KJV African-American Devotional Bible, The

Rating:
Summary: An ambitious project, but an uneven achievement
Review: It cannot be denied that the publication of "The African-American Devotional Bible" is a significant cultural event. Nor can it be denied that the book is a useful resource. But on the whole, I found myself disappointed by the book. Too often the editors and the contributors take the road of least resistance, and ultimately the book fails to attain its full potential.

There is a lot to admire in this volume, which was produced under the banner of the Congress of National Black Churches (CNBC). Interwoven throughout the text of the King James Version of the Judeo-Christian Bible are over 300 short meditations, each one written by a member (primarily ordained clergy) of one of the CNBC's member denominations. These denominations include the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the National Baptist Convention of America, and several others. A useful introduction includes brief histories of each denomination, and short (2 or 3 line) minibiographies of each author appear at the end of the book.

Many of the meditations are both inspiring and relevant to the study of African-American culture. Some of the more striking selections include Joseph C. Coles' reflection on Esther 4:14, which recounts an encounter between Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass. Another notable selection is Nehemiah Mitchum's meditation on Proverbs 22:1, which includes a quote from Shakespeare's "Othello."

Unfortunately, such meaty selections are too few and far between. Too many of the meditations in "The African-American Devotional Bible" are vague and insubstantial platitudes. These meditations trot out cliche after cliche, and offer no new or challenging insights.

Even worse is the book's failure to effectively deal with some of the more painful and controversial issues facing the African-American church. I suppose that it could be argued that a devotional Bible is not the appropriate vehicle for dealing with controversy. But I ask: If Christians cannot confront potentially painful and divisive issues during their devotional reading of the Bible, when will they deal with those issues?

The book's "Subject Index" is indicative of the book's overall unevenness. There is only a single entry under AIDS--a disease that has been devastating to many African-American communities. And consider the title of the AIDS meditation: "Loving the Sinner, Challenging the Sin." Why couldn't they have included a single positive, uplifting meditation for people with AIDS and their families which doesn't harp on the presumed sins of the person with AIDS? And on that note, I have always thought that many Christian preachers employ a dishonest double-standard when they talk about AIDS. Why is "sin" rarely mentioned with regard to those Christians who spend a lifetime indulging in a high-fat, high-salt diet before succumbing to heart disease? (although, to be fair, the author of the AIDS meditation does mention that some acts can render us susceptible to "other diseases" besides AIDS.)

The "Subject Index" includes only a single entry on women. And it contains NO entries on the following topics: addiction/substance abuse, abortion/abortion rights, anti-Semitism, domestic violence, homophobia/homosexuality, interfaith relations, poverty, or war. But there are twelve (!) entries on "obedience"--what, I wonder, is the agenda being pushed by the clergy who wrote these entries? For Christians grappling with the truly challenging issues facing the African-American church, this devotional Bible is not terribly insightful.

Yes, there is much to admire in "The African-American Devotional Bible." But it is a sadly limited resource which, I fear, will be used to foster intellectual and spiritual laziness among its readership.

Rating:
Summary: Easy to understand, straightforward and interesting.
Review: The African-American Devotional Bible has proved to be a valuable tool. This bible is easy to understand, the devotions are right on time and apply directly to the chapter and scriptures. The history of the African American Churches is very impressive. I ordered this book for my daughter and I have yet to give it to her as I use it for Bible Study, Sunday School and Sunday morning worship. I am in the process of ordering books for the youth in our church, who have been begging me for months to get them a copy. Its a great book and I highly recommend it for all African Americans especially the African Methodist Episcopal Zion members.

Rating:
Summary: A very good bible for an African-Americans
Review: This Bible meets the needs of African Americans. It has good phrases, notes and messages for every situation. Plus the entire bible transformed into the NIV language. Its would make a good 2nd Bible for the home if you already have a King James bible in church.