The American Patriots Bible, KJV: The Word of God and the Shaping of America [Hardcover]

The first thing I noticed about this book was the quality of it's construction. (I received the hard cover KJV of this bible.) The book is solid, with a good binding, nice quality cover material, and beautifully rendered art work throughout. The pages are not your typical "onion skin" pages that you find in most Bibles. These pages are a little more sturdy, and the print is significantly larger than you find in an average Bible. (I enjoyed that very much, since I found myself getting lost in reading without the eye strain later.)

There are many paintings/drawings, historical documents, and "moments in history" type stories included throughout this Bible. While I found some of it hard to "mesh" with a Bible, I did find it mostly enjoyable reading. As a note to any LGBT readers, this Bible makes a pretty bold statement near the beginning about marriage being between one man and one woman, and adds that changing that would destroy the concept of family. This is the main reason I gave the book 4, not 5 stars. I think the Bible says enough on it's own about that particular subject, and I don't think the passage was necessary. Perhaps that's the danger of mixing US history with a Bible, it becomes tainted with politics.

Over all I found this to be a quality Bible, large (not one to tote around with you), sturdy and beautifully designed. There are many pages up front to note family history, Military service etc. I prefer the KJV, so that pleased me as well. I can see this being a very popular gift for the history buff in your life!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Bound in a large hardcover, The American Patriot's Bible is a remarkable addition to any Scriptural collection offering an abundance of spiritual and historical resources for any Christian, theologian or patriot. Whether it is initiated as a family heirloom or presented as a gift to that precious someone, The American Patriot's Bible is exquisite in appearance from cover to cover and every single page in between. Visually stunning and inundated with educational information this Bible parallels the Word of God serving as the foundation of our beloved country's freedom.

Opening the Bible there is an absolutely beautiful section in the front for genealogy expanding significant church events for each relative, events in family history and ancestors of interest. The smooth, slick pages throughout also include the fifty states with their dates of admittance beside a United States map. The thinner tissue-like pages of Scripture are bookmarked with presidential quotes highlighting "Moral Strengths". The back of the Bible includes a listing of the presidents, a concordance and very colorful maps of the Holy Land.

One can clearly read the large print and organized format of The American Patriot's Bible. Now available in both the King James and New King James versions, this would make an excellent teaching tool for grade school level children as well. This will definitely be a special presence within my library for research and enlightenment in Christ with open recommendation for in-depth study.

This book was provided free for review by the publisher.

The American Patriot's Bible may not have been a misguided idea. Why shouldn't there be an edition of the Bible specifically for those who love America and want to study and celebrate its theological heritage? But the American Patriot's Bible in practice is an exercise in subtly misplaced worship, and thinly subverted readings of the scriptures. The American Patriot's Bible makes many theologically questionable moves. In a comment on Col 2:7, in a section called "The Christmas/July 4 Link," it links the birth of Christ to the birth of the United States. In a comment on Jesus' statement in Mt. 5:14 that his followers "are a city on a hill," it equates the United States with the city on the hill, and the "covenant people of God." It's not surprising when politicians try to steal these phrases for themselves, but it is surprising when Christians not only approve of such theft but encourage it.

But the American Patriot's Bible moves beyond questionable theological moves into idolatry when it equates the U.S. soldier with the sacrifice of Christ. The comment on John 3:16 ("God so loved the world he gave his only son") is a quote from Colin Powell "Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and omen into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those who did not return." Let's leave aside the ludicrous claim that the United States has never expanded its territorial control through bloodshed, and look at the underlying theology of the American Patriot's Bible in placing this quote as a commentary on John 3:16. "God so loved the world that he gave his only son;" and the United States so loves the world that we give our sons and daughters.

The edition itself is relatively attractive, and the historical trivia ("Harry S. Truman placed his hand on Matthew 5:3-11 as he took the oath of office in 1949") can be interesting. The variety of plates that precede the text (with place for immigration and baptismal records) would make this edition a great keepsake. So it's a shame that the editors went beyond mere Americana to equating the United States with both the church and with God. This book is dangerous to Christians and Americans alike.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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