The Daily Bible Experience - A Review

 

The Daily Bible
Experience

by

F. LaGard Smith

To be fair, this book must be reviewed, first, as it was intended, and, second, as it stands alone.

The book was intended to be read along with another devotional book, The Daily Bible. The Daily Bible is a devotional version of the NIV Bible presented in chronological order for daily reading. Along with the entire text of the NIV, the author includes devotional and study helps interspersed with the Biblical text. The current book merely adds additional devotional material to the original book. Given its stated purpose, it is not needed.

However, as an independent devotional book, The Daily Bible Experience offers an excellent devotional experience on its own. The current book does not offer the reader a reading of the entire Bible, it does include devotions based on excerpts from the same passages offered in the earlier work. Each daily reading selects a verse or two from the outline found in The Daily Bible. Sadly, it does not provide readings or references to the larger context from which the one or two verses are drawn - for that the reader will need the earlier work. The devotionals are well written and aimed at the daily life of the believer. Each devotional begins by quoting the one or two verses chosen for comment, a one page devotional, and brief, one sentence, asking the reader to apply the day’s thoughts.

The Daily Bible Experience may not be needed for its stated purpose; it does serve well as a devotional book in its own right.

______________ This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Holy Bible: Filament Edition - A Review

Holy Bible:
Filament Edition

New Living Translation

WOW ... Wow ... wow ...

Tyndale may have just introduced the next generation Study Bible. By combining a well-known paper translation (which must be purchased) with notes, videos, graphics, and devotionals, supplied digitally (via a free app), the reader is introduced to the best of two worlds. Fonts in the printed version can be larger — space does not need to be consumed by the Study Bible notes. Fonts in the notes are not scalable, but they are larger than those found in many Study Bibles. The notes are helpful and thorough. It is unclear who are the individuals involved in preparing the study notes for each section. Credit is given for each devotional entry — being drawn from a variety of previously published resources. Credit is also given for some of the videos to The Bible Project, a non-profit animation studio whose mission is to make the biblical story accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Given the new format, it is difficult to compare the amount of content present to a more traditional Study Bible, but my first guess is that there is more material than would be found in other similar resources. Even if the notes are comparable to a more traditional resource, to that one must add the devotional material and the audio/visual material — the result is a generous set of resources.

A couple of concerns should be mentioned. I already mentioned that the text is not scalable — not a big problem for this reader, but it might be for some. Another issue that should be made clear up front is that audio/visual resources require that the tablet or phone being used to scan page number require that the device is connected to the Internet. Study notes and devotional material are supplied with the app. Finally, notes that one may want to incorporate into one’s personal Bible Study or into a set of digital sermon preparation notes (e.g. OneNote or Evernote) will need to be copied/typed by hand. At this point, there is no Windows version of the app. One workaround would be to mirror the phone screen onto a desktop or laptop — but until a later version of Windows 10 is released, that is not part of the default operating system.

In addition to addressing the above issues, the app might be embellished in other ways. It would be interesting to see the app integrated with publicly available websites containing public domain resources. Similarly, it might be interesting to see the app’s search tools integrated with one of a major Bible Software programs (e.g. WordSearch or LOGOS). The product could also be enhanced by introducing material found in other Study Bibles which are sourced using The Living Translation.

This new approach to Bible Study will find a home in the hands of any serious Bible Student — college student, seminary student, layman, or pastor. I hope that Christian Bookstore can make a sample version along with a tablet available for customers to try. Once a user has had the opportunity to experience this new Study Bible, it should easily sell itself.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Vines Expository Bible - A Review

The Vines
Expository

Bible

by

Jerry Vines

A Review

Dr. Vines has compiled a set of readings, helps, sermon outlines, and insights, to create something between a Devotional Bible and a Study Bible. Beyond being a collection of writings, there seems to be little that holds the various comments and articles together. And that left me disappointed.

When I see the title “Expository Bible”, I expect the focus to be on exposition. There is some of this — but this is not the focus of the various helps.  The back cover list the following contents:

205  "Presenting the Message” - detailed outlines from Jerry Vines' sermon archive

148  “Living the Message” - articles with illustrations for living the Christian life

237  "Applying the Message” - notes that help you see the relevance of Scriptures for your walk with Christ

311  "Discerning the Meaning" - word studies that illuminate the meaning of key words in Scripture

66     Book Introductions

But, with exception of the Book Introductions, there seems to be no consistency about which of these entries have been included. It feels like the author was allowed to license the New King James Version of the Bible and add notes as he saw fit.  The entries do hold some interest and may be of some help if they could be searched and located using an electronic text. But as a bound book with inaccessible content, the result is less than satisfying to this reader.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

NIV Devotional Bibles for Teen Guys and Teen Girls - A Review

NIV, Revolution Bible The Bible for Teen Guys

NIV, True Images Bible The Bible for Teen Girls

by

Livingstone

A Review

Zondervan has created a pair of devotional Bibles for guys and girls. Though marketed together, they are aimed (?) at separate audience based on gender. They both contain helpful comments and inviting full-color pages designed to draw the reader into the text. The comments in each are generous throughout.

Though each contains an abundance of comments, the comments are not parallel or complements of each other. In fact, many of the comments in both are not as gender specific as the titles might suggest. A great majority of the comments could be included in a gender neutral Bible designed for a general teen readership. It is this reviewer’s opinion, that by not seeing the comments in both Bibles, significant and important teaching will be missed.

The most gender specific features of each edition are the colors chosen for the comments and sidebars. The guys’ Bible uses a light blue background for comments, the girls’ Bible uses a light (in some cases, too light) pink background for comments. Also, the full-color pages in the “True Images Bible” are also obviously aimed at a traditional feminine audience. The same is not true for the “Revolution Bible”; these full-color notes are truly gender neutral.

This reviewer would recommend that copies of both Bibles be made available to members of all genders - either through a library (one copy of each) or a classroom collection of Bibles (with multiple copies of each edition being available for the whole class) so that comments from both editions can be read by all. Of course, parents will need to choose the Bible most appropriate for their own child, assuming they will be purchasing a single copy for their child.

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This review is based on free copies provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Airship Genesis Kids Study Bible - A Review

Airship Genesis Kids Study Bible

Edited By

David Jeremiah

A Review

I am looking at a well-designed Bible, though probably more of a Devotional Bible, than a Study Bible.  The following screen grab from Amazon.com gives some hint of what is available - Amazon has additional page views for examination as well:

This edition is a hardbound book using the New King James Version Bible. Though directed by the capable hand of Dr. David Jeremiah; other authors contributed to the final product, including Robert J. Morgan, one of my favorite devotional writers. However, the authors of individual articles are not indicated.  The book has a Spaceship look throughout, with the comments found throughout the book labeled and typed in a science fiction type of font that might be seen on such shows as Star Trek or Star Wars display screens or during the opening and closing credits - a font that should appeal to the pre-teen or young teen.   Notes are in color - some used just for highlighting, others to illustrate the contents of the notes. The combination of fonts, colors, and illustrations should appeal to the young people this Bible is designed for.

The Bible would fit well into the church library or the middle school classroom.  It would also be a suitable gift for the middle school child beginning to read or study the Bible for his- or herself.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

NIV Faith and Work Bible

NIV Faith & Work Bible

Edited by

David H. Kim

A Review

My interest in this Bible comes via a number of avenues. First, my thoughts return to my training as a vocational counselor.  Much of that training focused on the value we as humans place on work and/or being out of work. I was also drawn to this Bible by my work with college students completing their internships in Computer Science.  But my interest came most clearly as I thought of my own somewhat staggered career path - which has included formal education and experience in Chemistry, Ministry, Computer Science, and Counseling. As the book’s cover suggests, “You invest a significant part of your life working … it matters.”

This Bible consists of helps that focus on work and the study of Scripture and the Christian life in general. These include a series of biographical and anecdotal stories of those who involved with their work and a series of essays written by well-known Christians exploring the topic of work and faith. Of a more general nature are a series of brief articles dealing with core doctrines that will influence our attitude toward our life’s work and a 31-day reading plan for studying “Scripture’s overarching storyline.”  Helpful indexes are provided to the biographical, doctrinal, and storyline studies.

The variety of helps means this reader is unsure whether this volume is better classified as a Study Bible or as a Devotional Bible - perhaps it is some unknown type of Bible that lies somewhere in between. It  is also unclear to whom this Bible is addressed. It would be a welcome addition to the library of the Christian involved in vocational counseling (whether a professional counselor or a pastor). It also belongs in the church library within reach of the lay community seeking their own understanding of their career  choices. Finally, this Bible would be a welcome gift for the layperson examining their own career decisions - either at the beginning of their career or seeking a mid-career change.  

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Beyond Suffering Bible - A Review

Beyond Suffering Bible

Edited by

Joni and Friends

A Review

Though being marketed as a Study Bible, I think this Bible is has more similarities to today’s Devotional Bibles. Having said that, this Bible is the best Devotional Bible I have seen in a long time (ever?). It belongs in the hands of every pastor, caregiver, personal sufferer - anybody that finds themselves in a hopeless situation. As the reader might guess, that includes most of us.  

A variety of helps contribute to the value of this Bible. Devotionals are scattered throughout the Bible, many of them written by Joni Eareckson Tada, focusing on the many sides of suffering. Along with the devotionals, are a series of character profiles and application guides (“Connection Points”).  Also included are a set of ten weekly reading plans :

Comforting Those Who Mourn Disability and the Image of God Growing Spiritually Through Suffering Intellectual Disability and Salvation Healing: A Proper View The Role of the Church               in Suffering and Disability Praising God Through Suffering Suffering and Spiritual Formation What Causes Disability Victory Through Weakness

Along with these resources, found in the text itself, there are also a series of essays from a variety of authors addressing the issue of suffering and the believer. I appreciate that the publisher has not left this book standing by itself. Near the end of the book is a two-page list of additional recommended resources: Books, Curriculum Resources, Joni and Friends Websites, and Other Helpful Websites. A very useful, comprehensive topical index is provide to give access to the various materials.

Though more like a Devotional Bible, the reader will find the typical helps (though nothing special) found in a Study Bible: Cross References, Dictionary and Concordance (combined), and Bible Maps. Finally, I should note that the contributing authors are listed, for both those who worked on the NLT translation and on the Beyond Suffering Bible.

As I hinted earlier, some version of this Bible belongs in the hands of every Pastor, lay leader, Sunday School teacher, church library, and family. We each will need to deal with suffering someday, somewhere. This Bible can help prepare us for that task.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

NIV Bible for Teen Guys - A Review

NIV Bible for Teen Guys

Publisher

Zondervan

A Review

A devotional Bible for Teen guys, this Bible contains a number of tools and helps that will encourage the teen guy. For the young teen it will be a suitable Bible to use for three or four years; for the older teen it might be more suitable for a single year as he works through the devotionals and character studies.

A number of helps are included:

• A year's worth of devotional studies
• Character profiles of key men in scripture
• Brief book introductions for each book of the Bible
• Key Bible promises worth remembering are highlighted

Of these, the last seems to be the least useful, as the highlights a very light yellow, difficult to see except in the very brightest light. The devotionals are a mix of theology, exegesis, and practical thoughts. Some end in thoughtful questions, others with hints about life; but all of those I read were of value.

Designed to parallel the similarly designed NIV Bible For Teen Girls, first introduced in August 2015, this current book is being introduced just in time for Christmas 2016 giving. It would be an appropriate gift for parents or grandparents to consider for holiday giving.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

NKJV Word Study Bible

NKJV
Word Study Bible

Publisher

Thomas Nelson

A Review

Not quite a study Bible, but more than a devotional Bible, this version belongs in the church library and on the layman’s desk.

The major feature of this book gives it its name - 1700 short and brief descriptions of key Hebrew and Greek words that will help the reader better understand the meaning of scripture. The major drawback is that the descriptions are all too brief to be of use to the preacher or scholar without further study in more formal sources (i.e. Bible Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, etc.).

Though the provided word studies are too brief, the accompanying indexes do give significant value to the work.

1. English Word Index
2. Scripture Passage Index
3. Strong Number Index for both Hebrew and Greek Words
4. Concordance (typical to that found in most study Bibles)

Also included, throughout the text, are cross-references pointing to a scripture reference where a word study can be found (see “create” and “male” in the image above). What is missing from the basic definitions provided are descriptions of antonyms and synonyms that might help justify the use of one word over another, or a comparison of Hebrew and Greek words used to express similar ideas or which are tied together by their parallel use in the Septuagint. The inclusion of these three pieces would provide a more complete study Bible and one more helpful to the pastor and scholar.  

Bottom line: Thomas Nelson has made a great first start to what could become an extremely useful Study Bible. With the contributions of a few additional scholars and a willingness to allot more editorial space to the definitions, this could become a wonderful reference book. For now, it has not quite reached that level.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own. I actually had pre-ordered a copy of this book prior to receiving notice that I was going to be allowed to review the book. I retained one copy. I passed the second copy to my pastor for either his own use or to pass onto a lay member of the church in need of a Study Bible.

American Woman’s Bible - A Review

American Woman’s Bible

by

Dr. Richard G. Lee

A Review

I have stumbled upon other Bibles using American history as the source notes, devotional thoughts, or commentary. However, I found this edition to be of greater value that those that have crossed my path in the past.

The notes focus on the role that Christian Women have played in American history and how their lives have exemplified the role Christ, Scripture, and the church has had in preparing them for those roles. This is accomplished by including biographical sketches, quotations that have shaped others by or about American women, and a series of essays focusing on the virtues that have shaped our nation and the women who have been a part of that history.

My biggest disappointment is that the publisher chose to name only one male author of the book: Dr. Richard G. Lee. I suspect, like most Study Bibles and Devotional Bibles, the work was a collaboration of many scholars and spiritual leaders - but they are totally unnamed, either in a list of contributors or as the authors of individual pieces of writing. It would seem, to this reviewer, that if we have a Bible focused on the contributions of women to history, its contents should in some way be guided by women. I do not know where the error was made - in not giving credit for the women’s contribution or in not allowing women to contribute - but it seems that an error was made.

Having said that, this Bible edition does have value - just less than it might. The collection of biographies and quotes might help a pastor in preparation for next Sunday’s message. The devotional thoughts could easily be used by a teen or adult Sunday School teacher or Bible Study leader in preparation for next weeks lesson. My copy will sit on a night stand for my wife and I use with our personal devotions. I do expect that others will find it a blessing.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Apply the Word Study Bible - A Review

Apply the Word

Study Bible

New King James Version

A Review

Though titled “Study Bible”, this compilation of notes, maps, and commentary is more closely entitled a “Devotional Bible”. As the title also suggests, most of the notes are practical and geared toward a reader’s understanding of how the scripture can be applied toward one’s life. A few notes (mostly book introductions) focus more on introducing the historical settings of the individual books and their authors, but the focus of the book as a whole is devotional - not academic.

Having said that, the notes are well done and interesting. They are applicable and helpful for the Christian Believer. As with many small form study Bibles, this volume lacks an index to the various notes. If you are studying a passage - the notes will be helpful, but if I want to gather material on a specific topic, it will be more difficult to discover helpful comments. An index would help in this regard. As I have suggested in other reviews, a Bible without an index could be improved if made available as a searchable e-book or an on-line searchable database.

The Bible does include a concordance and a set of Bible maps - nothing special, but like one might expect in a handy to use Bible.  

I would recommend this edition of the NKJV Bible for a new believer. It could also have a place on the shelf of a church library for use during worship service or during a midweek Bible Study. It might also be an appropriate for a high school graduation gift.  

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

NIV: Understand The Faith Study Bible - A Review

NIV
Understand The Faith
Study Bible

by

Christianity Today

A Review

This Bible is titled “Study Bible”, but it is really a compromise between a Study Bible and a Devotional Bible. Many different types of help are provided; but few are truly exegetical, as I would expect in a Study Bible. The editor has used the following categories to describe the type of helps provided:

1. Book Introductions
2. Doctrine 101 - an introduction to commonly accepted theology
3. Everyday Faith - devotions (the editor’s term, not mine) connecting theology to practical life
4. Cultural Connections - Connections between the world’s culture and Biblical faith and doctrine
5. Living Parables - examining events in the lives of saints (using a broad term) who have served the church in past generations
6. Up for Debate - Looking at doctrinal issues that are not quite as settled as those discussed in Doctrine 101, above
7. Charts and Graphs - used to describe concepts and arguments
8. Subject Index
9. Glossary - of theological terms

One might be more likely to label this Bible as a “Theological Bible”, rather than a “Study Bible”. The articles are interesting and worth reviewing as one is reviewing theological topics. They are less helpful when studying individual passages of scripture.  

The subject index makes finding individual articles a bit easier, but it would be nice to have a list of article  titles included with or near the book’s table of contents.  In lieu of this, an electronic index or an electronic version of the book would make the various articles increasingly accessible.  I would love to see this included in the LOGOS or WordSearch on-line libraries. Maybe one, or both, may choose to license the material for use with their on-line tools. Till this is available electronically, this Bible will not be my book of first choice, but it will be near my fingertips as a helpful reference tool when theology is the topic of interest.

Published by the well-respected editors of Christianity Today, the book will serve as a valuable resource on the pastor’s or knowledgeable layman’s bookshelf.  This would be a helpful gift from a church member to a pastor or a Bible College or seminary student.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.