Rating: 
Summary: A Touch Too Liberal
Review: The Access Bible is a well-made product from Oxford University Press, in the NRSV translation, available with or without the Apocrypha.It is a black-letter edition(words of Christ in black print). The print is attractive and easy-to-read. The Bible contains much useful information and well-thought-out annotations. However, those with a traditional/conservative theological outlook will not be happy with many of the annotations, or even with the translation itself, as it employs gender-inclusive language more than any other English version. It also leans more towards the Dynamic Equivalence theory of translation than the original RSV. This edition, as are a majority of NRSV Study Bibles, geared towards those of the mainline denominations who are fairly liberal in their theology. Those who are conservative/fundamental should look elsewhere for a Study Bible.
Rating: 
Summary: Evangelical Who Thinks This Bible Is A Winner!!!
Review: The Access Bible, New Revised Standard Version (without the Apocrypha) is an interesting and informative study Bible. I come from a conservative evangelical background, so many in my camp would scoff at the NRSV Bible in and of itself. But the more I read the user friendly text, and excellent footnotes along side, I get the feeling I've just studied the Word for the first time! There is some gender neutral language in the translation that is not in-your-face. Nor does it distort the meaning of the original writers. In fact, it's far less apparent than in some other modern translations like the New Century Version. What's great about the NRSV is the readability and accuracy of the text. Plus, the magic quality of the KJV is somehow retained in this version. As for the footnotes and commentary, I've read a few other reviews regarding the "liberal" tendencies of the scholars. I must admit they take a different approach than a John MacArthur would. For instance, in Genesis they talk about the 2 creation accounts, where most scholars brush it off and move to other topics. It does cause the reader to think without losing faith in God. They give a detailed explanation as to what the ancient writers (they don't attribute Genesis all to Moses) may have been doing. Also is the B.C.E. designation (before common era) instead of B.C., before Christ. This is a 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 is kind of picky. 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 ofthe sacred text, than this Bible is a jewel. It's fun reading as well.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent new NRSV study Bible
Review: The Access Bible, the latest offering from Oxford University Press, is an impressive study Bible that has as its aim to make the Bible immediately accessible to the average reader. The edition uses the text of the NRSV Bible (recognised as one of the most readable and accurate of all modern English translations) and also comes with leading essays on various aspects of biblical interpretation, commentary, maps and even a concordance. The unique feature of the Access Bible is that its commentary is interspersed with the biblical text and not, as is common, placed underneath it. This allows the reader uninterrupted enjoyment of the biblical text. Aside from its unique layout, there are several other features that impress and set the Access Bible apart from other study Bibles of its kind. The text is printed in a marvellously readable font. The commentary, the work of leading biblical scholars, is written in a non-technical style, clear enough for any layperson to understand. Difficult aspects of interpretation are explained with great ease, and the gap between scholar and layperson is admirably reduced. In addition, the commentary is not overly elaborate, but focused enough to answer most critical issues in any given passage of the Bible. Whenever I found myself reading through a difficult passage, I found that the Access Bible had comprehensively covered the matter in the commentary.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but flawed.
Review: The only real quibble I have is that the text used is the NRSV. This politically correct emendation of a great text, the RSV, does violence to the original imagery. Accuracy was given second place to being trendy and emasculated. This version is not useful for anyone concerned with accuracy.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: There are many Study Bibles on the market today and the Access Bible is one of the better ones. It uses the highly respected (in academic circles and in the church) New Revised Standard Version, which blends accuracy and readability to make it the best version available. The study notes were done by a team of highly acclaimed biblical scholars from many well-respected seminaries. They represent a variety of denominations including Episcopal, United Methodist, and Roman Catholic. The notes are formulated based on the modern critical principles of biblical scholarship. The annotations are a good length and account for about 30% of the total text (just my rough estimate). There are introductions to each book, as well as boxes throughout that go into more detail on certain topics (e.g. Father-Son relationship in John). There is a glossary that includes many interesting topics of interest to those studying the Bible. The Access Bible also contains a concordance, a table of weights and measures, and maps. This edition contains the deuterocanon.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Bible for Study
Review: This Bible has all the components of a great study Bible. It uses the literal NRSV translation, and includes great notes. It does not assume reader knowledge. Some notes are a little liberal, but you should always be a little careful of what notes you agree with. I give this bible 4 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Good...but could have been better...
Review: This Bible paralleled a timeline of spiritual change for me. My wife got it for me for Christmas 1999. At that time we were Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; now we are Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. There are many good points about this Bible. The in-text study notes are very well arranged. The maps and concordance are excellent. The articles on Bible study are well-written. It is indeed set up to be "accessible". Caveats: The NRSV is a good translation, but let down by awkward, forced "gender-neutrality". Not a good thing. I think most female readers don't explicitly look for this. It would have been so much better had the translators gone with what the Greek and Hebrew actually said, instead of being "politically correct". Also, the study notes and book introductions are very much worded according to the "historical-critical" method of Bible interpretation. The Old Testament is treated strictly as a Jewish work, with almost no links noted to the New Testament. However, this was also the first time I have read the Apocrypha in any detail and I found the notes very well-explained. Overall, good, but could have been better. If you are a member of a "mainline" denomination (whatever that means in this day and age) and have never really read the Bible, it would be a good introduction. However, if you are more theologically conservative, you will find problems. My choice is still the NIV Concordia Self-Study Bible.
Rating:
Summary: Good...but could have been better...
Review: This Bible paralleled a timeline of spiritual change for me. My wife got it for me for Christmas 1999. At that time we were Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; now we are Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. There are many good points about this Bible. The in-text study notes are very well arranged. The maps and concordance are excellent. The articles on Bible study are well-written. It is indeed set up to be "accessible". Caveats: The NRSV is a good translation, but let down by awkward, forced "gender-neutrality". Not a good thing. I think most female readers don't explicitly look for this. It would have been so much better had the translators gone with what the Greek and Hebrew actually said, instead of being "politically correct". Also, the study notes and book introductions are very much worded according to the "historical-critical" method of Bible interpretation. The Old Testament is treated strictly as a Jewish work, with almost no links noted to the New Testament. However, this was also the first time I have read the Apocrypha in any detail and I found the notes very well-explained. Overall, good, but could have been better. If you are a member of a "mainline" denomination (whatever that means in this day and age) and have never really read the Bible, it would be a good introduction. However, if you are more theologically conservative, you will find problems. My choice is still the NIV Concordia Self-Study Bible.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Bible for worship and study.
Review: This is a terrific resource for readers who really desire to grow in their understanding of the Bible and Biblical times. The notes are very good, providing pertinent historical and cultural information and insightful analysis. They're straight forward and really help to illuminate the entire Bible, especially the more difficult passages. They're also user- friendly, providing the information right there rather than sending the reader off on a hunt through a maze of cross references. My comparisons are with the NIV Study Bible (which I found too conservative and rigid)and the Harper-Collins Study Bible (which I found too technical and almost secular in their approach). This Bible strikes a happy medium--real,user friendly scholarship, presented in an uplifting way. For me it really helps in sorting out the time bound, cultural aspects of the Bible from the eternal truths we should cling to forever. If I have one complaint, it's that there are no headings within the text to help the reader locate specific passages (e.g., "The Transfiguration" or "Feeding the 5,000.") But that's pretty picky--it's a wonderful book!
Rating:
Summary: Dive in and Learn
Review: This is the first Bible I've ever purchased for myself, after careful deliberation between many different versions. I found the Access Bible the best balance between pure, dry scholarship and completely evangelical footnotes that I don't feel comfortable with. The Access Bible has helpful full-color maps, a small concordance in the back, and an index. What I find most helpful, however, are the notes sprinkled throughout the text that help me gain insight into the way people thought and behaved in the time that Scripture was written. I recommend this Bible for any thoughtful believer who wishes to approach this most amazing and influential book with both spirit and mind fully engaged.
|
