Sweden gets biblical…?
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Back in the day, great novels were sometimes published over several months through installments appearing in popular periodicals. Swedish publisher Förlaget Illuminated has revived the trend with one of the most well-read books of all time.
The Wall Street Journal this week spilled some ink on the company’s serial publication of the Bible. Among other places, glossy, photo-enhanced books of the Bible started appearing last spring in places one usually doesn’t go hunting for spiritual guidance: news stand Pressbyrån.
According to WSJ,
The Swedish-language Bible marries the standard text to glossy magazine-style design. Full-color pages are illustrated with a striking combination of news and dramatized photographs: a homeless child wrapped in a sweater on the streets of Bogotá, Colombia, illustrates the book of Job; a man who drowned trying to enter Europe, for Deuteronomy; and models posing in stylized scenes convey joy or despair. Bible passages are pulled out as captions.
What is one to make of the decision to hawk the Bible along side titles like Cosmopolitan, Elle, and weekly news magazines?
Of course, Sweden has always had a unique relationship with Christianity, even before attaining the status of one of the world’s most secularized countries. After all, the daughter of the great King Gustav II who died fighting for Protestantism in the Thirty Years’ War, Queen Christina, eventually abdicated her post and fled to Rome to convert to Catholicism.
She was the first (only?) Swede–and woman–to get a final resting place among the Popes buried at St. Peter’s.
According a bishop quoted in the piece, Swedes–just like everyone else–apparently still have some of life’s ‘big questions’ left to figure out.
Although Sweden is one of the most secularized countries in the world, we are seeing a growing interest in existential questions across the Western world, of which [Bible Illuminated] is a part,” says Antje Jackelén, the bishop of Lund, in southern Sweden. “As people travel, as they are presented with a growing multiculturalism at home, they are thinking harder about what it means to be from a culture that is formed by Christianity.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Oh, Sweden, my secular refuge from the religious madness that is America, please do not fall victim to the virus of faith and its tempting “easy answers”. You are an educated nation with science and compassion. Please keep it that way.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
You forgot the Adolf in the king’s name.
Just because some company is publishing the Bible in this way does not mean Sweden is becoming religiously fanatic.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:27 am
I wish you Swedes the best of luck in your search for truth. Western societies everywhere need to at very least understand the importance of Christianity in the development of great social, economic, and political institutions.
February 20th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Blimey! I was rather expecting the introduction of Arabic as compulsory. Too little too late says I.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Interesting as more and more Arabs are coming to Sweden bringing Islam with them.
February 20th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
wow and just so long ago i read they had state sponsored imams on the way, i am starting to wonder if the grass really is greener over here, i agree with alden cmon folks are we not smarter than this?
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:35 am
Everything changes, people will change Sweden to suit thier needs including religion.
February 23rd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
To Alden: To what “religious madness” do you refer when mentioning America? Let’s see: America is a country that worships Britney Spears, Gangsta Rap, and is a country where “Baby Daddy” or “Baby Momma” has replaced the concept of husband/wife.
As for Sweden being so tolerant, I suggest you google the name “Ake Greene”. -Bill-
February 24th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Return to your God! Any tree that doesn\t depend on the root will die. Something great is about to hint this nation except you return to your first love. May the lord open your eyes of understanding to know the hope of your high calling in christ Jesus.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Good signs, a country need a foundation it is Christianity. Back to to your basic Sweden.
March 1st, 2008 at 7:21 pm
the real question is: who will god be supporting in the upcoming US election? no one knows. not even swedish bible printers.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
More true to say, Sweden is getting quranical. Latest suggestion to fund islamic education on public funds, religious conversion to islam, unabated and uncontrollable influx of immigrants in Sweden- Sum of all this synergistic forces will ultimately lead to secular but islamic welfare state..
March 4th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
When you fall in love with God and god with you.and you know it is a great life.death has no fear,life is a way of showing the love of God,amd if you live in sweden sweden is going to change.Love football.love ice hockey,But God loves me
March 5th, 2008 at 1:45 am
The youth today need to find The Lord and Saviour. It just so happens that the Swedes never did follow Christianty and NEED to NOW more than ever!! With Islam finding roots and their beliefs IF put to use …Sweden NEEDS to study the Holy Bible once more!!
America will always be a Christiany country with strong beliefs and thats also what Sweden needs!
March 5th, 2008 at 1:50 am
The need to turn to the Lord has come and it will happen!! Not to believe as they knew The Lord and Saviour, well the NEED will come, you will see!!
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Are faith and reason so antithetical? Some of the finest minds to ever come out of Sweden were Christians.
Israel Acrelius
Laurentius Andreae
John Campanius
Lars Levi Læstadius
Sven Lidman
Eric Norelius
Laurentius Petri
Olaus Petri
Lina Sandell
The list goes on. Have you forgotten that the word “University” (as in Uppsala Universitet) Means “one truth?”