NKJV Faithlife Illustrated Study Bible - A Review

NKJV Faithlife
Illustrated
Study Bible

A Review

Zondervan and Faithlife are offering a new edition of their Faithlife Study Bible - this one with lots of illustrations - most in color or using colored shading on text:

         

The study notes are edited from the previous version - some added, some deleted, some edited. Along with the extensive textual notes are 30 essays written by a variety of well-known scholars and educators. Examples include the following:

Douglas Stuart - How to Study the Bible

Randy Alcorn - Why a Good God Allows Suffering

Lee Strobel - Contending for the Faith - Apologetics

Other essays focus on issues related to Bible introduction.  Individual book introductions are included within the normal Bible notes.

The earlier version of this Study Bible was based on the NIV, this newest edition is rooted in the NKJV. Both are well-respected translations - I will let others comment on the pros and cons of using each translation for personal study. Though Greek and Hebrew were a part of my seminary studies, it has been 40+ years since I originally studied it. Most of my career was spent learning computer languages - I know more about COBOL, C++, and Java, than the Biblical languages at this point. I appreciate the variety of translations and their collective contribution to my understanding of the Biblical text.

This Study Bible is well suited for students, pastors, church libraries, and others wanting a deeper understanding of the scriptures.

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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 Faithlife Study Bible - Review

NIV Faithlife Study Bible

Copyright by

Lexham Press

A Review

A new Study Bible from the same publishers who produce LOGOS Bible Software is worth going “WOW” over. This Bible is a hefty contribution to the scholar’s, pastor’s, student’s, layman’s, and church library - it belongs on the shelf next to other major study Bibles - the ESV Study Bible, HSCB Study Bible, NLT Study Bible, etc. It definitely is not a devotional Bible.

The roots of this work are in the electronic version made available by Faithlife via the LOGOS Bible Software and standalone apps for Android and iOS. Originally designed to be a growing set of notes available through those on-line editions, at some point the editors locked its growth and began editing the resulting work for publication. The result is a printed work that is substantially shorter than the electronic version - but the underlying material is rich and full of insight. A quick estimate suggests that about 85%-90% of the verses have connected comments - many with multiple comments.

Along with the extensive textual notes are 30 essays written by a variety of well-known scholars and educators. Examples include the following:

Douglas Stuart …………… How to Study the Bible

Randy Alcorn …………… Why a Good God Allows Suffering

Lee Strobel …………… Contending for the Faith - Apologetics

Other essays focus on issues related to Bible introduction.  Individual book introductions are included within the normal Bible notes.

As with many Study Bibles, the fonts are a bit smaller than this reader would like to see. Though small, the fonts are clear and sharp - making them readable. The notes include graphics illustrating key points and documenting the ancient history found in the scriptures. Additional helps include a nicely done concordance and maps. The maps are not as detailed as some I have seen at the end of other Study Bibles nor as colorful. The maps found at the end of this work are augmented with maps embedded in the notes that fill in some of the gaps left by the those found at the end of the book.

The bottom line is that this Study Bible is one of the best I have seen in the time I have spent reviewing Bibles. I would think that pastors, Bible students, serious laymen, and others wanting to dig deeper into the scriptures will want this on their library shelf. Local churches would do well to add it to their collection as well as a welcome resource for those looking for a richer study of God’s word within their congregations. I will give this Bible a FIVE-STAR REVIEW.

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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.

Free Seminary Help: e-Gape (humor)

Seminary sure has changed since I attended. Look at what Calvin Seminary (from the Reformed Church) has managed to put together [:-)] .

e-Gape

We probably should't share this with all those going to Methodist schools - the students may want to transfer. I know I would have if I had not been married when I arrived on campus. [:)]

Blessings,

Pastor Patrick

PS This was passed to me earlier this evening by some friends who, like me, make use of the LOGOS Bible software program.