Message of Bible is essentially of love and compassion: Ansari

Message of Bible is essentially one of "love and compassion" which runs like a common thread through all religious traditions, Vice President Hamid Ansari said today.
Ansari made the remarks after releasing a one-volume commentary on all books of Bible, 'South Asia Bible Commentary' (SABC), during an event organised by Cathedral Church of the Redemption here.
"The message of Bible is essentially one of love and compassion. The message of love and compassion runs like a common thread through all religious traditions. Each in turn teaches us love, tolerance and forgiveness," Ansari said while addressing a gathering of church representatives and scholars.

The Vice President said that publication of a collection of commentaries on "one of the holiest texts" in the world is a reason to celebrate and expressed happiness to know that over 90 learned scholars from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal contributed in compilation of the book.
In addition to commentaries on entirety of Bible, the volume also has essays and articles on some of the challenges and burning issues facing societies in South Asia, he added.
Ansari also lauded editors and publishers for the commentary of the Bible, encompassing both old and new testaments.

"I am sure the commentary will make the text more accessible to large number of people, particularly in South Asia and enable them to imbibe the message of love and compassion that Bible has for all human kind," he added.

According to the organisers, it took eight years for the authors to pen the SABC, idea of which was conceived in 2007 when some biblical scholars got together in Kolkata for a meeting and were encouraged to consider writing it.
The event was also attended by Rajya Sabha member JD Seelam, SABC general editor Brian Wintle, Presbyter-in-charge at Cathedral Church of the Redemption Delhi Diocese Paul Swarup and other Church representatives.