I was given Harlan as a middle name, the first name of my grandfather, my Pawpaw. From the hills of Eastern Kentucky, a child of the Great Depression, Pawpaw had no need for education past the eighth grade, but he certainly knew and appreciated the value of hard work. He joined the US Army in World War II, logged in Maine, and mined coal. No one could run a cutting machine like he could. He worked his land to feed his family. He took pride in the work he did. Pawpaw handed down the legacy of a strong work ethic and excellence in craftsmanship to the generations that followed, just as it had been given to him from those that came before. Simply, Pawpaw did not suffer people he considered lazy, careless, or thoughtless.
The man behind Harlan Bibles
I am J. Harlan, a father, son, brother, uncle, and unapologetic follower of Jesus Christ. I grew up in the Western suburbs of Chicago, raised by parents that loved the Lord and each other and their two kids. It was a good life. I attended Moody Bible Insititute, earning my bachelors in biblical studies. I also hold a masters in theological studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. I have called Nashville home since 2012.
From technology to bookbinding
Professionally, I am an application architect and consultant. Every day, I use an iPad to read newspapers, magazines, books for work or entertainment. Technology has brought us many ways to increase our knowledge, it’s fantastic. I have thousands of dollars invested in Bible study software and with that, thousands of books digitized in my personal library. However, devotionally, I still read a physical Bible every day. I still preach from a physical Bible, (though I use my iPad for my notes.) There is just something distinctly different about holding and reading a Bible that cannot be replaced by an electronic device no matter how great the interface is.
Maybe it’s the memory of a loved one or a reminder of an achievement or simply a gift to someone special, a book has the ability to capture great meaning because of the person associated with it. For my birthday one year, I was given a Schuyler NASB. It was the first premium Bible I owned. I still remember how much I enjoyed reading it. I have read that version for over twenty years and have had more than a few NAS Bibles, but this one represented the distinctiveness, thought and care only a high-quality Bible bound with exquisite care and detail can have that makes it a joy to hold and read.
After a few years of using that Bible, I thought I would return the favor. I knew the version she preferred, even the exact text block she liked. I knew her favorite color and some other details. I looked for a long time for a Bible that really captured what she liked.
Nothing.
So, I turned to some custom bookbinders, and there are some that do an incredibly beautiful job. That led me to online videos of how to bind books, and I started to think to myself, “I could do that.”
And I did…at least I tried.
There were lots of learning opportunities that experience gave me. From the tools to my cutting skills, leather suppliers, paper selections, glues, skiving, stitching, and bookbinding artistry in general, I fell in love with the craft. Eventually it all came together that next Christmas. Her ESV with moderate yapp teal calfskin cover over a coral lambskin liner, paisley end pages, and turquoise under gold art gilting started it all — and it’s still her daily reader.
I want to give others that feeling with every book I rebind for them. That’s my passion, that’s what I really enjoy doing.
How Harlan Bibles got its name
Pawpaw came to faith late in life. Before Jesus, he was a harsh man, not cruel but stern, one that did not tolerate mediocrity. After he surrendered to Christ, he softened quite a bit. The gospel had begun to transform his life in some pretty remarkable ways. He read his Bible every day, he spoke of spiritual matters regularly, and he poured the rest of his life into the care and upkeep of his church home doing whatever he could so that others would have a comfortable and inviting place to worship. He spent the rest of his life working with the same diligence and work ethic, craftsmanship and high standards that had characterized his whole life. In Christ, however, he found a greater purpose, higher calling, and deeper meaning in that diligence.
Harlan Bibles seemed an appropriate name. Pawpaw is with the Lord now, but I think he would be proud of what his grandson who shares his name has done and continues to do providing for his family and taking pride in the craftsmanship of the work he does.
~J. Harlan
Nashville, Tennessee