I know. It would have been great to have posted this back in May, just in time for Confirmation and Graduation. Then again, who's to say you can't give a Bible for no reason at all!

In my previous post, I discussed one of the most important decisions about selecting a Bible and that is to choose a translation. But, once you have done that, there are still many, many Bible to choose from. In this post, I will focus narrowing down your selection to the Bible that best meets your needs. Here are some of the top features for a study Bible.

Concordance
This special index helps you find where certain names and key terms appear in the Bible. Can't remember where to find "I am the vine; you are the branches?" Look for "branches" in the Concordance and you see an entry like this:

BRANCHES
I am the vine; you are the b           John 15:5

Cross references
Study or reference Bibles typically contains cross references to passages with common themes or verses that further amplify a concept. For example, Romans 3:3 contains references to Romans 9:6, Romans 11:29, Hebrews 4:2, and 2 Timothy 2:13.

Footnotes
I'm generalizing here but footnotes usually fall into two categories: translation notes and study notes. Translation notes present an alternative translation of some portion of a verse or an explanation of the original text. For example:

     And as he sat at table v in the house, many tax collectors and sinners.... Matt 9:10 (RSV)

     v Greek reclined

The study notes help explain passages that may be unclear. They can also provide historical and cultural context to help with your study. Such notes have been included in Lutheran Bibles since 1522. One thing to keep in mind about the study notes is that they are always written from a certain perspective. That is to say, the study notes for Revelation in a Scofield Study Bible will be quite different from the study notes in The Lutheran Study Bible.

Additional Study Features
Dictionary - Some Bibles include a standalone dictionary while other define words in the study notes.
Topical Index - If you are searching for a particular subject (such as money, trust, or revenge) but are not sure if the exact word appears, a topical index is what you need. As described above, a concordance shows you where and when an exact word was used.
Maps - It's always good to know where you are in the world. A set of biblical maps help you see how the world looked back then. Sorry, no maps of Pangea here.
Introductions and Outlines - Just like a map is a geographical locator, Introductions and Outlines help establish the big picture for your Biblical journey.

Practical matters
The round out this list, I thought I should include a few "practical" items to look consider.

1. Sure, a leather cover is classy and ideal for presentation but if you are going to be tucking your new study Bible in a zippered cover, why spend the extra cash for leather?
2. Go for the thumb indexes (also known as tabs). The thumb indexes are carved out of the page edges to make it easier to find those lesser-read prophets more quickly. I find them especially helpful in a classroom situation. You can buy aftermarket tabs to stick on if your current Bible doesn't have this feature.
3. Make sure the typeface is legible. If you need a "larger print edition," get it. I wish I had thought about this more when I made my last purchase.
4. Go electronic. I'll get back to this another time.

There you have it. Some things to consider when selecting a study Bible. Did I miss your favorite feature? If so, let me know.

Lastly: Read your Bible. No, don't just read it. Study it. Everyday!
Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

In part one of this series, we are all agreed that a Bible is the foundation of the Essential Christian Library. But which Bible?

I'm glad you asked.

Owning a Bible is powerful thing. God's Word is a gift not just for show, destined to be ignored and dusted periodically. It is not meant to be read once and discarded. Instead, think of the Bible as a love letter, written by God and sent to you. For that's exactly what it is: God pouring His heart and soul into something so precious that many (including Jesus Christ) lost their very lives to deliver those words of love to you.

When it comes to choosing a Bible, there are two basic questions:

1. Which translation?
2. Which features?

I'll deal with the first question now and talk about features next time.

Does It Really Matter Which Translation I Choose?

Yes. To be useful, your Bible translation should be both accurate and clear, concepts that are sometimes diametrically opposed. A translation that is inaccurate, unclear, or both, is certainly not very useful at all. If you have ever used Google Translation, you know what I mean. You sometimes get a very literal translation but the words strung together don't make any sense.

Someone needs to understand the thoughts behind the words in the original language (Hebrew and Greek in this case) and structure a message that conveys that same meaning in English. Fortunately, God has blest us with talented folks throughout the ages to bring us God's Word in a language we can understand. Not all translations are created equal.

What Should I Look for in a Translation?
This is easy: Do you want Form Equivalent or Dynamic Equivalent? Don't let those terms throw you. They refer to loose classifications of translation "styles" or "methods." For your purchase decision, it really comes down to how you plan to use your Bible. Are you going to read it just for personal enjoyment? Or, are you going to try to make it (and God) a part of you through in-depth study of His Word? Maybe you want to have the same translation used in your church or Bible study class. The following table can help you understand the classifications:

Form equivalentBalance:

Form & Dynamic

Dynamic equivalentParaphrase DefinitionA "word-for-word" translation that closely
matches the literal words and grammar of the
original textA
"thought-by-thought" translation that bridges
the form and the dynamic equivalent approachesA "phrase-for-phrase" translation that
interprets the meaning of the original text and
converts it to modern EnglishA very loose and simplified translation,
dynamic equivalent taken to an extremeExamplesKing James Version (KJV), Revised Standard Version (RSV),
English
Standard Version (ESV)New
International Version (NIV)New Living
Translation (NLT), Good News Bible (GNB)The Living Bible,
The Message

Highlights

Formal and
poetic style, ideal for in-depth study and
public readingSlightly less
formal, less poetic, ideal for studyInformal, easy
to readCasual, everyday
style, much less accuratePsalm 23:1-2The Lord is my
shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down
in green pastures. (ESV)The Lord is my
shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me
lie down in green pastures (NIV)The Lord is my
shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me
rest in green meadows (NLT)God, my
shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded
me down in lush meadows (The Message)John 3:16For God so loved
the world, that he gave his only Son, that
whoever believes in him should not perish but
have eternal life. (ESV)For God so loved
the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life. (NIV)For God loved
the world so much that he gave his only Son, so
that everyone who believes in him may not die
but have eternal life. (Good News)This is how much
God loved the world: he gave his Son, his one
and only Son. And this is why: so that no one
need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone
can have a whole and lasting life. (The Message)
Obviously, I've given just a few examples of what is available under each classification, but I think you get the idea. Choose a translation that meets your needs or ask your Pastor for recommendations. You can even ask me, if you'd like. NOTE: If you are so inclined, you can even grab a Bible in Hebrew or Greek and translate it yourself!

Do You Want to Know Which Translation I Use?
Although I have a number of translations, I use two most frequently.

1. For daily family devotions, the Revised Standard Version (RSV). The specific Bible my family uses today is the same one my parents used for their daily devotions for as long as I can remember. It helps keep me connected to my history.
2. For my in-depth Bible study, usually in preparing for the Sunday morning adult class at church, I use my newest Bible: The Lutheran Study Bible. This is an English Standard Version (ESV), the same translation used in our Worship services. More on this particular Bible next time.

Do you have a favorite translation? I'd like to hear about it.



Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

When I was in school, I needed to study my textbooks. Why? Because they amplified and reinforced the words I heard in the classroom. Most of us were told by our parents to "study hard, get your college degree and you will go far in this life." But what about the next life? Is it enough to just show up for class (worship) every Sunday or do you need to study for the final? Does God grade on a curve? What textbooks do you need?

This series will focus on that last question by helping you build the Essential Christian Library. I hope you are thinking, "Now wait just a second, Stephen. It sounds like you are promoting works-righteousness when you toss out, 'test' and 'need' and 'essential' as if my actions provide eternal life. What gives?"

To that I respond, "Well done, Grasshopper!" I am certainly not advocating that you are saved by your own actions. The Bible teaches clearly that you are saved through faith in the loving sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Since Jesus died for you, doesn't it follow that you would want to learn as much as you can about Him? To me, the answer is, yes. I want to understand the man who gave up His life for this "poor, miserable servant."

The Essential Christian Library series can provide the tools to help you further your personal relationship with God. The tools won't build your mansion in heaven, but they will help you to know the Architect.

Any guesses on the first book for the library? Yep, the Holy Bible. I'm going to get into more detail next time but wanted to get started with a quick introduction.

In the beginning, ....

OK, let's just jump forward to around 1300-1400 A.D. The Bible was considered a "dark, mysterious book" that was too difficult for the commoners to comprehend. Bibles were not widely available because they were hand-copied and almost exclusively in Latin. No one but the clergy spoke or read Latin. Faithful Christians tried translating the Bible into their common language but that practice was met with stiff resistance from the Roman Catholic Church. Today, the Wycliffe Bible Translators report the full Bible is available in more than 400 languages (the New Testament in more than 1,000 languages). In English alone, dozens of translations are available to you.

So, which Bible should be in your library? Stay tuned.

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura