5.7.12

Finally, I Wrote the Bible (Sort Of)

Everyday Matters Bible

Today, I opened a box of irony.

It was from Hendrickson Publishers and Christianity Today.

A long time ago, I was a bible major at a small college. I switched out, because it occurred to me that my options in "ministry" were limited. After all, I never liked kids (much) and I wasn't worship-leader material—two classic areas where women can find "ministry opportunities."

My thing was ideas. Writing. Shaping. Yes, maybe even preaching.

But I'm the practical sort, and I could see that my gifts weren't going to make it (much) in a traditional church setting.

Pair that with my strange little feelings of arguing with bible writers as if I really had a seat at the table (much like the rabbis and the theologians do), and maybe you can see why I opened a box of irony today.

Twenty years after I closed the book on working seriously with the bible, I have now written a piece of the bible.

Well, sort of.

See?

Everyday Matters Bible LL Barkat

And, for the record, I'm pretty sure the scribes changed a little of what I put on the scroll. But we'll leave that be.

[UPDATE: I've received some questions via various social media channels, about the use of my work in this Bible, and whether or not I gave permission and so forth. As is standard with many publishing outlets, my contract with Christianity Today granted them permission to re-use the work for later projects, should they ever have need. They did, and that's perfectly within their rights. The question of editing is a fascinating one, but let it be said that all editors do *edit* for their particular needs. Variation exists in whether that editing is passed by the writer. Even with me, in my own job as Managing Editor. :)]

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7 Comments:

Blogger Maureen said...

Love that "(Sort Of)" qualifier. Without it, we might have to think of you as heretical.

5.7.12  
Anonymous Monica Sharman said...

You are so good at leaving things be. :) I'd like that kind of maturity.

5.7.12  
Blogger Bonnie said...

THIS is so good to see. Keep on my writing friend. By the way, hosted Mako at Childlight Conference in June. Encounters was part of the domino effect of the Lord as he prepares one for WHAT is coming!

5.7.12  
Anonymous Monica Sharman said...

By the way, this makes me curious how much (is there a percentage?) an editor can change and still attach your name to it.

6.7.12  
Blogger L.L. Barkat said...

Monica, excellent question. Here is the original article, which obviously needed to be changed:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/novemberweb-only/148-21.0.html

And now I am more perplexed. Because the whole end of the Bible article seems to be pieced together. Maybe even from God in the Yard (but I need to check that out).

6.7.12  
Blogger L.L. Barkat said...

Okay, not from 'God in the Yard' (though it shows up there too :). It's just that the article has been rather pieced together with someone else's new words added in between the ones from my original article :)

6.7.12  
Blogger David Rupert said...

i have to say that is very cool. I really want to meet Peter, and ask him about some things he contributed to the Bible. But now, you're the next best thing

9.7.12  

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