The Word on Fire Bible: The Promised Land

Barb Szyszkiewicz offers a look inside the newly published fourth volume of The Word on Fire Bible. 

The Word on Fire Bible, Volume IV: The Promised Land  

Published by Word on Fire Catholic Ministries 

My son, newly graduated from college, watched curiously as I opened the box containing the latest installment of The Word on Fire Bible. He grew even more curious when I explained that, despite the size of the book in the box, this was not the entire Bible, but only a certain part of it: the fourth book in a planned seven-volume set. 

“How do you review a book you’ve already read?” my son wanted to know. 

I actually hadn’t already read this book before opening that box. That’s because each volume of The Word on Fire Bible contains much more than the books of the Bible — which is why it takes seven volumes to hold it all.  

What’s in Volume IV? 

Volume IV: The Promised Land contains the following books of the Bible: 

• Joshua 
• Judges 
• Ruth 
• 1 Samuel 
• 2 Samuel 
• 1 Kings 
• 2 Kings 

Yes, a full-sized book (just over 700 pages) is needed for only seven books of the Bible. That’s because of the vast amount of study material that accompanies these books. Let’s take a tour of all the special features in this edition of the Bible. 

At this point in the liturgical year, we’ve just finished going through these books via the daily Mass readings. But we don’t read every chapter and verse of these books at Mass, and knowing the historical background is really helpful when you want to understand what’s happening in those readings. This is where a study Bible is particularly helpful. 

The study material in The Word on Fire Bible can help you fill in the gaps, providing important historical context — which is particularly essential when you’re reading the historical books in the Bible. It’s fascinating too! With history, commentary, and even notes on art and architecture, this Bible provides detailed background information to aid your understanding. The Word on Fire Bible has become my go-to resource when I want a complete view of the context of Scripture. 

Each of the books of the Bible included in this volume has an introduction by a prominent Catholic writer, editor, or teacher. And interspersed through the chapters of this Bible are commentaries by Church Fathers as well as recent authors, including Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, Saint John Henry Newman, and Saint John Paul II. These selections range in length from a short paragraph to a full page. 

If the visual presentation of a book makes it difficult to read, you’re not going to read it. The Word on Fire Bible is an excellent example of how to present a variety of material well. There’s plenty of space between each printed line, so the text doesn’t feel crowded. A different font is used for the supplementary material to distinguish it from the actual text of the Bible, and each page has single columns of text for easy reading. Subtle color choices and icons designate different sections.  

Introductory text included in each volume of The Word on Fire Bible indicates that it was designed to be an evangelical tool, a way to reach out to the unaffiliated and those who are questioning. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less of an excellent tool for the committed Catholic who wants to delve deeper into Scripture and be inspired. The scholarly content included in this Bible brings answers to questions you didn’t know you had and can provide you with tools for sharing the Good News with others. 

The most visually striking material is the art commentary. From sacred art to artifacts to architectural plans, this material provides a visual representation of what you’re reading about in these books of the Bible. But it’s far from only a picture: you’ll also find essays explaining the significance of the art (or architecture) as well as smaller detail views with brief explanatory notes. 

Do you judge a Bible by its cover? The front cover of Volume IV of The Word on Fire Bible is embossed in gold with an image of Solomon’s Temple with clouds above it symbolizing the presence of God. The cover itself is black leather, which feels soft and welcoming in the hand but is not at all flimsy (it’s also available in hardcover and paperback). The pages aren’t flimsy either; they are fairly heavy paper that doesn’t feel as if it will tear the moment you try to turn a page. This Bible is built to be read, and to be read often.  

What other parts of the Bible are already available from The Word on Fire? 

“How do you write a book review for a Bible?” my son asked. “You already know the ending!” 

“I do, actually,” I replied. “They’ve already published the ending: Acts, Letters, and Revelation.” 

They’ve also already published The Gospels and The Pentateuch. 

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Copyright 2024 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images: copyright 2024 Barb Szyszkiewicz, all rights reserved.