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The story behind the red letters in your Bible
Millions of people read the New Testament printed with the words of Jesus in red. Most people don’t realize that this is a relatively modern Evangelical tradition. This is the story …
Louis Klopsch
The idea was developed by a man called Louis Klopsch (1852-1910) who was born in Prussia on March 7, 1852. After his mother died in 1853, his father, Dr. Osmar Klopsch, took the family to the U.S. in 1854 and he was brought up in New York. Louis left school and worked in journalism rising through the ranks.
The Christian Herald
In 1874, a British weekly newspaper called The Christian Herald and Signs of Our Times was founded by Anglican clergyman the Rev. Michael Paget Baxter (1834-1910). He was popularly known as “Prophet Baxter” because of his frequent End Times predictions, and in the 1870s he supported Dwight Moody and Ira Sankey when they were in Britain.
In 1878, an American edition called The New York Christian Herald was started by Joseph Spurgeon, a cousin of the famous preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon, based at 63 Bible House, New York. In 1898 Louis Klopsch became the editor, and in 1899 ended up buying it to become its proprietor. In 1901 the New York Christian Herald was renamed The Christian Herald by which time it had grown to have a large cross-denominational readership peaking at nearly a quarter of a million.
Klopsch became a good friend to prominent Evangelical leaders at the time like Thomas De Witt Talmage, Dwight Moody and Ira Sankey. The Herald alerted readers to crises around the world and rallied Christian support for relief, raising huge sums for famines in Russia (1892), India (1897), Cuba (1898), Sweden and Finland (1903), and Japan (1906), as well as an earthquake in Italy in 1908. In 1904, Klopsch received the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal First Class for services in India from King Edward VII, and in 1907 he received the Order of the Rising Sun from the Emperor of Japan.
The inspiration
On June 19, 1899, Klopsch was working on an editorial when he read Luke 22:20 in the King James Version where Jesus said: “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” This gave him the idea of printing the very words of Jesus in the colour of blood, i.e. red.
Rubrication
The process of coloring some words in red, known as rubrication, was not in itself new. Klopsch may have been aware that rubrication had been common in medieval manuscript to emphasise certain passages, and was used to mark liturgical directions in Orthodox texts, but it was not the practice in printed Protestant Bibles. The ‘rubrication’ term comes from the Latin word ‘rubricare’ meaning to colour red, related to the word ruby.
At the time pretty much the only Bible translation in normal use was the Authorized or King James Version. This Bible dated back to a time before quotation marks were used as punctuation. Thus, in the KJV it was not obvious what was speech and what was not speech. Modern Bible versions now insert speech marks, but these did not exist in the King James Version, and so using red letters served a helpful purpose at the time.
First red letter Bible
Consulting various Bible scholars, Klopsch decided which parts to colour red. In 1899 the Christian Herald printed the first red letter New Testament, with a print run of 60,000. It was titled, “The New Testament … With All the Words Recorded Therein, as Having Been Spoken by Our Lord, Printed in Color.” This proved very popular, so in 1901, The Christian Herald printed the first red letter Bible titled “The Holy Bible: Red Letter Edition.”
In the 1901 Bible, Klopsch wrote: “The Red Letter Bible has been prepared and issued in the full conviction that it will meet the needs of the student, the worker, and the searchers after truth everywhere.” In the history of the Bible, this makes it a relatively modern innovation, and now it has become an Evangelical tradition.
Red sections
Some red letter Bible editions only include the words of Jesus in the four Gospels, but others also color sections in red in Acts and the epistles. For example some editions colour parts of Acts red where Jesus is quoted talking to Peter in Acts 10:13 and Acts 11:7 and 9, to Paul in Acts 10:15 and Acts 18:9-10, and where Jesus is quoted in Acts 11:16. Some editions also color red where Jesus is quoted at the Last Supper in 1 Corinthian 11:24-15 and where Jesus is quoted in 2 Corinthians 12:9.
Some Bibles color verses red in Revelation where John is spoken to in his vision e.g. Revelation 1:8, 11, 17-20 and the whole of Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, Revelation 4:1, Revelation 16:15 and Revelation 22:12-13, 16 and 20.
Problems
However, there are a number of problems with red letter Bibles. One issue is that it implies to the reader that we know exactly where speech started and finished. In most cases it is clear, but sometimes it’s not. There was no punctuation or speech marks in the original Greek. Where to start and stop the red letters is the decision of the editor. As a result, not all red letter editions are the same, and different editions color different sections in red. For example in the third Chapter of John, scholars disagree as to whether Jesus ends His message at verse 15 or at verse 21.
The use of red letters can give the idea that the red text is more important than the black text which it sits in. For some people, this is like a canon within the canon. The danger is that red letter editions of the Bible serve to create the idea that one part of the New Testament is more important than others. It can give the idea that the words of Jesus in red are the primary text and the rest in black is secondary. The color of the text isn’t meant to elevate one section over another, although it might have that effect in some people’s minds. From a practical point of view, adding red ink makes the Bible more expensive to produce.
Advantages
For some people the idea of red letters for the words of Jesus is that it seems to honor Christ. The real advantages of red letter Bibles is in old versions like the King James Version which didn’t include speech marks, and so the red letters are helpful to quickly and easily identify the words of Jesus. For many people, it helps them to study by highlighting the words of Jesus.
On a practical level, looking at pages of black text is daunting. Modern Bibles break up the text into paragraphs and add sub-headings to make it easier to read and navigate. Adding color can also break up the page and make it visually more attractive and interesting.
Death
By the time that Louis Klopsch died in New York 1910, aged 57, his idea had already been copied. He has no large memorial, just a granite stone with a small plaque. His greatest memorial is that today many Bible publishers produce red letter editions.
Sources:Christian Post
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America’s Women: Called for Such a Time as This
The order had already been issued. An entire people faced destruction, and the man responsible held extraordinary power. Yet one woman, who had not sought the responsibility before her, might be able to change what happened next. Speaking up could cost her life, while remaining silent offered the possibility of safety and comfort within the palace. She had a difficult decision to make, and the stakes could not have been higher.
Before approaching the king, she asked her people to fast with her for three days. She understood the danger, but she had no way of knowing whether the king would even allow her to speak. When the time came, she went. Her name was Esther.
More than 2,500 years later, I still think about the question her cousin Mordecai asked in Esther 4:14: “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” Esther had no guarantee the king would listen or that her actions would save her people. She went anyway, trusting God with what happened next.
As a mother of five and a grandmother, I often think about the world we’re leaving to the next generation. The values we defend and the decisions we make today will shape our laws and communities long after we’re gone. Destructive movements we fail to confront now can grow into even greater threats, leaving our children and grandchildren to face battles we were unwilling to fight. If we remain passive, we risk making their challenges even harder. And by then, will they still have the freedom and opportunity to fight them?
I hear from women across the country who are genuinely worried about what they’re seeing. Mothers are questioning what their children are being taught in the classroom. Women are asking why protecting girls’ sports and private spaces has become so controversial. Parents are frustrated that their voices seem to carry less weight when decisions about their own children are being made.
Women ask me all the time what they can possibly do about what’s happening in our country. My answer is this: start where you live. Pay attention to what’s happening in your child’s school, get involved in your community, and don’t assume someone else will speak up. As Christians, we’re not promised that everything will turn out the way we want. We are, however, called to be faithful regardless of the outcome. We can face an uncertain future without fear because our confidence rests in something greater than the circumstances around us.
Our foundation is solid: Jesus Christ. And He does NOT change.
Ephesians 6:13 tells us to put on the full armor of God so we can stand firm when difficult days come. I’ve always found that instruction especially meaningful because Paul understood that difficult days were inevitable. Our circumstances may change, and doing what’s right may come at a cost, but Scripture doesn’t leave us wondering how to respond. We’re called to stand firm in our faith, even when doing so is uncomfortable or unpopular.
Standing firm begins with prayer.
When something troubles me, my instinct is to figure out what to do. I can become so caught up in finding a solution that I forget to seek the Lord’s wisdom first. Why do we make things so complicated when we have a God who knows far more than we ever could? We need to bring our concerns to Him, particularly when we’re facing decisions that affect our families and our communities. Prayer doesn’t absolve us of responsibility; it helps prepare us to meet that responsibility with wisdom and discernment. Once we’ve prayed, we must also be willing to act on what we know is right.
Prayer changes the posture of our hearts too. When we seek the Lord, we’re reminded that those who disagree with us are not our enemies. Some may be deeply influenced by a toxic culture, but they, too, are made in God’s image and worthy of dignity and love. Truth and love do not compete, and as followers of Christ, we are called to uphold both. We can stand firmly for what is right without abandoning the compassion that should distinguish us.
Proverbs 31:25 describes a woman clothed in strength and dignity who can smile at the future. I love that picture because it isn’t a portrait of a woman who has no concerns about what lies ahead. It’s a picture of someone who refuses to be consumed by fear because she knows where her strength comes from. She can face an uncertain future with confidence, not because she controls the outcome, but because she trusts the One who does.
That’s what I want to see more of in America’s women. We have enough voices telling women to be afraid or angry. I’d rather see women who are confident in their faith, willing to take responsibility for their families’ future, and prepared to use their influence for good. That means praying for our leaders, including those with whom we disagree; seeking God’s wisdom as we care for our families; and remaining engaged in the communities where our voices and actions can make a difference.
Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. We may not understand what He’s doing or why certain things happen, but our inability to see the bigger picture doesn’t excuse us from the responsibilities before us. We can trust Him with tomorrow while remaining faithful in the decisions we make today.
So when you face a difficult decision, seek God’s wisdom. When you see something that isn’t right, be willing to speak up. And when you enter the voting booth, remember that your vote is more than a mark on a ballot. It is an opportunity to exercise your voice, reflect your convictions, and help shape the world our children and grandchildren will inherit. We may not control every outcome, but we are responsible for how we respond to the opportunities God places before us.
Ephesians 6:13 reminds us that after we’ve done all we can, we are to stand. That means more than holding firm to our beliefs in private. It means living out our faith with courage, accepting the responsibilities that come with it, and refusing to surrender our voices when the moment calls for us to speak. Whatever happens in our nation, I want to be found standing firm.
Sources: Breaking Christian News
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Millions Encouraged to Open Their Bibles for Global Bible Month
Psalm 119 describes God’s Word as “a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.”
Throughout November, Bible apps, ministries, and even retailers hope to spark a light worldwide with a challenge to read God’s Word daily.
Global Bible Month is a 30-day challenge that brings together organizations like Walmart, Hobby Lobby and the YouVersion Bible App with a shared goal of encouraging people to place Scripture at the center of their lives.
Whether through a physical Bible or a digital app, the initiative encourages people to make God’s Word a daily priority.
As the challenge enters its second year, YouVersion Bible App founder Bobby Gruenewald says the 2026 campaign will put God’s Word on display in some of the world’s busiest places.
“We have people that created 30-day Bible plans. I think there’s hundreds of our partners that have created special plans for Global Bible Month. We actually celebrate the Bible in Times Square, and Piccadilly Circus in London, and just different iconic places around the world,” Gruenewald said.
After YouVersion marked a major milestone last year with one billion app downloads, Gruenewald says the numbers continue to grow.
Daily use is up 13%, adding up to 18.5 million visitors each day.
Gruenewald believes the growth is no accident, especially as people look for truth and reliable information in the age of artificial intelligence.
“I don’t think it’s an accident. I think we have a generation right now, with AI, that is searching for what can be trusted and what is true, and there’s nothing like God’s Word, and so we see people turning to the Bible during this time as they’re trying to understand what is truth,” he said.
Words like anxiety, hope, and healing rank among the app’s most-searched terms this year. Gruenewald sees a silver lining in those searches as people turn to Scripture for answers.
“That’s encouragement to me, just because there’s a lot of places you can turn to in these types of moments, but the fact that people are turning to God’s Word, I feel like, should be an encouragement to all of us,” he said.
So far, nearly 15 million people have joined the Global Bible Month movement.
Sources:CBN News
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NACOG 2027 ഓസ്റ്റിൻ ദേശീയ പേൾ ജൂബിലി സമ്മേളനം : രജിസ്ട്രേഷൻ ഉൽഘാടനം ഡിസംബർ അഞ്ചിന് അറ്റ്ലാൻ്റയിൽ
30 -ാമത് നോർത്തമേരിക്കൻ ചർച്ച് ഓഫ് ഗോഡ് ഇന്ത്യാ ദേശീയ സമ്മേളനം ഓസ്റ്റനിൽ 2027 ജൂലൈ 15 മുതൽ 18 വരെ നടക്കും. 30 -ാമത് പേൾ ജൂബിലി കോൺഫ്രൻസാണിത്.
ഈ സമ്മേളനത്തിൽ പങ്കെടുക്കുന്നവരുടെ രജിസ്ട്രേഷൻ്റെ ഉൽഘാടനം അറ്റ്ലാൻ്റയിൽ ഡിസംബർ അഞ്ചിന് നടക്കും. ചർച്ച് ഓഫ് ഗോഡ് വേൾഡ് മിഷൻസ് അസിസ്റ്റൻ്റ് ഡയറക്ടർ ബിഷപ്പ് ഇസ്മായേൽ ചാൾസ് പ്രസംഗിക്കും.
പാസ്റ്റർ ഏബ്രഹാം തോമസ് – ടെക്സസ് ഓസ്റ്റിൻ ( പ്രസിഡൻ്റ്) , പാസ്റ്റർ എബി തോമസ് – ന്യൂ യോർക്ക് (വൈസ്. പ്രസിഡൻ്റ്), ഫിന്നി ഫിലിപ്പ് – ഫിലദെൽഫിയ ( സെക്രട്ടറി), അജി ഇടിക്കുള – ഹ്യൂസ്റ്റൻ ( ട്രഷറാർ), പാസ്റ്റർ ജെറമി മാത്യു – ഡാളസ് ( ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് കോ- ഓർഡിനേറ്റർ), ഡോ. ജൂലി തോമസ്- ഓസ്റ്റിൻ ( ലേഡീസ് പ്രസിഡൻ്റ്) എന്നിവരാണ് നാഷണൽ ഭാരവാഹികൾ.
ലോക്കൽ കമ്മറ്റിയെയും തെരഞ്ഞെടുത്തിട്ടുണ്ട്. ലോക്കൽ കൺവീനറായി സുവി. ജോർജ് മാമ്മൻ, സെക്രട്ടറിയായി ജുവിൻ ജോർജ്, ട്രഷററായി ഷെൽവിൻ പോളി, ലോക്കൽ ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് സെഷൻ കോ- ഓർഡിനേറ്ററായി കെസിയ അലക്സ് എന്നിവരെയും തെരഞ്ഞെടുത്തു.
Sources:cchintha.in
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