Customer Reviews

Holy Bible: Mosaic NLT

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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.

I remember my first seminary class on Church History. I walked in as a rugged evangelical individualist who had only heard the word "tradition" in sentences like, "we will not be bound by tradition!" I thought "tradition", especially tradition spelled with a capital "T", was something Jesus came to destroy! Michael W. Smith expressed my view of Tradition quite well in his song "Secret Ambition". My sense of Church History was that Jesus and the Apostles started things out and then things went terribly wrong for 1500 years until the reformers came and finally got things back on track. Needless to say, I was in for quite the revelation. I'll always be indebted to Dr. Ted Campbell for opening my eyes to the BEAUTY & WEALTH of our shared Christian Tradition.

Since my seminary days I've had many opportunities to discuss our Christian heritage with people who, like me, have a very limited exposure to our shared Christian Tradition. I'm always saddened at how little is known about it and even more, how little it's appreciated. I guess it's not odd that we don't stop and ask the question "where did all of `this' come from?" since really, we don't even ask that question of our own families (pity that). It's always with great delight that I share the story of "the church" with the uninitiated, and, without fail, the response is no different than when a child hears a fairy tale for the first time. The imagination begins to fire as connections are made and the heart comes alive to a much, much bigger story. Too many Christians are caught up in a very small story. I was. My view of Christianity and Christ's Kingdom / Body was no larger than my local church. Seeing the BIGGER STORY has deepened and broadened my faith, and I've seen it do the same for many others.

How does one begin to be introduced to the Christian Tradition?

This is a question I think anyone who appreciates the Tradition contemplates and most of us have attempted, in some form, to address. It's for this reason that I'm so pleased to see the release of the MOSAIC bible. The purpose of this bible is "to provide a way to encounter Christ on every continent and in every century of Christian History." Wow. In fact, I must say that I'm even more excited about it because my friend (ANTHONY SMITH) is a contributor!!!!

Why the title "Mosaic"? I'll let the editors answer that question: "Mosaic is not merely the title of the Bible...It also describes its contents and our story as Christians, too. All too often we allow the here and now to dominate our lives and define who we are. 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."

So exactly how does Mosaic accomplish this?

Mosaic is NOT a study bible. It contains the entire text of the Bible (NLT) with no interruptions or study notes. However, at the front of the Bible is an "EXTENSIVE block of weekly meditations" organized around the Church year (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost). These meditations offer extensive Scripture readings taken from the lectionaries of different traditions around the world. In addition to the Scripture readings there is a vast array of "reflective content" taken from "every continent and every century of Christian history." In this "reflective content" one will meet the likes of Polycarp (1st Century), Augustine (Africa), Abelard (12th Century), Isaac Watts (England), as well as contemporary poets like Wendell Berry and Christian artwork from places like Guatemala, Italy, China, Japan, and Cameroon.

This bible is truly a remarkable accomplishment. The meditations are informative, diverse, and do a wonderful job of exposing us to the depth and breadth of Christ's Body.

On a side note I must say that I was VERY PLEASED to see an aggressive cross-reference system in place! I am so thankful I was introduced to cross-referencing when I was a student, and have lamented its discontinuance in so many contemporary bibles. This bible hits the mark with its cross-referencing system. In addition to the cross-reference system, there is also a very valuable and extensive word study system and concordance included in the back.

I confess I am not a fan of new bibles. The endless release of "new bibles" wearies me. This bible, however, is different. I receive it with enthusiasm not because it's new, but because it seeks to connect us with something very old, and yet, still very much alive.

I like it a lot. Because:

1. The concept is intriguing. This is not a study Bible or a devotional Bible -- at least as they've been previously published. It is a Bible coupled with a mosaic of weekly meditations which are built around the church year.

2. The mosaic of meditations and the Bible are separate. There is no confusion. This is really two books under one cover. There are even two separate page numbering systems.

3. The design and layout is masterful. There is good use of white space and color making the presentation eclectic without being busy.

4. The global and historical art work reinforces the catholicity of the content. It's not clip art filler.

5. The breadth of tradition from which the meditations and the quotes are drawn is broadly Christian.

6. The Mosaic approach is built around the church year. The weekly, annually recurring, themes in Mosaic are not developed in depth but there is enough to start the creative juice flow. Some of the themes are expressed with unconventional titles-- overacheivement, authenticity, God in community...

7. The Mosaic pattern is helpful -- dealing with common street-level issues not academic theology. This is not to say that it is shallow or pedantic.

8. The New Living Translation, which is used in the Holy Bible: Mosaic, is uniquely clear and faithful in conveying the meaning and sense of the original writers. The second edition (2007) seems to be an improvement over the already solid first edition (1996).

9. The extra study tools add value. There is a decent dictionary/concordance, eight good maps in the back, center column cross referencing, and brief introductory material for each book of the Bible.

10. They avoided putting the "words of Christ" in red -- removing an unnecessary layer of editorial commentary and making the text itself more readable.

11. I like the feel of the paper -- especially in the Mosaic section -- yet, the book itself isn't heavy.

12. There is a Mosaic user's guide that can get you started -- even if you don't fully understand why this approach is valuable.

13. There are cross references in the biblical text that point the reader to related Mosaic meditations. IOW, if you are reading the biblical text you will encounter side column references to the related material in the Mosaic section. This means you can access the Mosaic material directly or in conjunction with Bible reading.

I have a few minor nit-picky things I'd like them to do differently in the next edition but they're so minor and nit-picky that I won't mention them here. Overall I'm impressed.

I became a fan of the New Living Translation in 2006 when I used the NLT's One-Year Bible as my reading program for the year. I found it to be highly readable and, like its predecessor, the Living Bible, refreshing.

MOSAIC is a new, devotional edition of the NLT, and I like five things about it.

1. Clear Reading Plan. Mosaic offers a unique Bible reading plan, and I think Christians need more of these. We want to read the Bible but don't know how to proceed. Here is a clear pathway for engaging Scripture throughout the year.

2. Emphasis on Unity. Mosaic gathers devotional thoughts from around the church and around the world. Reading the Bible alongside these thoughts will expand your view of what the church is and what it is doing in the world.

3. Church Calendar Driven. Mosaic's devotional reading plan follows the church year. Most evangelical churches have de-emphasized liturgy and especially the church calendar. I believe this leaves many Christians hungry for a way of being connected to each other and to the larger picture. Observing the church calendar recognizes the movement of God into the world--and our movement toward eternity.

4. Sola Text. A gripe I've had with devotional--and even some study--Bibles is that they place the "helps" material directly in the text so that it seems to nearly as important as the Word of God itself. Mosaic doesn't do that. This Bible keeps the "devo" material up front, leaving the back of the book as a clean, clear, uninterrupted copy of the Bible (with center-column references).

5. Artwork! Over 50 pages of bright, well-reproduced, full-color works of art from all regions of the world and nearly all eras of church history accompany the devotional material. This alone makes the book a value.

So what is Mosaic? It is an NLT Bible that includes a seasonally themed Bible reading plan and devotional material that will help you know Jesus Christ better and be better connected to Christians around the world.

I'm knocking off one star for the inclusion of so much contemporary writing in the weekly mosaic sections. These will appeal to some but seem to undercut the purpose of achieving historical and geographical breadth.

If you are looking for a devotional Bible or a good one-year reading plan, Mosaic is a good choice.

When I pulled the Mosaic Bible from the envelope I said, "Wow, this is beautiful." The front cover with a mosaic cross and the back cover adorned simply with the Apostle's creed are a fantastic start to the theme of Christian history that is continued within. The first section is made up of over 300 pages of "weekly meditations." Each week is comprised of scripture readings, colorful art, poetry, quotes from Christian thinkers throughout history and other worshipful pieces that are designed to connect the reader to the church's global history. The pages in this section are nice and thick, perfect for sketching or journaling, too. Next is the actual NLT Bible. The pages are quite thin and type rather small, but no more than usual for a standard Bible. The scripture is arranged in two columns, separated by a very nice reference/concordance system that is based more on verse meaning than on individual word usage. The dictionary/concordance in the back is robust and even better for scholars is the Word Study system made up of 100 Greek and 100 Hebrew words.

My favorite part, though, might be the companion website created exclusively for the Mosaic Bible. [...]. For instance, initially I had a hard time figuring out the church calendar to follow along with the weekly meditations, but the website has a "calendar" tab to let you know exactly where you should be! There is also an online forum/community to discuss the Bible and the weekly meditations among other assorted resources.

All in all, a fantastic product by Tyndale.

[...]

There is a lot of newness with this Bible . . . I learned some new things, and I've questioned some things. Let me introduce you to The Holy Bible: Mosiac.

This is actually two books in one. The first 340 pages (just over 1/3 of the book) is a a 52 week devotional section, based around the liturgical church year. It begins with readings for Advent and Christmas and continues on with selections for Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and more. With each weekly devotional is historical artwork which varies from photographs and paintings to mosaics, including the famous bread and fish mosaic from 380 AD. The devotionals also include suggested Scripture reading along with a highlighted verse. This is followed by a meditation, many written specifically for this Mosaic Bible to follow the theme for that week. Some weeks you will find this to be a hymn or a poem. A unique part of this devotional section is that the editors put a collection of reflective content from every continent and every century of our Christian history, pulling the themes together, including writings from St. Augustine, Charles Wesley, and Henri Nouwen. At the end of each devotional section is a whitespace, for note-taking, reflective thoughts or journaling.

The rest of this book is the New Living Translation of the Bible . . . 1319 pages, including a concordance and maps at the end. This portion of the Bible has symbols to give references back to sections in the devotional portion. The Bible has a center-column reference, with Greek and Hebrew word studies. The margins on the outsides are wider than the center column, but not quite large enough to consider it a wide-margined Bible. If you like to put a lot of notes in your Bible by the Scripture verses, this may limit you.

You can see these various sections of this devotional and Bible here and actually flip through numerous pages here (be sure to pull down the pages, in the upper right hand corner).


My Personal Pros and Cons

This is an intriguing Bible. I especially like some of the ideas of the devotional, with the history of the church. Not knowing many of the various authors throughout, brought concerns of not knowing where they came from or what they believed, which would take more research on my part to know. Being the calendar changes every year, the devotional could not be dated within the book, but you can look it on on the Mosaic Bible website, and they have listed for each week what the reading should be. I would desire to have a print-out that I could possibly laminate and keep in this book for the year, rather than check back to the website.

I find the devotional part of the book very easy to read - great font, great background paper - making it very easy for these 40+ year old eyes to read. The Scripture section, I found harder to read. It is printed on the normal "tissue paper" type Scripture paper (is that what it's called?) and the font is smaller than in the devotional. The print shows through from the other side, making me concerned about my note taking bleeding through.

Coming from a conservative Baptist background, some of the "language" of creeds and other such terminology I am not familiar with, which does not mean it is bad. As with any book or Bible, if it is referring to Scripture, we need to check it all out against Scripture to make sure it is correct and from God. I'd desire to learn more of the creeds, and the different authors who participated with the devotional for it's accuracy.

In accordance with the FTC regulations, I inform you that I received a copy of The Holy Bible: Mosaic directly from the publisher, Tyndale House Publishers, for review purposes. I review only books I have read, and only state my honest opinion of the book.

I give this Bible an A+ for its relevance to the Christian Church throughout our world. ++++++++++++++++++
My background is liturgical so I certainly saw the coordination of the Text of Holy Scripture within the Church Calendar as I knew it, but I also marveled at the sense of history displayed in the artworks.
I personally will use it more for the 'devotional' aspect but feel it will be a wonderful gift to those who have become estranged from the liturgical routine and yet have that structure still 'hidden in their heart.' It is difficult to replace Form with Freedom--the routine is often a guideline to keep one on track. This Bible Holy Bible: Mosaic NLT (Meditations)can guide as well as create a freeing, meditative pathway to journey in the Word of Life in the world of everyday life. Thank you, Credo, for the vision to see beyond the denominational constrictions on God's Word.

As the culture moves away from modernism, simply understood as a way of understanding what we know based upon logic and "factual" foundations, to post-modernism, simply understood as understanding what we know based upon our perceptions and worldviews and not on foundationalism, the church has likewise moved away from foundationalism or modernism. Questions are being asked about why we believe what we do and how do we know what we believe is right. A key theme has emerged in this rapidly becoming post-modern society of rejecting the recent period of foundationalism from the Enlightenment till today. We understand that the world cannot be completely black and white based simply on what those before us believed. We want to know for ourselves.

As the society and the church move away from the last few centuries of so-called logic, rejecting much of the last several centuries' worldviews, we have become interested in the ancient past and the non-westernized cultures for our roots. So while some in the post-modern church question the last several hundred years of Western scholarship we at the same time are hungry for what the original Christians believed and understood. We search for ties to the universal church and the roots of our faith.

Mosaic Holy Bible by Tyndale helps the reader connect.

The second half of the Bible is simply the New Living Translation but the real focus of this book is the first half. There we find a weekly devotional unique in its breadth and scope. Each week includes scripture reading, meditations and quotes by historic Christians - both ancient and modern, foreign and Western, as well as works of art, and empty space for notes. The weeks follow the liturgical calendar tying the reader further to the roots of Christianity.

The Bible is beautiful. Artwork is produced in vivid colors and clarity. The first section with the devotional is printed on sturdy paper allowing for note taking, while the back section is standard Bible paper. The Bible is hard bound. All together a very nice package.

I enjoyed skimming the artwork and the poetry. Seeing depictions of Biblical stories by Africans, Asians and Latin Americans served to bring home that our Church is bigger than we recognize. Quotes from modern writers like Mark Drischoll and J.I. Packer find a home along side John Wesley, Ignatius of Antioch, and Gregory the Great. We find contributions from Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, Pentecostal, Baptist, Calvinist and more. The quotes and meditations were amazingly deep and varied.

The only thing I found myself wishing for was more. Reading one weekly devotion in 20 minutes left me wondering why there wasn't a daily suggestion instead of a block of info that the reader decides when to read during the week. Needless to say, I found myself ranging far ahead of the week I was supposed to be in.

I very much enjoyed this Bible. I believe it serves as a precious reminder of how big the Church is. It is thousands of years and thousands of miles wide. I highly recommend Mosaic Holy Bible to you.

This Bible was provided free of charge by the publisher as a review copy. The publisher had no editorial rights or claims over the content or the conclusions made in this review. Visit Tyndale's website for more information on this book.