Released 5 October 2009
Steve Davies from Bible Society at the launch
In September 2009, the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Kevin Rudd, was
joined by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Malcolm Turnbull, Tim Costello, CEO
of World Vision Australia, and representatives from the Micah Challenge to
launch ‘The Poverty and Justice Bible’, published by the Bible
Society in association with World Vision Australia.
‘I
congratulate those who have put together this extraordinary work. I
congratulate those who have seen fit to assemble a version of the Bible which
draws starkly to people’s attention the challenge of Micah, the challenge
of John, the challenge facing us all as an informed community of faith,’
said Mr Rudd.
The Poverty and Justice Bible uses the
Contemporary English Version of the Bible and highlights in orange over 2,000
verses that deal with the issues of poverty and justice.
‘When you actually flip through this, as I did last night at The Lodge,
and see the extraordinary shadings of orange all the way though, it catches
your eye, and I'm sure that's what those who have put together this particular
edition of the Bible have had in mind,’ Mr Rudd said.
Speaking at the launch, Tim Costello from World Vision said, ‘It was US
pastor and writer Rick Warren who laid the foundations for The Poverty and
Justice Bible. He’d discovered that there were 2,000 verses on poverty
– and couldn’t believe he’d never noticed before,’ Mr
Costello said.
From this initial idea, a team of Bible Society
researchers read the CEV to identify every verse that’s specific about
God’s take on social injustice. These range from Old Testament prophecies
to Jesus’ radical teachings. ‘This Bible is proof that, on
issues of social justice, God has plenty to say,’ said Mr Costello.
In his address at the launch, Leader of the Opposition, Mr
Turnbull challenged Australians to act to relieve poverty and suffering.
‘I come to you today with a slightly different approach. My
challenge is directed to all Australians: that if you believe strongly in
justice, then you should act to alleviate poverty and suffering, give something
of yourself to others. You can donate, you can give money and we should all do
that when we can, and of course there are various ways to do this, but it is
also important to support the work of organisations who are on the ground,
working in poor communities to give them food, water, skills for life, but also
hope,’ Mr Turnbull said.
The Poverty and Justice Bible
also contains endorsements from Church and community leaders including US based
Jim Wallis, Christian activist and author and Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue,
Australian Aboriginal leader. A companion journal is also available.
For more information, visit: www.povertyandjusticebible.org.au