Recovering Some of the Original Form of the Bible

There's some buzz out there about the Aug. 1 release of a new Bible from the International Bible Society. It's called Books of the Bible. It's really designed to be a no-additives Bible, something closer to the original. So there are no chapter and verse numbers, headings, extra columns, cross-references, etc.

Why? Because in some ways these have been helpful, and in some ways they have distractions.

Also they have recombined 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings into one unified book, as it was in very old manuscripts. Luke and Acts are placed together as a two volume history by Luke. Paul's letters are arranged chronologically. (You can see a complete book list here.)

So what do I think about this?

First, I respect the effort. They aren't rewriting Scripture, but restoring it's original forms. I think this will be a valuable Bible for personal study and devotions.

Second, I think it will be difficult to teach from, unless everyone in your class or group also has a copy. If you want people to follow-along and participate, you need to steer them to be in the same place. Saying "Page 256, second paragraph" isn't going to work as well as "Chapter X, beginning in verse 4."

And what do you think?