Miscellanies.

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Building a Blank Bible (part 3): The Blank Bible

… So here I was with three cut up ESVs. One is now lost, two remain and no successful blank bible. I needed a bible with a more comfortable binding and maybe even the option of adding more pages this time.

I made several calls to binding experts around town but none of them responded in confidence that a 2,100 page bible could be rebound without pages falling out and other future problems.

The future of the “Karalee’s/Jonathan Edwards’ Blank Bible” was looking doubtful. But maybe I was overlooking the simple solutions?

I could use a 3-hole binding system, but three-hole binders can get very big, bulky and awkward and the rings are always in the way of notetaking. The goal here is compact. And I don’t think the bible paper would last long with such a simple binding.

After one week of deliberation I decided to pursue one very common solution for my next attempt: Spiral binding. This was not a new option to me. Being someone who enjoys reading at the gym while doing cardio, I have cut bindings off and spiral bound several books so they lay flat (‘Industrious’ some would say. ‘Nerdy’ others would say).

So I took another cut ESV and had blank pages made. Then I inserted the blank pages. Here was my strategy …

Gen-Lev = 1 blank page between each page
Josh-Job = 1 blank page between each page
Ps-SS = 1 blank page between each page
Isa 40-66 = 1 blank page between each page
Jer-Eze = 1 blank page between each page
Matt-Acts = 1 blank page between each page
Rom = 2 blank pages between each page
1 Cor – 2 Cor = 1 blank page between each page
Gal – Eph = 2 blank pages between each page
Phil – Rev = 1 blank page between each page
Each OT book has at least 2 pages at the beginning of the book.

Then back to the office supply store. It took me about 90 minutes to spiral binding punch my Blank Bible (not to be confused with comb binding). Although I searched online and found some 3” spiral binding coils, they were expensive and required a bulk purchase. So I decided to stick with the 1-1/4” coils, the largest common size. This split the growing bible into three volumes (a perfect separation into Gen-Job, Pss-Mal, Matt-Rev). I now appreciate the three-volume format more than at the time.

It was simple to punch and coil the volumes. The final dimensions: 3” thick weighing 3 lbs. 13 oz (I used this ESV bible in all attempts – excellent paper for a project like this).

Here is a picture of my first successful “Blank Bible.”

The spiral coils handle very well with the thin bible paper, and they allow the bible great freedom in movement. In general, the bible is very comfy. Taking notes in this bible is graceful, as opposed to the last attempted Blank Bible and even 3-ring bound bibles. I can completely open the bible, giving me full use of each blank page. Because the binding is removable, I can add/replace/subtract pages in the future. Overall, this bible is a good fit for me.


Speaking of note taking (which is really what this bible is all about), I use a special Pigma Micron 005 pen. They come in several colors, are not expensive and available at most art and scrapbook stores.

So this is the story of my Blank Bible. I’m not done, though. In the future I want to try a 3” binding coil to see how the bible feels as a single volume. And I am working with a local university claiming they can bind the bible using an old sewing technique. I’m not sold yet, but it seems to me that even with all these options I will probably return to my 3-volume coil bound bible.

Your turn. What would Edwards say? (Besides the fact that I used a lot of very nice, clean paper). Let me know below. How can the Blank Bible be improved? Why would this fit or not fit your needs? Any ideas or suggestions?

August 17, 2006 - Posted by spurgeon | Blank Bible, Books, Great Quotes, Jonathan Edwards | | 84 Comments

84 Comments »

  1. What a great idea. I would love to have one of these to keep notes with my Bible, rather than scribbling all over the super thin pages themselves in tiny, illegible writing.

    Comment by Shana | August 17, 2006 | Reply

  2. Shana,

    It’s worth the time and effort!

    -Tony

    Comment by spurgeon | August 17, 2006 | Reply

  3. Someone asked what exact ESV bible I used and it was the simple classic reference, hardback, black text version. The ISBN is 1581343876 and runs around $22.

    -Tony

    Comment by spurgeon | August 17, 2006 | Reply

  4. How did Edwards make his do you know? That’s fascinating though. I may give that a try. It sounds challenging but well worth the effort.

    MBS

    Comment by Mathew Sims | August 17, 2006 | Reply

  5. Mathew,

    I think Jonathan Edwards’ brother-in-law actually made the blank bible but I’m not sure the exact process. I don’t think JE could have gathered enought paper scraps for such a large project :-)

    -Tony

    Comment by spurgeon | August 17, 2006 | Reply

  6. For more info on Bible Versions go to http://www.biblediscernment.com

    Comment by KJV | August 17, 2006 | Reply

  7. [...] The Shepherd’s Scrapbook » Blog Archive » Building a Blank Bible (part 3): The Blank Bible [...]

    Pingback by THE CAPRANICA - » A Modern Day Blank Bible | August 17, 2006 | Reply

  8. KJV,
    Please consider reading the King James Only Controversy by James White. Though I respect the KJV very much, the ESV and NAS are both superior in accuracy and each defend every doctrine found in the KJV. Remember it’s easy to boast in other things and not the Cross.
    - Tony

    Comment by spurgeon | August 17, 2006 | Reply

  9. Bret,

    Formerly I used a Palm with my bible and notes. But I reverted to a printed bible. For me it’s much easier and especially because I think context is the key to interpretation. Electronic bibles often are structured where the context is left out. I love my PowerBook G4, my iPod, etc. but always a printed bible for my study.

    - Tony

    Comment by spurgeon | August 17, 2006 | Reply

  10. And I wasn’t even aware the ESV had its own blog?!?

    http://www.esv.org/blog/2006/08/blank.bible

    - Tony

    Comment by spurgeon | August 18, 2006 | Reply

  11. tony,

    great project! looks like it turned out nicely for a first (or second) attempt.

    as far as the construction of Edwards’ Blank Bible (having recently held and flipped through it on a recent visit to Yale), the pages appeared to be sewn together, probably much like the university you’ve spoken with has said they can do. and yes, it was his brother-in-law, Benjamin Pierpont, that originally constructed the Bible. he gave it to Edwards after his (Pierpont’s) ministry had failed.

    with the Edwards Bible, the Bible pages are from a small pocket-sized King James Bible, and i like that idea a lot. i think that if i was making one i would have the Bible pages be a bit smaller than the note-taking pages, mainly so that it wouldn’t be as easy to mess up the Bible pages (i’m hard enough on my leather bound Bible as it is!).

    But again, great idea and innovation, especially for folks like me who haven’t been satisfied with the wide-margin or journaling Bibles that have been produced. i need more note space!

    Comment by cozart | August 18, 2006 | Reply

  12. cozart,

    Thank you for those insights. Using different sized pages may pose a new set of problems where the bible would be thicker and thinner in different areas based upon the differences in paper sizes. If you used a really thin compact bible page and thicker blank pages the differences may not be a big problem. I don’t know for certain but please let us know if you try it and the outcome.

    Thanks again for the insights,

    -Tony

    Comment by spurgeon | August 18, 2006 | Reply

  13. What an absolutely great idea!! I recently posted here:

    http://ern-baxter.blogspot.com/2006/08/blank-bible-by-jonathan-edwards-i-have.html

    saying that I am desperate to get hold of the Blank Bible – any chance you could go into business and undercut Yale?! Your version looks superb!!

    Blessings
    Dan

    Comment by Dan | August 18, 2006 | Reply

  14. Tony,
    Wow, I’ve found someone who thinks like I do! I didn’t know another one of us existed. There is one key difference: you’ve actually acted on your desires. I’m impressed.

    I have a few changes that I’d make to this ‘blank Bible’. It may or may not be doable. I’d like one that involves the Greek and Hebrew and ESV, and also has lots of note-taking room. Therefore, I’d like one page with a column of Greek or Hebrew, and a column of ESV. I’d like the corresponding page to be blank. That way I could interact with the languages where I’m capable, but not be a fool when I don’t know a word or can’t figure out a certain grammatical structure. Would this be too thick? I’ve been thinking about seeing if the ESV will create this as a ‘Pastor’s Blank Bible’. Who knows? It’s a cross between Whitefield’s Greek NT with blank pages, and Edwards’ KJV text with blank pages. I don’t like not having the Greek or Hebrew handy, but am constantly frustrated at my low level of skill in these areas, especially Hebrew.

    Let me know what you think.

    Ian.

    Comment by Ian Vaillancourt | August 18, 2006 | Reply

  15. Tony,
    Awesome project!! Just curious about what you used as the front and back covers of each volume?

    Thanks.

    Comment by Micheal | August 18, 2006 | Reply

  16. Ian, I believe that Crossway is coming out with a reverse Greek/ESV interlinear New Testament in the next couple months. You could include that in the New Testament portion of your blank bible (which sounds like a great idea to me! I am seriously considering trying that out!)

    Comment by Stephen Morse | August 18, 2006 | Reply

  17. I am also curious as to your front and back covers and what you used to sandwich the Bible before you sent it through the table saw? How did you clamp it without those interfering when you cut? Great Idea!!!!
    BJ

    Comment by JohnsonBJ | August 18, 2006 | Reply

  18. Very interesting. I never made a Bible with extra pages, but I did split up a Bible for portability and usability.

    I had a massive 1966 Jerusalem Bible on thick paper that was so heavy and awkward it was a pain to use. Think dictionary. I had a religious bookbinder shop rebind the OT and NT in two separate volumes. The OT is still really awkward, 4 lbs. (I’m Catholic.) I’m considering going another step and having the Wisdom books (my favorites of the OT) bound separately. That would make three nearly equal-sized volumes.

    Comment by Jon Zuck | August 19, 2006 | Reply

  19. Thanks for putting all these posts up. I have been considering pursuing this for a while, but would use NASB myself. What type of paper did you use for the blank pages and how did you have them made to the right size?

    Comment by Benjamin A. Oetken | August 19, 2006 | Reply

  20. Thanks for all the encouraging words and questions.

    The paper I used was simple, acid-free ream from an office supply store. You can use résumé paper or something nicer but I found the thickness was too big. Nothing fancy.

    The covers are simple spiral bound presentation covers. I think they are vinyl or plastic. I am considering thin leather covers to replace them with in the future.

    As far as clamping to cut the bible, I used two wooden boards (one on top and one on the bottom – both larger than the bible). These boards were also cut when the bible was cut. I first screwed them and the bible together tightly with 4-inch screws above and below the bible. This clamping is so important to keep the binding tight even when the glue is cut off, otherwise the paper will feather out and not turn out well.

    Ian,

    There’s two of us! That scares me a little.

    I like your ideas. The problem is bulk. I have an old interlinear bible that I comb bound (NIV/NAS/Greek) with blank pages in between. The total height is over 4-inches. Very large, especially for just the NT. I think your idea would be about 20-inches thick! Which is fine if you have arms like a lumberjack :-) Pursue the ideas you have and let us know how it turns out.

    Thanks guys!

    -Tony

    Comment by spurgeon | August 19, 2006 | Reply

  21. Tony,
    That this is a great idea is above question. I asked a friend and pastor if he knew of a publisher that printed a bible with each page blank on the outside edge (half page) or perhaps the right hand page completely blank.
    His solution was to print each book, printed on one side only and place in a three-ring binder. His study bible fits in a standard size bookcase. I’ve been waiting for a publisher to get-r-done. Now I have the solution but still hope for an inter-linear using your design, bound in calf or kid skin.
    Also, I appreciate your gentle response to KJV. If it was me I would have added a few cuts spoken by the old man. I am dead in Christ…I am dead in Christ…I am dead in Christ…

    Comment by Randy | August 19, 2006 | Reply

  22. Looks like fun! I’ve done something similar but on a much, much smaller scale. I was inspired by J. I. Packer who encourages the reading of entire books of scripture several times through at one sitting. I copied/pasted the book of I John (NAS) into booklet form using lightweight resume paper, with a cover of the same paper and stapled it together along the spine (fold). I am an unrepentant underliner, but decided I would read I John 3-5 times a day, for two weeks, without marking. It was only then I began seeing the book as a unfied whole. Then I began taking notes. I pulled the staples out and added extra sheets of paper. I’ve been at it for about six weeks now and my little “blank epistle” is quite full. Not quite Jonathan Edwards level, but helpful, compact and lightweight. I’ve done another with Romans. Perhaps I’ll try your method when I’m up for a challenge.

    Comment by Cindy Coleman | August 21, 2006 | Reply

  23. Cindy,

    Thank you for the excellent idea for those who want a “blank epistle” without having an entire bible. I am also an unrepentant underliner :-) For me, listening to the bible on .mp3 forces me to keep listening even when I want to pause and only focus on a single verse. It’s been a good discipline for me.

    Thanks,

    -Tony

    Comment by spurgeon | August 21, 2006 | Reply

  24. Thought I would pass this along to you…

    http://www.pcnelson.com/?p=30

    P Nelson

    Comment by P Nelson | August 22, 2006 | Reply

  25. Tony,
    I, too am a UU (unrepentant underliner — NOT Unitarian Universalist). I have a KJV/TLB parallel that I spent 10 years of notetaking/underlining/cross referencing with colored pencils from 1994 to 2004. During this time I went through the entire Bible at least twice (once for the KJV, once for the Living). Some pages (especially in John and Romans)are so marked up I can’t read the text anymore. I started an ESV in 2004, and it’s getting pretty well marked as well.

    Your Bible is something I’ve been waiting a lifetime for. The only problem is, I’m not very good with my hands, so I doubt I could make one myself. But, if you ever go into the business of making these Bibles, I want to be the first to purchase one.

    In X,
    Dave in Texas

    Comment by Dave in Texas | August 22, 2006 | Reply

  26. I just ordered the same isbn bible from amazon (used) for $13 including postage. I will take the bible to Kinkos and have the cut off the binding.. then will insert the blank pages as suggested and have kinko’s rebind the 3 volumes as explained above… I will let you know how it comes out.

    Comment by JP | August 24, 2006 | Reply

  27. This is a great idea, I want to try one as soon as I can, but I am curious to hear if JP’s method works as well as the original.

    Comment by T Patterson | August 26, 2006 | Reply

  28. Tony, many thanks! BIGGEST QUESTION: Should I DEFINITELY go with a thicker style of Bible paper(for stability at the hole punches), or will the standard style of “thin” Bible pages work?
    Many thanks,
    Shannon

    Comment by Shannon | August 29, 2006 | Reply

  29. I just left my project at Kinkos… I went to Office Depot and purchased a 22lb paper $6.50/ream. Then took the ream along with the ESV Bible to kinkos to cut the binding off and cut the ream of paper in half..leaving 1000 pages for inserts. Then alternated 1 blank between each page and 2 between the minor prophets and most of the NT between Rom – REV. Went back to Kinkos to bind using a comb binding and blue vinyl covers. I split the OT into 3 approx 1.25″
    “books” and 1 for the NT. THe comb binding allows for easy insert of additional paper … the whole project was less than $40 and about 3 hours of time.

    Comment by JP | August 29, 2006 | Reply

  30. I’ve often printed out and spiral bound individual books of the Bible but never gone this far – what a great idea!

    I’ve just come across the new ESV Journaling Edition which whilst not having as much note space as your version, may well be sufficient for some people:
    http://www.gnpcb.org/catalog/bibles#journaling

    Many thanks for your idea!
    James

    Comment by James Taylor | September 3, 2006 | Reply

  31. Wow Tony! I’m impressed. You ought to sell them. :-)

    Did you ever get moved to Minnesota?

    Comment by Mike Ratliff | September 12, 2006 | Reply

  32. Mike,

    The Lord still has us in Omaha. Our house has sold and are in temporary housing so things are going well.

    Thanks,

    Tony

    Comment by spurgeon | September 12, 2006 | Reply

  33. Here is a link for a KJV bible with blank pages … I would love the ESV like this. Great idea for making your own.
    http://www.thekjvstore.com/product_detail.php?sid=1c1f57b43082b50c7c7c7988e5976a1e&mcid=1&pgid=94#desc

    Comment by pam | September 12, 2006 | Reply

  34. http://www.thekjvstore.com/product_detail.php?sid=1c1f57b43082b50c7c7c7988e5976a1e&mcid=1&pgid=94

    Thanks for the great idea! Many times I have longed for a bible such as this. I found this Bible at the above website — a KJV Classic note takers bible .. has 1 blank page between every page .. bound in leather .. but I would really like to have the ESV. Just found your website and really appreciate the work you’ve put into it and what you have to share. I know it will strengthen my walk with Him!

    Comment by pam | September 13, 2006 | Reply

  35. Hi Tony,
    Stumbled upon your blog through a series of other blogs. Great site!
    Wanted to let you know — if you haven’t heard already — that there’s an ESV Journaling Bible out now (see: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/158134838X/ref=pd_rvi_gw_1/102-0321264-1932977?ie=UTF8)
    However, seems from the reviews that the font size is a tad small compared to the version of the ESV that you’ve made — plus no spiral-bound feature either!

    Comment by Joey | September 13, 2006 | Reply

  36. Hello

    This is the bible I am looking for. The link to http://www.thekjvstore.com does not work. Does anyone know where to find this bible? If so please email me and let me know.
    Thank You
    Kyle

    Comment by Kyle Vance | September 14, 2006 | Reply

  37. The link works when I click on it?? Do a search in Google for a “KJV Classic Notetakers Bible” and you will find the link like the one above. I just did it and it was listed. They are the only ones selling this Bible.

    Comment by pam | September 14, 2006 | Reply

  38. Click on your own link in your post above, or type in (www.kjvstore.com)then click on the link in the upper left corner (KJV Bibles) then go to page 2, look in the right column display of Bibles, it is the 3rd one down.
    KJV Classic Note Bible.
    The KJV Classic Note Bible — with a blank page for note-taking after each page of Text!! Hope this helps you.

    Comment by pam | September 14, 2006 | Reply

  39. [...] Build Your Own Blank Bible I’ve been meaning to post this link for quite some time. For those of you who like to write notes in the margins of your bible, let me suggest that you check out Tony Reinke’s wonderful series of posts detailing how to build your own blank bible: [...]

    Pingback by L.O.I. (09/30) | October 5, 2006 | Reply

  40. I really like all the ideas listed here, may I add one more? When I am doing a Bible Study and quite often it will be on just one book of the Bible, I use my PRINTSHOP program (any program of this sort would do), go to Newsletters and create a 2 column edition of the book of the Bible I am studying. First column contains the book of the Bible and the 2nd column is for study notes. These fit in a note book quite nicely and before you know it, you have a whole set of the books of the Bible with your notes. I realize this takes up more space than what you are doing, but you can usually get several books in one notebook. Thought someone might like this idea.

    Comment by Granmama | October 9, 2006 | Reply

  41. Oh, I copy and paste my Book of the Bible from Bible Gateway on the Internet.

    Comment by Granmama | October 9, 2006 | Reply

  42. [...] Jonathan Edwards Blank Bible. This blog is most famous for a three-part series we published on making your own blank bible like Edwards’. Part 1, 2 and 3 here. It’s cheap and fun; so grab a bible, gather the family and dust off the table saw. (Such industry! Economy! Edwards would surely approve. – Jonathan Edwards Center blog, Yale University) [...]

    Pingback by The Shepherd’s Scrapbook | October 12, 2006 | Reply

  43. I’d like to give this a try with my Hardcover ESV Reformation Study Bible. And also take a Valley of Vision and make a prayer Journal/devotional out of it using this same process.

    Comment by Jeff Fuller | October 13, 2006 | Reply

  44. Jeff,

    The ESV RSB I think has too thin of paper. Just my opinion. VV would be a great project, though. Stay tuned for our series on the interlinear.

    T

    Comment by spurgeon | October 13, 2006 | Reply

  45. I’ve been meaning to do this myself. Thanks for spurring me on to actually do it and providing the pointers for construction. I would love for a publisher to do it just for the neatness of appearance and convenience. I prefere the NASB and would like to include the Greek and Hebrew as well.

    I looked at the KJV site mentioned above. I must admit, the image (http://coastalrain.tripod.com/blogpix/bible-devil.gif) on the home page is funny.

    Comment by Bob | October 19, 2006 | Reply

  46. Bob,

    I’ve talked to publishers and they say, with bible paper costs going through the roof that a blank bible would be expensive. So, for now, we must use tablesaws!

    Tony =)

    Comment by spurgeon | October 19, 2006 | Reply

  47. Could you tell me where you found the india paper? I have a customer that is wanting to print some notes out (about 40 pages) and would like me to add them to his current bible – rebinding to two together with a nice leather cover. But he is unhappy with the thick paper he gets at the office supply store and wants to closely match the thin paper his bible alread has.

    Thank you!

    Connie

    Comment by Connie Peabody | October 29, 2006 | Reply

  48. Something no one has mentioned….how about a Thompson Chain Reference Amplified Blank Bible? (I’d even be happy to have a “non-blank” edition!)

    Back to the matter at hand. One problem I do see is that the multi-volume blank bibles would be tricky to take along to church and/or conferences so as to take sermon notes which very well might include cross referencing. Certainly, those multi-volumes would be great for home study but as a take-along, I see a bit of a problem. How do you get around that?

    As for writing notes in ink I’ve learned that, like math problems, sometimes corrections need to be made. A good pencil is certainly a handy tool for me!

    As an aside, which has no particular bearing on the subject at hand but may prove interesting to some, I have an 1803 bible that has been mended with needle & thread to put torn pages back together. Sure glad they didn’t have Scotch Tape back then–it would have obliterated some important passages.

    Stay the course! I think you’re on to something big!

    Comment by Bobbie | October 30, 2006 | Reply

  49. Looks great for a Christmas present for my boyfriend… maybe it’ll convince him to propose :)
    I think I’m going to Velo Bind it since it looks more professional, can keep all of the pages together, and stays together pretty well. I have a lot of universities around that offer velo binding, though… might be hard if all you have close is kinkos.

    Comment by Katelyn | November 19, 2006 | Reply

  50. Katelyn,

    If giving your boyfriend a blank bible isn’t a hint enough … he just isn’t going to get the subtle hints at all =)

    Tony

    Comment by spurgeon | November 19, 2006 | Reply

  51. wow – looks great. i was wondering about buying a nice, large journal, taking two (2) pocket edition esv’s, then afixing a page to each page of the journal. this would leave me with about 3/4 of a page of notetaking space. any thoughts on the way way to afix the pages without ruining them? blessings, john

    Comment by John | December 4, 2006 | Reply

  52. Tony, I really like the whole idea of your Blank Bible!! D.R. Brooker sent his readers to your site to see your comment “The Everlasting Righteousness” By H. Bonar and when I got to your site, I noticed your section on The Blank Bible – I thought what in the world were you talking about – and once I found out – you have me hooked. This whole idea of the Blank Bible got my attention. You really are getting a lot of people excited about this process.– I do have one question for you and that is do you need to put self sticking reinforcements at each hole? Do the pages tear at all when you turn your pages?

    Comment by dix | December 6, 2006 | Reply

  53. I actually had an idea similar to this (I was searching Google for a “Build your own Bible) which led me to your site and I am totally taken with this idea.
    My Idea had been to take a KJV/AMP/NASB or maybe something else and lay it out with all three texts on a single page, one in each corner, and then leaving one whole corner of each page blank for notes. (I hope that is clearer than mud!)
    To my dismay, it appears that this is not an available option at this time, though if some publisher were to go into printing “custom” Bibles, I for one would be willing to pay handsomely for one. ($200-$300?)
    This “Blank Bible” idea might just be the ticket though! It certainly will save me a bundle, and the note space will be incredible!
    I had a version picked out already; the comparitive study bible. However, I now realize that at 3000+ pages, with the addition of blank pages this thing would be a five volume monster! So I shall resolve to continue looking for the right one for me.
    I also thought of perhaps adding just the Thompson “reference system” pages from the back of a Bible… though I had thought that someone had already made a book like that, just the reference topical sections without the bible text.

    At any rate, thank you for the grand idea! And to repeat a question, how do you handle travel with this system? When you go to church, do you carry all three volumes with you? Or to a conference? Or do you have a “Study Bible” and a “Service Bible”?
    Thanks again

    Comment by Tim | December 12, 2006 | Reply

  54. Thanks for that bit of inspiration that got me started on the project of writing out all of scripture in a blank bible. It’s already become a huge blessing.

    Comment by Jeff | January 2, 2007 | Reply

  55. Glad I found your site. I started out highlighting my Bible with different colors (pink=OT confirms Jesus, orange=doctrine of grace, yellow=God’s goodness toward us, blue=God’s statues/law for us to obey etc)I was going to highlight the complete Bible so that I could at a glance see how the Bible fit together…but the highlight marker bled through. Now, I’m thinking of doing the highlighting on the computer and see if it prints off in the different colors. If not then, I can print off the Bible using thicker paper and just use one side. I’ll use your example of binding it together and also putting in pages for notes. Any suggestions for me?

    Comment by sarah | February 19, 2007 | Reply

  56. Sarah, no hints. Sounds like you’ll have an excellent bible. I really like the idea of printing pages out as 8.5 x 11. This gives you a lot of space to write. My next bible may be something like it. I was thinking double-spaced no blank pages and then make notations between lines. Maybe something I’ll try in the future.

    Blessings!

    Tony

    Comment by spurgeon | February 20, 2007 | Reply

  57. Thanks for this Tony, great idea. I’ve been looking for a Bible without chapter/verse divisions (especially the epistles) and haven’t been able to find one… making my own looks like a better option anyway.

    Comment by Adam | March 19, 2007 | Reply

  58. Tony, any chance you could make me a 3 volume set and give me a price? I’d gladly pay you for it, and I’d gladly wait patiently for it to be finished.
    -Frank

    Comment by Frank | March 23, 2007 | Reply

  59. I, too, would love to have a three-volume set like this. If you will tell me how much it costs, I can see about paying for it. I think it would be well worth the money. I have been looking for a Bible to be able to take adequate notes in, and this one seems like the best idea!

    Martin

    Comment by Martin | April 12, 2007 | Reply

  60. [...] Move aside ESV Journaling Bible.  This is the coolest Bible idea I’ve seen to date. [...]

    Pingback by brianandrewdodson.com » Coolest Bible Idea Ever | May 21, 2007 | Reply

  61. One of my prof’s in seminary (Dr. Miles Van Pelt) has, I think, a very strong argument for the Hebrew arrangement of the OT as being a better one than the English arrangement.

    Your idea is a very interesting study tool and could be accomidated to reorganizing the location of the books (especially by putting 1 & 2 Chronicles at the end of the OT canon).

    Thank you for the creative project.

    Comment by Jeffrey Brannen | July 2, 2007 | Reply

  62. I have been enjoying your website for a while now. Thanks for all you fine work.

    I’m particularly attracted to your study of Calvin’s Institutes. May God continue strengthening you brother, for His glory.

    Comment by Doulos | August 6, 2007 | Reply

  63. [...] student of God’s Word that I think is brilliant!  He isn’t selling it, but he outlines his creation process on his website.  Instead of just having that one small column to write in on each page, this method give 1-2 [...]

    Pingback by Great Idea at Two starving dogs… | September 22, 2007 | Reply

  64. [...] Here’s the post that started me thinking about this (note that this is part 3, be sure to read the others too).  Thanks Brian! http://spurgeon.wordpress.com/2006/08/17/building-a-blank-bible-part-3-the-blank-bible/ [...]

    Pingback by Ponderings » Blog Archive » Make Your Own Blank Bible | October 17, 2007 | Reply

  65. This is so cool. I stumbled upon your articles quite by accident and I couldn’t wait to do this – perfect gift for my husband. I ran out to the the Bookstore and Staples that night. They actually did an excellent job removing the binding. I ended up with 4 volumes. I can’t wait to do this to my Literary Study Bible !

    Thanks for sharing this!

    Comment by Jennifer | December 4, 2007 | Reply

  66. Tony,

    Is it possible to have you make a Blank Bible for me? I am willing to pay whatever you ask. No returns. Satisfaction assured by me.

    I am a frequent visitor to your blog, especially for your book reviews.

    Puleeeeeeeze Tony, make me a Blank Bible.

    May the Lord bless and protect you and your family in your move to Maryland.

    Chuck Foy
    auldceltcurmudgeon@verizon.net

    Comment by Chuck Foy | January 6, 2008 | Reply

  67. I love this whole idea. I had never considered a “blank Bible” or heard of such a thing, but it makes perfect sense. I think my only quirk would be that I might be bugged by the 3-volumes, but I could probably get used to it. By the way, those Pigma pens are my absolute favorite! :-)

    Comment by nicole | January 8, 2008 | Reply

  68. [...] Build Your Own Blank Bible I’ve been meaning to post this link for quite some time. For those of you who like to write notes in the margins of your bible, let me suggest that you check out Tony Reinke’s wonderful series of posts detailing how to build your own blank bible: [...]

    Pingback by Go Web Young Man » L.O.I. (09/30) | January 12, 2008 | Reply

  69. Great idea! I am thinking about making one form myself and a pastor/friend. My one question is, How durable is it? I would think that a bible like this would get a lot of wear and tear. Do the pages tend to rip through the coils? Thanks.

    Comment by TVD | January 31, 2008 | Reply

  70. An idea I had was taking something like the reformation study bible (ESV) and slicing off the bottom notes completely and rebinding it again. In place of the notes on separate coils and paper would be a [small separate note pad] to flip through.
    _________________
    | Bible ; Bible |
    | Bible ; Bible |
    | Bible ; Bible |
    vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
    +
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    [ Notes : Notes ]

    =
    _________________
    | Bible ; Bible |
    | Bible ; Bible |
    | Bible ; Bible |
    [ Notes : Notes ]

    The advantage to this would be I could view notes taken in
    other parts of the bible, while leaving the top section Bible open on the same page.

    The disadvantage would be that I’d have to flip separately to line up the correct notes with the correct page.

    Comment by Jon | February 8, 2008 | Reply

  71. Another thought would be take a parallel bible and white out the translation you don’t like and put notes in place :-) Take the NKJV / Message Parallel for example. Nah too much work!

    Comment by Jon | February 8, 2008 | Reply

  72. Hey Tony,

    Thanks for an interesting blog and for this GREAT idea of blank-bibling. There were so many comments already posted that someone else MIGHT have already mentioned this (and I didn’t see it), but I wanted to tell you and your readers how inexpensive my new blank NT was: I bought the super-cheap ESV New Testament in paperback ($1.99) and took it to Staples. They did everything for me (cut, insert all blank pages, spiral bind) for $10.90. So for less than $13 I will have a blank NT tomorrow (when I go to pick it up)!! Thanks again…I’m so excited to dig into the Word with blank pages available next to the text.

    Comment by Todd | February 24, 2008 | Reply

  73. I was wondering what suggestions you have concerning those who although they love power tools….don’t own many. Especially a table saw!!! Will Kinkos or any of these places do the cutting of the bible for you? Just wondering if you knew! Thanks and be blessed!

    Comment by billy | March 29, 2008 | Reply

  74. Response to Billy #73: See Todd’s comment #72 – He got the bible trimmed, etc. at Staples.

    Boyd

    Comment by Boyd Moore | March 29, 2008 | Reply

  75. I do have one question if there is anyway you will actually get it amidst all these comments: What did you use for the covers? They look pretty thick. What is the material and how much did they cost?

    Thanks.

    Comment by PeregrinJoe | April 30, 2008 | Reply

  76. First of all, thanks for the link to this project. If this is why youse people aren’t more adequately policing the charismatic fringe, for purely selfish reasons I forgive you. :-)

    Second of all, the pièce de résistance for your project would be a wrap-around bible cover — not the vulgar zippered kind, but a either a real leather jacket like the ones you can find here, or the mass-produced vinyl type which you can find here. When you carry that up to the pulpit, people would not mistake your science project for a cheap set of notes (viability of spiral binding notwithstanding).

    Last of all, just for the sake of the record, Hendrickson produces what I would call the gold standard for unbound editions for KJV, NKJV, NIV and NASB — and I say “gold standard” not because they cost as much as their same weight in gold (they do), but because they are not small-sized bibles. These come printed as 12 x 11 sheets, so for those of us over 40 who need type larger than what is commonly used to list the ingredients on a Snickers bar, you can actually read the text without mechanical or optomological aid. Crossway: take note and take action. If the Large Print ESV would come in an unbound state, it would be a formidable competitor to the Hendrickson product and take by storm the marketplace of 75 people who buy unbound bibles. :-)

    Comment by Frank Turk | August 17, 2008 | Reply

  77. [...] Blank Bible Ever wished you could write your notes right next to the Bible passage? I know I have. A guy called Jonathan Edwards apparently did it and is now famous for it – you can even buy it – but that was back in the 1600s. How about creating your own?!  Tony Reinke suggests how: http://spurgeon.wordpress.com/2006/08/17/building-a-blank-bible-part-3-the-blank-bible/. [...]

    Pingback by Blank Bible « rach’s blog | January 12, 2009 | Reply

  78. Tony,
    where did you find the 3″ spiral binding coils?
    I did a search and couldn’t find anything that large.
    thanks for your help

    Comment by Chris | January 17, 2009 | Reply

  79. Let me know when you start selling them! Call up Crossway, see if you can sell them on the idea.

    Comment by Matt | February 12, 2009 | Reply

  80. If Jonathan Edwards had had a Moleskine, he’d have used that instead.

    Comment by Andy | March 19, 2009 | Reply

  81. In response to the reader who copies from BG: isn’t it contrary to copyright to copy and paste from Bible Gateway like that?
    If not, then I’d like to try it too…

    Comment by TJ | April 3, 2009 | Reply

  82. I find it interesting you were unable to find a bindery who was not able to bind a 2000 page book. As a long time bookbinder, we are able to sew books my machine up to five inches in thickness and guarantee the pages will never come out. We can also hand sew to any thickness.
    We have also bound Bible for people wanted to interleaf the Bible with pages. There is little we can not do for our customers.
    James Jasek

    Comment by James Jasek | April 10, 2009 | Reply

  83. When I was in college, I saw my professors having the same bible they’d used for years and I wondered “what would happen if they lost that bible?” I never wanted to lose my main bible so I started recording my margin notes on a word processor, later blogging them, and most recently, I’ve used smybaloo to tile icon the themes I find in Scriptures.

    I’ve been buying the ESV journaling Bible, writing with the pigma pens (no doubt) and at the end of a year, I’ll add to the electronic notes, give the Bible away to whomever I planned at the beginning of the year (thusfar it’s been nephews and a niece), and then I get to start with a blank slate (which is always awesome).

    Works for me.

    Comment by Brett White | June 3, 2009 | Reply

  84. I placed the following comment on another site concerning the construction of a “Blank Bible” and thought those on this site might benefit as well.

    I just had a “blank bible” made for me at one of the “office” stores. Cost me $ 26. But that did not include the cost of the blank paper, nor did it include collating of the blank pages with the bible; I had to do that myself or it would have cost a lot more.

    In addition, when I got home and took a closure look at the paper, I noticed some real inconsistencies in the cutting size of the blank paper. About one-half of the paper (about 500 pgs) was cut crooked. Also, about 15 pages of the Bible had been punched incorrectly and the sales associate replaced them with copied replacements, which was the only solution but dissappointing nonetheless. Attention to detail in a project like this can make a lot of difference!!

    If you’re like me, you want it to be done spot-on right – not a hack job. Needless to say, I am re-trimming the paper myself to ensure it’s done correctly this time.

    Bottom line….if you care about REAL quality, then you will probably be more satisfied having an individual do the work for you – someone who not only shares your love of the word, but is also skilled in the process involved in putting one of these together. And don’t complain about the value that another individual places on his/her time. Remember, these are custom Bibles and to produce one means taking time away from family and/or other endeavors. It took me 4-hours just to interleave the pages. If I had to cut the paper, punch it, and bind it, it might take a total of 6 or 7 hours.

    I’m thinking of doing several more of these. But next time, I will do most of the work myself to ensure the type of quality that’s important to me.

    Grace,
    Arcy

    Comment by Arcy | July 6, 2009 | Reply


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