Latest News #298
January 20, 2005

The following news concerns the Netherlands.

Thousands of Netherlands churches get special copies of new Bible translation

Photo: The Rev W Boon of the Evangelical Lutheran congregation in Zuid-Limburg, Netherlands, proudly shows De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling, the new interconfessional Dutch Bible translation, to the youngest members of his parish on October 31, 2004. Photo: NBS/Frans Rade (NER04DJ-7.JPG)
The Rev W Boon of the Evangelical Lutheran congregation in Zuid-Limburg, Netherlands, proudly shows De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling, the new interconfessional Dutch Bible translation, to the youngest members of his parish on October 31, 2004. Photo: NBS/Frans Rade (NER04DJ-7.JPG)
Photo: The Rev W Boon of the Evangelical Lutheran congregation in Zuid-Limburg, Netherlands, reads from De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling, the new interconfessional Dutch Bible translation, on October 31, 2004. Photo: NBS/Frans Rade (NER04DJ-8.JPG)
The Rev W Boon of the Evangelical Lutheran congregation in Zuid-Limburg, Netherlands, reads from De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling, the new interconfessional Dutch Bible translation, on October 31, 2004. Photo: NBS/Frans Rade (NER04DJ-8.JPG)
Photo: The church in Dirkshorn, a small village in the western Netherlands, was one of 2,500 where De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling, the new interconfessional Dutch Bible translation, was presented on October 31, 2004. Photo: NBS/Frits de Beer (NER04DJ-9.JPG)
The church in Dirkshorn, a small village in the western Netherlands, was one of 2,500 where De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling, the new interconfessional Dutch Bible translation, was presented on October 31, 2004. Photo: NBS/Frits de Beer (NER04DJ-9.JPG)

HAARLEM, Netherlands — On the Sunday following the launch of the new interconfessional Dutch translation of the Bible by the Netherlands Bible Society (NBG), Society volunteers, employees, friends and board members presented special copies of the new Bible to some 2,500 churches across the country.

During or immediately after church services on October 31, church leaders each received an edition of De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling (NBV) with the words, 'Gods woord zet mensen in beweging' ('God's Word inspires people to act') inscribed on the cover and a specially inserted page inside to commemorate the occasion.

The Society said the presentation of the Bible in churches was "a symbolic gesture to position the Bible in the midst of the congregation. The church is seen as the place where people gather in order to let the Bible speak to their hearts and minds and where people are inspired to live their lives according to biblical values."

Many local parishes took the opportunity to mark the arrival of the new translation by holding events such as Bible marathons and Bible festivals.

The new Dutch Bible was launched simultaneously in Flanders (see Latest News 295) and the marketing by both the Netherlands and Flanders Bible Societies is designed to position it as a book not just for churchgoers but for the public at large.

"By positioning the Bible as more than a religious text, we have created a sense of freedom that has led to a warm welcome for the new Bible translation and spectacular sales figures," said the NBG in a statement. (255 words - Netherlands.13.01.05)
Photographs are available to accompany this story. For more information or to order, please contact the UBS Photo Department.
For further information please contact Andrew Mathewson, UBS Editor.
Alternatively, write to:

Andrew Mathewson
UBS Editor,
UBS World Service Center
Reading Bridge House, 7th Floor
Reading
RG1 8PJ
England

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