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Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA, has approved the new Common English Bible (@CommonEngBible & @VersesForToday) as a translation for use in biblical studies courses for its more than 4,000 students, and particularly for all master’s-level instruction in the seminary’s School of Theology, School of Psychology, and School of Intercultural Studies on all eight of its campuses.

“Fuller's mission is to prepare men and women for the manifold ministries of Christ and his church. We work out this calling with an eye toward both academic excellence and service to the church. The Biblical Division's decision to approve the Common English Bible for classroom use reflects these commitments,” says J. R. Daniel Kirk, assistant professor of New Testament at Fuller. “We’ve approved the Common English Bible because it’s an academically excellent translation, because it communicates the underlying Greek and Hebrew texts in a clear and accessible fashion, and because it reflects the reality that the communities for which the Bible was written consist of both women and men.”

Fuller has more than 35,000 alumni in 130 countries, serving as pulpit ministers, mission leaders, academic leaders, mental health professionals, chaplains, translators, and community and marketplace leaders. The Common English Bible joins two other translations officially approved by Fuller: the New Revised Standard Version and Today’s New International Version.

Combining scholarly accuracy with vivid language, the Common English Bible is the work of more than 200 biblical scholars and church leaders, including members of more than 20 denominations, who translated the Bible into English directly from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. More than 500 readers in 77 groups field-tested the translation. Every verse was read aloud in the reading groups, where potentially confusing passages were identified. The translators considered the groups' responses and, where necessary, reworked those passages to clarify in English their meaning from the original languages.

The digital revolution is accelerating changes in language and its everyday usage. The new Common English Bible is written in contemporary idiom at the same reading level as the newspaper USA TODAY—using language that’s comfortable and accessible for today’s English readers. With the complete Bible arriving in stores in August, this new translation strives to make Bible reading more clear and compelling for individuals, groups, and corporate worship services.

“The Common English Bible is a brand-new, bold translation designed to meet the needs of people in all stages of their spiritual journey,” says Paul Franklyn, associate publisher for the Common English Bible. “For students—whether at colleges and seminaries or outside a formal institution—it combines and balances highly respected ecumenical biblical scholarship necessary for serious study with responsiveness to 21st century clear communication requirements for comprehensive clarity. The Common English Bible can help students experience the insight and knowledge that comes from a fresh reading of the Bible.”

The Common English Bible is an inclusive translation, using male and female pronouns where appropriate to indicate the meaning of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek text when referring to general human beings. Pronouns for God, Lord, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit are translated as he, his, or him.

Another unique feature of the Common English Bible is the inclusion of exclusive, detailed color maps from National Geographic, well known for its vibrant and accurate map making.

Visit CommonEnglishBible.com to see comparison translations, learn about the translators, get free downloads, and more.

The Common English Bible is a denomination-neutral Bible sponsored by the Common English Bible Committee, an alliance of five publishers that serve the general market, as well as the Disciples of Christ (Chalice Press), Presbyterian Church (Westminster John Knox Press), Episcopal Church (Church Publishing Inc.), United Church of Christ (Pilgrim Press), and United Methodist Church (Abingdon Press).

(To schedule an interview with Paul Franklyn, contact Brandi Lewis at 615-749-6211).

Start getting the Common English Bible verses on your Facebook page.

Listen to audio samples from the Common English Bible audioBible (like you’ve never heard before).

Previous post: “The Common English Bible Translation is Complete.”

NPR News featured a report on the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. Reporter Barbara Bradley Hagerty says the King James Bible is the poetry that inspired Handel's oratorio Messiah, as well as modern musicians:

The Byrds sang from Ecclesiastes in Turn Turn Turn: proclaiming that there is “A time to be born, a time to die, A time to plant, a time to reap, A time to kill, a time to heal.” Simon and Garfunkel echoed the Gospels when they sang, “Like a bridge over troubled waters, I will lay me down.” And when Kansas voiced its existential angst — “All we are is dust in the wind” — it was inspired by the Psalms.

Listen to and read this report in full.

A national expo is being held in Washington, DC, where a congressional resolution honoring the KJV Bible will be read. Here’s an excerpt:

Whereas the King James Bible’s relevance and contributions continue to formatively influence the United States: Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--

(1) recognizes the 400th anniversary of the Authorized King James Version of the Bible being published;

(2) recognizes its lasting influence on countless families, individuals, and institutions in the United States; and

(3) expresses its gratitude for the influence it has bestowed upon the United States.

You may want to see photos of Thomas Nelson’s (@ThomasNelson & @NelsonBibles) historic Bible exhibit shown at the NRB convention this year. The exhibit was part of KJV400.

Also see Somersault’s Infographic of 2011, the year to celebrate the significant and life-changing milestones achieved in the areas of publishing, technology, and innovation.

Baptist Press (@baptistpress) reports on the surge among Christians to use mobile applications in accessing the Bible, especially in a mobile context.

There are Christian apps on every smartphone platform, but among the two most popular platforms -- Android and iPhone's iOS -- there are literally hundreds of Bible and Christian-themed apps, helping believers with everything from Scripture memorization to lesson preparation to Bible study to witnessing....

The most popular Christian app, by far, is the YouVersion Bible app (@YouVersion), developed by the multiple-site-campus church known as LifeChurch.tv.

Read this article in full. Also see “Christian Apps of the Month.”

Ministries and churches are creating their own apps to further their messages. For example, see the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (@BGEA) mobile site and its “Steps2Peace” app.

Let Somersault create a strategic app for your brand. Be sure to use daily our SomersaultNOW dashboard to remain current with the latest developments in social media marketing and digital publishing. And as long as we’re talking about mobility, be sure to regularly use Somersault’s mobile site for links to other mobile-friendly sites.

According to a study done by Grey Matter Research & Consulting of Phoenix, AZ, Millennials (18-29 year olds) “are a unique generation in our country’s recent history, in that their religious beliefs are fairly typical, yet their knowledge, experience, and willingness to act on or commit seriously to those beliefs lags other generations. They are not antagonistic toward religious faith, but often have a serious apathy or latency related to their faith.” Here are more excerpts from the report:

Research has long shown that during the transition from teen years to adulthood (from 16 or 17 through the early 20s), Americans have historically tended to move away from religious participation, then often started returning as they mature and have children of their own. What our research suggests is that for Millennials, this transition away from church started happening earlier than it did for other generational groups – as early as junior high school, rather than during the college age years. We hear so much that “kids grow up sooner these days” – apparently this extends to religious participation as well.

Looking back on their religious attendance prior to age 18, Millennials are less likely than other adults to say their childhood involvement made them much more interested in religion as an adult, or to feel it had a highly positive influence on their life today. In addition, Millennials are somewhat less likely to feel their childhood attendance has given them a good moral foundation, provided important religious knowledge, or helped them prepare for life as an adult, according to our research.

• Only 65% of Millennials say their religious faith is very important in their life today, compared to 71% of Generation X, 78% of Boomers, and 80% of Silents
• Just 35% of Millennials agree strongly that they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today, compared to 41% of Generation X, 51% of Boomers, and 54% of Silents
• Only 26% of Millennials agree strongly that eternal salvation is possible through God’s grace alone; that nothing we do can earn salvation – compared to 31% among Generation X, 32% among Boomers, and 40% among Silents

We find no difference between Millennials and other age groups on things such as the belief that:

• The Bible is the written word of God and is totally accurate in all that it teaches
• They, personally, have a responsibility to tell other people about their religious beliefs
• Jesus was sinless when he lived on earth
• There is such a thing as sin
• God is the omniscient, omnipotent, perfect ruler of the universe

Notice that on issues of belief, Millennials are often quite similar to other age groups. It’s on the issues of importance of their religious faith, on commitment to Jesus Christ, on the absolutism of reliance on grace, and on active affiliation with a religious group or tradition, that they lag other generational groups.

The beliefs are there, but often not in a way that directs Millennials to behave differently or be strongly committed to those beliefs. Religious belief tends to be about as present in Millennials as it is in other age groups, but it is more likely to be latent than active. Religion lives more in the background than in the foreground. It is somewhat more theoretical than real.

Read the study (pdf) in full.

Based on this research, how can publishers, agents, and authors generate content that will inspire Millennials to act on their beliefs? Share your thoughts and let’s discuss.

“The Living Legacy of the Bible” exhibit is part of KJV400, Nelson Bible’s (@NelsonBibles) unprecedented 400 day celebration of the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Version of the Bible.

The exhibit allows attendees to experience first-hand more than 4,000 years of Bible history, from the time of Abraham to the present day. Artifacts in the exhibit include Dead Sea Scroll fragments, cuneiform tablets, numerous historic Bibles, an original 1611 KJV Bible, and much more.

The #1 selling Bible translation of all time, the King James Version was first published May 2, 1611. Unparalleled in its theological, literary, and cultural magnitude, the KJV continues to inspire people from all walks of life and faith traditions.

At the start of 2011, Somersault produced an interactive Infographic featuring 22 landmark anniversaries in the areas of publishing, innovation, and technology occuring this year, one of which is the 400th anniversary of the KJV Bible. Read the news release.

See more photos of "The Living Legacy of the Bible" exhibit.

See more photos of the NRB 2011 Convention.

As of March 1, the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild (@CWGuild) will have acquired Sally Stuart's Christian Writers Market Guide,  the annual comprehensive resource guide offering up-to-date information on the Christian publishing industry. Stuart's annual publication, now in its 26th year, has become a reliable source for the critical information needed by those seeking to publish their work in the Christian community. The resource will still be published by Tyndale House (@TyndaleHouse), but with the 2012 edition will change its title to The Christian Writer's Market Guide and the byline will switch from Sally Stuart (@stuartmarket) to Jerry B. Jenkins (@JerryBJenkins).

Christian Writers' Market Guide offers tips and ideas for Christian writers and includes contact information, pay rates, submission guidelines for more than 400 book publishers, 600 periodicals and websites as well as information on hundreds of literary agents, contests, conferences and editorial services.

Read the news release in full.

In an article in Christianity Today (@ctmagazine), Marilyn Chandler McEntyre writes about the importance of reading, saying it “can change the way we listen to the most ordinary conversation.”

I have long valued literary theorist Kenneth Burke's simple observation that literature is ‘equipment for living.’ We glean what we need from it as we go. In each reading of a book or poem or play, we may be addressed in new ways, depending on what we need from it, even if we are not fully aware of those needs. The skill of good reading is not only to notice what we notice, but also to allow ourselves to be addressed. To take it personally. To ask, even as we read secular texts, that the Holy Spirit enable us to receive whatever gift is there for our growth and our use. What we hope for most is that as we make our way through a wilderness of printed, spoken, and electronically transmitted words, we will continue to glean what will help us navigate wisely and kindly—and also wittily—a world in which competing discourses can so easily confuse us in seeking truth and entice us falsely.

In all our concentration trying to forecast where publishing is headed as a result of the digital revolution, we must remember the basic premise remains foundational just as it did centuries ago: reading, itself, sparks vitality.

Tell us your comments on the matter.

Read Marilyn’s essay in full.

Editor of PW Religion BookLine Lynn Garrett (@LynniGarrett) reports

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (@ECPA) has debuted a new consumer-oriented website. ChristianBookExpo.com (@ChristianBkExpo) is the new home for ECPA’s bestseller lists, list of Christian Book Award and sales award winners, and more than 200 author interviews and book trailers. Michael Covington (@m_covington), ECPA information and education director, says the top reason people visit the ECPA website is its bestseller list. So the trade group decided to re-organize its online resources to “cross-pollinate” programs and raise consumer awareness of authors and titles. www.ecpa.org will function as a social networking site for professionals in the Christian publishing community. That site will also be the home in the future of online industry forums, Covington says.

The @ChristianBkExpo Twitter stream is included in the Publishing tab of the SomersaultNOW dashboard.

What are your thoughts about the new ChristianBookExpo.com?

Book publishing can be a guessing game. Publishers are presented daily with hundreds of manuscripts from enthusiastic authors who believe theirs will be the most sought-after book of the century. Acquisition editors and publishers have to decide which manuscript has bestselling potential from the many that don’t.

We’d like to hear from you. What do you consider to be the best criteria for a book to reach the bestseller stratosphere? Write your ideas as a comment below and let us know. We plan to compile them into a list for a future post (along with our own ideas). Let the comments begin!

This article in the Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) takes a unique look at the role of e-readers in the expression of one’s faith. Here’s an excerpt:

Many observant Jews do not operate lights, computers, mobile phones, or other electrical appliances from sundown on Friday until three stars appear in the night sky on Saturday. They abstain from these activities because, over the last century, rabbinic authorities have compared electricity use to various forms of work prohibited on the Sabbath by the Bible and post-biblical rabbinic literature, including lighting a fire and building. The difficulty of interpreting the Bible's original intent and applying it to modern technology has rendered electricity use on the Sabbath one of the more contentious topics in Jewish law.

E-readers are problematic not only because they are electronic but also because some rabbis consider turning pages on the device - which causes words to dissolve and then resurface - an act of writing, also forbidden on the Sabbath.

Read this article in full.