Kindred Bible Gospels Review
The Kindred Bible Gospels are four separate books; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; with thick glossy paper, full-color photos, and various page layouts. Done using the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) text they are designed to invite you to engage with God’s Word and take time for contemplative prayer.
The four Gospels are the only books currently available but Kindred plans to release 6 additional books; Psalms, Proverbs, Jeremiah, Isaiah, 1 Corinthians, and 2 Corinthians; before the end of 2022.
ISBNs: Matthew – 9780578948447 Mark – 9780578751351 Luke – 9780578803272 John – 9780578889627 Printed in China
Kindred provided these Bible books in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions are my own.
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These Bible books are available directly from KindredApostle.com
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Table of Contents
Video Review
Construction and Materials
These are softcover books with a very smooth coating and high gloss printing on the front cover. They measure 11.75 inches tall and 8.25 inches wide and vary between 1/2 inch and almost a full inch in thickness. I am sure 2 Corinthians will be thinner and Psalms much thicker. They have sewn perfect bindings.
The paper is thick (heavy stock) and glossy like many coffee table books or high-end brochures. It makes the pages durable and nice to use but difficult to photograph. Some of my photos have unusual angles or different lighting than usual to help keep down the glare spots and show the photos and text.
Typography and Layout
On white pages, the Biblical text is in a black ten-point font with bold verse numbers. Callers to the notes are in dark red. Section headings are in black and very large. All of the NABRE translation’s numerous references and notes are printed in a smaller font in dark red.
On colored pages, the font size stays the same for headings, Biblical text, and notes but they are done in varying light shades to coordinate with the background colors. Most of the color choices are well done but a few of them would be easier to read if they had chosen a shade with more contrast.
Guide verses are always included in the top corner of the right-hand page and page numbers are small and in the outer bottom corners of most pages.
Every chapter has a title page.
The layouts vary widely from section to section with double-column layouts, and three different widths of single-column layouts being used. The notes and references are sometimes next to and sometimes below the Biblical text. There are numerous section headings and each section has its own page or is on two facing pages.
Having each book of the Bible in a physically separate book and dividing the text up with so many section headings, pictures, and style changes will not make a lengthy Bible reading easy. But that is not what these books are designed for.
They were designed to make the Bible less intimidating and more accessible to those not used to a standard Bible. They were also designed to invite those who are used to a standard Bible to slow down and meditate on God’s Word and spend time in contemplative prayer.
Book Introductions and Principle Divisions
Each book has a several-page introduction that discusses things like the author, setting, and history of the book. It details the major themes and divisions of the book. It also includes references to other scriptures and some interpretations. These are well laid out, informative, and thought-provoking but do emphasize the catholic thought of the NABRE translation.
A list of the Principle Divisions of the Gospel is included between the introduction and the start of the Biblical Text. I like these basic outlines of the book. I would have loved to see them also used as a Table of Contents that included page numbers for the start of each division.
Photos
Lots of full-color photos are used in these books. Some of the photos are next to the text and some of them are the background for the text.
The photos were chosen as companion elements to the Scriptures. They used only pictures of nature and natural things with no human-made features “to bring glory and praise back to God.”
Final Thoughts on the Kindred Bible Gospels
The Kindred Bible Gospels are beautiful, high-quality, paperback Bible books. The varied and almost magazine-style layouts are accessible and inviting to those not familiar with the Bible. They also provide a beautiful, thought-provoking way to experience God’s Word for those who study the Bible regularly. If you are comfortable with the Catholic thought of the NABRE translation they would be a good addition to your Bible library or make great gifts for almost any occasion. A single volume would make a good study tool or conversation starter. A collection of them would make a stunning Bible. They do a good job of exactly what the designers intended – inviting you to experience the Word renewed.
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These Bible books are available directly from KindredApostle.com
_________________________________________________________
Photography by Lucinda Brown
Kindred provided these Bible books in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions are my own.
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