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Each story comes with a viewing classification just in case we have forgotten that the Bible includes scenes of violence (V), nudity (N), sexual content (S) and cursing (C). Genesis, for example, carries all four classifications.

Web Watch: 4 March 2008
Published each week in the Henley Standard

Jesus wept

by Jacqueline Alexander

Have you ever read the Bible? I am not talking about flicking through a few pages to find out what John 3:16 or Psalm 23 are all about; I am asking if you have read it from cover to cover.

As most people barely have the time to read cooking instructions these days, the prospect of reading the whole Bible is probably a little overwhelming for most. I confess, despite having spent many hours in Confirmation classes as a teenager, I can only accurately quote the text of John 11.35. This is not a difficult task as it is most famous for being the shortest verse in the Bible. It is also the title of this article.

This week, however, I stumbled across a surprising new version of the Holy Book. It is unlike any you have seen before. The content is a faithful adaptation of the New Jerusalem version as well as other respected translations. In fact, during his endeavours to accurately represent the word of God, the author has even gone to the trouble of translating some parts from the original Hebrew texts. His aim is to make the Bible more accessible for young and old alike and, judging by the reception his work is enjoying, he may be on to something. It is a work in progress but it is definitely worth a look if only for the novelty factor because this Bible is translated into Lego.

I kid you not, thebricktestament.com currently offers over 340 of the Bible's most famous texts and each story is told using those familiar little coloured bricks usually reserved for creating houses, cars, boats and the occasional pyramid. Unlike God, this version of the Bible has to be seen to be believed.

The author is the Rev. Brendan Powell Smith. He is not actually a Reverend or, at least, to use his words, he is 'not an ordained member of any earthly church'. Smith believes that real Reverends are neither presumptuous nor vain while he is 'widely regarded as being both highly presumptuous and extremely vain'; ergo Smith is no Reverend.

Whether or not his title is for real, Rev. Smith's biblical depictions are definitely out of this world. Each story comes with a viewing classification just in case we have forgotten that the Bible includes scenes of violence (V), nudity (N), sexual content (S) and cursing (C). Genesis, for example, carries all four classifications so be prepared for some explicit content. Adam and Eve are naked throughout their time in the Garden of Eden. That is, until that sneaky little snake tempts Eve with the fruits of the tree of knowledge. Eve then successfully tempts Adam and God isn't happy. Before we can say 'Amen', Cain and Abel have arrived on the scene. The irony of a tale of lost innocence being depicted with a children's toy somehow makes the story hit harder; strange but true.

Already a success in America, this project, when complete, will be one of quite literal biblical proportions. There are currently over 3,700 illustrations covering stories from both the Old and New Testaments and there are more to come. Each tale takes the author (builder) about a week to construct and, with the exception of a little modification courtesy of a pen knife and a marker pen, we are assured that the vast majority of scenes are made from unaltered Lego parts.

Whilst reconstructing these Biblical scenes, the Reverend has not shied away from any of the more contentious issues covered in the Holy Book nor has he transformed it into a children's book. This work is about making an accessible version of the Bible, not a sugar-coated one. We are challenged by present day analogies to clearly show just how difficult it is to follow the word of God. If loving your enemies suggests to you that you should be kinder to the local gossip - the one you recently overheard talking about you in less than favourable terms - think again. This site presents us with Lego figures showing Nazi soldiers, the Ku-Klux Klan and al-Qaeda terrorists; it suddenly seems easy to let Mrs Loosemouth off the hook. It is not easy, however, to face your spiritual shortcomings - even when they are presented to you in Lego.

www.thebricktestament.com

Jacqueline Alexander presents Web Watch every Tuesday at 5.45pm on BBC Radio Berkshire on 104.1FM, 104.4FM, 95.4FM, 94.6FM and DAB Digital Radio. To listen in, just visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire.

What is Web Watch?

Web Watch is broadcast on BBC Radio Berkshire, published in the Henley and South Oxon Standard and published online right here at web-watch.info.

As a cross-media project, Web Watch is designed to help you find the best sites here on the Internet.

You can catch Web Watch on air every Tuesday at 5.45pm when Jacqueline Alexander sits down with Phil Kennedy during the Drivetime show on BBC Radio Berkshire to chew the virtual fat.