In The Red Letters, Timothy Beals encourages believers to become better apprentices of the Master and be transformed by focusing on the very words of the Savior. Beals agreed share more with us on this new release:
Why should readers focus on the words of Christ? Why not just read the Gospels? While the entire Gospel narrative is a vital part of Christian theology, it is Jesus’ words themselves that teach believers how to live and how faith makes a difference in their lives. This compelling selection and topical arrangement of all Jesus’ teachings allows readers a clear overview of the foundational message of Christianity.
Who better to give a refresher course in basic Christianity than Christ himself? Even those who have followed Jesus for years sometimes wonder exactly what he thinks about various issues. How is true faith different from religion? How should a life of faith be demonstrated in our actions? Does God really answer all our prayers? What about the end of time? Jesus answered all these questions and more.
What do you hope people will take away from reading The Red Letters? My primary incentive is to provide a unique volume that will enable us to become better apprentices of the Master by allowing us to hear directly from him about what matters most, so we can be transformed by the words and share the thrill of the apostle who wrote, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
There are several books about the words of Christ available to readers, so what’s different about The Red Letters? While there are a handful of books in print that focus on the words of Christ, only The Red Letters uses Jesus Christ’s own words to present a clear overview of foundational Christian teaching in a logical order. No other book combines these unique angles: Allows Christ’s message to speak for itself without commentary, presents a chronological life of Christ in his own words and a topical arrangement of Christ’s teachings (covering all of Christ’s words, not just selections or themes), and uses the English Standard Version, the fastest growing English translation, for a clear and accurate rendering.
Where did the red letters idea come from? Like chapter and verse numbers, center column references, and many other features we take for granted in our modern English Bibles, the red letters idea is a recent innovation. Its creator, Louis Klopsch (1852-1910), editor of British Weekly and The Christian Herald, noticed these words from Luke 22:20: “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Impressed by the symbolism of blood, Klopsch asked a trusted publishing colleague if Christ’s words could not be printed in red. His mentor replied, “It could do no harm and it most certainly could do much good.” Since then, red-letter editions have become standard in nearly all traditional and modern translations. While other trends in Bible publishing have come and gone, the red-letter option appears to be a fixed feature, welcomed and demanded by many Bible readers the world over.
“it is Jesus’ words themselves that teach believers how to live and how faith makes a difference in their lives.”
This might be the goofiest theological statement made since the liberal movement of the twentieth century. To move Jesus’ words into isolation from his historical action allows Him to be seen as a mere Oprah-ific guru shelling out simple life wisdom. The narrative events of Christ teach me as much how to live as His sayings. The atonement act is core to my daily living (not letting Satan shame me into thinking I am worth nothing, etc).
It also goes to the heart of the view of inspiration. If we are doing a red letter Bible that is fine. Print Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21 in red as the text is all equally inspired.
(Hopefully you will let a dissenting opinion onto the comments. You guys do amazing work and are by far my favorite translation. Maybe that is why this is so disheartening.)
Comment by jordan fowler — February 2, 2009 @ 8:24 am