My son just gave me a beautiful leather bound copy of one of my favorite Bibles. It is “The Message.” It is published by NavPress and there is an interesting guarantee printed on the page across from the table of contents. It says, “Lifetime Guarantee – This Message Bible is manufactured to serve you for a lifetime. If at any time the binding fails because of manufacturing defects, or if you just wear it out from use, you may return it for a free replacement.”
I think they are in trouble. The very content of their product comes with another interestingly incredible guarantee. In John 10 we find this promise, “My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life.”
We are going to live forever. Now I am sure their Bibles are well made but forever is forever and leather and paper will wear out. This means they will have to give us new Bibles on a regular basis forever just because we bought the first one. That is a great deal for us. I am not sure how they will manage after a few million years. In addition, because there is no death in heaven I think they are going to have trouble replacing the leather covers.
Like most guarantees there is a catch. Their guarantee did say we have to send them our old Bibles if we are to get a new one. Now just who would want to send them his or her marked up, written in old friend to get a new one?
Written by Roger Bothwell on August 10, 2006
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