unusual approach. It is unlikely to be anyone's preaching Bible. It is a good, self-contained devotional resource that reminds the user of the broader, deeper more ancient church and the great tradition that all Christians share.

The Bible comes in 2 bindings, one hardcover and one softcover with a leather like feel. Some time back, when quality reproductions of the Geneva (mid-16th English bible) was being made, they offered it in a similar binding. It was meant to give a historic feel to it, and that feel is felt with the leather-life cover of the Mosaic. The bible is thick (almost two inches), but fits nicely in the hand of a preacher of a lay person - ministers, indeed, all. While the hardback is designed according to the name this edition, the soft cover is dark brown with a Celtic cross on the spin. The added feature of the for the hardback is the Apostle's Creed on the back cover. Either edition is nice one to have.

The bible lays flat when it is open, for the most part, but I imagine that with just a little use, it will be able to stretch.

The Scriptures themselves are, of course, the NLTse from 2007 (which saw the translation become steadily more literal, without sacrificing clarity, than the 1996 translation), and generally left alone. By which, I mean, that unlike other bibles, the devotional materials are placed in the front. In my opinion, this helps to elevate the Scriptures themselves, as something perfect, with no added detail, and is a feature, I believe, could be looked for in future bibles. The Scriptures open with a note to the readers and the standard Introduction to the New Living Translation as well as the bible translation team. From what I can see, this is pretty standard fare for the NLT bibles. This bible, however, has a center column reference system (and note to the readers). It is scientific, pointed, with the cross references, as many other bibles have, pointing to relevant passages.

The Scriptures contain footnotes, which date back to the King James Version of 1611, containing marginal readings and notes on such things as variant readings. After the Scriptures is Tyndale's NLT Word Study System, an update to the Strong's numbering system. After a brief overview and introduction to using the system, the reader is left to examine 100 Hebrew and 100 Greek key words, complete with transliteration, a brief definition, and examples of use from the Scriptures. Accompanying this, of course, is the NLT Dictionary and Concordance for various words. While the concordance is not exhaustive, it is 108 pages long, which should more than satisfy most search attempts.

The Scriptures are presented on thin bible paper, which may make it difficult for note taking, but India paper pens should work without bleed through. Further, and this is a solid plus for this undertaking, the Scriptures are presented in all black lettering, removing any complaints about the quality red ink and the complaint that red letters somehow diminish the rest of Scriptures.

The Mosaic material is roughly one-third of the bible itself, and grouped together at the front of the book. It is printed on a medium-size thickness, with a slight yellow-tinge, paper. The artwork found through this material is well done, and preserved without the `copied' look. Only four pages of this material is used up in introducing the Mosaic material.

Thoughts:

My initial reaction to this bible, once in hand, has been strictly positive. It is a bible which fits well in hand and in the heart. Further, the Mosaic material cannot, should not, be categorized as `devotional.' Rightly so, the Tyndale team who created it calls the weekly material `meditations.'

The Mosaic material acknowledges the One Body of Christ, but with different voices - across time and the world. We must not continue to think of the Church as a wholly North American enterprise, but one which is built upon Christ, a 1st century Palestinian Jew, as the chief cornerstone, and the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, themselves a range of Palestinian Jews to Hellenized Jews, carried on throughout the centuries by every race, nationality, tribe, gender, known to God Above. Just as the bible has different voices within it, Christianity speaks with the voices of Africans, Europeans, Asians, and even you and me. The Mosaic honors these voices which have interacted with Christianity, and who have been changed by it.

There are ways in which to use the weekly meditations. First, liturgically. The Church of Jesus Christ is not an individualistic endeavor, but one which we all participate in. By allowing the weekly meditations to be used weekly, one can participate with others, unseen and unknown, in different ways. The calendar used is not the young Western Calender, nor the ancient Hebrew Calender, but one which begins with the Advent continuing through the celebration of the Lord's Passover in the Spring and then continued in a daily celebration of Pentecost, in which the Church `focuses on living the Christian life through the power of the Holy Spirit.' (M11).

Another way, as Tyndale suggests, is the thematic way. Each week is centered on a theme. These themes are highlighted throughout the text by small crosses in the index with a reference back to the Meditation. Further, as to be expected, the editors suggest finding your own path in using the material.

The week begins with a theme, such as week 1, Longing. On the left hand side is a painting, and even here, we find different voices. From Greece to Africa to modern day Americans, pieces of art showcasing the Gospel has been used to start the mediation off. There are Scriptural readings, a small devotional-style note, and a suggested Scriptural reading (which ties into the overall theme). The week is filled with quotes from various believers, including modern day theologians, the Reformers, and the Church Fathers. From Polycarp through to A.W. Pink. The complete list of the authors use can be found in the Tesserae, by week, along with the work which was quoted. The voices are many, diverse, and harmonious. Further, a Chronological Tessarae has been added. You can go from Clement I to to John Calvin, Zwingli, and Simons to Yusufu Turaki, Bosco Peters, and Mark Driscoll. The voices hale from Asia Minor and Rome in the 1st Century to Africa in the 21st.

Along with the above mentioned material, in which solid quotes abound, the weekly material includes a personal insight by a believer which fits the theme of the week. While the Mosaic has contemporary voices, the thought is historical. I have used this bible for a family devotional, and found that the weekly material has enough material for a small themed sermonette, which does not water down, but builds up in the Gospel.

The NLT is a good translation, with the goal of the truth made clear; the Mosaic promises to have you encounter Christ through voices from distant times and centuries. When you bring these two things together - a good translation and voices of Christians - when you can master the art of Scripture, it produces an item of wealth, and I am happy to recommend it to everyone, that it may enrich you somewhat.

The title of this Bible comes from the definition of a mosaic itself. As described in the "Mosaic User's Guide:

"Mosaics are curious things. Bits and pieces of stone and glass that on their own may be interesting, but only fleetingly so. Together, however, those pieces form images that move us in unexpected and profound ways. From the simplest forms to the most complex, it is the combined effect of tiles arranged in their diversity that brings about something much greater than the sum of its parts. ... But as Christians, we are part of something much larger than simply the here and now. We are part of a mosaic--a patchwork of people, places, times, and cultures--that depicts one person: Jesus Christ. ... The purpose of this Bible is to provide a way to encounter Christ on every continent and in every century of Christian history. ... [Y]ou will find an extensive block of weekly meditations that draw on the collective wisdom of the global church across two thousand years of history, which will engage your heart and mind and guide you back into God's life-changing word."

And that's what the Mosaic Bible does: it incorporates Christian voices from two thousand years of history and from all over the world. These voices are collected into a series of readings that are organized around the Christian year. Now, I'll admit up front, that growing up in Southern Baptist churches, I've never formally celebrated the Christian year in any meaningful way. When Kathy and I moved to Kentucky, I noticed that many of the Baptist churches recognized Advent, and a small few observed Lent, but most did not. In fact, I only observed Lent--in a very clumsy way, miind you--for the first time this past year. But as I've grown older, as I've learned more about Christian history, I've had more desire to engage myself with many of the Christian traditions of ages past--and those traditions that many Christians still observed today. I don't think that's "non-Baptist" of me. What I do think is that often in an attempt to emphasize God's grace over the church's traditions, we've been guilty of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Traditions can be very healthy. They can help ground us and give meaning for the days as we express our faith.

The Mosaic Bible is divided into two sections. The first contains a year's worth of readings and reflections around the Christian year. These aren't "daily" readings, although they could certainly be broken up into that. Rather, they are readings for the week to keep one focused on Christ. It's interesting to me that these readings are held in a separate section from the biblical text. But really, this is a good idea. It separates them from holy Scripture so that no one might be confused as to what is God's word and what is from human thought. The readings are printed on a cream colored paper and include color images of Christian art from ancient mosaics to modern treatments.

Just as the readings represent a wide diversity from history and location, so does the artwork. I was especially struck by the painting on p. 80. It is a depiction of the parable of the Lost Son by an unknown artist in Hong Kong. This image goes with the readings for Epiphany, week 6: "Seeking and Saving." And yet, the nature of the painting itself, with Asian style and imagery reminds us that Christianity isn't limited to our own culture and thought.

Continuing with the mosaic theme, two sections called "tesseraes" are included at the end of the readings. The first lists all the many sources for the Christian voices in the order of the weekly readings. The second lists these same sources in chronological order. Want to spend the next ten or twenty years reading through Christian history? Here is your list of names to begin.

In regard to the the layout of the biblical text, the Mosaic Bible may be the best reference Bible yet released with the second edition NLT text. A two-column format is used with center collumn cross references. Included within the cross references are selected words studies to 100 Hebrew and 100 Greek words as previously seen in the NLT Study Bible. If the first portion of Christian readings could be contained in a publication on its own, there's no reason why the biblical text wouldn't work as a Bible by itself as well except for the occasional reading icon in the margin.

Last night I took this Bible with me for the class I was teaching. I found the text easy enough to read from with my students. Granted, the Mosaic Bible is more suited for personal use and meditation, but it's still good to know it could be used for public proclamation if one wanted to do so.

I commend to you the Holy Bible: Mosaic to use for your personal use and devotion. I think I'll wait until Advent, but I imagine I will use the weekly meditations over the coming year as they're intended. For anyone who doesn't want to wait, but wants to jump in right now, a schedule is kept on the Mosaic website.