Comments on: First Look: HCSB Reference Bible

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:19:24 +0000

I just found your blog post; I, too, have been wishing for a good reference edition of the HCSB. I really like the translation, but have been disappointed with what Holman is making available. I even emailed them specifically telling them what I wanted, but I never got a response. I have been using an old NASB while waiting for the 2009 CSB. I am afraid the CSB is going to fall irreparably behind the ESV, though. The ESV has some really great editions out and is quickly replacing the NASB in many congregations.

By: Leonie de Groen

Leonie de Groen — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:24:26 +0000

Can someone please tell me the logic of having the red letter edition of all Bibles that come out of the States? Can someone tell me why I cannot buy a copy of a bible without red letter print? What makes the words of Jesus more important than the words of God the Father? Where is the logic? PLEASE can a publisher buck the fashion of the moment and provide a bible that does not have red letters? I would dearly love one of these Bibles, but will not buy a red letter edition.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:39:03 +0000

In spite of knowing all that has been said I still went ahead and purchased the Holman Legacy Ultrathin Reference Bible Large Print

It was my birthday and I was able to chose what I wanted
I was not happy with my current Ultrathin leather bible

leather has this high gloss finish, I just don’t like that it is too flashy for me.
I ordered it online and did not know it was
I prefer a matt finish

I thought the price was not to bad for $63.00 ???
If you want the long story you can read it at my blog

By: ElShaddai Edwards

ElShaddai Edwards — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:54:28 +0000

Ron, thanks for stopping by, I appreciate the comments. I agree that a HCSB blog would be a good idea – hopefully this will become a standard communication tool for modern Bible publishers.

By: formerdonutjunkie

formerdonutjunkie — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:31:33 +0000

ElShaddai…I just now found your blog and this HCSB post. Thanks! I have been flip-flopping on Bible translations in the past couple years as well. I was raised on the KJV from a kid and am now mid-fifties, but got the bug for a new translation a couple years ago.

I too have tried the ESV, but I just keep going back to the HCSB. I’m no Bible scholar, but there’s just something about it that I enjoy reading. I never liked the NIV.

I read through the ESV last year and enjoyed it. But this year I am reading through the HCSB…I am using the ESV Scofield Genuine Leather by Oxford. Somewhat stiff cover, but very good quality. I’m not wild about the Scofield notes, but I love the high quality of the Bible.

I would like to see B&H or even some individual start a HCSB blog or possibly even a forum for some good discussion of this translation.

I look forward to reading your blog.

Ron

By: tcgreek

tcgreek — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 22:43:08 +0000

I hope you get your wishes this year, for I’m in 100% agreement. These days a Bible is not complete without two-ribbons for me. I guess my NASB95 Charles Stanley edition has spoile me.

I hope the CSB would go back to translation agapetoi as “Beloved” instead of “dear friends.” And translate adelphoi as “Brethren” instread of “brothers.” Those are my wishes. If met, the CSB will be the perfect Bible for me.

By: ElShaddai Edwards

ElShaddai Edwards — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:16:06 +0000

The endpages on the TNIV RB feel a little heavier than those on the thinline TNIV I have. Maybe a little higher grade paper, but the HCSB is definitely a cut above both.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:23:54 +0000

It really stinks that the endpages are cardboard and not leather on the TNIV RB. If they’re like the cardboard endpapers used in their thinline Bibles, they will tear pretty quickly, especially with the TNIV RB’s larger and heavier text block….

By: ElShaddai Edwards

ElShaddai Edwards — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:01:42 +0000

@Gary: yes, I remember we talked about your edition before and that I'd eventually seen a copy in a local bookstore. If I recall correctly, it's actually about the same size as this one, maybe a little shorter and a bit thicker. But I agree that the end-of-paragraph references are quirky, though ironically that's the type of system that my NASB Open Bible uses, end-of-verse in that case. I do prefer the column approach instead. I could buy into an argument that a single-column text setting with a reference column, preferably on the inside margin, would fit very nicely in the hand-size HCSB. I'd strongly consider purchasing that as well.

By: Gary Zimmerli

Gary Zimmerli — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 01:44:00 +0000

Thanks for the review of this particular Bible, ElShaddai. I had been considering it myself, but I think I like my hand-size large print one better; and as long as they’re doing an update, I’ll just hang on to what I have until then. I’m still undecided about the hand-size’s “end of paragraph” references. They seem to break up the text too much. I think I prefer them in a separate column.