*This article originally appeared on FloridaDaiy.com
Progressive book publisher Beaming Books is releasing a series of children’s Bible stories that set a tone of “political correctness,” targeting church audiences whose views are more progressive than traditional Christians.
The publisher says their “open-minded Bible” will introduce more topics dealing with social justice, diversity, and inclusion. Some of the 52 Bible stories will include presenting characters in Black, Brown, and tan skin tones. Showing more women associated with the ministry of Jesus and paints the Son of God as a “feminist.”
Beaming Book Editor Naomi Krueger said the children’s series is a countercultural message and is appropriate for this time. “The book is focused on love and justice and is intended to be ‘an antidote to Christian white supremacy,” said Krueger.
One of the writers of the book says their goal is to teach young people a theology of love and justice that “we don’t have to unlearn.”
“The biblical characters mostly look Black and Brown and caramel … now White children, I imagine, looking in this Bible and seeing brown people and thinking to themselves, ‘Oh, brown people belong to God, too,” said book author Rev. Jacqui Lewis.
Another one of the book’s authors, Rev. Shannon Daley-Harris, says it’s been exciting to see the reception from not just folks who are raised progressive. Still, those who are raised in a tradition that no longer fits them, “who did grow out of a theology and are looking for one that they can grow into and grow with alongside their children,” said Daley-Harris.
The publishers said their primary audience is for children between the ages 4 to 17. “We noticed a gap in the marketplace for people who are looking for a more open-minded Bible for progressive Christians,” said the publishing company.
