Thomas Nelson has provided me with a copy of The American Patriot’s Bible (NKJV) as a part of their Book Review Bloggers program (http://brb.thomasnelson.com)
The American Patriot’s Bible focuses on our nations history in light of the faith of our founding
fathers. The Bible itself is written in the New King James Version and contains articles about American history. The Bible has many pictures from our nation’s history and a family records section reminiscent of “Family Bibles.”
How does this Bible “rank” among some of the others?
I have a lot of Bibles. One of my favorite is an ESV Study Bible and another is my NASB Key Word Bible. I do not have any devotional Bibles or themed Bibles. I was not sure what to expect when this Bible was delivered.
I am not much of a patriot. While I love living in a free country. The notion America is a “Christian nation” is wrong, linking politics and religion is stupid, and the Pledge of Allegiance is a tad silly and idolatry.
All that said, I liked this Bible. I read through Galatians and Hebrews and the commentary for the review. I read articles on equal rights, which eloquently ended with a celebration of the President Obama’s election and a wonderfully written article about Lincoln’s skepticism.
The Bible itself seems durable although I hate the dust cover. The typeface of the scriptures is large and easy to read. Slightly tinged pages coupled with the poetic NKJV makes for a well presented Bible.
I was a little nervous when I first read the description. Was this going to be a right-winged manifesto? Would the historical accounts be accurate? Would the links between America and God be far fetched? Thankfully, no. I never felt an agenda being pushed. The historical accounts I checked on are legit, and the author shows us times when the Bible or God was used as inspirational, guiding force for our country.
I give it four stars (our of five) due to its specialized audience and personal preferences. I wish the companion articles were a separate book instead of part of the Bible itself. Over-all, I think this would make a great book for any history teacher, parent, or student.
-Don-
This would scare me
@Jonathan
It really was not that bad. If I had more room, I would have said it reminded me of the view of America I had when I was younger. Back when July 4th was an exciting day.
I have not read this book, but, as a history teacher I have to believe they were pretty “buffet style” with their founding fathers. Here is Jefferson’s and Adams perspectives of the the United States and religion.
“Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting ‘Jesus Christ’, so that it would read ‘A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion’; the insertion was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination.”
-Thomas Jefferson, Autobiography, in reference to the Virginia Act for Religious Freedom
“The United States is not a Christian nation anymore than it is a Jewish or Mohammedan nation”
-John Adams: Treaty of Tripoli
“I almost shudder at the thought of alluding to the most fatal example of the abuses of grief which the history of mankind has preserved — the Cross. Consider what calamities that engine of grief has produced!”
-John Adams: Letter to Jefferson
With the role of these individuals in the founding of our country, their opinions should also be observed. The Continental Congress and the Constitutional convention were hodge podge committees made up of some of the most powerful and well connected men in the young nation. If I’m not mistaken, I believe Madison may have been a minister, but to say that they were ALL Christians or Deists or secularists is a falsehood, just as saying that to be an American is to be a Christian or secularist is a falsehood, but people on both sides of this argument will find all of the quotes and facts they need to prove their point (or sell their books) and ignore what disproves their thesis. I guess my point is, if you put three people in a room to discuss something, you are going to have three different opinions.
I do have to agree with Jonathan though, I think this is scary. I think if they would have called it anything else, I would be ok. Something like “How the Bible has iInfluenced American History” or something. I know, it’s a lame title, but I’m sure the publisher would jazz it up a bit.
@MGEO,
I agree the Bible is ill-named. What is really cool about this Bible is the way it shows that not all the founding fathers were even Christian (by Biblical definition). The Bible does highlight famous speeches and moments by Christian politicians. It really is not as scary as it sounds.