Glossy Scripture

By Sean Gregory

You've heard the New Testament story about Jesus calming the storm, right? The one from the Gospel of Matthew, in which the Apostles wake Jesus from a nap while waves almost ravage their boat. According to one version, it goes, "Jesus awoke and asked them, 'Are y'all doubters out there pouting for real/ What's the deal?/ Where's all that faith you always talking about when I'm not around?/ How you gone' doubt right now?/ Check this out/ ... I'm talking to the waters and clouds/ Rain and wind, y'all both calm down."

Yes, that's not your Father's version of the Bible. But those rap lyrics are a modern-day interpretation of New Testament verses offered by Real, the newest Bible magazine, or biblezine, from Christian publisher Thomas Nelson Inc., based in Nashville, Tenn. The company's biblezines--which include Becoming (for women) and Refuel (for teenage boys)-- carry the New Testament with the look of a newsstand glossy, replete with pictures and sidebars that offer prayer, relationship, even beauty tips. Real, which debuted in July, targets young hip-hop fans. Rap renditions of stories like the parable of the mustard seed, are labeled "The Script" and scattered throughout the book. Revolve, a biblezine for teenage girls, includes a Q&A column called Blab. One installment, next to chapter 18 of John's Gospel, asks, "My BFF [to those who last signed a high school yearbook in the Carter years, BFF means "best friend forever"] is sneaking out with a much older guy ... Should I tell somebody?"

Thomas Nelson says the biblezines are a way to lure young readers to God's word. Although Christian publishing is booming--according to the Book Industry Study Group, sales of Bibles and other religious books are expected to swell to $2.1 billion this year, a 10.5% increase over 2004--experts fear that sales of traditional Bibles may stall. Spurred by biblezines and surging demand for all things Christian, year-end profits for the $238 million company rose 23%, to $19.8 million.

Real might be Thomas Nelson's biggest leap of faith. Michele Clark Jenkins, an entertainment lawyer and writer, and Stephanie Perry Moore, a Christian author, launched the hip-hop-themed biblezine. It wasn't an easy sell: Thomas Nelson's white evangelical execs weren't exactly up on Usher's latest hits. "You should have seen their faces after we played one of the songs," says Perry Moore, laughing, referring to the Christian rap CD that comes with Real. "They were, like, 'How can this be Christian?' And some religious leaders question the biblezines' decorum. "The Bible is a word that stands on its own," says Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. "Packaging it surrounded by tips on cosmetics and dating and popularity in school is a dangerous precedent." But Thomas Nelson isn't dodging its detractors. "To say we shouldn't have pieces on real life, that's a disconnect," says Brenda Noel, the company's project manager for Real. "Jesus didn't just hang out in churches. He was out on the streets." Like it or not, Real might follow Him out there. --By Sean Gregory