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You know it must be getting near some sentimental baby-faced holiday when The New Yorker magazine has an ad for Bibles. Yes, you can buy the King James Version with imported European leather covers. From $175 to $200. Rock of Ages press! This is obviously an ad aimed at well-to-do, culturally sophisticated people who don't know one end of a Bible from the other.
Here is what the Rock of Ages website says:
Rock of Ages Press was conceived from the notion that contemporary gifts can be spiritual, classic, clever and chic. ROA flaunts a sacred, stylish and sassy line of products that promises to delight even the most fashionably discriminating individuals.
I'm having trouble seeing how 'clever and chic' relate to 'spiritual.' I'm having even more difficulty seeing the relationship between the 'stylish and sassy' and the sacred.
I'm trying really hard to remember where it is in the gospels that Jesus tells his followers to be chic or stylish or sassy. In my humble opinion, when it becomes chic and stylish to follow Jesus, I'm pretty sure the actual message of Jesus has been lost. If wealthy people buy a $175 imported leather Bible and actually read what Jesus had to say so often about the spiritual danger of wealth, I think they will either get rid of their expensive Bible or get rid of their wealth.
Now, now—I know we need wealthy people in order to create capital and run businesses that give people jobs. I'm aware that the economic environment of Jesus' day is not like ours. Between his time and ours capitalism has been invented, an economic system that didn't exist in his day. Capitalism depends on some people being wealthy—having capital. But Jesus places great responsibility on the shoulders of those who have the capital. And he warns the rich that they are always on the cusp of the abyss of hell.
One more thing: Jesus would not recommend the King James Version of the Bible. He would go with the New Revised Standard Version, the Contemporary English Version, the new Common English Bible, or the Inclusive Language Bible. They are much more sassy.
