Comments on: NLT Study Bible: focusing on historical context

By: NLT Study Bible Reviews | Scripture Zealot

NLT Study Bible Reviews | Scripture Zealot — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:45:44 +0000

[...] NLT Study Bible: focusing on historical context [...]

By: Sean Harrison

Sean Harrison — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:07:49 +0000

Iyov, you are right that there are some similarities in tone between the NLT Study Bible and the Oxford and HarperCollins Study Bibles. I included those Bibles in my initial review and wanted to achieve a similar tonal level, but within an explicitly evangelical framework (Scripture as divinely inspired, Scripture as historically accurate, etc.). That said, there is probably a more “devotional” feel to the NLTSB, because we do make theological implications explicit — we don’t stop with historical scholarship. However, it is not what is commonly called a “devotional” Bible.

But let’s see what more objective reviewers have to say.

By: ElShaddai Edwards

ElShaddai Edwards — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:40:17 +0000

Thanks for the note, Iyov. I agree that the approach might be shared by the more critical study Bibles that you noted.

I actually received a review copy of the NLTSB on Friday and spent some time with it this weekend while my family and I were out of town. I plan to post some reviews, hopefully including a side-by-side comparison with a few different SB types, throughout the week.

By: Iyov

Iyov — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:06:32 +0000

E-S: I appreciate your listing the quote. However, I would think that the quote you gave could equally be given by the editors of the New Oxford Annotated Bible or the HarperCollins Study Bible. Indeed, those Bibles attempt to be even more neutral in their point of view -- not necessarily assuming a Christian or even a theistic audience. Now, I haven't seen the NLT Study Bible -- I can imagine that it might be addressed at a less educated audience than the New Oxford or HarperCollins -- or perhaps, despite the quote you gave, the NLT Study Bible incorporates more of a devotional tone. But I do not think that the goal you quote above is unique to the NLT Study Bible.

By: ElShaddai Edwards

ElShaddai Edwards — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:22:41 +0000

Thanks, Sean. I wasn’t thinking about it in terms of page count being the primary factor… but I should have been from my days managing software products and their associated Help manuals.

By: Sean Harrison

Sean Harrison — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:06:46 +0000

You’ve got the idea. If you make the typeface bigger to keep the character count per line down, you end up with a longer Bible. We wanted to pack a lot into 2,500 pages, so that pushes you in a certain direction.

No need to apologize.

By: Robert Jimenez

Robert Jimenez — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:36:21 +0000

ElShaddai,

They do look to be something to consider. The ESV is also offering all of their notes on line, and you can add your own notes, and what not. That is what tipped it for me.

Although I have moved more away from the ESV, and reading the HCSB as my primary bible. Also I am really considering the NLT, since reading Rick’s notes on it this morning, I have to take a hard look at it again, but I will wait until the revised version is released and hopefully buy the study bible.

By: ElShaddai Edwards

ElShaddai Edwards — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:56:37 +0000

Robert – thanks for stopping by! A month or so ago, I moved this blog from WordPress.com to my own hosting platform, so everyone got reset as an “approved” commenter. You’re good to go now…

I had stopped buying study bibles, mostly because I found very little use for them. But these two new ones have ignited a renewed interest.

I hear what you’re saying about study bibles, especially since most of them are skewed to one particular theme or topical interest. I find it more convenient to find a book in that area rather than buy *another* Bible. But if the NLTSB and ESVSB are as balanced in their approaches as promised, then I could see them being great foundational resources.

In addition to the NLTSB Genesis sampler, I’ve really enjoyed reading Sean’s exploration of the study notes on Ruth and the concept of a kinsman (“family”) redeemer. It echoes everything I’ve been taught and I found myself nodding along with his comments. Ruth is a magnificent book on the theme of grace and covenantal provision.

By: Robert Jimenez

Robert Jimenez — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:41:43 +0000

Hey ElShaddai,

it’s been a while but I am done teaching my theology class at church so I am somewhat active again. For a while at least. Next semester should be a lite one for me, but come next year I will be tacking the subject of Salvation, so I may disappear for a while again.

I pre-ordered the ESV study bible and I am thinking of getting this one as well. I had stopped buying study bibles, mostly because I found very little use for them. But these two new ones have ignited a renewed interest.

Why do I have to enter my info? Aren’t you still using WordPress?

By: ElShaddai Edwards

ElShaddai Edwards — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:39:59 +0000

Sean wrote:

I initially asked for a design that would allow us to pack as much content in as possible, given a page count target of 2,500 pages. Two-column text is generally more efficient with space. Even at that, the NLTSB design has an "openness" in its look that belies its density. Tim Botts, the interior designer, is a genius.

Thanks, Sean.