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Number of Pages : 2752
Publisher : Crossway Bibles
List Price : $49.99
Amazon Price : $31.49
Used Price : $31.49 |
Product Description The ESV Study Bible was created to help people understand the Bible in a deeper way--to understand the timeless truth of God's Word as a powerful, compelling, life-changing reality. To accomplish this, the ESV Study Bible combines the best and most recent evangelical Christian scholarship with the highly regarded ESV Bible text. The result is the most comprehensive study Bible ever published--with 2,752 pages of extensive, accessible Bible resources. Customer reviews More Than You Wanted to Know  by .. JAMES WETTERAU (Apex, NC)
Let me first say that I am a layman who uses study Bibles to help me in personal study and in carrying out Bible teaching responsibilities. I have been using the English Standard Version Study Bible (ESVSB) for a little over two weeks now and it is already an invaluable tool. My frame of reference is the Life Application Bible which I had been using for more than ten years. Now there is nothing wrong with the Life Application Bible. It is still an excellent study tool, particularly the introductions to the books of the Bible. But the ESVSB simply contains so much more valuable material. Let me illustrate. The introduction to the book of Isaiah in the Life Application Bible runs to two pages, discussing themes, an outline and a timeline, authorships and dates. The same material in the ESVSB runs to seven pages, drilling down into much more detail. The same thing is true for the book of Romans in the New Testament, where the Life Application Bible provides two pages of introduction and the ESVSB provides six pages.
There are basically three things one can get from a good study Bible.
1) Notes on the Bible passages.
2) Introductions and supplemental material about each book.
3) Introductions and supplemental material about the Bible as a whole and its themes.
In all three areas, the ESVSB seems to excel from my short exposure to it. I have already commented on the introductions to the books.
I am currently leading a study of the book of Daniel and was in the middle of the complicated last three chapters, 10 - 12 when I received this study Bible. It was immediately a great aid to me, both in terms of explaining the various interpretations of Daniel 11 and providing voluminous supplemental material. Daniel 10 - 12 is of great interest because of its prophetic words about the future and end times. It is foundational in studying prophetic future and in the study of eschatology. The notes on the chapter explain rather fully not only the dispensational view, for whom this chapter has great significance, but they explore alternate perspectives as well. Particularly good are the notes about the near term inter-testamental period in which this material was first fulfilled. There is a well researched and documented exposition of the Persian, Greek, and Hasmonian empires complete with lists of rulers that help to explain the cryptic comments about the various Kings of the North and South in Daniel 11.
As far as the summary sections and comments, I have already used the articles on the background of the New Testament and the intertestamental period and have found them extremely helpful.
Many study Bibles seem to have a specific perspective and theological point of view. The one perhaps most similar to the ESV Study Bible is the ESV Reformation Study Bible edited by R. C. Sproul. In fact, many of the contributors to the ESV Reformation Study Bible also contributed to the ESV Study Bible. The major difference seems to be (and I have not personally seen the ESV Reformation Study Bible) the desire to emphasize Reformed tradition particularly, possibly at the expense of other points of view. Other study Bibles offer the views of a single author, such as the MacArthur Study Bible or the Ryrie Study Bible, both espousing a dispensational perspective with varying degrees of intensity. The ESVSB seems to offer a strong evangelical perspective with a Reformed position mixed with full explanations of dispensational theology.
The ESVSB major editorial tasks were carried out by Wayne Grudem and J. I. Packer, two well known names in the world of evangelical scholarship. They also contributed study notes or articles for some of the specific books of the Bible. Other article contributors were well known evangelical writers, John Piper, Mark Dever and R. Kent Hughes. There are extensive articles on a wide range of subjects from the Intertestemental Period to God's Plan of Salvation. There is an interesting series of articles relating the Bible to Judiasm, Islam, other world religions and cults.
All in all, the ESV Study Bible gives you perhaps more than you wanted to know and much that is useful for anyone seeking to more fully and accurately understand what the Bible is saying and how it relates to our worldview. I could not recommend it more highly.
Not What I Thought  by .. B.W. Davis (Tyler,TX)
This Bible was not what I thought. So far I had purchased both the "Spirit of the Reformation" and the "Reformation Study Bible". The former was far better except for the NIV translation. The notes were superb and the scholarship shined through. So I thought this would be better and give me what I needed. Here is what I didn't like because reviews of what others did like can tell you what is good about it:
1. It is huge - Don't plan on lugging this thing around a lot.
2. The notes are very partial and often vague. I found myself looking in the notes and very often not seeing what the SOTR Bible had to offer. If you are not reformed and are just wanting "basic" notes on the text then you may be pleased.
3. I also found some dating issues a problem. The date they chose for Revelation is the late date. Not everyone agrees with this and they pretty much just blew the "early date" view off without any real reason why they chose the one they did.
4. The sections in the back seem like a waste of space. There is a lot of reading to do back there. Topics are covered from Bible Study to Salvation and it is very shallow and not what I thought was a good way to end the book.
5. It is definitely not preteristic (if that is your view).
6. It hides its contributors. What I mean is a buyer ought to be able to look at the authors and expect to find their personality and beliefs in the writings. Not with this Bible. It is very general and you almost see no expression between books and writers.
In summary, this is just an okay Bible and not near what it was made out to be. If you are going to get a study Bible try the SOTB (for Reformed believers), The Apologetics Study Bible (for apologetics) or the Archaeological Study Bible (for notes, maps and charts). Each of these far exceed the ESV Study Bible in their area of interest.
Excellent! The Best Study Bible Thus Far! by .. J. Oh (Auburn, WA)
Since many wrote detailed reviews already, I just wanted to write a concise review for those who seek it.
1. The notes are incredible and Christocentric. The ESV Study Bible (ESB) is like a single volume commentary. But please keep in mind that ESB is: Reformed and Charismatic. As far as Millennial views are concerned, ESB describes all three different views without committing to one view.
2. Color maps are really well done (not just at the end of the Bible), but within the notes and texts. Beautiful.
3. Articles, charts, and maps are really helpful summarizing what the Bible teaches. Also brief Protestant history is given.
4. The Bible is "Smyth-sewn"!!! This is stitched and NOT glued to the spine. So the copy will last a long time. Both NIV Study Bible & MacArthur Study Bible are glued to the spine.
Overall, I love it. Although personally, I prefer NASB over ESV, the study notes on ESB in many cases (not all) far superior to NIV Study Bible or MacArthur Study Bible. Highly recommended!
Great Study Bible by .. Barbara A. Bingham (portland)
I really like the layout and language used for this study Bible. Still a big fan of the NASB translation, but I am learning to enjoy the ESV.
Doctrinally biased without obvious warning - dangerous!  by .. Moonquake (Baton Rouge, LA USA)
I know I'm going to get flamed for this review. BTW, I didn't cite specifics because I couldn't bring myself to go back and read this book because I'm incredibly unhappy and heartbroken about the notes and articles about predestination, will, and salvation, and I couldn't make myself read that again. Look it up for yourself.
This bible is incredibly informative about most of the verses. I love most of the features. That's why I gave it two stars instead of one. Not weighting all the features the same, I wanted to give this bible negative stars for its doctrinal bias. At the least, the notes for Romans 8:28, Romans chapter 9, and notes in Galatians are extremely Calvinistic, stating that God chose some individual human beings for salvation and others he left for damnation before God even created the world. The problem is that this bible makes God out to be a sicko, stating that God chose to create people He knew would be condemned to hell because it was God's own will that they go to hell. Some notes indicate that God micromanages or wills every last thing people do - like some kind of puppet master- and then condemn people to hell for sinning and not accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Again, that people have no choice in any of this because God is sovereign over his creation (this Bible presumes that sovereign mean that God wills EVERYTHING that ever happens, but people are still responsible for what God MAKES them do!) is a major feature in this bible, not only in notes but in articles too. According to this bibles, God MAKES some people accept salvation and denies it to other simply because God wants to. No big deal that those denied salvation must spend eternity in hell because God chose it that way, but it's still the person's fault because, as the notes state, the interaction between God's sovereign will and people's will (and the note's deny free will!) is not understood.
If I hadn't imprinted this bible, I would have returned it. I dread reading the fabulous features for fear of coming across more of this type of doctrine. The editors could at least have presented a balance of doctrine and let the reader decide. They could at least have presented the opposing view and still have promoted their point of view explaining their choice. But they didn't. They buried their bias on page ten of the articles. Who reads all that before buying a bible? There is no warning on the box or cover of this bible of its doctrinal perspective, and that is just sneaky. I have other study bibles that handle the same versus without a slant. I pray that no new Christians or those unaware of the alternatives read this bible's notes about predestination and salvation and believe them. Why bother with God, Jesus the gospel when you have no choice in the matter one way or another?
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Format : Kindle Book
Author : Various
Edition : 2008 1120 1138
Publisher : Diana Mecum DianaDoesIt.com
List Price : $4.35
Amazon Price : $3.48
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Product Description Download a FREE TEN CHAPTER SAMPLE ebook at www.DianaDoesIt.com Alternately, please feel free to e-mail the publisher at info@DianaDoesIt.com for a free sample. Just load the .prc file onto your Kindle with your USB cable, or e-mail yourself the file to your Kindle e-mail address from your Amazon customer email address. Try out the ebook before you decide to buy! This Kindle version of "The King James Bible" is special in that it has book and chapter navigation links. In just a few clicks, you can be reading any verse in the bible that you want. For example, if you wish to select John 3:16, you would: * go to the "Table of Contents", * click "Forward to New Testament" on the top of the page, * select the book of John, and then * select chapter "3" at the top of the page with the Kindle Select wheel. You then are reading chapter 3 of John, and can scroll down to verse 16. Additionally, at the top of each book, you can choose to go to the previous or next books of the bible. You can also go to the "Table of Contents" by selecting "Home". Customer reviews Kindle format is very readable.  by .. R. R. Green ()
Reading the Bible on Kindle is pleasant. The ability to highlight passages and look up words is beneficial.
Superb by .. Prince Hal (California)
This offers book and chapter navigation - without such an ebook of this size is useless. I have tried a number and this is by far the best and worthy of 5 stars. Also includes a previous and next link on each chapter so you can easily navigate to the next. Great formatting of each page.
The Book and Chapter Navigation is Pretty Impressive on Kindle by .. Mary Feathers (Virginia)
This was the 3rd or 4th purchase I made when I received my Kindle. I was pretty hesitant that the Kindle version of the Holy Bible would be as good of quality as an original paper copy. I took a few minutes to see if I could navigate through the books and chapters with ease. I am pretty critical when it comes to a Bible in terms of what I want and expect. But after a few short minutes of searching through the text, I had forgotten that I was actually reading the Kindle version. It is very impressive. I am enjoying having the Holy Bible at my fingertips. I have given this 5 stars...for the simple reason that I notice nothing different between my Kindle version and my favorite hard copy of the Holy Bible. A perfect addition to my newly expanding Kindle Library.
This is the best of the KJVs! by .. STLemos (New York)
When I first used my Kindle, I inadvertently downloaded the wrong KJV. It had no table of contents and to get to the New Testament I had to turn every single page. I wasn't through the first chapter in Genesis when I realized the futility of my task. I began a more thorough search for a Bible that was more "user friendly." This one caught my attention because Diana Mecom, the lady who formatted this version, offered to send a sample of it. I requested it and was pleasantly surprised to receive a personal note from Ms. Mecum which instructed me in how to transfer it from my computer to my Kindle. The sample was ample. It gave me Old and New Testament books to experiment with. I bought it and am delighted with it. I was extremely impressed with Ms. Mecom's kindness and follow-up on this transaction. I highly recommend this version of the greatest story ever told. STLemos
Fantastic Navigation Feature! by .. M. H. Martinelli (CA, USA)
This was one of the easiest books to navigate through that I have ever seen because it emulates the hardcopy. In fact, it's better because I don't have to keep paging and paging to get to where I want to read. Instead, each chapter or individual book is just a click away. This decreases my frustration which increases my enjoyment. Thank you, it's fantastic.
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Author : Karen Page
Edition : 1
Number of Pages : 392
Publisher : Little, Brown and Company
List Price : $35.00
Amazon Price : $20.47
Used Price : $20.58 |
Product Description Great cooking goes beyond following a recipe--it's knowing how to season ingredients to coax the greatest possible flavor from them. Drawing on dozens of leading chefs' combined experience in top restaurants across the country, Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg present the definitive guide to creating "deliciousness" in any dish. Thousands of ingredient entries, organized alphabetically and cross-referenced, provide a treasure trove of spectacular flavor combinations. Readers will learn to work more intuitively and effectively with ingredients; experiment with temperature and texture; excite the nose and palate with herbs, spices, and other seasonings; and balance the sensual, emotional, and spiritual elements of an extraordinary meal. Seasoned with tips, anecdotes, and signature dishes from America's most imaginative chefs, THE FLAVOR BIBLE is an essential reference for every kitchen. Customer reviews A book for all "seasons" by .. Ralph Scibelli (nyc)
Wow! Here we have a book that doesn't hand you a rigid collection of recipes or the author's philosophy on how your food should be prepared and served.
It is however, a simple and fun to use reference guide for any person that wants to get more in tune with how to season their dishes. I've only had it a week and I've turned to it 5 times already...Unlike the 8" thick Thai cookbook that is sitting on my shelf. That one makes me tremble when I dare to open it, because I know the recipes will have so many ingredients I don't have or can't get easily.
In "The Flavor Bible" you will find a list every seasoning that will compliment whatever you are preparing. So for a guy like me, it's a great help to go down their list and add new flavors to what I'm already preparing. That way, I am incorporating some newness into my recipes.
Two thumbs up to Karen and Andrew for creating another great book and helper in kitchen!
Must have book, for people who love cooking!!! by .. marikochan (Japan)
I have been searching for a book like this since the time I became interested in cooking.
I can now easily find the ingredients for fish, meat, veggies or anything...It's as if I have an "encycleopedia" of what flavors go together, at my disposal in the kitchen...It's AMAZING!
An excellent reference by .. Sharon V. Richardson (Southern Pines, NC)
I like a cookbook with guides one to flavor combinations, rather than provides strict recipes. This one meets that criteria. It is not for a beginning cook, though, as I think it takes some experience to know what will work for you.
Great concept ... poor excecusion  by .. E. Gonzalez ()
the book is great it only gets a 3 because there really isnt a matrix system. I suppose if the book was translated into a software tittle it would be much easier to use.
Amazing Answer to a Prayer by .. Miemi (Fort Worth, TX)
Bought this book w/o a whole lot of information about it. Can't believe it -- I now have the resource I've been looking for --
I'm a cook with some years of experience, a huge cookbook collection, a list of classes taught by renowned experts and cookbook writers, and still I yearned for a reference that gave me the info on what goes with what (w/o me researching my whole library or classnotes. I guess I need "permissions" and this book gave it to me.
Tonight I made redfish (snapper in the book) with a crust of almonds, chives, parsley and dill (methodology learned in all those classes). Served w a favorite zuchinni recipe that included the "go-to" ingredients for snapper, and roasted potatoes with light sprinkling of rosemary and salt (again, a "go-to" herb for the main dish).
It wasn't overkill (my worry) -- it just plain worked and I did it w/o a single recipe. Cut my cooking time in half and raised my personal culinary "thermometer" by a ton of degrees.
If you cook, know methodology and are looking for a silent but knowledgeable help in the kitchen, buy this book. It's a gem!!!
Related Search : essential guide , most imaginative , culinary creativity  |
Author : Sally Lloyd-Jones
Number of Pages : 352
Publisher : ZonderKidz
List Price : $16.99
Amazon Price : $9.48
Used Price : $10.12 |
Product Description In The Jesus Storybook Bible, every story whispers his name. It tells the story beneath all the stories in the Bible. Customer reviews Enjoyable Bible story book by .. Mom of three ()
I bought this book months ago and read it with my older two children each night for our storytime. They are ages 6 and 10. I absolutely loved the book, regardless of the fact that the author took a few creative liberties as mentioned in other reviews. While I would love it to be absolutely perfect and true, I've found that many children's bibles are so factual they don't hold a child's attention. I feel this book is accurate in the important things, and only deviates from very little things that would require more explaining, thus making the story too complicated. Like one reviewer mentioned the book says Jesus fed 5000 people when it was actually 5000 men plus women and children. Try to explain that to a child without getting more questions like "why doesn't the Bible just say how many of everyone?" which just serves to get you off topic.
Overall, I thought the book was great and my children loved it as well. They looked forward to the next story each night, unlike other Bibles I've tried. By the end, they had memorized the mantra at the end of most stories that God loves us with an unfailing, neverending.....love. Now, my 10 year old did seem to tire of that repetition, but it was nice that it was drilled into their heads of how God has done all these things because of his love for us.
Under age 10, this book is awesome. By age 10, your child may want something more substantial, but they still enjoy it.
very,very good. It doesn't shame kids into following God out of Fear! by .. Emily Connelly ()
This is an awesome kid Bible. It takes license yes, but it is for 3-8 yr olds. The heart of the Gospel is in it. Plus as a bonus no manipulation! woo hoo! Check it out!
Wonderful, loving storybook Bible! by .. A. Durham (Virginia)
We have now read through this Bible 5 times with my now 6 year old son. We gave it to him when he was 4, and he has asked--more like begged--to read a story from it each and every night since then.
This is the most loving, gently written children's story book Bible that I have ever come across. They are all written in a way that a child can relate to and understand. And I love that at the end it really does bring it back around to Christ's love for us.
Even as an adult, there have been many stories that I have read my son, and ended with a teary eye, as my heart connects to the message, and I feel I have really "grasped" something for the first time in reading it. Well done!!!
The best storybook ever! Wise & satisfying purchase! Magnificent. by .. Bless Yahweh (PA)
This book is an awesomely written and illustrated book. The pictures are beautiful and interesting. I am engrossed in the stories and dare I repeat the pictures. The pictures are intricately weaved with the story and are almost one with the writting. My husband reads them to our son on Sunday morning and I read them at bedtime. I am very happy with this purchase!
Sincerely, Tracie Altland
Wonderful book by .. Amy (USA)
I read this with my children as a devotional and we all enjoy the illustrations and the poetic approach. At their young ages, what I hope most to impress on them is the reality of God's unconditional love, and this book is a beautiful way to do that.
Related Search : whispers name , bible story , jesus storybook  |
Author : Harper Bibles
Number of Pages : 1440
Release Date : 2008-10-07
Publisher : HarperOne
List Price : $29.95
Amazon Price : $17.84
Used Price : $17.19 |
Product Description The Green Bible will equip and encourage you to see God's vision for creation and help you engage in the work of healing and sustaining it. This first Bible of its kind includes inspirational essays from key leaders such as N. T. Wright, Barbara Brown Taylor, Brian McLaren, Matthew Sleeth, Pope John Paul II, and Wendell Berry. As you read the scriptures anew, The Green Bible will help you see that caring for the earth is not only a calling, but a lifestyle. Customer reviews The Green Bible/ Great Book by .. Cinta (Missouri)
The Green Book is wonderful. I have shared it with friends and two of them are asking to receive it for a Christmas exchange gift!! It is a very insightful book for anyone interested in ecology. Thanks
Idyllic Judeo Christian Environmentalism And Reverence For Creation by .. Brien Comerford (Glenview, Illinois United States)
The Green Bible is a Godly treasure accentuating the plethora of quotes that revere God and his entire creation. It also verifies that man's dominion over the planet should be as benevolent stewards safeguarding the animal kindom, forests, oceans and marine and terrrestrial ecosystems. It must be mentioned that the original diet of man was vegetarian (Genesis 1:29) before we fell from grace and plunged into discord, strife, violence and wars. The "Green Bible" is uplifting vindication for nature conservationists, wildlife guardians, animal lovers and people who deeply respect all God's creatures great and small. Creation care is a spiritual, moral and planetary imperative.
Excellent Bible for anyone interested in being a good steward of God's creation by .. Baron Saturday (Santa Cruz, CA)
I love this Bible! The moment I heard about it, I was excited to get a copy. I'm happy I pre-ordered it- it's a lovely edition of the NRSV, my preferred translation, with over 1,000 passages outlined in green to show the role of creation in God's story.
There are folks who no doubt are suspicious of anything "green" or "eco-friendly", but I hope they would take a look at this Bible and realize how important the earth and the environment are to God. Numerous introductory essays highlight the crucial relationship between scripture, the divine, and creation, and the lovely concordance at the end that points to all of the "green" passages help us to find our way through the Bible with an ecological emphasis.
For years, the NRSV was slowly on its way to becoming irrelevant, supplanted by other hipper translations like "The New Living Translation" and "The Message". Thankfully, it seems that with somewhat better marketing ideas, and a more directed focus, more and more Christians will be purchasing the NRSV as their translation-of-choice.
A Century After Red-Letter Bibles -- a Milestone Bible for Healing the Earth by .. David Crumm (Canton, Michigan)
Desmond Tutu writes the Foreword to this landmark new edition of the Bible. He concludes with this powerful affirmation: "It is possible to have a new kind of world, a world where there will be more compassion, more gentleness, more caring, more laughter, more joy for all of God's creation, because that is God's dream. And God says, 'Help me, help me, help me realize my dream.'"
This new edition of the Bible is just one stepping stone toward that dream -- just one new religious tool in a new kind of toolbox.
By simply marking Creation-care passages in green -- like the earlier red-letter edition launched a century ago -- new generations of Bible readers will find fresh focus on the green themes in Scriptures. That was the same basic principle that led to the red-letter Bibles that first appeared about 100 years ago. People needed to change their focus when reading scriptures in the 20th Century, the creators of the red-letter concept believed. For their century, they thought the central challenge was encouraging people to return to the teachings of Jesus, so they marked Jesus' words in red.
Now, at the dawn of a new century, the creators of this new edition realize that many of us want to rediscover the Bible's many teachings about the compassionate commitment we all should make to our planet and to the creatures, plants and humanity living all around us on the fragile blue ball that God provided for us. So, they've marked Creation-care passages in green for us.
That's so simple and yet so helpful. If you're a typical Bible reader, you already own several Bibles -- and this one is a smart addition to your devotional choices.
This is far from the end of the green trail for people of faith. There is a long way yet to go, even with green Bibles. For example, this is a Bible with an introductory reflection from the writings of Pope John Paul II -- but only the Protestant books of the Bible between its covers. Obviously, we also need a Catholic edition of the Green Bible. This is a weighty book. We need shorter portions of scripture printed this way. Most of the supplements for Bible study are printed as a series of introductory essays, written as this green movement is just emerging broadly in Christian churches. We will need another edition down the road, as our prayerful reflections deepen and our collective responses mature.
This truly is a milestone. If we could turn back the clock to the dawn of the 20th Century, I'm sure that most Bible readers would go out and snap up copies of the first red-letter edition to hit bookstore shelves. Now, as the first Green Bible emerges, you'll want this on your shelf.
Yes, it's a first step, but it is a major step on a crucial journey.
A Fun Devotional Bible by .. O. Arauz (Louisville, KY United States)
I recently purchased a Green Bible before release date at the local bookstore in my city. At first I wasn't sure what to make of this Bible with its eco-friendly emphasis, but I am glad that I remained open to take a look at it and consider it!
For one the Bible is a devotional one, and one that is not as intrusive as most devotional Bibles that force the reader to adopt or consider the publishers views and interpretative moves throughout the text. Here you'll find essays at the beginning of the Bible and a list of references and study helps at the end. Secondly, the font and paper quality is amazingly durable and comfortable on the eyes. As many know, the NRSV is a great translation but finding an NRSV that you can read and enjoy is like trying to find Atlantis. The Green Bible delivers in that area and I would say that this is the best NRSV Bible in the market for readability.
The green highlights throughout the text, while not intrusive, does take some time to get used to. Especially when you are reading it for devotional purposes or for study, but don't let that hamper you from buying it. After a few days you begin to ignore the highlights and can read it with ease.
The only negative is that cover for the Bible does not feel sturdy and durable. I've carried it in my messenger bag for the past few days and have not seen any pages folded over or torn out. However, I'm careful with it. As well, expect some oil marks from your hands to develop over time on the cover since it is made from cotton.
Overall, I've been happy with my Green Bible and will begin to use it on a daily basis. I know many people will find theological fault with this Bible but I challenge those who do to actually pick one up and see what they think. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised and perhaps not so judgmental.
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Format : Kindle Book
Edition : 1p
Publisher : The Lockman Foundation
List Price : $6.99
Amazon Price : $5.59
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Product Description The New American Standard Bible has been widely acclaimed as ?the most literally accurate translation? from the original languages. Millions of people, students, scholars, pastors, missionaries, and laypersons alike, have trusted the NASB, learning from it and applying it to the challenges of their daily lives. Vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure have been carefully translated for greater understanding and smoother reading. Customer reviews God, this is a Good Book! Also, boring, but I'm seriously okay with that. by .. Lucifer (www.bobshakespeare.com)
The Old Testament is chiefly of interest for its unique and reliable documentary record of Bronze Age tribal origins. A case in point is the story of how God created the Ammonites and the Moabites: these two tribes, adversaries of the Hebrew people, descended from Abraham's nephew, Lot -- whose two naughty daughters kept their innocent father drunk in a cave, and had sex with him until both gals became pregnant, and gave birth to Abraham's grand-nephews, Ammon and Moab (Gen. 19:30-38).
The holy Ghost didn't just make that story up, it really happened! And you should hear the stories, told by the Ammonites and Moabites, about how the HEBREWS got started! ... er, I mean, no you should NOT hear them, because they're not true! Which is why God mostly omitted from the Bible that X-rated story narrating what Abraham did with his sister; and why He totally omitted that famous Ammonite anecdote of Abraham and the nanny-goat.
(While we're on the subject of really weird conceptions, have you heard the one about the 14-year-old virgin who got pregnant? but that story comes later.)
If you like stories of rape and incest, and tales of women getting reamed by a penis as long as a donkey's, then the Old Testament may be right up your alley. But I actually find those ancient Hebrew sex stories rather tawdry, like the tabloid trash printed about such men of God as Jim Bakker or Jimmy Swaggart or Frank Houston or Ted Haggard or Paul Barnes (et al.); or, for that matter, unconfirmed stories of Pat Robertson's Onanistic self-abuse. But if you are coming to Scripture for twisted stories of sex and violence, then don't miss the history of Father Elizashib Ben-Eleazar (Judges 19:1 - 21:25). Elizashib was a Levite priest and true man of God who facilitated the gang rape of his concubine (after she ran away from him and returned to her father's house); the priest then chopped her into twelve pieces and sent body parts throughout Israel, to illustrate the Lord's displeasure. But the best part is the amazing story of how the Lord brought justice to the land, as a lesson to the Israelites that concubines should not be allowed to run away from a holy priest and go home to their father (Judges 19.1-21:25)
Most readers come to the Bible for the first time with high expectations. People naturally assume that any book written by God must be a good one. Maybe explain the meaning of life. The nature of good and evil. The mystery of death. The path to finding true love, or hope for the future, or elevated self-esteem, maybe even a successful weight-loss plan. Whatever. Then they start reading ... and they always quit about halfway through the second book, aptly named Exodus. If you have never read the third book, Leviticus, which you probably haven't, go ahead, give it a try, it's a cure for insomnia. No one but a rabbi, or a Levite, has ever made it through the book of Leviticus without major skimming. That said, I'd rather have our modern priests reading the Word of God than chopping their lovers into twelve pieces and shipping the body parts all over the country as a cautionary tale for disobedient concubines.
The New Testament is a volume that everyone should read, once, but talk about a bad case of sequelitis! Ouch! The less said about the New Testament, the better. Half the books therein were dictated by the holy Ghost to the apostle Paul, a.k.a. Saint Knucklehead, who was the most boring windbag I have ever known, except maybe Fidel Castro. I would rather read a year's worth of C-Span transcripts than to slog once more through Saint Paul's thirteen tedious epistles. Paul was not without talent and drive. But if the holy Ghost ever exhibited any real promise as a writer of prose nonfiction, he was ruined by the apostle Paul.
Surprising fact: the Holy Bible, Old and New, remains the best-selling book of all time. In some places, especially in the United States, the Bible still outsells J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books. In America, God has sold more copies of His two-volume book than McDonald's has sold of its Big 'N' Tasty double cheeseburger. According to statistics supplied by Wycliffe International, the Society of Gideons, and the International Bible Society, nearly a quarter million new Bibles are sold or given as gifts in the United States every day. Which goes far toward explaining what happened to the Earth's rain forest. But your typical Holy Bible is purchased for a carry-to-church item, or for coffee-table decor. No one ever actually reads it, not even in the United States of America.
Am I wrong? Okay, perhaps you have read it. If so, you're an exceptional human being. It's not impossible: your average reader can get through both Testaments, without skimming, in about seventy hours. But truthfully, almost no one ever has ever read the Word of God from cover to cover except elderly nuns, and the occasional Christian adolescent who reads it through for sheer penance, to punish himself for having downloaded erotic pictures from the Internet, and ... but never mind.
- L.
Don't Leave It Lying Around the House by .. Carl Wong (Van Nuys, CA USA)
This book should never be left where it could fall into the hands of children. Recurrent themes of bloody violence, murder, racism, incest and rape are dealt with extremely irresponsibly. Horrific events are presented as justified by circumstances and as solutions to petty wrongs.
Worse than the depictions in the book are actual historic examples of such depictions being used to justify the worst kind of degradation and humiliation that humans have ever been forced to endure. These acts are not just inspired by this book, but characters in the book urge its readers to follow its example. Worst of all, however, is that, despite this book's obvious lack of coherent logic or sense, it inexplicably possesses a following of people that somehow find comfort in its horror.
No doubt about it, the horrific images, and lack of intelligent discussion of those images, contained in this book makes it entirely unsuitable for children, or sensible adults.
It is very doubtful that a book that meanders so terribly, and contradicts itself so often, is truly inspired by a deity. What you will read in here can be found in other mythologies. There is nothing truly unique about it.
Upon close scrutiny, we discover that the content of Bible is a compilation of historically and archaeologically unsupportable Myths such as Noah's ark, Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon, etc.
Not just a book by .. davenkim (Texas)
For those of you who are rating this as a book, I feel compelled to share with you that this is not just another fiction book! Jesus truly lived, died, & was risen from the dead several years ago. Don't believe me? Just start investigating it & he will show you!!! You can read about Josephus who lived back in the days, yet was not christian. You can ask people from the middle eastern countries about their ancestors & learn that they are characters from the bible. Most importantly, you can just whisper as much to Jesus Christ & he will hear you & show you the truth! Seek & you will find these answers!!!
Snoozer!!! by .. Hoffman ()
Oh, man - this book was SOOOO long! I could barely get through it. It was totally unbelievable, and the ending was a real downer too. The main character would be awesome to party with, though. He gets killed and then comes back to life (so, he's like a zombie or something), and then he knows how to turn regular water into booze! I'd get so many chicks if I could do that.
Good but could be better by .. Timothy H. Pylant (Austin, TX United States)
They did a good job of formatting the bible for the Kindle. However, there are no cross references and it's quite a bit of work to jump from location to location (go to index, page to the desired book, page to the desired chapter, page to the desired verse). Not sure how they could have made it better but maybe take advantage of the keyboard.
Related Search : standard bible , nasb , holy bible  |
Number of Pages : 512
Publisher : Zonderkidz
List Price : $16.99
Amazon Price : $9.14
Used Price : $8.30 |
Product Description The best-selling story Bible for children redesigned with fresh new art, text, and stories. "Excellent for Homeschool Use" Customer reviews Just Wonderful - Really 5 stars by .. Mai (Arizona)
This is a wonderful Bible for small children or new readers to introduce them to the Bible stories. The language is age-appropriate and the illustrations are great - not scary like some children's Bibles. This has been the 'textbook' for my Sunday School class (ages infant-2yrs) for 6 years and I make sure that all of my sweet little students have one to read at home also. It is comprehensive enough to cover most all of the lessons that we cover each year. This book is broken up into Bible 'stories' which are just the right length for a Bible lesson or bed-time story. I have seen many children's Bibles and this is my favorite. (I tried to go back and rate this 5 stars, but couldn't change it)
love it by .. Jessica Wright (MS)
I love this book and so do my children 7 and 3. We have also taken it to church and used it in our sunday school class. Very well done.
Brand New and Great by .. Les P. NY ()
The kids in my Sunday School class love the book and its vibrant photos. I was a relief to know that the book was great condition and appeals to all ages.
strong variety from both the Old and New Testaments by .. Amy DaPonte (california)
Not only does this children's Bible include stories often skipped over in other publications of the type, it is also compellingly illustrated with well-written and longer stories. My (almost) 3 year old loves it and will listen fully captivated for substantial blocks of time (we've read the entire Old Testament section in one sitting on a few occasions!). We have several children's Bibles, but this is, by far, her favorite! My 1 year old, however, does not stay engaged with the longer story format and seems to prefer the very basic board-book Bibles. So if you have very young children, this Bible is still a must-have, but consider it one to "grow into."
simple stories, easy for little ones to comprehend by .. Jenny Lou (San Pedro, Ca United States)
I bought this to enhance my daughters Lutheran Kindergarden education since this is the same bible they use in class.
The stories are very simple and easy for the little ones to wrap ther minds around.
The illustrations are very colorful.
My daughter actually enjoys these bible stories!
Related Search : bible timeless , stories , beginner s  |
Author : Barbara Kingsolver
Number of Pages : 576
Release Date : 2005-05-31
Publisher : Harper Perennial Modern Classics
List Price : $14.95
Amazon Price : $7.50
Used Price : $2.70 |
Product Description The Poisonwood Bible is a story told by the wife and four daughters of Nathan Price, a fierce, evangelical Baptist who takes his family and mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. They carry with them everything they believe they will need from home, but soon find that all of it -- from garden seeds to Scripture -- is calamitously transformed on African soil. What follows is a suspenseful epic of one family's tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction over the course of three decades in postcolonial Africa. This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more. Customer reviews An Eye Opener by .. Richard Garza ()
Certainly a great book exposing how one culture whether miles apart or continents apart do not understand one another. I have a son who has an austism spectrum disorder, and although this book is not even close to anything to do with autism or any other kind of disability...this book somehow made me able to "see" how one set of people does not understand another and for no particular reason, other than they are different from one another in such a way that one cannot possibly comprehend. I'd say if you arent reading it for the actual story, and you know of someone with a disorder, try to think of that person as a 'native' and you as the 'colonist' as in this story and you may have your answer or be able to pass it along to someone else.
A book for the Colonialists, not the colonised: for Westerners, not Africans by .. ilinkcs (Johannesburg South Africa)
It is easy, in the (politically) post colonial world of modern Africa to descend into limp wristed European angst.
This book teeters on that edge.
It is a book written for colonials and the colonialists.
It has very little to say to those of us whose birthright is Africa, of whatever colour, creed, nationality (or tribe).
It charts that moment in time when direct political subjugation was replaced by economic subjugation through local proxies.
Alas, this is a human tendency that has persisted through all of the history of humanity.
It uses the brief period in the history of Zaire (then Congo) immediately prior to, then after the death of Patrice Lumumba and the dictatorship that followed as the locus for it's message. Thereafter it rambles on to the ends of days of it's narrators.
What I liked about this book outweighs my dislikes, so here are some of them ...
Some things I liked about the book ...
- The different voices giving perspectives on the same events. The truth is a secret garden and we all look into the garden from a different vantage point. Each bush and shrub is a cultural, personal or similar impediment to seeing the complete picture, and Barbara Kingsloveruses her device to good effect.
- The political, social, economic and cultural drivers are well brought out, and their implications on the outcomes of everyday life is thoughtful and so well constructed
- The writing itself is evocative and moving
Some things I did not like about this book ...
- It is too long. The last "books" could quite easily have been replaced by an epilogue, and would (imo) have carried more weight. The later stories of the women would have been better served in follow up books, as a series maybe.
- It is too euro-centric. This has the (unintended?) consequence of transmogrifying it into a polemic against Western culture, values and mores. Sketchily decrying western consumerism and the avariciousness of big business allied to political expediency does not reflect the reality of the world's steady drift into exactly that milieu. In the final History of the World as seen by Mankind, will it matter that we rape and pillage our societies and geographies by proxy or through our own efforts?
- For a work of such high ambition, it does not answer the "so what?" test, nor does it point a way forward: it drifts to its own conclusion, flotsam and jetsam washed up by a high tide of introspection.
The Poisonwood bible by .. Kamala Krishnan (Fort Wayne, IN United States)
This powerful novel by Barbara Kingsolver charts the lives of a missionary family and portrays the interplay of good intentions and motives warped by dogma. One ends up with an aching wonder ... what was changed, by whom and who or what prevailed!
A Gem of Postcolonial Literature by .. Valerie J. Saturen (Tacoma, WA)
"Jesus is Bangala!" declares Reverend Nathan Price to his ragtag congregation deep in the Congolese jungle. The exclamation is full of irony; in the villagers' native Kikongo, "bangala" means either "precious and dear" or "poisonwood tree," depending on the pronunciation. Rev. Price blithely uses the latter pronunciation, characteristically misunderstanding his would-be flock as he blunderingly tries to superimpose Christianity and American customs onto their culture. The consequences of Price's ignorance (and arrogance) are grave, playing out alongside the exploitative history of Belgian colonialism, the struggle for independence, and the subsequent CIA coup that replaced the Congo's first elected leader.
Kingsolver's engrossing novel is narrated by the five Price females, each coping in her own way with what they have been part of. Orleanna is a missionary wife who, as a woman in the late 1950s, has little choice but to obey her husband, but who later struggles with her complicity in Nathan's--and America's--interventions in the Congo. Rachel, the eldest daughter, is vain and superficial (when the house is besieged by army ants, Rachel rescues not one of her weaker siblings, but her mirror), with an attitude of pure condescension toward the villagers she lives among. Then there are the twins: Leah, a tomboy who tries in vain to win her father's love, and the dark, poetic Adah, who was crippled in the womb. The youngest daughter, Ruth May, is most beloved by Orleanna, who struggles to protect her from the dangers of the jungle. Some make it out of the Congo; others do not, whether by tragedy or by choice. In the latter half of the book, the surviving members come to terms with their time in the Congo in different ways: becoming part of the machinery of exploitation, shunning whiteness and assimilating into Congolese culture, entering the healing profession, or turning inward.
Only Nathan remains essentially untransformed by the Congo, although he does evolve into a more grotesque version of himself. Unlike the (mostly) dynamic Price females, he is a one-dimensional character with no redeeming qualities, quick to anger and incapable of seeing past his rigid views. While he is a poignant symbol of colonialism and post-colonial intervention, trying to baptize the village children in crocodile-infested waters, the flatness of his character makes him seem inhuman.
"The Poisonwood Bible" is beautifully written, and the story of Price family is absorbing, as is the history of Western intervention in the Congo. A brilliant novel.
A Retrospective by .. A. Boothby (Spam Can, WV)
Simply wonderful reading. I could kick myself for not paying enough attention to my wife's recommendation several years ago, but she was exactly right: this is a story well worth the amount of time in your life you sacrifice to read it. In fact, it is many stories interwoven and they each grow as a vine of their own before interlacing themselves through each other. For me, most good books take quite a few pages before the hook is set but the author had me with the first paragraph.
Related Search : poisonwood bible , s , novel p  |
Number of Pages : 2528
Publisher : Tyndale House Publishers
List Price : $39.99
Amazon Price : $24.95
Used Price : $19.49 |
Product Description The NIV edition of today's #1-selling study Bible has been updated and expanded. Over 300 new Life Application notes, nearly 350 note revisions, 16 new personality profiles, updated charts, and a Christian Worker's Resource have been added. The Life Application Study Bible not only explains difficult passages and provides valuable background on Bible life and times but also shows how God's Word speaks to every circumstance and situation of life. Features:
- Over 300 new Life Application notes and significant revisions to nearly 350 others.
- 16 new Personality Profiles.
- Most charts revised to clarify meaning and importance, plus eight all-new charts.
- New information on the intertestamental period.
- Christian Worker's Resource--a special supplement to enhance the reader's ministry effectiveness.
Customer reviews Outstanding by .. S. Wong ()
Out standing Life app bible. There is so much information here and its helpful for new christians to get more out of their readings/devotionals. Index is great for referencing verses by topic.
Bet study bible I've found by .. T. Leary (Ashburn, VA USA)
I've read through many different study bibles in my work as a youth minister. I haven't found any to be easier to understand or have more useful information than the Life Application Study Bibles. The NIV version works well as it tracks with the Episcopal denomination, to which I belong. In general the commentary does a great job giving very useful information right on the page regarding the historical activities going on during the time of the verse being referenced.
Fast ship and great condition by .. D. Burner ()
This is my favorite bible for giving away to people who are not bible readers. the study notes, bible land map, and other helps really help them apply scriptures to there lives.
STUDY BIBLE by .. Cheryl Miller (Indiana)
If you have been on the fence about buying a study bible, wait no longer!
You won't be dissapointed with this one. Its easy to understand.
Awesome. by .. efontenot ()
This is a wonderful bible, wish I would have discovered it sooner. It explains every verse. I highly recommend this bible.
Related Search : life application , niv , study bible  |
Author : Thomas Nelson
Number of Pages : 1728
Publisher : Thomas Nelson
List Price : $44.99
Amazon Price : $25.49
Used Price : $31.31 |
Product Description The Chronological Study Bible is the only study Bible that presents the text of the New King James Version in chronological order-the order in which the events actually happened-with notes, articles, and full-color graphics that connect the reader to the history and culture of Bible times and gives the reader a dramatic, "you are there" experience. Features include translators' notes, full-color illustrations of places, artifacts and cultural phenomena, contextual articles that connect Biblical times and world history and culture, daily life notes, time panels and charts that show the flow of Biblical history and in-text and full-color maps. Customer reviews A little confusing at first by .. Lizzie (USA)
I was given the opportunity to review the new Chronological Study Bible. I have enjoyed looking through it and planning how I will use it for studying!
At first I was confused because I thought that Chronological meant they arranged the books of the Bible by the dates they were written.That is not the case! They arranged the books, and even some passages by the dates of the time period being narrated.
The study Bible is divided into 9 Epochs of time. Book order has been rearranged and some passages were moved to follow a chronological outline.
The beginning of this BIble has an extensive explanation of their decisions and an admission that scholars have differing viewpoints on the order of some of the events.
Included throught the Bible on the pages are the following:
*Maps
*Archeological Information
*Timelines
*Background and historical information
*Beliefs & customs of the time period
*Photos
*Science & Technology
*Footnotes
The pages are full of usual information and I believe this Bible would be a great help in my studies.
The copy I received is a hardcover with a dust jacket and reminds me of a big textbook. The paper is not the typical thin Bible paper but it's not quite thick textbook paper. (That's probably not important, but if you were going to buy it online you wouldn't be able to tell what type of paper it is so I'm including it!)
In the back of this Bible there is a topical index, a glossary, a concordance, and an index of Scripture passages. There are also maps and blank pages for notes.
I was glad to see the index so that I could locate passages I wanted to look up. Since it's not in typical order, finding things wouldn't be as easy without this index. The index is arranged by the book order in a regular Bible so it is easy to use.
The Chronological Study Bible is the NKJV version.
This won't be your "carry to church" Bible, I think that would be confusing. But it will be good for studying a certain book of the Bible or a certain time period.
The Chronological Study Bible (Bible Nkjv) by .. J. Davis ()
The Chronological Study Bible is unlike any other bible I have read. When I first opened it, I wasn't impressed because it was hard to find scriptures I wanted to look for. However, the idea of having a Bible that told the story of Biblical times in chronological order appealed to me, so I kept reading and found it very intriguing.
For most people, the Bible is all too familiar. They are used to the Bible and how it is set up; they know that Psalms is one of the largest books and it is in about the middle of the Bible; they know that Luke is in the New Testament and comes after Mark. Most people who are learned in the Bible know that it has the roots of our history in it, or as I have often heard it called-HIS-story.
This Bible has all the same information in it; however, it is in a way that makes reading the Bible not only a challenge but a joy. There are images of historical figures; interesting notes on the culture of the times (i.e. what exactly was happening in Corinth when Corinthians was written); in-depth commentaries on the scripture passages; and history tidbits on each and every page. An example of this are the "Time Capsules". These little snippets of information are helpful in trying to piece together the Bible's historical context.
The order of the New Testament starts off with an account of the Virgin Birth from Matthew ,and then transitions to Luke and gives an account of Christ born of Mary. A synopsis of the Betrayal, and Betrothal of Mary and Joseph, helps bridge the gaps in chronology . The latter explains how the young couple were betrothed and unable to spend time together before they were married, so no one would blame Joseph for "putting Mary away". It goes on to explain that Joseph chose to marry her instead of divorcing her as not to shame her any further.
The goal of the Chronological Study Bible is not to replace the original translation of the Bible but to explain time as the setting in which the biblical record appeared. I believe this Bible was not written for people who are not well-versed in the Bible, as it would be hard to pick this scripture account up for the first time and reply on it as a study bible. However, those who are versed in the bible will read this translation and return to their traditional Bible better equipped with an intimate knowledge of historical Biblical times. The order of the text will help them see the Scriptures with a new outlook as it relates to chronological events.
Added features include: Daily life notes on life in biblical times; A topical index, Glossary, and an in depth concordance.
I am a pastor's wife and enjoyed reading this bible. It gave me a new perspective on how society has not changed much from biblical times; we still have the same problems and still make the same mistakes as they did back in Jesus' day.
great resource by .. Tara of Tara's View of the World (Canada)
I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the Bible in this new format. I have always found it difficult to keep any sort of a biblical time frame straight in my head. For a long time I assumed that the stories happened in the order in which they appeared in the regular bible... the stories in Genesis were first, Exodus second, Leviticus third etc. I was rather disappointed when I found out this wasn't the case! When I was in bible school I remember in vain trying to map out some sort of time line for myself because I kept getting the biblical characters all mixed up! Like I said, I am a tad on the challenged side when it comes to these sorts of things.
The chronological study bible lays it all out for me! I loved it! There is massive amounts of extra information contained in this bible to help us understand the context of the Scriptures. The pages are beautiful to look at with lovely coloured maps and illustrations. The Chronological Study Bible would make a wonderful Christmas gift for the Bible lovers in your life this Christmas!
Helps galore! by .. S. Dailey (Washington State)
From the moment I opened this amazing study tool I was impressed! Some of it's wonderful array of highlights:
Full color maps, photos and illustrations
Historical accounts
Timelines
Transition helps
Cultural highlights
Contextual Helps
Extensive glossary and concordance
Index of cultural and historical topics
Couched in the easy to read New King James version, Publisher Thomas Nelson offers this treasure trove of study helps is a must-have for any theological student, pastor or bible teacher. Whether doing a group study or individual study, the reader holds the key to deeper understanding of passages as well as the bible as a whole. It is very easy to understand and puts into perspective the Word in a way that feels more devotional than textbook.
Did you know that the prophet Amos was a sheepbreeder and the "tender of sycamore fruit"? Seems the fruit of a sycamore is a kind of a fig and that small cuts must be made in each of the young fruits to improve the quality of the mature fruit. It was considered a low status job and made the message that he had to give even more importance. It is notes like this all throughout the book that give this unique tool it's appeal.
With this tool, the reader is easily able to explore many different perspectives and elements of life in the day that the bible was written. I highly reccomend this book as a vital part of any Christian's biblical tool belt!
Good study Bible for the history buff by .. Cass Darrow (Leland, NC United States)
I recently received a copy of the new NKJV Chronological Study Bible put out by Thomas Nelson publishers. I have an old Reese Chronological Bible which is...well...it's the Bible, chopped up in little bits and pieces, and there aren't very many notes, and so it didn't really help me understand the historical significance of the various Biblical events. Nor did it do anything to help me tie in extra-Biblical events with what was going on in the church. I expected a Bible where Job was put in front of Genesis, and the gospels were chopped up like mincemeat for a holiday pie. I was so very surprised! It's different than I expected, and I mean that in a good way.
The Chronological Study Bible is different. There are images of historical figures (like Josephus, who bears no resemblance at all to Bocephus whom my mind has always strayed to when I read the name) and there are notes on the culture of the times--what exactly was happening in Corinth when Corinthians was written? And there are "time capsules" on some of the pages that give a snapshot of what was going on historically. For example, the one on page 1374 covers A.D.64, and Nero's rule and the great fire in Rome. Putting this information in the context of 1 Timothy helps paint a complete picture, and the explanation of widows on that same page brings home the point that Ecclesiastes has made for millennium. There truly is nothing new under the sun: today's problems plagued the ancients, too.
I look forward to studying out of this Bible for years to come. And much to my own surprise, I've started with Revelation. Which I now know was written during the time of Domitian, who was killed by his close associates and succeeded by Trajan.
Related Search : chronological study , bible bible , nkjv |
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