Easter to herald Bible-Zine for boys

NASHVILLE – The world’s largest publisher of religious material is selling the sizzle along with the solemn in a line of ‘Bible-zines’ – repackaged Bibles aimed at hip Christian teenagers.

Leaning on the successful slogan of famous Depression-era salesman Elmer Wheeler – “Don’t sell the steak, sell the sizzle” – Transit Books, the teen division of publisher Thomas Nelson, adopted the eye-popping format of mainstream teen magazines to create Revolve, a four-colour, 388-page New Testament for teenage girls. The smashing success of Revolve, a one-time magazine that went on sale in July for US$14,99 (about N$100), has led to the planned Easter launch of Refuel, a Bible-zine aimed at teen-age boys.Revolve, which has no advertising, excerpts easy-to-digest biblical passages to answer the tough questions teenagers often ask.Woven throughout is an easy-to-read Bible in a flashy format so teenagers might feel more comfortable paging through it in public.”We’ve found a way to make the word of God exciting, relevant and fun for young women again,” said Transit Books brand manager Laura Whaley.Revolve does not duck once-forbidden topics, with one reviewer likening it to Seventeen magazine, “only saintlier”.One article in Revolve defines rape and urges victims to speak out, and another deals with sexual issues.Interspersed with scripture are quizzes and snappy columns such as “Are You Dating a Godly Guy?” and “Beauty Secrets You’ve Never Heard Before”.It suggests ways to getting along with mother by hosting “a chick flick night for your friends and their moms” and baking a cake together.A “beauty secret” blurb urges readers to make it a habit to talk to God while applying sunscreen.Numerous surveys probe whether readers gossip, or whether they pray for a boyfriend.Another item suggests not dressing to show off one’s body because it makes boys think unwanted sexual thoughts.- Nampa-ReutersThe smashing success of Revolve, a one-time magazine that went on sale in July for US$14,99 (about N$100), has led to the planned Easter launch of Refuel, a Bible-zine aimed at teen-age boys.Revolve, which has no advertising, excerpts easy-to-digest biblical passages to answer the tough questions teenagers often ask.Woven throughout is an easy-to-read Bible in a flashy format so teenagers might feel more comfortable paging through it in public.”We’ve found a way to make the word of God exciting, relevant and fun for young women again,” said Transit Books brand manager Laura Whaley.Revolve does not duck once-forbidden topics, with one reviewer likening it to Seventeen magazine, “only saintlier”.One article in Revolve defines rape and urges victims to speak out, and another deals with sexual issues.Interspersed with scripture are quizzes and snappy columns such as “Are You Dating a Godly Guy?” and “Beauty Secrets You’ve Never Heard Before”.It suggests ways to getting along with mother by hosting “a chick flick night for your friends and their moms” and baking a cake together.A “beauty secret” blurb urges readers to make it a habit to talk to God while applying sunscreen.Numerous surveys probe whether readers gossip, or whether they pray for a boyfriend.Another item suggests not dressing to show off one’s body because it makes boys think unwanted sexual thoughts.- Nampa-Reuters

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