<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Clean Text KJV Bible, Moderately Priced, No-Nonsense
Review: Having just bought this product, I can offer the following comments.
First, the publisher's have done an excellent job laying out the KJV traditional text. 2 wide columns run the full length of the page from top to bottom. A narrow center column lists other Scripture references and readings from the original Hebrew and Greek. The top, bottom, left, and right margins, which are about 1/3" wide are completely free from notes. The scripture text is a crisp non-glossy black print on a plain white page. The page is semi opaque, but not enough to hinder the reading of the text. The contrast between the text print and the white page is very good, and the choice of font style, size, and spacing is also very good. These factors make the basic KJV text very easy to read and study for long extended periods of time. The text also uses the "pronounciation marks" on all proper names and places to help one pronounce the name correctly. People who read Scripture out loud and/or in public might find that a big plus.
However, the most notable features of the text, in my opinion are 1) complete lack of extra subtitles and subheadings like you normally see in a study Bible, and 2) there are absolutely no gaps or spaces between chapters.
The standard KJV paragraph markers are printed, but the text is not formatted into typical English style paragraphs. Each book of the Bible is printed as a single text, albiet formatted into 2 full length columns per pages. A serious interpreter might like this because (of course) the original autographs of scripture were not broken up into chapters and verses.
Various Bible study helps are packaged into the front third and back third of the Bible. The Scripture is in the middle third portion. Perhaps the most valuable of these is a 1 year Daily Bible Reading plan that includes readings for *both* private devotions and family-devotions each day.
One thing I do *not* like about the Bible is that the compiler of the "Encyclopedia" section in the back chose to include articles on topics that seem more "biased" and "political" than truly Biblical/Scriptural. For example, you will find articles like "GUN CONTROL", "ABORTION", and "CREDIT CARDS". This reviewer does not think that a Study Bible is the place to advance one's own personal subjective views/opinions/agenda. So the person who buys this Bible should carefully review the Helps section with his "Biblical Sunglasses" in place and watch out for articles that seem to be promoting somebody elses opinion.. especially in "grey area" topics like Gun Control, a topic over which many Christians hold different views.
All that aside, if you are looking for a moderately priced, KJV tradional text Bible with a very clean crisp and usable print, this is a good selection... especially if you already have all the other Bible Study tools to work with the text. In my opinion, the publishers get an A+ on the scripture text layout, and a B on the helps.
I like this Bible mostly because of its nonnonsense approach to laying out the text, in a world fully of "trendy" Bibles. People who are seriously into the actual text of the Scripture and want to read it and interpret it for themselves would probably like this Bible and be able to use it with profit.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Study Tool - My Favorite Bible of Many
Review: I first purchased this bible about 20 years ago, at the prompting of a bible scholar. I've never regretted it. In fact, it's my favorite bible to take to study, teach or minister from, not to mention, just sit in bed at night and read over and over again. After 20 years I still find tools in Holman Master Study Bible that amazes me. I've read a newer version is out and I'm planning to add another of the same bible to my collection of tools. Whether you're a beginner, seminary student or just love to dig into Gods work and know with authority you have a bible that is full of tools to teach your or clarify scripture, this is one of the best out there.
In conclusion, I must add, the next one will be without indexes. After about 15 years I've found tabs about the house, which is not a complaint at all. The leather is worth the additional cost. Don't skimp on leather. Go first class and it will last many years as mine has. I'll go with non indexed version this time.
Grace and Peace be with you,
Paul
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Bible with a bad leather cover
Review: I purchased a version of this book (Cornerstone Publishing) over a year ago and would feel good about recommending this bible to anyone looking for a decent KJV bible. The layout of the bible is good--there are no biblical notes (spare the center column references) in the scripture section. There are two different concordances--one on topics and the other a more traditional word-verse one. There is also an excellent encyclopedia in the back of the bible as well as the normal fare of maps, harmony of the gospels, etc. The only complaint I have is about the leather. It feels like plastic--not quite as bad as the Zondervan 'bonded' leather--just doesn't seem like leather. If you want good bible notes with your bible--purchase the NIV Study or Nelson NKJV Study Bible. If you already have all the commentaries you can take (or already own these titles) and only require good background info during bible study (topical and verse concordances, encyclopedia), this would make an excellent addition to your collection.
Rating: 
Summary: Not what it used to be....
Review: I purchased my first Master Study Bible ten years ago when it was available in the NASB translation. Well, that one had seen much use and it was time to get a new one, and upgrade from a hardcover to a leather edition. Lo and behold, I search and discover that the MSB has been updated by the publisher, but this time it's only available in the KJV. No matter, I thought. I purchased it anyway and it came in the mail the next week, but it was a major disapointment.
My older MSB was useful because of the extensive book introductions and outlines, the words of Christ in red, the concordance, encyclopedia, cross-references, maps, scholarly articles, and study aids on the ministry of Jesus and the Old Testament Timelines.
This new edition has NO book outlines, minimal introductions (a mere shadow of the former), and NO scholarly articles or Old Testament timelines. The MSB went from being a useful tool for teachers and students of scripture to little more than a devotional reading bible. Sad, indeed, becuase in the past, what made the MSB so helpful was that it had more tools than any mere reference bible would have had, but not so many extras that one would have been distracted in any attempt to read the word of God (when more in depth study is necessary, I am the type of bible student who benefits more from a separate commentary on the bible than the extensive study notes of a bible like Zondervan's NIV Study Bible).
If you need a good bible for personal study but need more than a mere reference edition and less than a full-blown "study edition," the older MSB would have been your book of choice. Now, our choices are limited. I returned my "new" MSB, and replaced my older one instead with a KJV Open Bible from Thomas Nelson publishers (ISBN 0718002083)--now that's a bible worth considering!
<< 1 >>
|
