Tuesday, November 18, 2008

My Review of the ESV Study Bible

I've created 2 videos for you as my review of the ESV Study Bible. The first is my comments about the doctrinal position of this study Bible, how you use study Bibles, and the physical book itself. I tell you how I think it compares with the popular NIV Study Bible, Thompson's Chain Reference Bible, and the Life Application Study Bible.



In this second video I give you a tour of the contents -- which are available online using a special code you get when you purchase a copy. There are some terrific features here! Plus I show you a slick trick to make it easier to read.



Crossway has created an information site with more video tours, lists of features, how it was created, and a free preview version of the online tool.

I recommend you get a copy of the ESV Study Bible. It's a great addition to your reference collection as a Bible teacher, and will be useful for years to come. More details below from CBD, which is the cheapest place to get your copy.


(Also, I'm interested in any feedback you have about the videos. I'm still learning a good deal about how to create and publish online video, so your feedback is helpful.)











502415: ESV Study Bible, HardcoverESV Study Bible, Hardcover

By Crossway Books & Bibles



The ESV Study Bible includes more than 25,000 notes, written specifically for the ESV Study Bible. These notes focus especially on understanding the meaning of the text, giving answers to frequently raised questions, and providing theological, historical, and archaeological background—all for the purpose of helping readers to understand the Bible in a deeper way.

The ESV Study Bible also provides a wealth of additional resources. Thus the introductions to each book include essential information about the author, date, and place of writing; an extensive chart of key themes; a summary of how the book fits in with the rest of the biblical storyline; a description of literary features; an outline of the book; and a large full-color map showing the setting of the book.

Another unique feature is the inclusion of over 50 helpful articles on topics such as the authority and truthfulness of the Bible, reading the Bible for application, the Bible in worship and prayer, the reliability of the biblical manuscripts, the relationship between archaeology and the Bible, an overview of biblical theology, and many more.

Other key resources include a system of 80,000 cross references and a concordance (which together facilitate easy location of important words, passages, and biblical themes). In addition, over 200 color charts, located throughout the Bible, provide clear, concise presentations of essential information.

Features:





  • The ESV Bible text is set in highly readable 9-point type, in a single-column, book-text format.


  • Section summaries are highlighted for easy location throughout the notes. Summaries provide an overview of each main section and correspond to the outline shown in the introduction for each book.


  • Over 200 full-color maps printed throughout make events and places in the Bible come to life.


  • Over 25,000 notes focus especially on understanding the Bible text and providing answers to frequently raised issues. Words from the Bible text are printed in bold for easy reference.


  • Over 80,000 cross-references provide easy access to key words, passages, and themes throughout the Bible.


  • Numerous diagrams bring fresh understanding to key places and events in the Bible, based on the best, most recent historical and archaeological research.


  • Over 200 charts provide concise, “at a glance” summaries of important themes and teaching.


  • Presentation page


  • Family Record pages

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glenn,

Thanks for the great review of the ESV Study Bible.

I noticed you did not mention the
Nelson Study Bible. What are your thoughts on it? What do you think of the ESV translation compared to the NIV translation? Also, did you
know the Thompson is now complete in the NKJV only. All chains are complete. Thanks..........terry

Glenn said...

Terry,

I've paged through the Nelson Study Bible in a bookstore, but won't comment further because I haven't used it in my own study work. As you know there are many sudy Bibles available today, and even more "devotional" Bibles.

The ESV is an excellent word-for-word translation from the original langauges. If you go to the www.esvbiblestudy.org site, they have several articles and videos about it. I find the ESV is a good alternative to the NASB translation. Several scholars have written that the ESV is superior to the NIV in a few places, at least.

(I'm using the NIV when I teach, because that's what most of my students are using. I could probably switch to the ESV; it's close enough that I would not confuse many people.)

I'm glad to hear that the Thompson's Chain Reference Bible is available in the NKJV -- that's a popular version in many churches. As I said in the video, nothing tops the TCR Bible as a study tool when you want help finding Scripture to interpret Scripture.

Anonymous said...

Hey Glenn,

This was a really helpful couple of videos. Thanks for these.

I've been reading the ESV for a while now It is the best of the modern translations in my view. Accurate, readable, and doctrinally sound.

Looks like the study Bible is a good investment.

Thanks again,

Todd

P.S. BTW, there are free versions of the ESV for the iPod Touch/iPhone for reading on the go - use the App Store to find them.

Anonymous said...

Glenn,
Thanks for the videos and the review.

Comment about video: the camera angle is too low, and yields--in photography terms--the hero image. It makes you too tall. Raise the camera up a little. If you are going to use the same space in your office, I would recommend trying it with the lense at about "first button" height on your shirt.

Glenn said...

Dale, thanks for the video suggestions. I'll set the camera higher next time.

Felicia Miedema said...

Thanks for the reviews, Glenn. Very helpful. The videos were fine, in my opinion. I'm not expecting studio quality from your study - they definitely got the job done! Screen capture is always a little tricky, but that was fine as well. Thanks! I'll be putting the ESV on my Christmas wish list.

Glenn said...

That's a great strategy, Felicia -- make sure the people know what you REALLY want for Christmas!

Beth said...

Your reviews were helpful! I have made the transition from the NIV to the ESV but generally use the NKJV for personal study. Frankly, I am concerned about my penchant for purchasing every new study Bible that comes on the market. It's always a temptation! I do love my TCR (KJV, NASB, NIV), my ESV Reformation Study Bible, and my NKJV Nelson Study Bible. When is enough really enough? (Anyone who knows me is now laughing hysterically . . .)

Beth