Bible Question: I've been thinking of getting a study bible and I've narrowed it down to either the NIV study bible, Life study bible, and MacArthur's study bible. I was wondering if anyone had any relevant insights into these study bibles so I can make a more informed decision. So far, the only difference I know of that NIV study bible is NIV, the Life is in NLT, and MacArthur's is NASB. But beyond that im not too sure what the difference are. |
Bible Answer: Dear Dimmyimmy :: Thanks for your question, welcome to Study Bible Forum, and, by the way, I like your user name. It has a certain charm about it. ..... Now to your question. My pick of the short list to which you have narrowed your search for a study Bible is the MacArthur Study Bible, hands down. I bought a copy shortly after its initial publication and over the years have found myself going to it more frequently than to any of the other half dozen study Bibles that I own. The text of my copy is New King James, but it is now available in NASB, which you pointed out in your question. Both translations are excellent and both are more literally accurate than either of the other two you mentioned, the NIV for the NIV Study Bible and the NLT for what you term the Life Study Bible, by which I surmise you mean Life Application Study Bible. Both the NIV and NLT follow a translation philosophy they call 'dynamic equivalence' which is a fancy term for paraphrase. ..... But if the translation used is of paramount importance to you -- and I am convinced it should be for everyone -- you may wish to consider the NASB Study Bible, which has essentially the same annotations as the NIV Study Bible. And the Life Application Study Bible is published using versions besides the NLT. I'm familiar with the annotations in both the Life Application and the NIV Study Study Bibles, and in my view both are fairly sound and conservative but somewhat weak and "generic" on basic doctrinal issues, whereas MacArthur leans toward the essential doctrines of reformed theology. ..... My suggestion to you would be to gain access, if possible, to each of these; to observe and compare what they offer, and then to decide which one you like best. I render this advice with a measure of caution, however; because if you are a hopeless collector of Bibles like me, you're likely to end up with all three if your purse permits. :-) At any rate, best wishes for a happy quest, and if you have further questions that you think the Forum might be able to help you with, check back with us now that you know our address. ..... At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I'll repeat that my choice among the three is MacArthur. --Hank |
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Dcmartin | ||
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Hank | ||
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lionheart | ||
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justme | ||
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walkforchirst | ||
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ajahjazzy |