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NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible: Follow God’s Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture
Marvel at the big story and savor each detail
Biblical Theology allows you to ponder the individual stories and themes of Scripture while observing how they all fit together in God’s grand biblical narrative. It answers the question, How has God revealed his word historically and organically? Biblical Theology studies the theology of individual biblical books and select collections within the Bible and then traces out themes as they develop across time within the canon.
With three articles introducing Biblical theology and 25 articles unpacking key themes of Scripture, the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible equips you to follow the progressive unfolding of God’s story. Helpful introductions to books and sections of the Bible combined with 20,000 verse-by-verse study notes will guide you to a clearer understanding of every portion of Scripture.
The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible is printed in exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® typeface. Expertly designed specifically to be used for the New International Version (NIV) text, Comfort Print offers an easier reading experience that complements the most widely read modern-English Bible translation.
Complete text of the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version (NIV)Previously published as NIV Zondervan Study Bible28 theologically rich articles by authors such as Tim Keller and Kevin DeYoung20,000 verse-by-verse study notesHundreds of full-color photos, more than 90 maps, and over 60 chartsComprehensive book introductionsOver 60 trusted contributorsCross-references and the NIV Comprehensive ConcordanceSingle-column, black letter editionTwo ribbon markersThumb indexed to make finding the books of the Bible easierLeathersoft cover lays flat when openExclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® typeface
Biblical Theology allows you to ponder the individual stories and themes of Scripture while observing how they all fit together in God’s grand biblical narrative. It answers the question, How has God revealed his word historically and organically? Biblical Theology studies the theology of individual biblical books and select collections within the Bible and then traces out themes as they develop across time within the canon.
With three articles introducing Biblical theology and 25 articles unpacking key themes of Scripture, the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible equips you to follow the progressive unfolding of God’s story. Helpful introductions to books and sections of the Bible combined with 20,000 verse-by-verse study notes will guide you to a clearer understanding of every portion of Scripture.
The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible is printed in exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® typeface. Expertly designed specifically to be used for the New International Version (NIV) text, Comfort Print offers an easier reading experience that complements the most widely read modern-English Bible translation.
Complete text of the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version (NIV)Previously published as NIV Zondervan Study Bible28 theologically rich articles by authors such as Tim Keller and Kevin DeYoung20,000 verse-by-verse study notesHundreds of full-color photos, more than 90 maps, and over 60 chartsComprehensive book introductionsOver 60 trusted contributorsCross-references and the NIV Comprehensive ConcordanceSingle-column, black letter editionTwo ribbon markersThumb indexed to make finding the books of the Bible easierLeathersoft cover lays flat when openExclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® typeface
11195 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2018
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* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author
Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.
See also: Anonymous
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
January 9, 2009
I find it awesome that God gave us a book. Though it's really more than that.
The Bible is a compass, leading us over mountaintops, into deserts, through rivers and valleys, all along a dangerous and narrow pathway that leads north, to the kingdom of Christ. It is a complex tale of cowardly, messed up, imperfect people filled with confusion, doubt, calamity and apprehension, but also faith. It brings hope and inspiration to a hopeless and desolate land. It is fairy tale and non-fiction, history and biography, romance and suspense.
There is a King, and his Beloved who strays from him. He painfully lets her go because he does not want to force her to love him; he wants her love to be genuine, her own choice. So she goes with barely a glance back, and finds other kings to love. Only she is never satisfied. Though she has betrayed him, the King still loves her and wants what is best for her. When she is in trouble and cries out to him, he helps her. He leads her through the desert and into a fertile land. She rejoices, but then forgets the King's kindness. This happens over and over again. Until one day, the King decides to show the full extent of his love for her once and for all time--by conquering Sin, the vilest of all foes, so that she could finally find the satisfying love that Sin had robbed her of all this time. And he asks her to marry him.
Only, the Beloved does not quite know what to make of this. She is torn: half of her wants to leave all of her prodigal ways behind to love this King who has become her Savior, but the other half cannot, or does not want to, accept his kindness. The story continues as the King waits patiently for his Beloved to make her choice. What's more, we each have a part in the story, whether as a wedding guest preparing for the wedding feast, or someone trying to convince the Beloved that the King is actually a charlatan, and does not really love her afterall. And here come's the suspense: Will she choose to love her King and live with him forever, or will she choose to leave him again, perhaps never to return?
Stay tuned for the conclusion....
The Bible is a compass, leading us over mountaintops, into deserts, through rivers and valleys, all along a dangerous and narrow pathway that leads north, to the kingdom of Christ. It is a complex tale of cowardly, messed up, imperfect people filled with confusion, doubt, calamity and apprehension, but also faith. It brings hope and inspiration to a hopeless and desolate land. It is fairy tale and non-fiction, history and biography, romance and suspense.
There is a King, and his Beloved who strays from him. He painfully lets her go because he does not want to force her to love him; he wants her love to be genuine, her own choice. So she goes with barely a glance back, and finds other kings to love. Only she is never satisfied. Though she has betrayed him, the King still loves her and wants what is best for her. When she is in trouble and cries out to him, he helps her. He leads her through the desert and into a fertile land. She rejoices, but then forgets the King's kindness. This happens over and over again. Until one day, the King decides to show the full extent of his love for her once and for all time--by conquering Sin, the vilest of all foes, so that she could finally find the satisfying love that Sin had robbed her of all this time. And he asks her to marry him.
Only, the Beloved does not quite know what to make of this. She is torn: half of her wants to leave all of her prodigal ways behind to love this King who has become her Savior, but the other half cannot, or does not want to, accept his kindness. The story continues as the King waits patiently for his Beloved to make her choice. What's more, we each have a part in the story, whether as a wedding guest preparing for the wedding feast, or someone trying to convince the Beloved that the King is actually a charlatan, and does not really love her afterall. And here come's the suspense: Will she choose to love her King and live with him forever, or will she choose to leave him again, perhaps never to return?
Stay tuned for the conclusion....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2023
Great reference.
December 17, 2018
NIV
Biblical Theology
Study Bible
General Editor
D. A. Carson
(see my earlier review at http://bit.ly/NIVZSB)
Welcome to (one of) the best modern Study Bible available in 2018. A number of features make it stand out. The first obvious indication of its value is its size. Containing 2500+ pages of Biblical text, notes, essays, concordance, and maps — this thing is HUGE. But more important than this is the range of authorship (something I missed in my earlier review). Authors come from a range of institutions — Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (my alma mater), Wheaton College, Asbury Seminary, Baylor University, Westminster Theological Seminary, Dallas Theological Seminary, etc. The authors include men who mentored me, men whom I have read, and some that are new to me. There seems to be a missing diversity in gender and, perhaps, ethnicity (more difficult to verify). Though the book has a somewhat Baptist/Reformed flavor, the editor has drawn from a wide variety of sources.
The notes are extensive, occupying nearly 20% of most pages — and given that the notes use a slightly smaller font than the Biblical text itself, they truly contribute to 25% or more of the text. Along with the notes, helpful full-color charts and maps are scattered throughout the book to help the reader grasp the broader structure of the text. There are also nearly 30 essays addressing topics which typically cross the normal divisions of scripture such as testaments, books, authors, etc. Some of these essay discuss topics such as
* The Story of the Bible: How the Good News About Jesus is Central by Timothy Keller
* The Bible and Theology by D. A. Carson
* A Biblical-Theological Overview by D. A. Carson
* Death and Resurrection by Philip S. Johnston
* The Consummation by Douglas J. Moo
An extensive concordance is also included along with a 14 map atlas (note: maps, as mentioned earlier, are also embedded in the notes as well).
Weaknesses are few. Though there is a wide theological diversity demonstrated among the contributors, the lack of gender diversity is too obvious. The font of the notes sometimes seems too small. Thankfully the text of this Study Bible is available in a number of digital versions including Kindle and LOGOS. Finally, be aware that this book was published as recently as 2015 under a different title, NIV Zondervan Study Bible. I have this book in both hard copy, as a Kindle book, and as a LOGOS e-book. A brief survey suggests there is no difference between the earlier version of the book and the current one.
As I wrote earlier, while reviewing the previous edition: I have a few favorite Study Bibles - the NIV Zondervan Study Bible will/has become another of those favorites. I will be consulting it often — I suspect others will as well. The same can be said for the newer NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible.
______________
This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Biblical Theology
Study Bible
General Editor
D. A. Carson
(see my earlier review at http://bit.ly/NIVZSB)
Welcome to (one of) the best modern Study Bible available in 2018. A number of features make it stand out. The first obvious indication of its value is its size. Containing 2500+ pages of Biblical text, notes, essays, concordance, and maps — this thing is HUGE. But more important than this is the range of authorship (something I missed in my earlier review). Authors come from a range of institutions — Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (my alma mater), Wheaton College, Asbury Seminary, Baylor University, Westminster Theological Seminary, Dallas Theological Seminary, etc. The authors include men who mentored me, men whom I have read, and some that are new to me. There seems to be a missing diversity in gender and, perhaps, ethnicity (more difficult to verify). Though the book has a somewhat Baptist/Reformed flavor, the editor has drawn from a wide variety of sources.
The notes are extensive, occupying nearly 20% of most pages — and given that the notes use a slightly smaller font than the Biblical text itself, they truly contribute to 25% or more of the text. Along with the notes, helpful full-color charts and maps are scattered throughout the book to help the reader grasp the broader structure of the text. There are also nearly 30 essays addressing topics which typically cross the normal divisions of scripture such as testaments, books, authors, etc. Some of these essay discuss topics such as
* The Story of the Bible: How the Good News About Jesus is Central by Timothy Keller
* The Bible and Theology by D. A. Carson
* A Biblical-Theological Overview by D. A. Carson
* Death and Resurrection by Philip S. Johnston
* The Consummation by Douglas J. Moo
An extensive concordance is also included along with a 14 map atlas (note: maps, as mentioned earlier, are also embedded in the notes as well).
Weaknesses are few. Though there is a wide theological diversity demonstrated among the contributors, the lack of gender diversity is too obvious. The font of the notes sometimes seems too small. Thankfully the text of this Study Bible is available in a number of digital versions including Kindle and LOGOS. Finally, be aware that this book was published as recently as 2015 under a different title, NIV Zondervan Study Bible. I have this book in both hard copy, as a Kindle book, and as a LOGOS e-book. A brief survey suggests there is no difference between the earlier version of the book and the current one.
As I wrote earlier, while reviewing the previous edition: I have a few favorite Study Bibles - the NIV Zondervan Study Bible will/has become another of those favorites. I will be consulting it often — I suspect others will as well. The same can be said for the newer NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible.
______________
This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
July 9, 2015
This one tops them all.
October 9, 2020
The Book of Life, by the Author of Life. Includes the Origin of Life, our purpose in life and where it's all going. Always and forever amazing. Thank you, Lord Jesus for the Word, for Yourself.
October 9, 2018
If you are familiar with the NIV Zondervan Study Bible (released in 2015), you will have a sense of deja vu when you read the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible, as this Bible is actually a revamp to that Bible. The content is essentially the same, but what has changed in this new edition is the title (to emphasize the Bible's focus on Biblical Theology), the font size, and the overall size of the Bible.
While this may not seem like a big deal on the surface, as an owner of the original Bible, the changes are significant. The original Bible was VERY difficult to read due to its poor choice of font - so the new exclusive Zondervan 9.1 NIV Comfort font makes a huge difference in legibility. The new typesetting in the book also reduces the size and the weight of the book which is also important, because the original Bible is very heavy.
Content-wise, this is one of the most comprehensive study Bibles on the market, so there wasn't a need for the editors to tamper with the content - and wisely, they chose not to.
If you are looking for a resource-rich NIV study Bible, this Bible is worth your consideration!
This excerpt is taken from the original review that is published on my blog. To read my review in its entirety, please visit Create With Joy.
While this may not seem like a big deal on the surface, as an owner of the original Bible, the changes are significant. The original Bible was VERY difficult to read due to its poor choice of font - so the new exclusive Zondervan 9.1 NIV Comfort font makes a huge difference in legibility. The new typesetting in the book also reduces the size and the weight of the book which is also important, because the original Bible is very heavy.
Content-wise, this is one of the most comprehensive study Bibles on the market, so there wasn't a need for the editors to tamper with the content - and wisely, they chose not to.
If you are looking for a resource-rich NIV study Bible, this Bible is worth your consideration!
This excerpt is taken from the original review that is published on my blog. To read my review in its entirety, please visit Create With Joy.
January 25, 2021
The best. Have read through before. Plan to read through again this year.
January 15, 2021
"Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." -John 21:25
As the book of John states above, there could have been endless volumes written to tell us about Jesus and the "things" He did. And, in 2020, I read the one book that was.
I have reservations about writing about my experience reading the Bible. I know people have strong feelings about the Bible, what it says, and how often people should be reading it. I do not want to be judged based on my experience (or lack of experience) reading it, or on my interpretation of it. But, the Bible is another book I read this year. And it is the one for which I am most proud of reading so I have decided not to skip writing about it, despite my reservations.
When I decided in December of 2019 that 2020 should be the year I finally read the Bible cover to cover, I had no idea what was ahead for our world. I was fortunate to have two friends who agreed to join me in this endeavor. Our reading was solitary and we ended up only checking in with one another occasionally via text due to the pandemic. Boy, did it turn out to be a meaningful year to have developed a system for tuning in to God's Word!
I have always read a lot, but tackling the entire Bible was a daunting task for me. I'm sure there are many of you out there who have done it before, possibly multiple times. Not me. I'll be the first person to admit that big, dense books scare me. :) But, guilt at being 43 and not having read the book that tells about the God of my faith finally got to me.
Well, that, and something else.
I have long wanted to ground my belief more strongly in the context of history and the message God has left to guide us through this world.
There were ebbs and flows in my reading rhythm, countless interruptions by my children, and times I felt highly tuned in to the message and times my mind wandered. I am still reflecting on my experience, and in the end, I am not sure I got exactly what I expected from it (oh, so typical of the God I know!). But, reading it was rewarding, and here are some big takeaways:
*I read the Bible chronologically (with the help of an app) and it has given me a more powerful understanding of its vast story arc. There is detailed background in the Old Testament that lays the groundwork for understanding the powerful need mankind had for a Savior, followed by a powerful build-up when God brought His Son into the world to share his profound and deeply moving teachings. Then comes a most powerful climax with Jesus dying for our sins, and it concludes with an intimidating and somewhat terrifying "unresolution" in Revelations (which I will need to reread someday when I am in a better place to receive it!).
*My reading experience solidified my understanding of the Old Testament as being descriptive and New Testament prescriptive, a belief likely grounded in my Mennonite faith.
*As I read, I was very conscious of the fact that the Bible is written by flawed humans with flawed human interpretation. When I felt myself question my understanding, I turned to Jesus' life and teachings. They are paramount.
*In typical Enneagram 1 fashion, I felt a lot of guilt and inadequacy reading parts of the Bible... and then sometimes I also felt joy and hope.
*My most surprising takeaway, though, is that I am not finished (insert deep sigh here!😉). Reading it through one time has planted a seed for revisiting it again, and I don't just mean as a reference during church services or in vulnerable times of need when I am seeking comfort or guidance as in the past. I need to revisit the whole book again, but in different ways. There are certain books of the Bible that I want to understand better and intend to read with some sort of helpful other text. Since novels resonate strongly with me, I would like to read The Book of God: The Bible as a Novel by Walter Wandering Jr and then read the Bible again. I grew up seeing my mom read the Bible nightly before bed and, this year, she told me she is starting her 3rd year in a row of reading the Bible cover to cover in one year. And I get it now. I understand that one time is not going to be enough.
But, for now I am taking a break and remembering this...
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
As the book of John states above, there could have been endless volumes written to tell us about Jesus and the "things" He did. And, in 2020, I read the one book that was.
I have reservations about writing about my experience reading the Bible. I know people have strong feelings about the Bible, what it says, and how often people should be reading it. I do not want to be judged based on my experience (or lack of experience) reading it, or on my interpretation of it. But, the Bible is another book I read this year. And it is the one for which I am most proud of reading so I have decided not to skip writing about it, despite my reservations.
When I decided in December of 2019 that 2020 should be the year I finally read the Bible cover to cover, I had no idea what was ahead for our world. I was fortunate to have two friends who agreed to join me in this endeavor. Our reading was solitary and we ended up only checking in with one another occasionally via text due to the pandemic. Boy, did it turn out to be a meaningful year to have developed a system for tuning in to God's Word!
I have always read a lot, but tackling the entire Bible was a daunting task for me. I'm sure there are many of you out there who have done it before, possibly multiple times. Not me. I'll be the first person to admit that big, dense books scare me. :) But, guilt at being 43 and not having read the book that tells about the God of my faith finally got to me.
Well, that, and something else.
I have long wanted to ground my belief more strongly in the context of history and the message God has left to guide us through this world.
There were ebbs and flows in my reading rhythm, countless interruptions by my children, and times I felt highly tuned in to the message and times my mind wandered. I am still reflecting on my experience, and in the end, I am not sure I got exactly what I expected from it (oh, so typical of the God I know!). But, reading it was rewarding, and here are some big takeaways:
*I read the Bible chronologically (with the help of an app) and it has given me a more powerful understanding of its vast story arc. There is detailed background in the Old Testament that lays the groundwork for understanding the powerful need mankind had for a Savior, followed by a powerful build-up when God brought His Son into the world to share his profound and deeply moving teachings. Then comes a most powerful climax with Jesus dying for our sins, and it concludes with an intimidating and somewhat terrifying "unresolution" in Revelations (which I will need to reread someday when I am in a better place to receive it!).
*My reading experience solidified my understanding of the Old Testament as being descriptive and New Testament prescriptive, a belief likely grounded in my Mennonite faith.
*As I read, I was very conscious of the fact that the Bible is written by flawed humans with flawed human interpretation. When I felt myself question my understanding, I turned to Jesus' life and teachings. They are paramount.
*In typical Enneagram 1 fashion, I felt a lot of guilt and inadequacy reading parts of the Bible... and then sometimes I also felt joy and hope.
*My most surprising takeaway, though, is that I am not finished (insert deep sigh here!😉). Reading it through one time has planted a seed for revisiting it again, and I don't just mean as a reference during church services or in vulnerable times of need when I am seeking comfort or guidance as in the past. I need to revisit the whole book again, but in different ways. There are certain books of the Bible that I want to understand better and intend to read with some sort of helpful other text. Since novels resonate strongly with me, I would like to read The Book of God: The Bible as a Novel by Walter Wandering Jr and then read the Bible again. I grew up seeing my mom read the Bible nightly before bed and, this year, she told me she is starting her 3rd year in a row of reading the Bible cover to cover in one year. And I get it now. I understand that one time is not going to be enough.
But, for now I am taking a break and remembering this...
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
December 15, 2018
Due to high demand I had to wait a bit for this one, but after receiving my copy I have to say it was worth the wait!
Out of the box the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible is what I would call a "beast" of a Bible. It weighs in at almost 4.5 pounds and is 2.5 inches thick. For the size alone I'd be more likely to use it at home than lugging it back and forth to church, but the amount of content added to this Bible leads to no complaint from me. This Bible is packed with not only the expected study notes with charts, maps, and graphs, but also contains hundreds of photos and ancient drawings and artifacts. When the description advertises comprehensive book introductions, it's not making it up. Each book introduction is several pages long and not only shares about the content contained, but the history and context around it. I live in modern day Western New York. It's safe to say that my world looks nothing like it did for Adam, Noah, David, Jesus, or anyone else in the Bible. I've never been overseas so the climate and landscape is foreign to me. This Bible attempts to fill in some of those gaps for a fuller understanding.
There is a lot to say for the images contained in this Bible. Some are photographs of what Biblical locations look like today. Others are drawings or diagrams of what items or locations would have looked like. There are images of ancient art including paintings and photographs of objects. There are images of some of the ancient texts. There are illustrations that depicting some of the clothing described in the scriptures. There is plenty of content added to help get a fuller picture of Biblical times and places.
Following Revelation there are multiple articles on topics such as "The Gospel," "Sin," "Death and Resurrection," "Mission," and much more. They're only 2-3 pages each so certainly manageable to read through. After that is a pretty extensive concordance compared to what is often seen at the end of Bibles.
The only thing I didn't find as advertised was the two ribbon markers. I've seen it on the description on some sites but not others. The copy I received didn't have any ribbon markers. Not a huge deal but figured it was worth the mention.
Overall I find this Bible to be a great resource. There's a significant amount of content added to certainly make it worth your while. This is a great find for people interested in learning more about the Biblical context of the places and times surrounding Biblical events, and who like the presence of helpful study materials. This Bible basically recommends itself. It's one I could easily suggest as a great find.
*I received a copy of this Bible from Zondervan Publishers through BookLook Bloggers. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
Out of the box the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible is what I would call a "beast" of a Bible. It weighs in at almost 4.5 pounds and is 2.5 inches thick. For the size alone I'd be more likely to use it at home than lugging it back and forth to church, but the amount of content added to this Bible leads to no complaint from me. This Bible is packed with not only the expected study notes with charts, maps, and graphs, but also contains hundreds of photos and ancient drawings and artifacts. When the description advertises comprehensive book introductions, it's not making it up. Each book introduction is several pages long and not only shares about the content contained, but the history and context around it. I live in modern day Western New York. It's safe to say that my world looks nothing like it did for Adam, Noah, David, Jesus, or anyone else in the Bible. I've never been overseas so the climate and landscape is foreign to me. This Bible attempts to fill in some of those gaps for a fuller understanding.
There is a lot to say for the images contained in this Bible. Some are photographs of what Biblical locations look like today. Others are drawings or diagrams of what items or locations would have looked like. There are images of ancient art including paintings and photographs of objects. There are images of some of the ancient texts. There are illustrations that depicting some of the clothing described in the scriptures. There is plenty of content added to help get a fuller picture of Biblical times and places.
Following Revelation there are multiple articles on topics such as "The Gospel," "Sin," "Death and Resurrection," "Mission," and much more. They're only 2-3 pages each so certainly manageable to read through. After that is a pretty extensive concordance compared to what is often seen at the end of Bibles.
The only thing I didn't find as advertised was the two ribbon markers. I've seen it on the description on some sites but not others. The copy I received didn't have any ribbon markers. Not a huge deal but figured it was worth the mention.
Overall I find this Bible to be a great resource. There's a significant amount of content added to certainly make it worth your while. This is a great find for people interested in learning more about the Biblical context of the places and times surrounding Biblical events, and who like the presence of helpful study materials. This Bible basically recommends itself. It's one I could easily suggest as a great find.
*I received a copy of this Bible from Zondervan Publishers through BookLook Bloggers. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
January 21, 2019
NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible
This bible was previously published as NIV Zondervan Study Bible. This bible is rather big but has so much information to aid in studying the bible. Each book of the bible contains an article about the book These articles include information such as the author, the purpose of the book, any information tying the theology and the history surrounding the time period. Each book also contains an outline for the book which helps the user to get a general understanding of the flow of the book. Within the text each book there are at least two inches of notes referring to other scripture, information about customs, etc. Although the print is rather small, there is so much information to aid in studying the bible it is worth the small print to keep the size of the actual bible manageable. This bible also includes hundreds of maps, charts and maps to make understanding the scripture easier. This reviewer will be using this bible to supplement my daily bible study and highly recommend it to any person looking for a study bible to accompany any other bible they own.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy as part of the BookLook Bloggers Program. I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
This bible was previously published as NIV Zondervan Study Bible. This bible is rather big but has so much information to aid in studying the bible. Each book of the bible contains an article about the book These articles include information such as the author, the purpose of the book, any information tying the theology and the history surrounding the time period. Each book also contains an outline for the book which helps the user to get a general understanding of the flow of the book. Within the text each book there are at least two inches of notes referring to other scripture, information about customs, etc. Although the print is rather small, there is so much information to aid in studying the bible it is worth the small print to keep the size of the actual bible manageable. This bible also includes hundreds of maps, charts and maps to make understanding the scripture easier. This reviewer will be using this bible to supplement my daily bible study and highly recommend it to any person looking for a study bible to accompany any other bible they own.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy as part of the BookLook Bloggers Program. I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
October 9, 2023
The story of our God coming to us in history; creating all things from nothing, sustaining us through the creation, and delivering us from sin, death, and the devil through the person of Jesus Christ our Lord. This is the text of salvation for all people that enlivens its hearers through the gift of faith. May this book written by men and inspired by God bring you into life everlasting.
The study notes and cross references are extremely helpful for understanding the text and the relationships between different passages.
The study notes and cross references are extremely helpful for understanding the text and the relationships between different passages.
December 26, 2018
Five stars is not enough to rate this book properly. It is giant.
This is an incredibly detailed study guide with rich content and fascinating graphics and pictures. Each of the books of the bible has a detailed introduction giving you context and background to what you are about to read.
There are study notes for almost every verse. This book makes the Bible come alive in a way I have not seen before.
This is an incredibly detailed study guide with rich content and fascinating graphics and pictures. Each of the books of the bible has a detailed introduction giving you context and background to what you are about to read.
There are study notes for almost every verse. This book makes the Bible come alive in a way I have not seen before.
December 4, 2019
Billions of people over thousands of years have found truth in the books contained in The Bible. I believe that too many people today who have NOT read the bible for themselves have very strong opinions about the extent to which truth can be found here. There are some challenging passages and hard things to understand, but there's certainly wisdom and truth to be found here. More people should read it.
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April 25, 2023It feels weird to give the Bible a rating when I'm not Christian or a scholar. I started reading it in 2013 when I went back to church as adult for about 3 years until I realised it wasn't the right path for me. I was determined to finish it and I finally have. I still want to read holy books for other faiths eventually.
August 12, 2022
Love this version!
This was an elementary school Bible for me, it was leather with pink butterflies and my name engraved on it. I have the smallest size, and it’s still perfect font and I can read it perfectly.
This was an elementary school Bible for me, it was leather with pink butterflies and my name engraved on it. I have the smallest size, and it’s still perfect font and I can read it perfectly.
December 22, 2017
I really enjoyed this version...easy to read and accurate.
June 19, 2017
Done! Did the chronological bible in a year plan (in about 3 years). Consistent morning time in the word was great. Brilliant author!! ;)
June 2, 2018
Most important book you'll ever read! I will now begin again.
December 29, 2018
God’s Word is always 5 stars!
September 11, 2019
Finally read it all the way through!! This Bible was very helpful with all the explanations and life applications
April 2, 2020
Took 2 years but got through it. Maps and historical facts on each book were extremely helpful.
August 30, 2020
It is the old NIV translation, however, there are better translations available for studying scripture.
December 31, 2021
I'm told by pastors this is the year/version of the NIV to own. Great study bible with notes, maps, and many other charts and details.
December 20, 2022
Beautiful! Such an enjoyable trip reading the words of the Bible !! Amen!
April 9, 2023
Reliable translation with lots of cross references and detailed concordance, timelines, and maps.
November 23, 2023
Can't say enough about what is gained by reading and studying the word of God.
December 8, 2012
I don't know that one has much choice but to rate this book highly. Even if you are not a religious person, it is one of the most diverse, thought-provoking and influential books of all time. As a professing Christian it has even more significance to me . . .
This is my third or fourth time reading through a Bible cover to cover and my first time through the NIV since college classes. It took me a couple of years to complete this reading cover to cover.
I like the clean, straightforward translation of the NIV, but I confess that I avoided reading most of the footnotes. I found that some of the commentary went further than exegesis and wandered over into broad interpretation (e.g. the footnote on Romans 13:4 says "Here we find the Biblical principle of using force for the maintenance of good order." Really? What about turn the other cheek? Or do not resist one who does evil? How do those concepts fit?)
What I was struck by the most this time around was the radical nature of the message of Jesus. After having lived through the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament, to have Jesus come along and turn the social structures of the time on their head with his message of radical love and inclusion must have been startling to say the least. And frankly, if we take his words seriously, it is still a shocking message today. We would do well to remember the "scandal" that is the Christ.
This is my third or fourth time reading through a Bible cover to cover and my first time through the NIV since college classes. It took me a couple of years to complete this reading cover to cover.
I like the clean, straightforward translation of the NIV, but I confess that I avoided reading most of the footnotes. I found that some of the commentary went further than exegesis and wandered over into broad interpretation (e.g. the footnote on Romans 13:4 says "Here we find the Biblical principle of using force for the maintenance of good order." Really? What about turn the other cheek? Or do not resist one who does evil? How do those concepts fit?)
What I was struck by the most this time around was the radical nature of the message of Jesus. After having lived through the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament, to have Jesus come along and turn the social structures of the time on their head with his message of radical love and inclusion must have been startling to say the least. And frankly, if we take his words seriously, it is still a shocking message today. We would do well to remember the "scandal" that is the Christ.
December 30, 2020
I have read this version and study bible once before but thought it was time to do so again. The bible study references are detailed and spirit-filled. One can tell that there was much care and scholarly research taken into writing the detailed linear notes at the bottom of each page. Often, I did use the references as I read through the bible this time. The map The section between the Old Testament and the New Testament provides historical, religious and cultural information that is quite crucial to understanding the society, governmental and cultural circumstances. This was a useful bridge between the two sets of books. At the end of the Gospels' section, there is detailed grid outlining the events of Jesus' ministry and life with the corresponding passages from all four Gospels. This is the only study bible that has such detail. I can see why this version of the study bible is rated the best and the best-selling. Overall, I will reread this version again as I delve further into the Word of God. Structure and content aside, I have one criticism, the pages are quite thin so turning the pages is a challenge. In closing, I usually read 4 to 6 pages a night so it usually takes me one year to read the inspiring, inerrant, and teaching Word of God.
January 2, 2016
I did a one year chronological read of the NIV study bible and it was an incredible journey. It required a lot of time, discipline, and energy but it’s totally worth it. I think it’s extremely important to read the bible from a historical and cultural context and this bible certainly did the job. I encourage every believer to take the one year journey and read the NIV study bible in chronological order. You will not regret it. I personally feel that this experience has made me a more humble, understanding follow of Christ. The commentary has a lot of historical and cultural comments that paint a much clearer picture of what’s happening at the particular time and place. Additionally, I really like the summary provided before every book that informs you about the origins, author, audience, and purpose of the particular text. Below is a link to the one-year chronological reading list if anyone is interested.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/daily...
Blessings,
Rafael
https://www.blueletterbible.org/daily...
Blessings,
Rafael
April 20, 2012
A book that everyone should read at least once in their life. [Just as they should read the Koran, Buddhist, Hindu, and even Wicca Text [As well as ethnic religious works.]
The Book is really two parts, the Old and the New Testament
The first is about the movement of God's work from the individual man, to a family, to a chosen people, and then the prediction of the movement to all people. It reflects the power that we all seek to understand, and declares it constant and close at hand, always accessible. It also bears witness to how flawed humanity is, and yet there is still hope for us all.
The Second is about the movement of God's work from a select few to the entire world, that through one of the greatest acts of love, sacrificing a son to save the world, all people can be saved. It is about love pure and simple and how such a simple thing can and does in fact change the world for the better.
Simply put this book can move mountains within people.
The Book is really two parts, the Old and the New Testament
The first is about the movement of God's work from the individual man, to a family, to a chosen people, and then the prediction of the movement to all people. It reflects the power that we all seek to understand, and declares it constant and close at hand, always accessible. It also bears witness to how flawed humanity is, and yet there is still hope for us all.
The Second is about the movement of God's work from a select few to the entire world, that through one of the greatest acts of love, sacrificing a son to save the world, all people can be saved. It is about love pure and simple and how such a simple thing can and does in fact change the world for the better.
Simply put this book can move mountains within people.
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