The Bible in Limerick Verse - Christopher Goodwins

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The whole purpose of writing The Bible in Limerick Verse is to encourage people to want to read the Bible - the real thing!

The Bible in Limerick Verse came about as an evangelistic project, many years ago, when I translated the Parables of Jesus into Limerick verse. I was originally planning to use these amongst the Epilogues that I had the privilege of presenting over a period of eighteen years, on Westward Television, and also on Television South West. They lay dormant however until 1999, when I undertook a personal Lenten challenge, to put the whole of the New Testament into Limerick verse.

The subsequent publication in 2000 of "The New Testament In Limerick Verse," was followed up in 2002 with the publication of "The Old Testament And The Apocrypha In Limerick Verse."  It seems logical therefore in 2005 to combine the two books into one, as "The Bible in Limerick Verse."

Although originally classified under the genre of "Humour," I always saw the work as a serious evangelistic attempt to encourage people to read their Bibles. As a former teacher, I knew full well how boring Religious Education had been at school - typically in the last period on a hot Friday afternoon, when pupils were tired and wanted to break off for the weekend.  How could we recapture their interest in the Bible?

I feel therefore that "The Bible in Limerick Verse" is a way of reaching all sorts of people, who are crying out for something really different and interesting. It seems to have worked, judging by the feedback that I have received. University Professors and Bishops have written to say how exciting they found it. Prison Chaplains, and Clergy of all Christian denominations too, including Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Methodists, and Baptists.  Children aged 7 and 9 saved up their pocket money to buy the books. One father wrote to say that it "had rekindled the flame in his teenage son." Grannies and granddads in their nineties, and young parents likewise, wrote to say how helpful this had been.

"It could start a revolution in the teaching of Religious Education" said one teacher.  "Just the thing for children to remember!" said another.  "I thought it was the most inspirational and fun way of bringing the Bible to life!" said a TV presenter.  "What a wonderful way of introducing people to the Bible!" said a housewife. A Theological College Principal said that he "would ensure that all his students would have a copy."

Interest and publicity worldwide has been phenomenal, with requests for the work coming from Canada and the USA, Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, India, and all over the United Kingdom and Europe. In this sense, I am proud to have made an attempt to "preach the Gospel in all lands," as Jesus commanded (in Mark 16:15). And, as Jesus (Luke 24:45) "opened their mind, that they might understand the scriptures," then I hope that this does the same.

I have tried to be faithful to the text, as well as highlighting the parts of my working-Bible that mean a lot to me personally.  Hopefully, it includes the major themes and people. On a technical note, I have written a Limerick for each of the 150 Psalms, and in the case of the 119th Psalm, one Limerick per section.  If there are glaring omissions, then I apologise in advance - for I am no great theologian but merely a retired Anglican Vicar. Even so, I would be glad to receive comments, criticisms, and corrections. I invite readers to submit their own Limericks as well, which might be considered for future editions of "The Bible in Limerick Verse."

This afternoon, I sat down and read the whole work in a couple of hours - which is the amount of time that people often have to wait in departure lounges at airports for plane connections. If it were as easy to read as some people say it is, then I would love to see copies of it in hotel rooms, airport lounges, doctors' and dentists' waiting rooms, libraries, churches, and schools, as well as in people's homes.

Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" said St. Paul (Philippians 2:5) And, as the Scriptures helped to form the mind of Jesus, then my aim is that "The Bible in Limerick Verse" may also help to form the minds of people in the 21st Century who may have little or no understanding of what the Bible is all about.

Christopher Goodwins
Isleham
5 September 2005.

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Last updated December 09, 2006
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