Spanish Bible: "Dios Habla Hoy," Rebound by Abba Bibles
We've already seen three of Cristian Frano's editions bound by Abba Bible, and here comes the fourth and final one. It's the Bible Cristian uses for preaching, study and everyday reading. As I said before, in each of these posts, I'll begin with Cristian's description, then share the photos. The captions are written by me. So with no further ado:
Spanish Bible "Dios Habla Hoy"
This Bible is the "Dios Habla Hoy" translation (like the CEV in English), made by the United Bible Societies directly from the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. This is the best Bible I know to share the Word of God with non-believers, because it's easy to understand and is very fine in its language.
March was my birthday month, so I gave myself a gift! I sent a copy to Mexico (yes, from Argentina...!), and they rebound it for me in my favourite color: blue! I love this Bible, and nowadays it is my primary Bible, which I'm using in preaching ministry, study and everyday reading.
It's Smyth-sewn and bound in blue calfskin with leather linings, red under gold page edges, and two ribbon markers. My name is embossed in gold on the cover.
-- Cristian Franco
Above: It's always risky to judge from photos alone, but this one looks especially soft to the touch.
Above: An attractive two-column layout.
Above: The title page.
Above: Close-up of the name embossing and the stitched edge.
Above: Detail of the spine. This gives you a good look at the grain up close.
Above: Another close-up of the spine. Note the slightly raised band.
Above: A trim, clean look. Here, the stitching on the cover edge matches, which gives a more refined impression than the contrast stitch (much as I like the latter).
Above: Yoga. The blue ribbons are quite nice, too, aren't they?
Above: A glimpse inside. Here, you can make out the blue coloring quite well.
Above: The spine in total.
Above: If this isn't enough to make you want a blue calfskin Bible...
Above: The leather lining in total. Very clean, polished work -- which is how all rebinding projects should look.
Above: The page edges up close, looking gold.
Above: From above, all fanned out, the page edges look red.
Above: A little red, a little gold, and a beautifully trim cover.
Above: One last look. Is it any wonder Cristian is using this edition as his primary? It's beautiful.
Please join me in thanking Cristian for sharing his amazing rebinding projects with us. Is it any wonder Abba Bibles is where the big publishers go for high end editions? Tempted to send them something? By all means do -- and be sure to share the results with the rest of us!
J. Mark Bertrand is a novelist and pastor whose writing on Bible design has helped spark a publishing revolution. Mark is the author of Rethinking Worldview: Learning to Think, Live, and Speak in This World (Crossway, 2007), as well as the novels Back on Murder, Pattern of Wounds, and Nothing to Hide—described as a “series worth getting attached to” (Christianity Today) by “a major crime fiction talent” (Weekly Standard) in the vein of Michael Connelly, Ian Rankin, and Henning Mankell.
Mark has a BA in English Literature from Union University, an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Houston, and an M.Div. from Heidelberg Theological Seminary. Through his influential Bible Design Blog, Mark has championed a new generation of readable Bibles. He is a founding member of the steering committee of the Society of Bible Craftsmanship, and chairs the Society’s Award Committee. His work was featured in the November 2021 issue of FaithLife’s Bible Study Magazine.
Mark also serves on the board of Worldview Academy, where he has been a member of the faculty of theology since 2003. Since 2017, he has been an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America. He and his wife Laurie life in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.