I don't often blog about my strong personal opinions (I have a lot of them), but this one I can't resist. Has anyone heard of the American Patriot's Bible? Apparently it was one of the best selling study Bible's of 2009. According to Amazon's description, it "shows how a 'light from above' shaped our nation...this extremely unique Bible shows how the history of the United States connects the people and events of the Bible to our lives in a modern world. The story of the United States is wonderfully woven into the teachings of the Bible...."
Really? Does anyone else find this description to be arrogant and idolatrous? I will admit that I haven't actually opened this study Bible and looked at it myself, so perhaps this nullify's everything else I'm about to say, but at onset, something doesn't seem quite right about this Bible. You're not going to find a more patriotic person than me, but what a shame that it sounds like this Bible is trying to weave America into God's infallible and holy Word as if our country is God's chosen nation or something. The Bible has certainly given me the worldview I have and it has certainly influenced my political beliefs, but this Bible seems to elevate patriotism and an understanding of American history to the same importance and position of God's Word. It also seems very syncrenistic as it claims to weave United States history into God's Word, which will inevitably change Scripture to say what it doesn't in order to fit the purpose and agenda of the author(s).
We should love God and His Word more than we love our country since heaven is our REAL home. Don't hear me wrong. I'm not saying we shouldn't love our country. I love our country more than I can describe through words, but as one Amazon review states, "the Bible is not about a single geo-political entity - it is about God shaping salvation for humanity." As in, the whole world. Not just America. How offensive and arrogant to assume and make money off the latter. And don't forget the purpose of the Bible: to show us how to get right and stay right with God through Jesus Christ.
As someone who is politically conservative and very patriotic, I can see why this has been such a bestseller at a time such as this. With the political climate in our country and with so many patriotic Americans wanting to restore the Constitution and take our country back to what our forefathers intended, it's no wonder why a Bible like this would be so appealing and emotionally stirring. There are so many books out there by wonderful Christian authors who present American history from a Biblical perspective. Weaving American history directly into a study Bible is just taking this admirable goal too far, in my opinion. To close, if you're a family member reading this and you were thinking about asking for this Bible for Christmas, don't ask Chris and I to get it for you, because it will be a futile request. :-)
