unsure of this

I read about this in a regional Christian newspaper in the place I'm currently visiting, and I was more than a bit taken aback by it.

Bible Across America

Bible Across America is a symbol of Zondervan's commitment to make the Word of God more accessible and more relevant to more people. What better way to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the NIV Bible than by inviting Americans to participate in this monumental tour and open more hearts to the Word of God.

The 15,000-mile journey will directly reach 90 cities in 44 states during the course of five months. Bible Across America is currently making stops at churches, universities, retail stores, American landmarks and special events between September 30, 2008 and February 11, 2009. More than 31,000 people are being invited to contribute a verse to complete an entirely handwritten Bible -- America's NIV.

I'm unsure what this is, exactly. Are they just going place to place, and having people copy verses from the NIV onto paper? Is so, then the only real problem with it would be whatever problems one may have with the NIV itself (not counting any problem one may have with the idea in the first place, which seems rather overblown and not really necessary).

But if they're having people re-write the verses any way they wish, then I start having more serious problems with it. It would be rather eye-openning, I suppose, if they are doing that, but not the other hand it would probably make The Message look accurate and scholarly.

And then, there's the whole "American NIV" thing, too. Are we going to have a British and Aussie version next, done in their own versions of English?

I guess we shall have to wait and see.