A little over two years ago, I posted my review of the HCSB Minister's Bible. At the time, while impressed with the idea of the Bible, I was somewhat disappointed in the thinness of its pages which tended to curl after heavy amounts of writing in the margins. Nevertheless, I've found myself coming back to this Bible over and over, using it for teaching as well as its specific purposes such as weddings and funerals. Currently, I'm using the HCSB Minister's Bible for our study on the Psalms I'm teaching in our Sunday morning Bible study at church.
I like the HCSB Minister's Bible because the text is not rushed. There is plenty of room for notes such as can be seen from the page spread from the book of Hebrews above. In texts such as this one, there's a nice amount of space for writing notes in the margins. Poetic passages, such as in the Psalms where I am currently teaching, offer ample space for notes. Another thing I've learned after using this Bible off and on for three years is that although the pages often do initially curl after writing on them, they flatten out in a short of amount of time. So my initial criticism turns out to not be that big of a deal in the long run. Nevertheless, I would certainly not object to slightly thicker paper in the next edition.
Speaking of next editions, a couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about upcoming editions of HCSB Bibles that will receive the updated (2009 copyright) text (see "'Revised' HCSB Printed Texts Slated for 2010"). Missing from the list of upcoming 2009 text Bibles was theHCSB Minister's Bible. Well, I'm very excited to report that this Bible is currently being updated to the new 2009 text. In fact, the newHCSB Minister's Bible should appear shortly after the release of the Apologetics Study Bible for Students which is set to be released in February, 2010. So, we can probably start looking for an updated HCSB Minister's Bible in Spring, 2010.
Moreover, I've been told than unlike the previous edition which only came in one genuine leather binding, the new HCSB Minister's Bible will arrive in two different bindings. At the ETS meetings last year, Lifeway showed off a "Limited Edition" of the HCSB Minister's Bible with a handcrafted cowhide cover prepared by the nonprofit Biblias Abba ministry of the Generation 3:16 church in Mexico City. I've been told that the high end genuine leather edition of the new HCSB Minister's Bible will be "much the same or possibly identical" to the Limited Edition shown last year.
On the less expensive end, an edition with a "leather-like" cover made of polyurethane will be offered. This will be good news to those who didn't want to buy the current edition at $75 as this imitation leather edition will presumably be at a lower price. No pricing has been announced for either edition, although the "Limited Edition" shown last year had a price of $149.99. Of course, the Limited Edition was never actually sold in stores.
Regardless, the HCSB Minister's Bible is my primary HCSB, and I look forward to obtaining the new edition with the 2009 copyright text next year.
BONUS TO THIS POST: UNBOXING PHOTOS OF THE "LIMITED EDITION" HCSB MINISTER'S BIBLE
As mentioned above, the Limited Edition HCSB Minister's Bible was never sold in stores although a price of $149.99 was placed on the side of the box. A very limited number were created primarily as a "marketing piece" and given to authors and a few other folks. There is not a separate ISBN designated to this Bible, but according to the copyright page, it shares its ISBN with the regular edition selling currently.
I was very fortunate a few days ago to receive one of the very last of these Bibles that had not yet been distributed. This is such a beautiful Bible, with a gorgeous, handcrafted cowhide cover that so far I've been afraid to take it from the house, and I certainly haven't written in it (yet). It may very well be the nicest Bibles I've ever held (and I've held LOTS of Bibles).
The front of the box.
The back of the box.
A very nice note from the person who sent me the Bible.
A note about the Biblias Abba ministry and the women who prepared the cover of the Bible. Also note that the Bible itself was wrapped in two separate sheets of black paper.
The above picture does not do the cover of the Bible justice. It is so incredible soft, and dare I say--it smells good, too!
Like the regular edition, the sewn binding allows this Bible to lay open flat.
The spine of this edition simply says "Holy Bible." Note the wheat symbol, presumably representing John 4:35b as quoted on the back of the box: "Open your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ready for harvest."
The picture above is a bit out of focus, but shows the regulard edition next to the Limited Edition. The Limited Edition is slightly taller due to a greater overlap of the leather at the edges.
The four pictures above show how very flexible this cover is. It feels good in the hand and holds a solid balance which is important for public proclamation.
The Limited Edition HCSB Minister's Bible stands as a monument to high end quality Bibles characterized by master craftsmanship. Since the forthcoming new editon of the Bible has been said to be like this Bible or very similar, I look forward to obtaining one next Spring. In the meantime, I have this one for use, or if I can't bring myself to take it with me, I can continue to use my copy of the regular edition.