Rating: 
Summary: An excellent work on a very difficult historical task.
Review: A very excellent work which shows a tremendous amount of research. F. LaGard Smith has attempted and succeeded in accomplishing what the title says: to lay out the entire Bible chronologically. When the term "narrated" is used in the title it should not be miscontrued as his narration. His comments are kept to a mimimum and are highlighted as his. His perspective is clear. The Bible is capable of standing on its own to express itself historically. The only time he breaks with the historical narrative structural theme is when the purpose counteracts the historical narrative, i.e. the grouping of the religious, criminal, and civil laws of the Israelites. I did not feel I could agree on the placement of both Job and the Book of Galatians in the structure of the historical narrative but those are minor criticisms compared to the tremendous work that went into it. His choices for their inclusion at the points he chose are valid options among scholars and are not lightly discounted. I have read through the "Narrated Bible" at least four times and I am now on my fifth. The breakdown into daily readings provides an easy way to use it as a daily devotional tool. The indices include a chronology of significant events, a daily Bible Reading Schedule, and a cross reference index as well as a various assortment of maps. The text is from the New International Version. I wholeheartedly recommend the volume to anyone who enjoys daily Bible readings and a study of the scriptures in general.
Rating:
Summary: Re: Missing text????
Review: Chapter 8 is broken into several pages, 1375, 1376, and 1386 to name a few. The index is definately wrong. I haven't researched enough to find the particular passage, but I am pretty confident, that it is there, just not in the place that it is in a "standard" version (i.e. right after Peter's mother-in-law being healed -- that is on page 1375).All in all, I found this to be a FANTASTIC read. It opened my eyes to the Old Testament especially (i.e. Samuel/Kings/Chronicals), as well as the prophets (major and minor). A historical setting makes the book come alive (for me). I am especially pleased to find the book since I thought it was out of print (I have one that is > 20 years old), and the ISBN # has changed. I guarantee that if you read through this version, that you will find thing that just make sense, that you wouldn't have picked up on by reading in the traditional order. For example: How many times did Peter deny Christ? (hint: it was more than 3 times). I would also like to emphasize that this a NIV Bible, not a narrative or another interpretation. It just takes passages and rearranges them in a different order, (rarely) eliminating duplicates. The only thing bad that I would have to remark about this book, is that it follows the (some copies of) NIV tradition of removing passages such as Mark 16:9-20 (pg 1482), with the footnote of "The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have..." I would have rather the text be left in and marked somehow.
Rating:
Summary: Re: Missing text????
Review: Chapter 8 is broken into several pages, 1375, 1376, and 1386 to name a few. The index is definately wrong. I haven't researched enough to find the particular passage, but I am pretty confident, that it is there, just not in the place that it is in a "standard" version (i.e. right after Peter's mother-in-law being healed -- that is on page 1375). All in all, I found this to be a FANTASTIC read. It opened my eyes to the Old Testament especially (i.e. Samuel/Kings/Chronicals), as well as the prophets (major and minor). A historical setting makes the book come alive (for me). I am especially pleased to find the book since I thought it was out of print (I have one that is > 20 years old), and the ISBN # has changed. I guarantee that if you read through this version, that you will find thing that just make sense, that you wouldn't have picked up on by reading in the traditional order. For example: How many times did Peter deny Christ? (hint: it was more than 3 times). I would also like to emphasize that this a NIV Bible, not a narrative or another interpretation. It just takes passages and rearranges them in a different order, (rarely) eliminating duplicates. The only thing bad that I would have to remark about this book, is that it follows the (some copies of) NIV tradition of removing passages such as Mark 16:9-20 (pg 1482), with the footnote of "The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have..." I would have rather the text be left in and marked somehow.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding narration
Review: F.Lagard Smith opens the chronology of the Scripture with his fine narration and explainations of the context of Word. I have used this one for years and have found that it gives the reader a sound understanding of the flow of Scripture as well as resolving many common "conflicts" that are put forth by sceptics. A must have for all serious students of the Word.
Rating:
Summary: Most Rewarding Reading
Review: I found The Narrated Bible the most rewarding Bible reading experience I have encountered to date. The author skillfully ties each section together in manner that keeps the interest level high. Each daily reading is clearly marked in the margin and averages five pages. Personally I have made it a goal to read the entire Bible through twice a year. The Narrated Bible has made it much easier not only to understand but also to keep on my goal.
Rating: 
Summary: Missing text????
Review: I have been enjoying The Narrated Bible for a year and a half now and have specifically enjoyed the chronological order. However, just recently, I was reading a portion in the Gospels (page 1375) that had Mathew 8::14-15, 16-17. This happens to be one of my favorite portions of scripture, so I was excited to read it. However I noticed that it didn't contain verse 17 (which is a quote from Isaiah 55). I thought that was rather strange, so I looked up Mathew 8:17 in the index (page 1712) in the back of the Bible. It indicated that this particular verse should be found on page 1385. So I flipped over to 1385, and there isn't a single scripture on that page from chapter 8, its all from chapter 7. I called Harvest House Publishing to ask them about the missing scripture, and they told me that they used a parallel account of Peter's mother in law getting healed where it doesn't mention the fulfillment of the Isaiah text. I understand there need to make the Bible flow correctly, but leaving out that particular piece is rather disturbing to me. So basically, this single scripture (Mathew 8:17) does not appear in this Bible. It makes me wonder what other scriptures are missing. I will continue to use this Bible, but I will always be wondering what is being left out. Though you should know before you pick one up.
Rating:
Summary: Missing text????
Review: I have been enjoying The Narrated Bible for a year and a half now and have specifically enjoyed the chronological order. However, just recently, I was reading a portion in the Gospels (page 1375) that had a portion of Mathew 8::14-15, 16-17. This happens to be a favorite portion of scripture, so I was excited to read it, however I noticed that it didn't have verse 17 (which is a quote from Isaiah 55) in it. I thought that was rather strange, so I looked up Mathew 8:17 in the index (page 1712) in the back of the Bible. It indicated that this particular verse should be found on page 1385. So I flipped over to 1385, and there isn't a single scripture on that page from chapter 8, its all from chapter 7. So basically, this single scripture (Mathew 8:17) does not appear in this Bible. It makes me wonder what other scriptures are missing. I will continue to use this Bible, but I will always be wondering what is being left out. Though you should know before you pick one up.
Rating:
Summary: A unique and effective presentation of Scripture
Review: I have had this Bble for many years and it is terrific when used for its stated purpose, and that is to present God's Word as a unified text. It even states in the introduction that it "should not be considered a substitute for the Bible in its traditional form. The sole aim of the book is to give the reader a greater appreciation of context, so that the Scriptures can be both more meaningful and enjoyable." Besides its uniqueness among the plethora of Bibles that are available, it is an effective study aid that can help the reader understand...
- The Bible as the Story of God's relationship with mankind
- Understanding events in a cause-&-effect relationship
- Valuable historical context of the Psalms and the prophets
- Logical presentation of scattered concepts such as the Laws of Moses and the Proverbs
- The Gospel of Jesus as a single work
- Where the epistles of Paul fit in the context of his ministry.
- A complete bird's-eye view of Scripture in general. Throughout, F. Lagard Smith uses narrative to smoothly segue from one section to the next. The narratives are tastefully done, guiding the reader as to the context of the passage while avoiding a particular doctrinal position, although Mr. Smith's views are generally of the conservative persuasion. His use of the New International Version Biblical text is to be commended. It is generally accepted as a complete and accurate translation and its readable style is a good match to this narrative setting. This format is also particularly well-suited to a daily reading approach. In fact, a 365-day reading schedule is provided and noted, which whill allow the reader to complete the entire Bible in a year with daily readings that can be finished in 15-20 minutes at most. I would like to address one reviewer's comment that not every verse in the Bible is presented here. This is true to a limited extent in that there are several verses, particularly in the Gospels, that are essentially identical. Because of redundancy, especially in the Gospels, not every verse is included verbatim, and is so noted in the margins. Be assured, however, that the thought and meaning of each passage is definately present and nothing substantive has been omitted. This work was undoubtedly a large undertaking, and I would like to thank F. Lagard Smith for the time and effort to provide such an informative and richly rewarding presentation of the Scriptures. I enthusiastically recommend this work! It will occupy an important place in your library.
Rating:
Summary: A unique and effective presentation of Scripture
Review: I have had this Bble for many years and it is terrific when used for its stated purpose, and that is to present God's Word as a unified text. It even states in the introduction that it "should not be considered a substitute for the Bible in its traditional form. The sole aim of the book is to give the reader a greater appreciation of context, so that the Scriptures can be both more meaningful and enjoyable." Besides its uniqueness among the plethora of Bibles that are available, it is an effective study aid that can help the reader understand...
- The Bible as the Story of God's relationship with mankind
- Understanding events in a cause-&-effect relationship
- Valuable historical context of the Psalms and the prophets
- Logical presentation of scattered concepts such as the Laws of Moses and the Proverbs
- The Gospel of Jesus as a single work
- Where the epistles of Paul fit in the context of his ministry.
- A complete bird's-eye view of Scripture in general. Throughout, F. Lagard Smith uses narrative to smoothly segue from one section to the next. The narratives are tastefully done, guiding the reader as to the context of the passage while avoiding a particular doctrinal position, although Mr. Smith's views are generally of the conservative persuasion. His use of the New International Version Biblical text is to be commended. It is generally accepted as a complete and accurate translation and its readable style is a good match to this narrative setting. This format is also particularly well-suited to a daily reading approach. In fact, a 365-day reading schedule is provided and noted, which whill allow the reader to complete the entire Bible in a year with daily readings that can be finished in 15-20 minutes at most. I would like to address one reviewer's comment that not every verse in the Bible is presented here. This is true to a limited extent in that there are several verses, particularly in the Gospels, that are essentially identical. Because of redundancy, especially in the Gospels, not every verse is included verbatim, and is so noted in the margins. Be assured, however, that the thought and meaning of each passage is definately present and nothing substantive has been omitted. This work was undoubtedly a large undertaking, and I would like to thank F. Lagard Smith for the time and effort to provide such an informative and richly rewarding presentation of the Scriptures. I enthusiastically recommend this work! It will occupy an important place in your library.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful reading, can we get tapes?
Review: I have read the Narrated Bible several times and thoroughly enjoyed it. I wonder if it is on tapes or CDs. It would be great to listen to as you travel.
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