The Bible of the Reformers: Why We Chose the 1560 Geneva Edition

For over 400 years, the 1611 King James Version has reigned supreme in the minds of many. But before the King James, there was the Geneva.

At Praise & Peace, every candle in our Full Armor of God Collection features text from the 1560 Geneva Bible. This wasn't an aesthetic choice; it was a historical one. Here is why we chose the Bible of the Reformers for our vessels.

1. The Bible of the Pilgrims When the Pilgrims stepped onto the Mayflower to flee religious persecution, they didn't carry the King James Bible. They carried the Geneva. It was the Bible of Plymouth Rock, the Bible of the Puritans, and the very first Bible brought to America.

2. The First "Study Bible" The 1560 Geneva Bible was revolutionary because it was the first to use numbered verses and Roman type (easier to read than the heavy Gothic blackletter). But most importantly, it was filled with marginal notes—commentary written by the Reformers themselves (John Calvin, Knox, and others) to help the common man understand the scripture without needing a priest.

3. The Language of the People The Geneva Bible was translated by exiles in Geneva, Switzerland, who were fleeing the wrath of "Bloody Mary" (Queen Mary I). It was a Bible born in the fires of persecution. Its language is forceful, direct, and deeply spiritual.

Reclaiming the History When we designed the Belt of Truth and the Sword of the Spirit vessels, we wanted them to carry the weight of this history. We used the original archaic spellings and the original Hebrew terminology (Ruach, Emet, Shalom) to connect you to the ancient roots of the faith.

This is not just decor. It is a piece of history.

Stand Therefore.

Author: Andrew & Tiffany