I’m really excited to finally get to talk to you about the Word on Fire Bible. This is the first volume, which includes the four gospels. The Bible is officially released today, June 15th here in the United States. It will ship to other countries in the fall.
The material I received and what I’ve read online, Word on Fire ministries really want to stress two key things about the Bible: It’s not a study bible and not a devotional bible. While I understand what they are saying, but I disagree – it kind of is a study bible. You are getting fantastic commentary on individual verses on almost every page of the bible. Now, this is not a true study bible in the sense of the Ignatius New Testament – but your knowledge of scripture will be enhanced from this bible. And it definitely is a devotional bible. I’ve used the bible everyday during the past two weeks for my quiet/reflection time. It’s the best bible I’ve ever used for Lectio Divina. The bible brings your attention to scripture and the artwork makes it come alive.
Christians from all walks of life will love this bible. Catholics will take pride in calling it our own, but I really believe there will be a strong attraction to the bible from Protestant and Orthodox Christians.
Our Video Review:
VIA PULCHRITUDINIS – The Way of Beauty
One of the things I love about the older bibles is the artwork. I have two old Douay–Rheims bibles and the artwork there is amazing. When I was young, the pictures are what I was drawn too. I remember flipping through my grandma’s big family bible and all of the colorful artwork. It’s something lacking in many modern bibles.
And this is what makes the Word on Fire Bible stand out as a Cathedral in Print. Yes, that’s the catchphrase they use in every commercial and advertisement, but man is it accurate.
Almost every few pages features amazing artwork from people like:
- Claude Monet
- Hans Memling
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Martin Schongauer
- Michelangelo
- Raphael
- Rembrandt
- Vincent van Gogh
The Word on Fire Bible says, “…this Bible features many striking works of art as well as literary explanations of those pieces—all designed to introduce the seeker to Christ through the aesthetic splendor that he has inspired.” Not only does the bible just have copies of the artwork, but it includes essays from Michael Stevens that connects the art to scripture.
THE DETAILS
- Translation: New Revised Standard Version: Catholic Edition
- Pages: 591
- Church Father Commentaries
- Recent Scholars
- Bishop Barron Commentaries
- Single Column Scripture
- Greek Word Studies
- Via Pulchritudinis Art and Commentary
- Book introductions
- Superior quality Artic Paper with a matte-coated finish
- Smyth-Sewn Binding
- Angelico 9pt Font, (a custom font drawn especially for this Bible). The font is named after Blessed Fra Angelico, a Dominican friar, and Early Renaissance fresco painter.
COVERS:
- Leather – $59.95 – Top grain leather produced in Eppertshausen, Germany, along with the gold foil debossed design. The edges of the book block are finished with brilliant gold foil.
- Hardcover – $39.95 – Covered in a rich black cloth manufactured by Italian-based Manifattura Del Seveso. It is naturally textured, ruggedly durable, and will resist fading over time. The artwork on the cover and spine is debossed in gold foil.
- Paperback – $29.95 – The paperback edition features a scuff-free matte lamination for longevity and the same gold foil-stamped design. This finish will resist fingerprinting and will increase durability.
FUTURE EDITIONS:
- Volume I: The Gospels – June 15, 2020
- Volume II: The New Testament – June 2021
- Volume III-V: The Old Testament – 2022 and beyond
CHURCH FATHERS AND MODERN SCHOLARS:
- St. Augustine
- St. John Chrysostom
- St. Cyril of Alexandria
- St. Irenaeus
- St. Gregory the Great
- St. Hilary of Poitiers
- St. Clement of Alexandria
- St. Cyril of Jerusalem
- St. Gregory of Nazianzus
- St. Gregory of Nyssa
- St. Ignatius of Antioch
- St. Jerome
- St. Justin Martyr
- St. Theophylact
- Fulton Sheen
- G.K. Chesterton
- St. Thomas Aquinas
- Thomas Merton
- St. John Henry Newman
- St. Francis de Sales
- Hans Urs von Balthasar
- René Girard
- Flannery O’Connor
- Pope St. John Paul II
- Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI)
- Pope Francis
FINAL VERDICT:
This Bible is an astonishing achievement in the world of Catholic Bibles. You will grow in your faith because of it. I was apprehensive when I first heard about the concept. And I wasn’t alone. The phrase “It sounds like a coffee table bible” parroted time and again. And I thought do I really want a multi-volume bible? Before holding the bible in my hand I thought no, now that I’ve had for a week and a half I scream YES! I do want to disclose that Word on Fire Ministries did send me a copy to review, but was only asked to give an honest review. If the Bible was as disappointing as I thought it would be I would have told you. But I have nothing but glowing praise for the Word on Fire Bible. Great work to the folks at Word on Fire Ministry, Bishop Robert Barron, and Brandon Vogt!
Catholic Bible Fans 
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