Rating: 
Summary: Great 'Access' to the Bible!!
Review: Another evangelical christian who loves this Bible! Although the introductions and notes have a liberal leaning, the amount of objective historical and cultural information is amazing. In my opinion this is not a Bible for beginners although it is much more accessible than the New Oxford Annotated or the HarperCollins. This Bible offers a unique format with commentary interspersed throughout the text rather than at the bottom of the page which helps with continuous reading. The sidebar essays are helpful and thought provoking. This Bible gives you a lot of background information but lets you think for yourself! Used alongside an evangelical study Bible such as the NIV Study Bible any reader has the best scholarship available from various perspectives. The bold, clear print that Oxford uses in this (and their other study Bibles) is easy to read and I would love it if evangelical study Bibles would follow Oxford's lead in this regard. If you want to gain better understanding of the Bible in its historical context, choose this Bible as one of your main study editions!
Rating:
Summary: Great 'Access' to the Bible!!
Review: Another evangelical christian who loves this Bible! Although the introductions and notes have a liberal leaning, the amount of objective historical and cultural information is amazing. In my opinion this is not a Bible for beginners although it is much more accessible than the New Oxford Annotated or the HarperCollins. This Bible offers a unique format with commentary interspersed throughout the text rather than at the bottom of the page which helps with continuous reading. The sidebar essays are helpful and thought provoking. This Bible gives you a lot of background information but lets you think for yourself! Used alongside an evangelical study Bible such as the NIV Study Bible any reader has the best scholarship available from various perspectives. The bold, clear print that Oxford uses in this (and their other study Bibles) is easy to read and I would love it if evangelical study Bibles would follow Oxford's lead in this regard. If you want to gain better understanding of the Bible in its historical context, choose this Bible as one of your main study editions!
Rating:
Summary: A great resource for Disciple Bible Study
Review: Anyone involved in the Disciple Bible Study courses will find this Bible tracks very well with the lessons. I found that the majority of assigned readings were identical to the phrasings of this Bible. The comments provide a wonderful foundation for in-class discussion. Class facilitators would be well served with this Bible. As for those critical of the "liberal" commentary, I would offer that this Bible incorporates recent theological, social and archeological insights. The new (1999) informaiton has been scrutinized by leading scholars and approved for Christian consumption. You will find many of the same experts who were interviewed in Lee Strobel's "The Case for Christ" listed as contributors. I see these facts as a continuing affirmation of the Truth. You will find yourself better tooled to discuss your Christian world views with those who seek the comfort and guidance not available through secularism.
Rating:
Summary: A Bible for thinking people of faith.
Review: How refreshing to find an annotated Bible that is not laden with evangelical buzzwords or fundamentalist dogma in its commentaries.
Rating:
Summary: the bible for the casual reader
Review: I have 22 different Bibles and this is by far the most enjoyable Bible of whole of them. I have studied from the NIV study bibles( living insights, NIV study, quest, and student), the Nelson study bible, the new believer's study Bible, NASB, NAB, KJV, and the New oxford, and harper Collins' study bibles. While all of these have their merit I tended to find that the NIV, KJV, NLT, and NASB were geared toward more evangelical Christians. While this is fine it does help those people from the mainline denominations who want to pursue active Bible study are fed an evangelical and, quite frankly, in some cases, bad scholarship. The new oxford and Harper Collins' study bibles are excellent but sometimes can be too detailed and filled with information that may be interesting though not terribly important to the casual reader. The Access Bible uses the excellent New Revised Standard Version, which is what most mainline and even some not- so- mainline churches use. The version which has the Apochryphal/deuterocanonical books is excellent for catholics and former catholics who still feel a connection to that particular denomination. The study notes are placed where they are most needed and not at the bottom of the page like so many other bibles. Well some may accuse this bible of taking the "liberal" approach that is not the case. While yes, it "sells" the JEPD theory of the pentateuch the editors are merely using the most accepted conseus of Bible scholars. Also, unlike the two study bibles mentioned above I found this Bible to be filled with spirit. Not that the NOA or HCSB are not great, like I said they are, it is just that they are very techinical and some feel that because of this they take the magic of out of Scripture. The Access Bible, however, does not oversimplify and yet does not get too technical, keeping the magic and wonder of Scripture in tact. If a person is looking for a Bible filled with great scholarship and a sense of the holy, this Bible is highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: What I have been Looking For - A Superb Bible
Review: I have been wanting to read the entire Bible (am a Methodist) and wanted a version that reflected all the latest findings without any specific preaching--In other words I wanted to read and make up my own mind. This is it. Plus the notes are excellent and easy to follow along the text (they are not at bottom but interspersed among the relevant text--a big plus) and the maps are great--everything in one volume. I think it is the best and helps one to really study and learn. Do what I did--compare it with others and see which one helps you really understand the context, culture, and what was being said.
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Summary: Evangelical Who Thinks This Bible Is A Winner!!!
Review: I think this is the best study Bible I've used. What makes this Bible better is the amazing amount of footnotes within the text itself. This forces the reader into studying each section. The scholarship is better than any evangelical study Bible. The book introductions are essay-driven mini-books that have a seminary-style approach. I was almost overwhelmed with the scholarship and attention to detail. I have one picky complaint. The B.C.E. designation (before common era) instead of B.C., before Christ. This is politically correct terminology that minimizes the importance of Christ's life, and how it marked the beginning of the Christ era, not the Common era. But that does not take away from the academic detail of these editors. We all know Jesus' impact, and what his birth meant to the world. Also, God has no concept of time anyway. As far as the facts go, these scholars seem to get it right. There is a fantastic balance of research and scholarship as well as making it understandable for the layman. It makes the facts and stories come alive. This is what sets it apart from other study Bibles that often preach rather than teach. Granted, some Bibles should preach (i.e.-life application Bible). But if you want to study the context and history of ancient Israel, and the hows, whys and whats of the sacred text, than this Bible is the best. It's fun reading as well.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent Bible for study
Review: I used to use the HarperCollins Study Bible, but the commentaries and notes were all so secular. This Bible's notes and commentaries are more faith-based. This is an excellent Bible for people of faith who want to learn more about the context the Bible was written in. It is my primary study Bible now.
Rating: 
Summary: er...I didn't actually mean all that you know.
Review: Listen. I just can't get through to you people can I? That old bugger JP2 isn't paying any attention either. Look! This whole thing is symbolic...it's mistranslated history. It's all been changed to help the sodding Romans two thousand years ago. I mean, jeez, all I want is for people to be nice to each other. Can't you all get over all those ceremonies? chill out, people. Or I'll get my locusts back out
Rating:
Summary: Best Translation and Study Bible
Review: Once upon a time, my personal bible reading was becoming dry and dull. Then along came The Access Bible (hereafter known as Access), New Revised Standard Version. It waked up my study! Access provides generious book intros and notes sprinkled throughout the text. Unlike other study bibles, Access does not tell you what to think. Instead, it leads you to make your own conclusions about what you read. As with all other study bibles, Access includes maps and a concordance. Access comes in editions with and without the Apocrypha. (The Apocrypha is a set of books that are accepted by Catholics and some Protestants.) The translation used is the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). The NRSV is a literal version. It's a revision of the Revised Standard Version of 1952. The NRSV makes use of gender-inclusive language. This may offend some people, but in my view, it makes the translation better. The NRSV is also based on the best Greek and Hebrew texts we have. Access bindings range from a blue (without the Apocrypha) or a tan (with the Apocrypha) paperback/hardback to leather. The only quibble I have is that I wish it was available on a CD-ROM for use on computers. This is the best study bible; I recommend it. Buy it in bulk for your family and friends!
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