Rating: 
Summary: "Seventeen's" Guide to the Bible: Girls BEWARE
Review: This version of the New Testament is entirely offensive. While presenting the New Testament to girls and young women is terribly important for religious and cultural literacy, this presentatin is mixed with "YM" or "Seventeen" or "Cosmo" -style sections where girls are given advice about beauty, manners, and relationships with boys. Not only does this information NOT belong in a New Testament, it is entirely patronizing and oppressively patriarchal. For example when advising young women about how to tell a boy you Like him Revlove answers "You don't... God made guys to be the leaders. That means they lead in relationships." This version of the New Testament maintains that girls and women belong in completely submissive roles in all aspects of life. It not only condescends to use this stereotype but presents it as desriable.These types of advice and commentary columns appear on almost every page, but seem to belong in a fashion or gossip magazeine. They not only detract from the content of the New Testament, but they seek to teach girls and women that they have no agency or rights, but should merely be concerned with submitting to the opinions and decisions of the men in their lives. Girls and young women who want to develop an understanding of the New Testament should not read this version. Although the marketing move to increase readership is brilliant, this version is entirely patriarchal and assigns girls and women submissive and voiceless roles. These stereotypical roles remove angency and independence from our young women. Don't buy this version!
Rating: 
Summary: Making Jesus like, totally hip!
Review: I'm of two minds about this magazine...er, "bible". If it inspires teenage girls to get to know Jesus then that's great. I just hope that once they are serious about Jesus then they will pick up a copy of a different bible. Preferably one that doesn't have glossy pictures of skinny, glamorous models in it. Revolve does have some good advice in it, (the info about different charities is great) but I'm a bit concerned by its negative attitude towards teens. Are teens so shallow that they can't read holy scripture without glossy pretty pictures and like, totally cool quizzes? The Christian teens that I know are certainly more serous about their faith than this. They don't need a pretty exterior to get them interested in Christ and the bible. Like I said, some of the advice is good but other advice doesn't have much to do with the bible. Advice like, "Revolve girls don't chew with their mouths open" And that has what to do with the bible??? Sorry, I must have missed Jesus' sermon on table manners.
Rating:
Summary: Good intentions, unfortunate method
Review: It is certainly laudable to make the Bible accessible to particular demographic groups -- teen girls, teen boys, moms, etc. And though I have reservations about the trend toward niche marketing of Bibles, rarely do "niche Bibles" turn my stomach. This one does, primarily because it buys rather uncritically into a media culture that is particularly harmful to girls and young women. Yes, the editorial additions to the biblical text sometimes warn the reader about things like eating disorders and sexual violence, but when these additions are coupled with images of beautiful and thin girls with a "natural" glow, the images overpower the words. It's hard enough for teenagers in our culture to develop a healthy body image, but associating images of impossibly perfect people with "the word of God" compounds the problem.
Beyond the problem of "image" and fashion mag format, the content here is condescending and dishonest. For instance, the editorial introduction rightly notes that questions about who wrote particular books of the Bible and why are important, and that each book's introduction will address these questions. Aside from some thematic material and an occasional passing nod to the fruits of faithfully critical biblical scholarship, the book introductions fail to do so. Similarly, in response to one of the "Blab" questions about proper attire for girls, the text says that some biblical passages are "prescriptive" and others "descriptive," the latter not to be understood as rules for today's readers. Fair enough, but there's nothing that would help the reader learn how to tell the difference. It's dishonest to say you're going to do something and not do it; it's condescending to assume that teenagers are incapable of learning how to read the Bible in a discerning way. Another painfully condescending element: the monthly calenders include "Pray for people of influence" days. The "people of influence" run the gamut from Justin Timberlake to Beyonce Knowles, and include such positive (?) influences as Mike Tyson and Eminem. Where's Sandra Day O'Connor? Toni Morrison? George Bush, Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright or Jimmy Carter? Do we really think adolescent girls don't recognize -- or aren't willing to learn -- the difference between the questionable influence of celebrity and the influence of accomplishment and power? This version of the New Testament, unfortunately, puts "a hindrance and stumbling block before" young women. As the leader of a Christian youth program, as a thinking adult deeply concerned about the ways our "image is everything" culture misshapes our teens, I can in no way recommend this version.
Rating: 
Summary: Cosmo Bible Girl
Review: In an age where Seventeen, Cosmo Girl, and maybe even Teen Beat still have a larger influence over young women than do parents, teachers, Church or the Bible, Revolve is a welcome breath of fresh air. Not every article in this "Girl Bible" (as the teenage women I have shown Revolve to call it) is interesting. Some articles are spirit-lifting. Some are controversial. Some I find lacking in "good theology." Still others are naught but inane garbage. But whatever they are, (and harmful is not something I would describe them as) they have attracted young women I know to take a deeper look at God's word. I'm anticipating the "Boy Bible" coming soon to an Amazon page near you.
Rating:
Summary: where's the boys version?
Review: As a Christian young lady (24 y.o) I find the whole idea of this book to be degrading and sexist. To begin with they are putting the bible into some horrible fashion mag format, insinuating that shopping, clothes and looks are all that matter to a girl/woman. That the only way to get through to us is to make it a CK ad. No matter what they put inside, the very idea of this book clings to the notion that looks and thoughts of looks and what other people think of you is all that matters.
The other problem I have with this 'book' is that there doesn't seem to be an equal for boys. If they are going to produce this lame narrow definition of girls, where is the equivalent for boys? This should be a no brainer whether you see it as I do, as sexist, or if you actually think this book is great and will get through to people. Because no matter how much the church loves to get on girls to dress appropriately and not have premarital sex, it takes two to tango, and in my experience in high school it's the boys usually leading the dance. So why not forget about all this negative imaging to girls for a while since all it leads to is anorexia or depression or teenage mothers. Why don't they throw out this sorry excuse for kindling and produce one for all those guys?
Rating:
Summary: this is unbelievable
Review: As I was walking through the bookstore, I saw this sitting on the shelf and I couldn't believe it. This is absolutely the rock bottom of so-called "Christian" fundamentalism.
As I read through it, I had to put it down because I was so disturbed that such a thing could be wrought in the name of my beloved Jesus that I just about cried.
Within these cheap covers is an even cheaper religious tradition that blatantly tells teenage girls they are second class citizens. I saw blurbs telling girls that their wardrobe choices are to be governed by what men think, that men are in charge no matter what, etc. Disgusting.
Even more disgusting is that the passages on women's hairstyles, veiled church attendance, and the like are immediately called culturally irrelevant. But not the passages that promote subjection of women, which leads me to conclude that no matter what, the girls are to look sexy for their men, who then have the right to do what they will.
And ya, nice, the commentary that says "God commands that Christians only love Christians. You need to get rid of that non-Christian [read "Catholic, Episcopalian, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, etc."] boyfriend." Awful.
Where is the radical social equality that Jesus lived and died for? Sure, maybe Paul, et al weren't ready for it, but we are, and Christians must accept the unfolding and living Gospel or turn in their credentials. This is a true perversion of Christianity, and I, a progressive Christian, dare to pray that those who subscribe thereto will be saved, not from eternal hell-fires, but from the living hells that trash like this create in one's backyard, and in the minds of those who are subjected thereto.
When Mary sang "He has cast down the mighty from their seat, and exalted the humble and the meek," she meant it, and she's not just talking about power struggles among men, or straight men, or straight white men.
Girls, don't buy it. Jesus always wanted you to be strong, sexy, empowered human beings equal in right and majesty to your male counterparts. You know that. You've always known it.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome Book!
Review: This was the best book! I was interested right away, with the really cute layout. I picked it up and was amazed that it contained the entire first testament. I was never really a heavy reader of the Bible, but the way they put it was so easy to understand(I'm used to the KJV)and I got involved in it. I now read it every day. I am closer to God and know Jesus through the word. I'm a teen and would recommend this to all girls who want to be saved by the Holy Spirit.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Inspiring!
Review: Revolve is a powerfully inspiring magazine. I chose to review this magazine with the understanding that its target audience was teen girls. However, I discovered that not only does it thoroughly discuss issues, which concern teen girls, but also crosses cultural boundaries. Revolve provides data on world issues, community services, family problems, it teaches self-reflection and ultimately helps to center life around God. This refreshing magazine accomplishes all of the above in brilliant format. Each book of the New Testament is divided into sections and questionnaires that when answered truthfully, reveal characteristics about one self and relationships. Uplifting suggestions for change are also provided. Revolve has caused self-improvement in this reviewer. Reawakening my spirituality, to focus on doing something to help others, by donating time to clothe/feed the hungry and help the elderly. Moreover it has inspired me to reflect on my relationship with God, and how and what I must do to fulfill Gods purpose for me. Like the Bible itself, the Books of the New Testament in Revolve are like Daily Bread for the Spirit. Revolve is a great teaching tool for not only teens girls, but women as well. I plan to use Revolve as a consortium. Much like the blank pages provided in the magazine for reflection. Reviewing this magazine has left me with blank areas waiting to be filled spiritually. I look forward to the next magazine, and pray that I use Revolve, as wisely as it has been written. Reviewed by Juanita Reynolds
Rating:
Summary: Christianity Packaged for Today
Review: I bought this for my teenage daughter. Frankly, I find the typical girl/teen magazine format a bit silly, but then... I'm not part of the targeted readership! If the New Testament has to look a little like Girls' Life to get a kid to read it, then I say go for it. The book is like a thick magazine and yes, it actually does have the NT inside (in between the "what boys really think" blurbs). I couldn't help noticing that the one-star rating by 'Silvertree' stuck out like a sore thumb. Finding that her previous review experience on Amazon has been limited to feminine hygiene products and her 'wish list' full of books on wicca and paganism, I had to wonder whether she didn't have an agenda of her own. "Revolve" hardly sounds like the kind of book she'd pick up. Smacked of Christian-bashing to me and was the final consideration in convincing me to buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Truly sickening.
Review: I thought this was a joke when I first saw it, it did the rounds on a few Christian communities, which is when I realized that perhaps it was serious, the idea is ridiculous. If young women/girls want to embrace the doctrine of Christianity they should be reading the Bible, if they cannot handle that then obviously they are simply not ready to embrace Christianity. To me this is just the Bible repackaged into fluffy brainwashing, this sickens me, I find it disrespectful and repulsive. I don't understand why the Bible should need to be repackaged in this way, other than a way to further convince youth of this particular type of Christianity that what their parents teach them is right, everyone else is wrong, their God is the only way. Religion in this context has no place in the lives of children, certainly pushing this particular form of Christianity onto young women/girls is worrying. You then have the fact that it is made in the style of a fashion magazine, feminists (both in and out of Christianity) are doing so much good to get rid of the negative media influences and outdated Christian oppression of women, then this comes along and places the two together. It's almost like it's being done on purpose to put women back down, are we no longer equals under God? An example of horrendous sexism;
"How do you tell a friend that's your crush that you're into him without ruining your friendship?" Revolve counsels her: "You don't. Sorry. ... God made guys to be the leaders. That means that they lead in relationships." This not only encourages young women/girls to ignore the Bible - as if we don't have enough Christians telling people to live by the Bible without reading it themselves! - but also that they should take up a particular fundamentalist and intolerant form of redneck Christianity and accept that as girls they are obviously weak and so must spend their time worrying about boys, make up and new pro-anorexia techniques.
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