Bible Review: The Deep Blue Kids Bible

The Deep Blue Kids Bible (CEB), 2012, Abingdon Press, 1526 pages.

Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10

Recommended for: no one

Bottom Line: The Deep Blue Kids Bible uses a questionable translation and supplements the text with too many features, some of them unhelpful.

If you go Bible shopping at a Christian bookstore there’s a good chance you’ll see this children’s Bible on the display shelves.  I wouldn’t say it’s your best choice, for three primary reasons.  First: The Common English Bible (CEB) is a product of translators from mainline denominations (United Methodist, Presbyterian Church USA, Disciples of Christ, etc.) and the newer revisions are gender-inclusive to the point of substituting The Human One for Son of Man.  It also renders OT messianic passages with no regard for the Messiah—e.g., translating virgin as young woman in Isaiah 7:14.   Second: even though the Kids Bible is marketed to middle elementary grades (3rd-5th), the print is very small, making it tough for beginning readers.  Third: too many in-text features clutter up the pages, and too many of them reflect a dispensational/liberal slant.  For example: Why is so much blood sacrifice required in the Old Testament? Answer: To show the seriousness of sin.  No reference to the Lamb of God or Hebrews 9:22.  A sidebar relating to Genesis 3 identifies “God’s greatest gift” as free will.  Not all the features are inaccurate or inadequate, but simply put, you can do better.

Overall Rating: 2 (out of 5)

Categories: Bibles and Bible Storybooks, Christian, Middle Grades