01: The New Media Bible is the result of a decade-long attempt to redesign scriptures to meet the needs and interests of today’s technological society.
Published by the American Bible Society (ABS), the ongoing project includes video productions of major New Testament stories, and fresh versions of the Bible using secular market strategies. Long the recognized leader in scriptural education, the ABS has brought to the public five videos openly drawing on verbalization, intonation, oral performance, rhythm and visual material. Following the popular MTV format, the ABS’s productions are in separate videotapes, each lasting l0 to 12 minutes.
Stories include the healing of the Gerasene demoniac, Mary’s trip to see Elizabeth, the Prodigal Son, the Good Samaritan, and the Resurrection. The settings are in today’s world as is the language and music. Leaders report a strongly enthusiastic response by many users, with some criticism by others as to whether these technological innovations might change the message.
(Source: USA Today, March 16; America, March 11)
— By Erling Jorstad