A Word for All Seasons -- Rainproof, Rugged and Ready
by Randall Murphree
September 19, 2005
(AgapePress) - Campers, hunters, fishermen, athletes -- and hammock swingers with iced tea in hand -- finally, there's a Bible for you. It's waterproof, tear-resistant and ready for reading in the wild. I admit I wasn't sold at first. Thought it was just another gimmick to manipulate a niche market. Then they got to the part about swinging in the hammock. And then I showed a copy of this new-fangled Bible to a few outdoorsmen. They waxed eloquent.
"That's really cool!"
"Hey, great idea."
"I want one!"
The Outdoor Bible, I concluded, isn't such a bad idea. In fact, I'll be recommending it to friends who love extended time in the great outdoors -- Southern boys hunting in Montana, overnight fishing trips, or months of hiking on the Appalachian Trail.
Bobby Bardin, one of the brains behind the Outdoor Bible, said he often found it hard to maintain disciplined Bible study with his outdoor adventures. Michael Marsee, his partner in publishing, shared a similar concern. As college friends, the two began mulling over the dilemma during a backpacking trip -- in the middle of final exams. (No, I didn't ask questions about the wisdom of that particular adventure.)
"Michael and I have been talking about how awesome it would be to have a waterproof Bible for many years," said Bardin. Both he and Marsee went on to pursue careers, Bardin with his wife Anna in their graphic design company and Marsee as a chef.
"I have always loved to be in God's creation, exposed to the elements," Bardin said, "and I have often desired to have my Bible by my side for reading here and there. My exploring has led me to mountain tops, river banks, sandy beaches, misty valleys, and hot springs, and has caused me to become soaked to the core while backpacking or paddling."
However, he admitted that in the past, his Bible often didn't make the trips because he didn't want it to get wet, ripped or otherwise abused.
"The winter of 1996-97 was one of the last big snow years in Vail, Colorado," Marsee recalled. "It was my first year to lead mountaintop worship services with Alpine Resort Ministry. I remember trying to read Scripture on those snowy Sundays while huge snowflakes melted onto the pages."
On those Sunday mornings, Marsee thought to himself, "If only this were waterproof."
Finally, the two twenty-somethings took matters into their own hands and, with Bardin's wife Anna, formed Bardin & Marsee Publishing to produce what they are convinced fills a need.
The remarkable product they came up with is unique in several ways. First of all (and I like this), it's just the pure, unadulterated Word of God. Whereas most "specialty" Bibles target a particular audience with "special" devotional material, "special" commentary, "special" this-or-that, the Outdoor Bible gives us only the Word.
Bardin and Marsee chose the New American Standard Bible, widely acclaimed as "the most literally accurate translation" from original languages. They plan to offer the King James Version sometime next year.
The Bible is printed on 100 percent tough plastic, fully waterproof, resistant to typical outdoor wear and tear. Neither rain, nor snow nor sleet can keep it from its appointed purpose. Still another unique element is its format. The New Testament (all that's available) comes in six thin volumes. Each is folded map-style and opens to a 10"x13" page.
The six volumes fold into a compact (5"x6.5") size, and are tucked into a burlap bag with drawstring. The package weighs less than 13 ounces and includes a couple of bonus, stand-alone articles printed on the same durable material as the Bible.
The Outdoor Bible? I wasn't sold on it at first. I am now. Kudos to Marsee and the Bardins. When believers who spend a lot of time outdoors learn about this Bible, it's sure to go to the top of their wish list.
Uh, sorry to cut this short -- but I think I hear my hammock calling me to yet another great outdoor adventure.
Randall Murphree, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is editor of AFA Journal, a monthly publication of the American Family Association.
