In what they are calling "a publishing first," HarperOne will release "The Green Bible" Oct. 7.

Green is in – we shouldn't be surprised that a publisher has created a Bible targeted toward those who are concerned about creation care. Christians and Jews with a spiritual outlook on ecology often argue that the Bible is the story of God's connectedness with the earth and humanity.

Biblical stories, from Genesis to Revelation, are filled with references to the earth and creation, due in large part to the desert and rural environments in which many of its books were written. Genesis says Adam was created from the dust of the earth. Water spouts out of a rock for Moses. Ruth joins in the grain harvest as she provides for her mother-in-law. At least a few of Jesus' disciples were fishermen. And Jesus' parables are full of agrarian references.

So, although intrigued by the concept, when my preview copy arrived I admit my first reaction was, "yeah, like I need another Bible." As a life-long Christian pilgrim, between Bibles I've purchased and those given to me, I have a dozen or so in various translations and configurations.  What could this new one offer, even if it is "green?"

Bible publishers have employed a variety of means to make their products more appealing to buyers. Study aids, cross-indexes, textual criticism, authorship and historical origin introductions to books, Gospel "harmonies," maps, scriptural commentaries and daily devotionals for moms/dads/students/etc. are just some of the ways Bibles have been embellished.

But "The Green Bible" has few amenities that aren't related to creation care – just standard introductory materials, an index and a concordance.

Yet, "green" features abound, including essays by theologians and ecologists, a green-letter New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) text that highlights over 1,000 verses concerning creation care and human responsibility for the earth, a Bible study guide that follows six ecological themes, a green subject guide and a green movement resource guide for group and individual use.

The essays are thoughtful reflections on how God has called humanity to care for the earth, how creation is sacred and how creation care is linked to our care for the poor. A few examples include Archbishop Desmond Tutu's foreword, a Barbara Brown Taylor sermon on "The Dominion of Love," Brian McLaren telling readers "Why I am Green," and Ellen Bernstein speaking to the Jewish perspective on creation care.

You won't find "genuine calf skin," a satin ribbon bookmark or gold leaf edges on premium grade paper in "The Green Bible" – even the production of this Bible is greener than most. The cover is a cotton/linen blend, the pages are printed with soy-based ink on recycled paper and the page coating is water-based.

Maybe that's why I like "The Green Bible" so much – its simplicity. I'm starting to understand how simplicity (regardless of how many Bibles are on my shelf) is a core ingredient of being a good steward, of being green. Living with less "stuff," be that in my home, in my schedule or in my Bible, is a meaningful reminder of the clutter that so easily clouds spiritual understanding.

"The Green Bible," from HarperOne, October 2008. Hardcover, $29.95, ISBN 978-0061627996, <greenletterbible.com>.