The Noteworthy Bible
The TNIV New Testament Noteworthy Collection
Published by Zondervan
Reviewed October, 2008
Being a fan of Moleskine notebooks, I have longed for a small Bible in a similar format.
Let me explain; I have had Moleskine notebook for about 4 years and have carried it everywhere with me, in my jacket pocket, in my satchel, and even in my luggage whilst on holiday. And although it’s dropped and banged numerous times, and has been written in hundred’s of times, it is still looking good and in one piece.
Similary, I have had a small pocket New Testament for about the same time. I have taken it to all the same places, dropped it as many times, and used it just as much as the Moleskine, but it looks like it’s been through the wars. Pages are falling out, the paperback cover is all tattered and torn, and the edges are bent, torn, ripped, or just missing. The sign of a well used Bible, I hear you say. That may be, but you can imagine my surprise and excitement when I found out earlier this year that Zondervan was due to release a Moleskine style New Testament Bible, in which every page of text would be opposite a blank page for taking notes.
The first thought I had was, what a brilliant idea! Firstly, I could get a pocket Bible that would stand the test of time, hopefully. Secondly, no more would I have to scribble notes on scrap paper or use separate note pads to write down thoughts and idea’s; I could write them right there next to the very Scripture that inspired them. It would be extremely useful and insightful in years to come to open this Bible and look back at some older notes. And let me add, what a gift to leave your children!
The Noteworthy Bible I had to review was the burgundy version; they also come in tan and the prerequisite Moleskine inspired black. It’s a little bigger than my small Moleskine notepad, but just as well made. It has a hard Moleskine-like cover (covered in extremely thin leather) and has a sturdy piece of elastic to hold everything in place whilst on the move. It even has two pieces of elastic to hold a pen in place against the spine of the Bible, very useful.
I must admit, I did put the elastic through the motions by pulling pretty hard several times, and it’s still felt very strong.
As a translation the TNIV (Today’s New Internation Version) is basically an updated NIV, and to be honest not much has changed, which is fine by me as I use the NIV translation the most. For those of you who would like the NIV translation a Noteworthy version is in the works.
Worthy of note is that whilst most small New Testament Bibles come with Psalms, and sometimes even Proverbs, this is purely a New Testament Bible. It’s pretty no frills when it comes to extras, so don’t expect a dictionary or concordance. The text is small, too small for some, but thanks to the finely printed black text on extremely white pages people with good eyesight will probably have no problem reading. The words of Christ are not in red, so this may out off a few potential buyers.
The pages feel quite thick for a small Bible, although in no way does this Bible feel too bulky. It’s just right. Gilded edges, in silver or gold, finishes it off the Bible aesthetically.
I really like the “Moleskine” Bible and will buy one at some point. Will it hold up to the pressures of day to day use? Only time will tell.
Christian St John M.Div, BChM, ACS
October, 2008
Image: Sourced from Amazon.com
