While Timothy becomes familiar with using this new blogging platform, he sent me his first post to share with you. Here is his review of the new RSV-CE New Testament and Psalms for Men from Saint Benedict Press:
Well, for my first review on this site I wanted to look at the recently released New Testament and Psalms for Men, published by Saint Benedict Press (SBP). Saint Benedict Press/TAN have continued to offer editions of the RSV-CE (as well as the Douay-Rheims and NABRE) in unique formats and designs. I give them a lot of credit for taking chances on releasing new bible editions and not simply reprinting the same old look for each of their bibles.
SBP’s New Testament and Psalms for Men is clearly designed to have a look and feel that most men would like, while also being portable. The product description notes that “This New Testament & Psalms for Men in the RSV-CE comes in a convenient portable size. Designed for fathers, husbands, sons, brothers and priests, it features a durable imitation leather cover. It also contains prayers, writings from the saints, and more useful tools for men.” I would imagine Pope Francis, who has been a vigorous advocate for Catholics to read the Gospels daily for most of his pontificate, would approve of this edition.
The size of this bible is 4.25 x 6.875 and the cover is made of their premium ultrasoft, which is an imitation leather that many of their bibles come in. The cover has a very nice feel and look to it. In particular, I find the blind imprinting of the lion on the front is really well done and goes with the theme of this being a bible for “men.” In addition, there is a single bible ribbon and the pages have gilded edges. For many, it will have a similar look and feel to the RSV-2CE NT and Psalms offered by Ignatius Press, although the SBP edition is a tad bigger. However, once you open it up, you will notice that there are considerable differences between the two. One minor issue, which is not new to those of you have SBP bibles, is that the binding is glued. I would think that with a bible this size it would probably be ok, but with the added inserts (which I will talk about later) I do worry about longevity and durability.
Inside SBP’s New Testament and Psalms for Men you will find that the Psalms are placed at the beginning, unlike the Ignatius edition which has them at the end. I am not sure which I prefer, although I lean towards the latter. Both the Psalms and NT are presented in double-column with a very generous sized font on white paper. I find it to be quite readable. In my opinion, the font is preferable to the one used by Ignatius and there is a general feeling of more space on each page. Paragraph headings and chapter numbers are large and bolded, bringing a contrast and spacing for the reader to easily scan each page.
What makes this edition distinct is the inclusion of “special inserts containing prayers, writings from the saints, and more…offering even more tools for men trying to live a Christ-like life.” I counted a total of eight sets of these inserts, which deal with the following topics: “The Catholic Man At Home”, “The Catholic Man In The World”, “The Virtues”, “Scripture For Avoiding Vice”, “St. Joseph The Just”, “Angels, Our Protectors”, “Wisdom From The Saints”, & “Special Prayers For Men”. Each insert set contains 12 pages of material contain prayers, quotes from the Scriptures, Saints and Popes, as well as advice and admonitions. I very much appreciated the section on St. Joseph, which has a number of helpful reflections, hymns, and devotions centered on St. Joseph. In particular, I appreciated the addition of the “St. Joseph Rosary” which is something I was not familiar with before getting this bible. I could see how these inserts could serve as a prayer starter or monthly reading for discussion in a men’s group.
Overall, the New Testament and Psalms for Men would make an excellent Father’s Day gift or as a text to use in a men’s fellowship group. The added material provides some great quotes and reflections which enhance this highly readable edition. Minus my own caveat (the glued binding), it could serve as a traveling companion for many years. There are a number of “men’s bibles” on the market geared to more of a Protestant audience. This might be the first Catholic one which can compare in quality and additional materials with our Protestant brothers.
Tim, I’m in agreement with most of your review. Thanks for offering your input. I would have liked a single column text. It supplies an easier reading flow, rather than the up and down, and then to the side (right). Also, you make a “spot on” note, not only of the glued binding and longevity, but the cover as well. These type of coverings are now “in vogue”. I’d wax on far too long for this comment section. Needless to say, I’m not a fan of such coverings. I know many Catholic friends who’ve said, “We’re not going to get quality covers for Catholic Bibles, so we may as well be happy with what we’ve got.” A poor response for poor quality coverings. As earlier, I agree with much that Tim has stated in his review, and it’s nice to read his offerings once again.
Thanks James. I am eager to get the new RSV-CE from Scepter that is due for publication at the end of April. It is sewn and portable, so it might be a great alternative.
I definitely agree with James on the text layout. I’m puzzled that they decided to use a double-column layout for a small NT/Psalms. I suppose it allows them to print the Psalms on fewer pages, and that keeps the thickness to a manageable size. Personally, though, I’d rather have a thicker bible than a narrow two-column layout.
Count me as another that dislikes the double-column format and who also wishes that Catholic Bibles had better aesthetics. Also agree with Marc’s point in the post that the Ignatius font is lame.
I have to say, there is something seriously wrong in the Bible publishing world that publishers are increasingly pushing Bible editions dedicated to a small, niche audiences ‘The Bible for Men’, ‘The Bible For Women’, ‘The Bible For Teens’. etc. Rather than the general reader.
The worst example of this was the Holman Christian Standard, I don’t think they do this anymore, but there was a time when there were literally dozens of editions of the HCSB which were identical in every way except that the cover said ‘The Bible For…..’ various audience…’The Bible for Veterans’, ‘The Bible for First Responders’. ‘The Bible for Baristas’ (okay, I made the last one up, but at this point, it wouldn’t surprise me).
I don’t know why publishers do this, the easy answer is ‘greed’ but I don’t think that ‘easy’ answer is the correct one.
I really dislike RSV and RSV2CE editions that have the pronunciation marks for names, eg “Laz’arus” instead of just “Lazarus.” One of the things I like about the Great Adventure Catholic Bible is that it’s RSV2CE but omits those pronunciations marks. Are you aware of any other editions that do? I’d LOVE a single-column RSV2CE without those marks.
It’s not quite a full Bible per se, but Divine Worship: Daily Office (Commonwealth Edition) does include the majority of the Bible via its daily readings, and it uses the RSV-2CE sans pronunciation marks.
Totally agree with Timothy’s review. I would add that it bothers me a lot that there is no Table of Contents; I am not versed well enough to know where some of the books are relative to others (with some obvious exceptions like the Gospels, Acts, Revelation/ Apocalypse), so Contents would aid me greatly. I would’ve liked at least two ribbons. It would also have been nice to have footnotes, but maybe that’s an RSV thing. I am also partial to the double column layout. All in all, I think it’s a great buy at $10 (not $30), at which I purchased it on sale at TAN.