The Illuminated Scripture Journal is a multi-volume set of New Testament books which have been artistically illuminated by Dana Tanamachi who was commissioned by Crossway for her artistry.
Each page that occurs on the left contains scripture in a single column with drop cap chapter numbers in gold, in a paragraph format, with the verse numbers superscript in black text. Also in gold are section headings above the text.
The pages that occur on the right, and opposite of the scriptures, contain blank pages ruled with faintly printed dots to help you keep your lines straight without being too obvious.
There are also scripture verses, and designs that are artistically rendered in gold on these pages. Some full page features are dispersed throughout.
My first impression of the boxed set was mixed. On the one hand, when I think of illuminated scriptures what comes to mind is an ancient hand copied tome with leather clad wood board covers and a metal hasp, along with ornately decorated pages, multiple colors, and drawings.
This set is much more conservative in its use of illumination. To me they look like a talented person went along with a gold colored marker and marked up the covers, and pages.
Mind you, it isn’t unpleasant, and most peoples minds wouldn’t go where mine did. I still found the work to be pleasant to look at, but we are talking about a set that is covered in card paper, and glued together.
I appreciate the binding being far better than, “perfect bound” books. It isn’t as good as a sewn binding with a leather cover. These personal preferences aside, this set is meant to be affordable, and it is also meant to be used. The idea is for you to engage the word, and for it to be engaging. These volumes are meant to be read, and then written in. They aren’t intended to be some priceless, unapproachable work from antiquity, and most likely, if you use them as they are intended to be used, they will never make it antiquity. You’ll carry them along with you, the corners will get bent, the pages will get marked up, and you’ll learn a lot about the Author, and His intent. If you’d like to look at more pictures visit my Flickr album.
Snyder's Soapbox 