Gospel Prism

I know what you’re thinking, a versus title usually carries with it some possible negativity.  But hear me out first.  I like both of these children’s Bibles.  Next to the actual Bible itself, which I think children should begin reading as early as possible, these two children’s Bibles are very good.  But I happen to think one outclasses the other, and the one that shines is Catherine Vos’ Child’s Story Bible.  The Jesus Story Book Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones is a good kids Bible.  Its emphasis on seeing the Bible through the historic-redemptive lens is refreshing.  Its continual reflection on each Bible narrative’s foreshadowing of Christ rightfully places the emphasis on Scripture’s unity on foretelling the work of Christ.

However, the challenge that such a Bible faces is that in its paraphrasing of Scripture to make it more contextual for kids, it tends to make the Bible a bit too cute (This is the VeggieTales syndrome you might say, which is one of the reasons I would rather show my kids Bob the Builder or Dora the Explorer than the VeggieTales’ Josh and the Big Wall or David and the Giant Pickle.  This depiction of Scripture leads kids to actually believe that the story of David and Goliath is all about small people can do great things rather than God Almighty who delivers His people for His glory.) and in doing so, I believe diminishes the power of God’s Word and its intended meaning.  For example, when she discusses the Fall and Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden, sin is described as “always running away from him and hiding in the dark.”  When they were forced from the Garden, it’s lacking the weight of the severity of what they had done.  God merely says, “You will have to leave the garden now.”  God is not angry, but instead “his eyes fill with tears.”  This emphasis on God’s love and mercy is strong, but without a clear reference to God’s wrath, I am afraid grace and the purpose of the book in the first place, Christ’s redemptive work on the cross, becomes hazy.  I must also admit that I am not too fond of biblical characters speaking with children’s idioms.  I know I might be nitpicking here, but this can definitely lead to misinterpretation.

This is why I like Catherine Vos’ work.  Though it’s a bit archaic (it uses the KJV as its biblical text), when characters speak, she actually quotes the Bible.  But her narrative is certainly readable enough for kids to understand.  She also is much more faithful to the flow of the biblical text.  It has other limitations as well, especially when discussing other races which show the ethnic biases of her era.  But overall, this Bible is perhaps the most understandable and complete for a children’s Bible.

But who can beat the Children’s ESV Bible.  This is a must have for all kids.  It’s the full Bible text.

For more reviews, you can see Shua’s opinion on the subject at Christ-Centered Children.