Saint John's Bible: Gospels and Acts

First let me respond to the foremost criticism: That the text is too small. This is simply not true. The text is roughly the same size as any hard cover book you might buy, and larger than a paperback, and is cleanly rendered by the calligraphers. The problem is that folks have, I think, is that they probably have read predominantly roman style text since they learned to read, occasionally and infrequently having to read small amounts of text in cursive (copperplate). This book is rendered almost in its entirety in a custom form of chancery. So the text being substantially differently formed than that you have read your whole life, is not easily read *at first*. Stick with it for a few pages and you will likely notice your difficulty in reading the text ease as your mind starts to recognize lettering again. For a hand engraved text, reading it naturally actually comes quite quickly; and those who would complain, I would suggest that they should try and read black letter sometime. Even when rendered by a printing press, black letter remains difficult to read. Or uncial perhaps, even when rendered by a master it is all but illegible. (Note the first page of this volume is actually in uncial, so it is a bit tough)I cannot conceive of a hand written bible being easier to read, and if someone wants a bible easier to read than this one, then they do not want one that is hand rendered, period.Number 2 criticism. It's too big. OK it is pretty large, a foot wide and a foot and a half long makes for a book hard to find a self for, or support with just your hands. I had no trouble reading it in the reclined position though.On to the review.Binding: Binding is good though not super special. It combines a fabric cover with sewn pages. It comes with a nice dust cover featuring an illumination of the manger scene.The text is hand rendered with great consistency, the style is very attractive and as I said is very close to a traditional chancery hand. Colored breaks are present between each verse, and opening capitals to each chapter are dropped three lines and colorfully engraved though typically not themselves illuminated. Certain pages or passages may be engraved in a different hand (the first page being a very traditional uncial for instance) or made part of an illumination (the lords prayer, for instance, is taken out of chancery and made into an illumination, thereafter the verse continues), and sometimes a key verse will repeat as part of an illumination separate from the text, so identifying when text in an illumination is part of the text, or a repeated verse separate from it can be a little confusing. The pages do show signs of bleed through as it occurred in the original. I found this did not make it harder to read, and added more of an authentic artistic hand rendered feel to the text itself when it could be seen. The words of Christ do not in rubric (red).Artwork. The only weakness in the artwork is the lack of luster to the gold that was used to illuminate the original. Ink can only do so much to replace the beauty of the original gold. Other than that the artwork colors show through brilliantly, and the multitude of styles and types of illumination are a beauty to behold. *I cannot rave enough about this*, and unfortunately words do not come to me to describe the beauty of the illumination, so I will steal some. It brings light to darkness, sinners might be blinded to behold it, looking it it is like looking at Heaven itself. Illumination itself is an art to add stature to a manuscript; looking at and reading this gives one the sense and feel that they hold in their hands the Word of God, so mission accomplished to the calligraphers and illuminators who rendered it.All in all, as I said in the title, the work is so beautiful it begs to be both read and admired. I am planning, after having seen this volumes quality, in purchasing the entire 7 volume set.

These books are spectacular. If you love the word and you love art, you really must see these. I am collecting the set one book at a time, and due to my modest income, I am buying them used. I can't understand why someone would buy these, and then let them go, unless they were part of an estate or something like that, but I am pleased to give them a home. The companion guide, The Art of the St. John's Bible, is well written and I recommend it. It is helpful to understand the creative process of the project.I would not recommend these volumes for a reader hoping to use this as a "study Bible," since the font, while beautifully done, is not easy to read quickly. So, while it works for a "slow read" Bible, it is more helpful as an additional means of understanding the many layers of meaning in each passage. I stand in awe of the magnificent artistry of the calligraphers and illuminators, and as always, the boundless and endless depth of the Bible.

The ST. JOHN's BIBLE, sponsored by St. John's (Catholic) University in Minnesota, USA, is the first hand-written Bible in some 550 years, since the Great Bible of Mainz, Germany (1452-1453), written in Latin. The St. John's Bible is written in English and is based on the Revised Standard Version of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, used by both Catholic and Protestant authorities. It is now (or will be shortly) complete in 12 large, bound volumes. There will only be around 175 original copies, to be given to the world's major religious centers, churches, museums, libraries, and comparable depositories. The Pentateuch volume mentioned here is a beautiful, small-er color copy of the original, capturing all its detail. I have been a docent in a museum where the St. John's Bible has been on display in the past; it is one of the most beautiful, inspiring documents you will ever see with its mangificent caligraphy and illuminations in English and occasionally Hebrew; with its stunning 21st century art; its connection between the art and text. Even if you are not Christian, or religious, you will be inspired at the beauty of this hand-written Bible.

It’s so beautiful words cannot describe. I purchased my copy used and very pleased, the seller accurately disclosed the item and it is just as they said, a very tight and clean copy.

Never will I forget the morning when I was packing for a pilgrimage to British cathedrals and abbeys and had the TODAY show on the bedroom tv as I worked. There was Donald Jackson, and there was his extraordinary rendering of the convoluted genealogy which opens Matthew's Gospel. Yes, it's a gorgeous, amazing piece of art in its own right, and this from a priest who once held a Gutenberg Bible in her bare hands in Germany. What struck me far more deeply was the intelligence, the heart, the soul, and the depth of the insights which had come together to empower the kind of prophetic, spiritual rendering he produced. I was stunned!Since then I've told dozens about Mr. Jackson and his workshop in Wales, and I've gotten on board with St. John's Abbey as both a financial contributor and a newsletter recipient. Originally I didn't dare hope that the mss. would be made available in book form for "us mere mortals" to own. This one would definitely be on my proverbial "the 10 books I'd want if I were marooned on an island" list.

This is a fantastically beautiful book, from the binding, to the type, to the illustrations. The publisher is to be complimented for approximating the beauty of the velum originals. For those who can afford the book (admittedly it is quite expensive), and for those who have the time to read it (the calligraphy makes it difficult to scan), the Saint John’s Bible is a must have. Because of its beautiful text and the intelligence and loveliness of the illustrations, this is a book to savour. I expect that believers will find reading it an act of worship.

This is the most beautiful and interesting Bible one could ever read. It has been brought ALIVE by the designer writing and by a dash of colour inserted often and also by drawings. It's like reading a completely different book. It will be much easier to read more of on a daily basis. If anyone is struggling to read through the Bible, then you must purchase this version. It is AMAZING. You will be thrilled. I am!

The illustrations are disappointing

As described and arrived on time. This completes the set for me and it is wonderful. A fantastic edition and beautiful to look at. Incredible drawings and the text is amazing.

Purchased as a gift for a Methodist Minister leaving our Church. She was delighted with it.

Fascinating to look at & makes you slow down and read in more reflective or meditative way. However even I with my very good and healthy and young reading eyes would prefer a larger font. I realize it's a reproduction of the original that's proportional in every way but I wish the books were a few inches taller and wider to accommodate a larger overall effect. In fact I wish there was a version in-between the huge Heritage Edition that is very easy to read ($150,000) and this version which averages $40-$50 a volume. Say a larger version on better paper with larger & sharper font for about $100 a volume. Until then this will do. However without a larger font it cannot become my study Bible bur rather my Brother Cadfael monastic meditative Bible - and there's a great blessing in that.