New Indian Bible
Today's Christian Post highlights The New Community Bible offered by the Catholic Church. Reporter Dibin Samuel wrote,
"An illustration in the new version, New Community Bible, depicts Jesus, Mary and Joseph as poor Indian villagers. Mary wears a simple sari and has a bindi on her forehead alongside Joseph in a turban and loincloth.
According to the 30 Indian biblical scholars who worked for more than 15 years on the new edition, the Bible draws on "the rich cultural and religious heritage of India."
Although approved by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India and published by the Society of St. Paul, the Bible met the disapproval of Protestants and other Christian groups, who believe it diverts from biblical truth."
What is the potential of marketing Joseph, Mary, and Jesus in other geographical contexts? For example, nativity scenes could present Joseph and Mary as Eskimos with baby Jesus wrapped in seal skin surrounded by polar bears. Or, Joseph and Mary as Native Americans with baby Jesus wrapped in buffalo hide surrounded by wild horses and prarie dogs. Or, Joseph and Mary as urban dwellers with tattoos and baby Jesus wrapped in the daily news lying in an alley surrounded by smog, wine bottles, and used needles. Or, (I promise this is the last one) Joseph and Mary as rednecks wearing Nascar t-shirts, jeans, and a John Deere hat with baby Jesus wrapped in camouflage surrounded by beer cans, shotgun shells, and discarded tires.
What's the point? How many ways can mankind reimage the Jesus we want rather than the Jesus Who Is? The number of ways is in direct proportion to the number of needs. That's why "I AM" is sufficient - for Catholics, Baptists, rednecks, Eskimos, Native Americans, and urban dwellers. Search for the God Who Is rather than the God we want.
