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Rating: 
Summary: Very Well Done
Review: Affectionately though sarcastically referred to as "The Holy Ghost Bible" by its general editor, this reformational study Bible of the NIV translation is as good as they come in terms of study Bibles. Readers who pick up this study Bible can expect not only to get a good dose of reformational theology in the various study notes, introductions, synopses, and theological articles, but will also get introduced (likely without their knowledge) to the hermeneutical methodology of the general editor, Richard Pratt. The book level introductions to each of the canonical books lays great emphasis on contextualization in terms of the author, the original audience, the historical circumstances that produced the book, as well as laying out both historical and contemporary theological and practical considerations. By introducing the books of the Bible in this fashion, the study Bible is challenging the reader to see each book of Scripture within a contextual lens that stresses overall themes and literary structures, but especially challenges the reader to see each canonical book not as 21st century readers far removed from the text, but as the original audience and readers would have seen them. The editors of this study Bible are clearly proceeding on the view that modern readers of the Bible have missed a great deal of what the Bible has to say because by reading the Bible purely with contemporary concerns in mind, we have insulated ourselves from the historical aspects that drive much of the symbolism and metaphorical language that dominates Biblical literary styles, particularly in the Old Testament. A failure to contextualize the Bible leads to a failure to understand much of the Bible. To the extent that the reader agrees with this sentiment, they will profit from this study Bible. The theological articles are short yet penetrating, and a number of the specific study notes are particularly insightful and even controversial (ie: the note on Romans 3:23 is quite provocative considering the theological orientation of the editors). Those interested in Reformed liturgy will love the inclusion of the great Reformed confessions in their entirety near the end. The only letdown is that the maps and lexicon at the end are pretty run of the mill. Now for most readers, this is probably not that big a deal, but for those hoping for something meatier than the standard fare, they won't really find it here. But oveall, this is a very good study Bible to have, even for those who don't consider themselves to be of a Reformed theological persuasion. The hermeneutical approach adopted by this book, for the most part, will be beneficial to readers across the theological spectrum.
Rating:
Summary: The New Geneva Study Bible, reformed and always reforming
Review: I am glad to see this new and improved edition of the New Geneva Study Bible (aka, the Reformation Study Bible). The most significant update is the use of the NIV text over the NKJV, which is a vast improvement because of the better manuscripts used for the former (in fact, the first revision of this study bible didn't use the NIV only because Zondervan wouldn't permit it at the time). Some will complain about the faults in the NIV's "dynamically equivalent" translation, but the study notes bridge the gap by frequently supplying a more literal translation and more detailed explanation of the original languages and the translation when necessary. (In general, I think the NIV is far more comprehensible prima facie -- especially to laymen -- than, say, the NAS or ESV, but at the same time, it's less interpreted and closer to the original text than, say, the CEV.) As to the other improvements, the theological articles have been completely redone and seek simultaneously to teach biblical truth and answer questions a reader might ask, rather than giving what were often rather dull explanations of theological concepts in the first revision. For instance, at 1 Samuel 8, there is an article on whether or not Israel was wrong to want a human king, at Matthew 1 one asking "Was Mary really a Virgin?", and at Matthew 4 one on the Kingdom of God which answers the question, "Is God's Kingdom Now or Later?" Additionally, the articles introducing each section of books (the Pentateuch, the OT Historical Books, the prophets, NT Letters, etc.) are rewritten and expanded, providing much utile information about the background, development, and formation of the canon, and the introductions to each book are expanded to help guide the reader to see the themes and purpose of the book in the context of the whole of the God's Word. The notes have also made use of helpful interpretive tools such as literary criticism that have greatly improved our understanding of the original intent of the Scriptures and thus the proper application for our day. Consequently, although there are some passages on which the notes are almost identical to the first revision, there has been much added and much redone, and the notes are more comprehensive and more consciously Reformed than before - not least because of the many in-text citations of the traditional Reformed confessions and catechisms included as an appendix. Additionally, the notes include a reverse lookup feature for these documents, which give citations of the confessions and catechisms whenever the verse in question was used as a proof text. My main criticism is that I have found several typographical errors in the notes and diagrams, but some of these don't show up on the 22 sample pages on Zondervan's website. Perhaps they've already corrected them. I recommend this bible/commentary for personal study to any elders or laymen who would like to take advantage of the wisdom of the Reformed tradition and appreciate and understand the Bible more fully.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful Study Bible
Review: I bought this Bible a couple of months ago based upon the recomendations of friends. I've found this Bible to be a great study resource. I've been a believer in Reformed Theology for about five years or so and it's nice to find a Study Bible written from the same perspective. I was not so certain about the use of the NIV text at first. Not that I have any problem with the NIV but I thought a more formal translation would be better. (NASB or ESV) However, I have to say now that the text notes work very well with the NIV text. The notes do an excellent job of pointing out areas in the NIV that may be better translated more formally. (I would still rather have had this in the ESV or NASB but the NIV works.) This study Bible also offers a couple of other features that are quite useful. First, there are the theological articles strategically placed throughout the text. These are intended to clarify, and defend Reformed Theology using Scripture as the base. Second, this Bible includes all the Reformed confessions and creeds with full Scripture support. This includes the Westminster Confession, the Belgic Confession, and more. These are well footnoted with passages that support them and they are also referred to in the text notes throughout the Bible. My only complaint thus far had been with the quality of the binding. Mine has been well cared for and is already showing a bit of wear. It seems if the leather is a little too soft as a crease is forming along the spine. It does not seem to bend outward like it should but inward. The pages are also quite thin. It's easy to see through them. I've not been happy with Zondervan's paper or binding quality of late. However, this has no bearing on this particular work. All in all this is a wonderful study Bible for anyone Reformed or not.
Rating:
Summary: A great resource for Reformed theology for the lay-person!
Review: I have been using the "New Geneva Study Bible" for the past number of years and I loved the theological articles and notes that it contained, and this study Bible is a great revision of that Bible (which I found interesting because the NGSB was published by Thomas Nelson and this is by Zondervan.) From the comparison I have done, the notes and articles are very similar between the two study bibles. However there is one great difference that made me want to get the Bible as soon as I heard about it - and that is the inclusion of the Reformed Creeds and Confessions with reverse cross-references. I still can't explain how much I am enjoying that feature! With the use of creeds and confessions on the decline in our churchs, having the ability to read how a certain confession uses a passage of Scripture is great. It brings those great and historic documents into my personal devotions and study. There are a couple of things that I don't like about the Bible and they are completely superficial and nothing to do with the actual "meat" of the Study Bible (I'll let the other, more intelligent reviewers do that!). 1) The margins are a little too narrow, so it makes it harder to read unless it is right in front of you and there isn't a lot of room to make notes (unless there aren't any cross references). 2) It would have been nice to include the ecumenical creeds (but these are probably different depending on what background you come from) so I just printed mine out (Apostle's, Nicene and Athanasian) and put them in the back. 3) It would have been very nice to include a subject index to items in the notes like the New Geneva Study Bible did. 4) Maybe my eyesight is going, but the type seems kind of small and harder to read while sitting on my lap in church. I can understand in order to conserve space why some of these things were done and overall I am very, very happy with the Study Bible. Soli Deo Gloria
Rating:
Summary: Second to None
Review: When I first beheld this newest publication (yet another new bible!!), I immediately turned to the preface and discovered that instead of its precursor (the New Geneva Study Bible/Reformation Study Bible---NKJV, Nelson Publishers), R.C. Sproul is no longer the general editor, but Richard Pratt, a professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL. In turn he brought on board fellow RTS prof. and much respected theologian John Frame to be the theological editor (along with a guy named Packer!). So lest you think this recent edition is simply a minor revision, consider the following: 1. The text has shifted from the NKJV to the NIV. While I prefer to see the ESV in its place, the NIV is still a better overall translation than the NKJV. 2. Frame and Packer took all of the original study notes and fully revised them--no small task. Overall, they seem to be a bit more precise. The notes are not regurgitated from the previous editions. Also, the theological articles from the previous editions (written by Packer) are replaced by 66 new theological articles--one for each book of the bible. What? Dost thou lament the ommision of Packer's articles? Weep no more! Purchase his book Concise Theology, which is an outright essential gem for every Christian. 3. The text is still single column, but red letter editions are not available. This is a good thing indeed, lest you begin equating the "red letters" as the ones that really count! 4. The book introductions are at least twice as long as the other editions, with greater breadth, focus and clarity. One of the most laudible additions is a special feature of the OT introductions titled "Christ in ___________" (e.g. Isaiah, Genesis, Malachai, etc). Every OT book is considered in this light, i.e. where is Christ seen in this particular OT book? This is a noteworthy inclusion, for it helps the Christian realize that Christ is not relegated merely to the New Testament. Rather, everything in the OT serves as a pointer to Jesus. 5. At the book's end, between the concordance and maps, is something to behold--all five of the major Reformed confessions, i.e. Belgic, Canons of Dort, Heidelberg, Westminster (Larger and Shorter). Additionally, each of these confessions/catechisms are fully cross referenced with the text. Also, the study notes of the biblical texts cross reference these confessions, providing the reader with a more wholistic Reformed perspective as one studies God's word. In conclusion, if you are looking for a study bible and are of Reformed/Calvinistic persuasion, this one is absolutely tops--bar none--even though it is NIV. Study with the ESV or NAS text if you must, but keep this bible at hand for its many fantastic unparalled features. Again, as a whole, the NIV is still great to read (although not the best from which to preach!). Furthermore, if you are not of Reformed/Calvinist persuasion, give this bible a try! It is not merely heady or intellectual, but warm. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised! Go ahead--take and read!!
Michael L. Johnson
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