I received a free copy of the following book from Book Sneeze in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

I didn’t realize that Resolve was a Bible until it arrived. I thought it was a magazine for young people, but it is the New Testament with a magazine look and design. It certainly brings our present cultural issues to the forefront and will appeal to the younger audience, although it almost seems sacrilegious. I think I understand the concept – the desire to make the Bible more relevant to the younger generation, but I cannot agree with this approach.

I cannot get excited about a New Testament that contains fashion, makeup and dating advice or that is sprinkled with celebrity news, interviews and mission and Bible tips. It saddens me, to be honest. It saddens me that I have to write a negative review and it saddens me that we, as Christians, think that we need to be like the world to reach out to the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps it is my age, but my oldest daughter liked what she saw, even though she admitted it was kind of weird. She likened it to the Seventeen magazine, except Revolve has the Bible in it. She hasn’t even read Seventeen, she’s only seen it in stores.

I can see young people just reading the newsy clips and sidebars and completely overlooking the New Testament. Although it may contain relevant content, we, as Christians are called to be different from the rest of the world around us. We are called to be in the world, but not of it. To me, Revolve is just another attempt to be like the world, but it’s seasoned with biblical content. It may be a hit with some, but not with me. Just make a teen magazine, no need to call it a New Testament Bible.

Revolve retails for $16.99, but Christian Book Distributors (CBD) has it for $11.99.