I subscribed to World for a couple years or more, and really enjoyed their magazine. It’s a Christian news magazine similar to Time. It isn’t just Christianized, fluff reporting– World is a serious, professional read. Very well done, indeed.
I’ve trumpeted the ESV Study Bible in the past on my blog: here, and here. It didn’t win Bible of the Year and Book of the Year honors from the ECPA for nothing. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my copy, and I have no qualms in claiming it is the best single study Bible available hands down.
So go ahead and take advantage of this doubly good deal, and introduce yourself to World magazine as you enjoy a new ESV Study Bible.
I’m also going to reproduce my thoughts on the ESV Study Bible from the comment section of yesterday’s post for the benefit of my readers.
Reader Question: The ESV is my preferred version, but I’ve held off on the study bible because I don’t know the theological bent of the notes. Do they reflect Reformed understanding? I have the Reformation Study Bible in ESV, which I enjoy, but I’ve had a couple of people recommend the ESV Study Bible. However, they haven’t all been from folks who have what I would consider an informed understanding.
My Answer:
I had the Reformation Study Bible in ESV before the ESV Study Bible, and the ESV Study Bible far outshines it. I’m thoroughly reformed, too.
The contributors to the ESV Study Bible tend to be reformed and the notes tend that direction, but they try to be fair and balanced and give the other view in certain passages (like Revelation, for intstance). But the quality of all the maps and diagrams is quite first class, with color, and more. The fact that its so popular is a good thing, really. The contributors are all conservative, so no egalitarian views on women and ministry, and no playing loosey-goosey with inerrancy.
They include notes by Vern Poythress on a history of salvation overview for each OT book. It includes notes by Leeland Ryken on the literary features of each book. They include a mini systematic theology. Mark Dever gives the plan of salvation, John Piper speaks to prayer and Bible study.
I could go on and on, but I think you’ll find this study Bible superior to anything you’ve ever seen. Personally, I was a little let down with the Reformation Study Bible. The notes were good and all, but I was hoping for more. The ESV Study Bible gives me more. Not that it’s perfect, I would like to see Vern Poythress’ History of Salvation notes (not the book overviews) in the text rather than in the back of the Bible as an appendix. One can’t have everything, I guess.
It’s been fun hosting my first ever book giveaway contest. I should make the entry question a bit easier next time, but we had 11 contestants. Where else can you get such a good odds at winning?
Okay, <keep the drums going> let me first explain the Random.org sequence generator. We had 11 entries, I gave a number to each entrant based on the order in time when they sent me their answers. So the top number will win.
…the winner again is….
…Wendy Domkoski!
She told me she was praying she’d get this. So I’m recruiting her for my personal prayer team now! I’ll contact her and get her snail mail address, and send out her Bible soon.
Thanks again to Kate Etue of Thomas Nelson for providing our prize. Stay tuned for more book giveaways from time to time around here.
UPDATE: The answer is the Feeding of the Five Thousand (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:32-44, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-15).
Author: compilation of several scholars
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 1690
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: 2008
ISBN: 0718020685
Rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Chronological Study Bible (NKJV) by Thomas Nelson Publishers, is a very well done study Bible. The hardback book is beautifully designed with color and graphics on every page. In fact, pages without some kind of article or note are few and far between. The Bible is arranged chronologically, which means individual books and the order of groups of books are arranged according to a chronological ordering. Sometimes this is done according to the presumed date a book was written, often it relates to what time period the section describes. In any case, the Chronological Study Bible will always let you know why each section is included where it is.
What makes the book valuable for study are the many discussions of the history, customs and culture of the time period that the Scripture is addressing. Many parallels are drawn between ancient near-eastern culture and the writings of Scripture. Key archaeological finds which often testify to the historical veracity of Scripture are described or even pictured. Time-lines are given for the Biblical events as well as historical events of that same era.
I flipped through every page of this massive volume (1600+ pages), and read or skimmed through each article. It is both fascinating and educational, and brings the Bible alive. Such a view of the historical time-frame of Scripture, however, does bring up some questions. The introduction highlights this fact and explains that this study Bible “takes with equal seriousness the views of traditional, conservative Bible students and those of modern, critical scholarship.” (pg. xi) It doesn’t try to “persuade readers that one particular view is correct”, leaving that for the reader to decide.
This in my mind is the only real drawback of the book. In the main the Chronological Study Bible presents multiple views on various issues (such as the dates for the Exodus), but occasionally the perspective shared is not what I’d agree with. Sometimes the notes state that the Bible borrowed concepts from previous cultures, and the role of inspiration is ignored. See for instance the discussion of Satan on pg. 902. It also presents a consistent egalitarian view regarding the role of women in the church, in the notes on the relevant passages.
Often, however, the historical insights enlighten the text and help the reader better understand what’s going on. There’s a fascinating discussion of the phrase “offspring of vipers” on pg. 1124 which stands as a positive example in this light.
Ultimately, those who are serious Bible scholars will find this resource very helpful. And these kinds of questions do need to be addressed and thought through. For new Christians, an uncritical endorsement of this book may not be best, however. In every other respect this study Bible far exceeded my expectations.
I encourage you to check out the Bible for yourself at chronologicalstudybible.com. You’ll find a preview and other great information on the study Bible there.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.
This book is available for purchase at the following sites: Amazon.com or direct from Thomas Nelson.
I thought this was a pretty good deal. Subscribe to World magazine for 1 year ($49.95) and get a free hardcover copy of the new ESV Study Bible (retail price $49.95 / $31.49 on Amazon).
