Part One
The study Bible is one of those products that most lay people, and many ministers, will buy perhaps only once or twice in their lives. My first study Bible was a (requested) 21st Birthday gift from my house-mates not long after becoming a Christian – the now out-of-print Wesley Bible with NKJV translation from Nelson. I still have this with all my notes and thoughts; and taking it down to write this article made me realise just how much it informed my theological development (I would still consider myself ‘Wesleyan’).
When Nelson released this range – there was a Charismatic ‘Spirit-Filled Life’ Bible and a Baptist ‘Believers Bible’ as well – the selection was considerably smaller than the bewildering array of offerings now available. I hope, in this article, to offer an overview of a small selection of what is available.
To help with this I will be looking at the position on Genesis 1 – 3 and two New Testament Passages – 1 Tim 2:12, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent,” and Romans 8:29 – 30, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”
NIV Study Bible (Hardcover 9780340955574)
I have started this review with the Study Bible that triggered the modern trend. Although the Geneva Bible was probably the first printed Bible with notes and annotations, and the Schofield Reference Bible can probably lay claim to be the first modern study Bible, the NIV Study Bible was the edition that brought the concept into mainstream evangelicalism, especially in the UK (Schofield made more of an impact in the US where it is credited with popularising Dispensationalism).
First published in 1985 by Zondervan, it is published in the United Kingdom by Hodder Faith and remains one of the best-selling editions. It is worth noting that Zondervan have released two revisions to their edition, in 1995 and 2002, but Hodder have not done the same. However, this will hopefully be corrected when the new 2011 NIV edition is released.
There are two big positives to this product – the translation and the denominational neutrality. Despite inroads made the ESV, the NIV is still the most common bible used in evangelical churches in the UK (and the TNIV has just not made the impact that was expected). In terms of content, and despite a general bias towards the conservative and reformed, the breadth of scholars means that most difficult issues are handled with a degree of balance. For instance, for both 1 Tim 2:12 and Romans 8:29 – 30 the notes briefly describe differing positions in a fairly even-handed manner.
There has also been a significant price reduction with this new edition. Previously the hardcover sold for £39.99 – the new edition with the ISBN above is now £29.99 bringing it more into line with comparable products.
Archaeological Study Bible (9780340943694)
Also from the Zondervan stable, and published in the UK by Hodder Faith, is the exquisite Archaeological Study Bible. One of the few full-colour products in this review, the focus is on the historical context around the various books of the bible. The illustrations are fantastic, with articles about many contemporaneous documents that give some helpful background information concerning what was going on at the same time outside of the Biblical narrative.
The main negative for me was a fairly conservative position on issues such as Mosaic authorship and an implied support for Old-Earth creationism at the expense of any evolutionary position. On 1 Tim 2:12 – 14 it is fairly balanced (and suggests that the prohibition was because the NT canon was still being formed, the culture would have rejected women as being authoritative). No comment is made on the Romans passage.
However, on the whole this is a wonderful product, with the added benefit of a CD-Rom with the NIV text and the illustrations on it – perfect for PowerPoint accompaniments to sermons.
ESV Study Bible (Hardback 9780007237142)
No Study Bible created such a level of anticipation and excitement (at least among certain segments of the church) as the launch of the ESV Study Bible. When it was finally released it was an arresting product – by far the largest Study Bible (at more than 2750 pages), with a very attractive design even in hardcover, and an impressive set of articles. It is clearly aimed at a particular market - conservative evangelicalism – and the commentary reflects this. It allows, but does not insist, on a young earth creationist position, but does insist on the literal historicity of Genesis (although with room for ‘gap theory’ and ‘day-age’ interpretations) and therefore would reject attempts to marry evolutionary theory and Genesis.
There are extensive articles that provide useful guidance on a range of topics, from the theology of both Testaments, doctrine, ethics, interpretation etc. In many ways, these are as valuable as the commentary itself and will provide much opportunity for study. The 200 colour maps placed within the commentary are a highlight, providing visual relief and are much easier to use than the more common black-and-white ones. Romans 8:29 – 30 is explicitly Calvinist, arguing for predestination, irresistible grace and the perseverance of the saints. I Timothy 2:12 takes a clear ‘complementarian’ position, restricting women from teaching, without offering other points of view – although this shouldn’t be a surprise as Wayne Grudem (Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood) is listed as the General Editor.
What makes the ESVSB exceptional value is the free access to the ESV online Study Bible, which has all the text in the volume, as well as ways of saving your own notes, interactive links between notes and an audio version of the ESV text. Although it is aimed at those of with a particular theological persuasion, it is nevertheless a great piece of work that is certainly worth the money.
New Interpreter’s Study Bible (Hardcover 9780687278329)
There probably isn’t a Study Bible that is more unlike the ESV than the NISB. Based on the academic New Interpreters Commentary it has Protestant, Catholic and Jewish scholars contributing, is based on the New Revised Standard Version and includes the Apocrypha. However, for Bible students with a more conservative library it is probably a great idea to have something like this to give some access to the wider theological debates and interpretative techniques that exist in the wider church (and beyond).
On 1 Tim 2:12 the commentary assumes the command is related to the domestic codes and ethics of the time, and doesn’t attempt to provide any further comment. Romans 8:29 – 30 is mildly Calvinist, referring to “God’s sovereign call and purpose.”
The commentary is generally focused on literary, textual and (obviously) interpretative issues, and less on application or devotional subjects. These can provide useful insights, especially when considering Hebrew literary techniques and liturgical conventions.For many people this would be their only copy of the Apocrypha and that, along with the attractive price of £29.99 hardback or £19.99 paperback, would be a good reason to purchase.
Continued next week …
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