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Real, the complete New Testament is the Hip-Hop edition of Thomas Nelson’s new Bible ines. I’m not sure a forty-five year old woman with grandchildren is the right reviewer for this particular book and perhaps that is why I’ve put it off for a bit. But, reading through it again today, I realized that I could give a great endorsement for parents/teachers/leaders/grandparents etc. of the “hip-hop’ generation even if those hip-hoppers wouldn’t read my review themselves.
Real is like the other biblezines. (It is geared towards the hip-hop generation but I still found the cover rather stereotypical and didn’t care for it). The editors and contributors adhere to the idea that hip-hop is an urban-culture and generational thing. The co-editor’s note at the beginning is scattered with words like ‘playa’ and phrases like ‘straight-up’, now, while I don’t use these words, I’ve heard them plenty. real aims for the hearts of our most vulnerable – young people searching for significance, worth, value and truth. There is only one place to find all those things – in the Bible. And real delivers big time.
The table of contents lists sections:
Hot 10 – a list of well, lists.
Best hoods, ways to know if a Woman is Into You, Attributes of a Good Man, Attributes of a Good Woman, Things to do on a Saturday Night, NBA Teams, NFL Teams etc.
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The Script Rap
[as in Rap music] renditions of Bible Stories like:
Jesus Calms the Storm
Rise Up and Walk
Jesus Heals the Lepers
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More Stuff:
Urban Trilogy
Contributor’s bios
Artist info
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God Unit (Testimonies. Intriguing and soul touching)
:
Overcoming thug life
Getting Over and Abortion
Stronger from Rape
Dealing with Racism
Finding the Good in Failure
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Calendars
monthly
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Music Reviews (Good and Bad in Music)
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Real Power
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Real Rhymes:
Christian Rap Lyrics |
The New Testament
(From John-Revelation) |
Jail’s no Joke: The word from behind bars
(Testimonies from those behind bars) |
Bible 411:
The Basics
Jesus
God the Father
Holy Spirit
Church
Bible
Christian
Baptism
Sin
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Worlds says/Word Says
:
Showing you His way
Do Whatcha Like
Using Profanity
Abortion
Beauty
Trust
Oral Sex
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Connected:
Relationship Issues
Complete your Assignment
You can do it
Friends Don’t Play
How far is Too Far?
Look Deeper
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Overcoming:
Winning Over struggles
Pride
Low Self-esteem
Worrying
Obesity
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Think Straight:
Choices
Seek the Source
Life or Death
Decision by default
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How Ya Travelin?:
The Christian walk
Love
Work well, work good
Faith
Handling conflict
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Deep Issues:
Everyday Concerns
Guns and Violence
Parents
Sex
HIV/AIDS
Abortion
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Heart Cry:
Dilemmas, Prayers and Answers
Identity
Regret
Time with God
Loneliness
Abuse
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Urban Trilogy
-- Fictional Stories:
What Makes a Man?
Last Man Standing
Not Alone With Him
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Articles:
Thought Provoking Pieces
Who Do You Look Like?
Help! Save Me!
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Other features:
Viewpoint
Personal Answers to big Questions |
He’s Got Answers
Peep This:
Facts you need to Know.
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Okay, so, that’s a taste, a sampling of what is inside. There’s much more on each page, and of course, there is the Word. On the inside back cover is a music cd, too.
I know this biblezine may not appeal to you, but if you know a young person, or a youth leader, or a teacher, or a parent of a young person, you should at least check this out. You owe it to them so they can know the truth, and the truth will set them free.
Remember, these look like magazines and are easy to carry anywhere without feeling ‘weird’. The zines are in an easy to understand translation and the extra material on the pages gives it the magazine feel. It’ll make a great Christmas gift, or stocking stuffer.
Just like the first Becoming the New Testament, I fell in love with this slim Bible. It is not a study book, but is a magazine you can study, and its easy size can be carried so you can have your quiet time anytime.
Christmas is the perfect time to give bibles and this one will easily fit in that special woman’s Christmas Stockings or gift basket.
Reviewed by Linda Mae Baldwin
for The Road to Romance
December 9, 2005
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