Results 1 - 3 of 3
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Features of best possible study Bible | John 5:39 | Mark108 | 101756 | ||
What features would the best possible study bible have? I have been looking for a study bible to give to my daughter as a 21st birthday present and I can't find what I am looking for. I wanted one in NASB with a good referencing system (preferably a concordance). I had a look at the Zondervan one but I was not impressed but the question on the best study bible recommended the McArthur Study Bible so I will go back to the shops and look for this one. It occurred to me that since this site is sponsored by a bible translator I would like to put a wish list of what I would like to see in a study bible that others could add to. (Note to the moderator. If you feel that this would be best directed to some contact within the Lockman Foundation you are welcome to send it on and not include it for answers on this site.) In a study bible I want to be able to understand what God's word is saying so word for word accuracy is essential (hence the NASB). Thomas Nelson put out a version with "read along" aids where a superscripted "a" or "t" indicated respectively an alternate or literal translation of the word indicated which was placed at the end of the verse. (I have contacted Thomas Nelson and they no longer publish this version.) This version was excellent and took the NASB to a new height where we could understand multiple meanings and shades of the words being used. What would be even better would be footnotes giving the "thought for thought" translation(s) where they were not immediately apparent. I would like to be able to distinguish the received text from the more modern Greek texts as the later tend to lean heavily upon two particular manuscripts which have a gnostic influence. Besides if these two manuscripts contained information necessary for our salvation why would God allow them to be lost for so long? Another item on my wish list is a topical concordance in the back keyed to the verses somehow. I had thought that the key words in the concordance should be underlined where they appear in the verses but that might be too disruptive and perhaps just having them bolded or italicised would be better. While the concordance could have some commentary on the word (e.g. greek and hebrew of the underlying word and a brief overview of the concept) the key value would be that the student would be "comparing scripture with scripture" rather than scripture with the word of man. The concordance would reduce the need for cross referencing verses and enable the user to research a topic as well as follow a lead from a verse. Other than that there are the normal aids like introductions to books, maps, weights and measures etc. I have a thing against "Words of Christ in red" as sometimes it is a matter of interpretation which were Jesus' very words. Besides it makes for a multi-level bible where some verses have more authority than others. Still, I can ignore it if others find it valuable. What do others think? Thanks, Mark. |
||||||
2 | Features of best possible study Bible | John 5:39 | Aixen7z4 | 101757 | ||
Dear Mark: Is the Bible for your daughter, or for you? This is not necessarily the type of advice you are seeking, but I would say, she is of age, ask her. I would suggest that you allow here to decide what type of Bible she likes. A few years ago I bought a Student Bible for my daughter (a "study" Bible for students) as she headed off to college. She called me often to discuss the themes because she did not have confidence in the notes. I got the impression she was not enthralled with the idea of studying the Bible that way. She wanted to read the Bible and discuss it, and I am happy that we were able to do that. I might confess here that I do not have confidence in study Bibles and I do not see that the Lord asks us to study the Bible at all. I say this in spite of 2Ti 2:15 “ Study to shew thyself approved unto God”. That “study” does not mean study at all; at least not as in “study Bible”. Perhaps what we need is a “search Bible” to Match John 5:39. I encourage everyone to have as many different versions of the Bible as they can afford. But it is my opinion that the best Bible is the one the person will read. Make it a Bible that is easy to read. Give your daughter the choice and I think she will choose the New Living Translation. She will like the one with no notes except cross-references, and the best concordance as an extra book. If your daughter uses the computer, please recommend or offer the e-Sword Bible. It is free and flexible, with many add-ons. She can get many translations, and best of all, concordances and cross-references are there. It is available at http://www.e-sword.net and it is for free for real. You will get many suggestions here as to which Bible is best, but again I say, the best Bible is the one the person will read. I suggest that you let your daughter look at your recommendations, but let her decide for herself which one she wants. It’s the best because it is the one she is most likely to read. |
||||||
3 | Features of best possible study Bible | John 5:39 | Mark108 | 102041 | ||
Thanks, My daughter requested a good study bible because she is in a bible study group which is dominated by a couple of people with head knowledge not heart knowledge. She wants an accurate translation so that when she makes a point they will not be too quick to dismiss it. We have a NLB which is much better than the original Living Bible but not really suitable as a study bible. Besides the NLB only cost about eight dollars and she could pick up one for herself if she wanted to. I could have bought her a bookman (after all it is a 21st present) but I agree with you that a bible is to be read not used for proof texts at 20 paces. My hope is that I have taught her well and that she will use the bible as an aid to support the less confident when they are right and provide another voice of reason within her study group. Regards, Mark. |
||||||