Surprise! The Bible Beats Out ‘Erotic Bestsellers’ to Become One of the Most Popular Books of 2012 in Norway
When examining the bestselling literary works in Norway this year, one might be surprised to find that the Bible tops the list, as it has been flying off of bookshelves for the past 14 months. A new Norwegian translation of the book is so popular, in fact, that it has been among the top 15 bestselling titles for 54 of the past 56 weeks.
Last October, the new translation was released and success immediately followed. According to the Norwegian Bible Society, 157,000 copies of the book have sold since its release. As The Guardian notes, this means that the Bible has become so popular in Norway that it has been in the top chart more times than Justin Bieber’s autobiography and “Fifty Shades of Grey” — both monumentally-popular books.
Photo Credit: AP
According to the publishers, the Bible may, in fact, be selling so fervently because of the new translation, which is said to be more palatable than past versions. The Norwegian Bible Society apparently brought in Hebrew and Greek experts and literary writers in an attempt to create an accurate text that is translated well into the Norwegian language.
“It’s always a very touchy issue, doing a new translation of the Bible,” said Dag Smemo, a project manager for the Bible Society. “People say they like it the way it is. But we had a very thorough procedure, involving authors and poets, secular people and believers, and discussing the whole translation word by word, so there is not only a good translation of the Greek and Hebrew but also a very good flow of the Norwegian language.”
What is perhaps most interesting is that Smemo claims that Christians aren’t the only ones purchasing the book. Secularists and atheists, too, are interested in the coveted text.
“It’s definitely not only Christians buying it,” he explained. “It’s atheists too – people are saying the Bible is important for us, for our culture, and for the nation.”
The Bible Society admits its surprise with the success that the new version of the Bible has seen. While some internal estimates claimed that only 25,000 to 75,000 copies would be sold, the 157,000 mark showcases success beyond the publisher’s wildest dreams.
“We’ve said at the Bible Society that it’s good we don’t only have erotic bestsellers in the charts, but moral books too,” Smemo added.
(H/T: The Guardian)
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judyaz
Posted on December 28, 2012 at 9:10pmA question was asked, February 8, 1975: “Is the New Testament of our Bible an accurate, truthful account of the teaching and ministry of Jesus Christ?”
“We shall answer unto the same, nay. It is a reasonable account with much taken out and much added to. Jesus did not write of the Bible. Man did of such. The true records of the time should lie in Egypt beneath the tomb of Cairo. You shall find the records in that of the land of Yucatan. You shall find the records that shall bear fruit soon upon your own land, in this land. But you should also find them in that which is known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. You have brought forth much knowledge, yet you have been only able to interpret one-tenth of one percent of the written words left behind. Shall you leave the same marks upon the earth?”
http://www.angelfire.com/in4/aup_messiah/1975February08.audio.html
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Cavallo
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 11:32amWonderful. I applaud their endeavor. Accurate translations are a key, so we don’t get dichotomies between such things as “thou shalt not kill” and “thou shalt not murder”. There is a world of difference between killing and murdering (mostly based on intent and motive), lest Jews and Christians become Jainists.
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THERAPTURCOMES
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 11:55amAccurate translation of what is the question. What ancient manuscripts were used?
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Cavallo
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 12:11pmThat is a good point and I would hope that they list that in their research. This is all assuming that such is peer reviewed and open to examination, rather than just we used “experts” to “translate” “accurately” into our language. I suppose some evidence of malfeasance would be if stuff magically appeared like “The womyn will be allowed to choose if she is to give birth once with child.” and “the rich shall give to the state who will manage the poor” and “weapons are not allowed to the people, so sayeth the Lord” and “the man shall be allowed to lay with man when he so chooses, and to wed when he so chooses another man.”
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davecorkery
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 1:38pmAccurate translations of what, exactly? There are no originals of ANYTHING in the bible, and what we have came from mis-translations and bad editing over 900 years. All of the manuscripts are different, with different messages. Among the 5000 remaining manuscripts (greek and Latin) the inconsistencies are too numerous to count. We simply do not know what the originals said, and their is NO EVIDENCE of any story in any bible book. If god had written any part of the bible, that would be one thing. But as it stands, the bible is merely the childish rantings of ancient men, to control lesser men. I applaud christians in Norway for buying this edition. The best way to become an atheist is to actually read the bible (which hardly anyone does).
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The_Cabrito_Goat
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 2:36pm@ whatshisname
http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/authenticity.html
Pages and pages of evidence for Biblical authenticity.
I only logged in because of how piddling and pathetic your post was.
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Remember_Benghazi
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 10:50am“it’s good we don’t only have erotic bestsellers in the charts, but moral books too.”
For a book touting it’s supreme morality, there sure is a lot of war, rape, pillaging, slavery and an odd bit about the genitalia of donkeys. You also have to wonder why prohibitions against slavery and rape didn’t make the cut in the 10 commandments. There’s room for a couple about God being jealous, but not against two of the more immoral things imaginable. I wonder if it’s because God would command His flock to kill neighboring tribes, enslave the survivors, and rape the women. Yes, this sounds moral. This sounds like a wonderful way to build a society.
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Cavallo
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 11:25amI think that is covered in Coveting, and Stealing. However, any response is likely a waste of time since it seems you are about out of context trolling rather than an honest discussion of biblical events.
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Granny58
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 1:09pmWhoops, don’t think God ever commanded raping. God also never established the practice of slavery but since humans were bound and determined to do it, He did establish rules for better treatment. By the way, the slavery of that era was not the slavery of the 1800′s. Additionally, God’s instructions to wipe out neighboring pagan tribes was after they had been given the option of turning from their sinful ways (sacrificing children, temple sex, etc.) and they refused. Plus, those same tribes were a threat to the Hebrews. For reference I recommend “Is God a Moral Monster?” by Paul Copan.
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Granny58
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 10:30amFinally, a piece of news that lifts the spirits. I agree with Mom, that people are probably feeling that something is amiss and are looking for more.
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DeavonReye
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 10:16amEven I would read the bible before I read “erotic literature”.
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thegreatcarnac
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 10:07amGood for Norway. They will be blessed for that attitude.
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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:56am.
Wife just asked if there was a Wal-Mart in Norway…………..
It will be freezing in Hell when the Bible is number one on the NYT Best Seller list in this God forsaken country………
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texasbeta
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:45amIn Norway? Seriously? This is how far you have to go….Norway? What a joke! You can’t get more pathetic than this website. It’s hilarious.
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john vincent
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:34amIts always good when the ‘bible’ gets press attention. I wonder: do people who purchase this ‘better book than a popular novel’ believe or know it is the ‘word of GOd?’ THere are thousands who read it for wisdom, principles, strength, morals, character, or spiritual help who think it is no more valuable than reading Dr. Suess or Thoreau (no offense to either)
I do appreciate hearing that it is even on the table for discussion, regardless of who votes for what. An ‘erotic’ novel compared to GOd’s word is somewhat embarrassing to a spititual mind, but not surprising in a world away from God. My meaningless vote goes for God’s word.
A word for the day?? Bethlehem (the house of bread) is never a threat to our society, even though the atheists complain; mention Golgotha’s hill or Calvary, watch eyebrows and voices raise.
Merry CHRISTMAS,
happy holidays
God bless
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caleejr
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:28amWait – you mean something other than the Kings English of the 1600′s is permissible?!
Seriously tho’ ….God Bless It!
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momrules
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:26amI wonder if the reason these Bibles are selling so fast is because people are looking around the world and getting that same feeling that I and many others have. The feeling that evil has taken over this planet and time is getting short for us.
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nzkiwi
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:38amI suspect that you are right, Mom.
Also, they are getting a very close up look at the effects of Islam in european culture over there, and that is far from a pretty sight.
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john vincent
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:44amyes mom-
that ‘feeling’ has been verified-
we may be down a thousand points at the half, but…the ‘captain of our salvation’ has a strong end game. There are no surprises to He who sees, hears, and knows all-
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TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:24am“It’s definitely not only Christians buying it,” he explained. “It’s atheists too – people are saying the Bible is important for us, for our culture, and for the nation.”
I knew atheists were FOS. They must be reading up on verse thinking they can kiss some last minute @ss when they’re faced with an eternity of dirt napping…
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Cavallo
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 11:28amLikely they are looking for half sentences and out of context verse to try and continue their bigoted hateful crusade against Christianity, and the Hebrews.
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SilentRunner
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:23amMaybe some who call themselves Christians are finally reading the Bible and discovering they have more to do to become real Christians.
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StandingUpForAmerica
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:38amYes you speak the truth on that one brother. We all have some work to do.
It would be nice if people lived the principles in the Bible. The hole thing not just a phrase or two.
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Cavallo
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 11:45amWhat constitutes a “real” Christian though? I bet there are different denominations that would claim that the other denomination are evil heretics. I suppose the false Christian would be one who uses the organization or denomination as a social club and excluding it as a place of philosophy or worship or meditation.
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Apple Bite
Posted on December 21, 2012 at 8:04amWho still buy those things anyhow? Of course the Bible will beat that pitiful garbage out.
Stop blocking the aisles at the stores with your erotic puke!
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