NLT Illustrated Study Bible
This week I had the opportunity to review the NLT Illustrated Study Bible. It would be useful to have this book available as an e-book in one of the major Bible Software Libraries (e.g. LOGOS). You can see my original review here:
http://bit.ly/NLT_I_S_B
The text of the review is below:
Over the last four years I have been privileged to receive number of study Bibles for review. Many are good - and serve the audience for which they were designed, but do not stand out from the crowd. But occasionally an editor or publisher will bring together material that will serve a wide audience for many years. Such is the case with the NLT Illustrated Study Bible.
From the opening flyleaf which quotes Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and powerful” to the closing flyleaf which quotes Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” it is clear that the (un-credited) editors have a high regard for both the Scriptures and for those who will be using their book as a guide to those Scriptures. A single page list contributors to the Bible from a wide variety of backgrounds - but even there the list is of names and their contributions without any mention of their academic credentials or affiliations. But the names are known and respected by those familiar with Biblical scholarship - both popular and scholarly. This list is separate from the individuals (also listed) who contributed to the NLT translation - though there is a great deal of overlap. This means that the very scholars who translated the NLT have contributed to the Study Bible coming with translation’s name.
The Study Bible begins with a 10-page timeline bringing together both Biblical history and world history as it is generally understood. To give a sense of its conservative bent, it should be noted that Abraham’s birth is dated at 2166 BC, Moses’ birth is dated to 1526, the Exodus is dated at 1446, and David is anointed king, becomes king of Judah, and becomes King of Israel in 1025, 1010, and 1003 BC, respectively.
The Biblical notes are extensive - occupying ⅓ to ⅔ of each page, cross references (not heavy, but present) are included in the inside margin of each page. Brief notes describing key historical events, people, themes, and theological discussion are placed between the Bible text and the study notes at the bottom of the page. These brief notes occur on about ½ of the pages.
The text is of medium size - easily read in bright light, but more difficult to read in a more subdued setting. It would be nice to have the book available as an e-book to use along with the paper version. I expect one or more of the major software publishers (WordSearch, LOGOS, etc.) will license the material for use - at least I am hoping so. The Biblical text and the accompanying notes take up nearly 2400 pages. (This does not include the aforementioned timeline or the material which follows the Biblical text).
The timeline is continued (on a smaller scale) on four additional pages introducing the reader to the first half-century of church history following the closing of the canon. The book concludes with a number of helps - “Hebrew and Greek Word Studies”, An index of the brief essays (“Features Index”) included in the text. A comprehensive “Notes Index“ gives access to the study notes which form the main content of this study Bible. The book concludes with a nice “Dictionary and Concordance” and the expected set of Biblical maps. There is a brief index (I wish it was more comprehensive) to the maps - it does not allow the reader to find all locations shown on the maps, but to find maps focused on the major events or people found in the Scriptures.
The Bible certainly belongs on the desk of most lay people wanting to more deeply study the Bible. Pastors will find it helpful as they seek background material and comments as they prepare themselves and their messages each week. Students will also find this book as an easily accessible study aid as they complete Biblical coursework.
Though I was lucky enough to receive a free review copy, the NLT Illustrated Study Bible will be kept close at hand as I seek to meet the needs of the people God has allows me to serve.
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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.
Blessings,
Floyd
Pastor-Patrick.blogspot.com
Comments
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These two are similar - but are different editions. The addition of images adds value to the newer book. Some of the changes to the text are also significant - I would argue that having both the 2008 version and the 2015 version are worth the added cost.
I have written a note to the publisher asking for some details on how the two differ. I will post when I receive an snswer.
Blessings,
FloydPastor-Patrick.blogspot.com
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[quote user="Floyd Johnson"] I have written a note to the publisher asking for some details on how the two differ. I will post when I receive an answer. [/quote]
Though, he admits, considerable overlap between the two, Kevin R. O'Brien (Bible Brand and Product Manager, Tyndale House Publishers) got back to me earlier today with a list of updates incorporated into the newly released NLT Illustrated Study Bible:
- Virtually every part of the original NLT Study Bible was touched in some way. Most things were left alone because the content remains excellent.
- The NLT text has had some minor changes since 2008 – mostly these are small things like punctuation, footnote changes and making words consistent. We updated the Bible text to include these changes (much as the NIV and ESV have done over time – check the copyright pages of these Bibles and you will get a sense of when the updates happened) and that sometimes impacted the study notes. Additionally, we separated out the textual footnotes from the study notes so that they would be easier to access by people who were interested.
- We added approximately 10 theme notes on world empires that were not in the original NLT Study Bible – Egypt, Babylon, the Philistines, Greece, Rome, etc. These articles help round out the world of the biblical story.
- We included new articles on some of the major cities where Paul wrote his letters (e.g., Corinth, Ephesus).
- The theme notes and profiles were edited, and a few were added or subtracted (mostly added). Much of the editing had to do with the inclusion of the timelines and images. If we could show instead of tell, we tried to do that. Additional themes included things like “Encounters with Jesus” (Mk. 10), “Citizenship in the Kingdom” (Matt. 7).
- New photos of places and archeological finds were added to help show the reality of the biblical world.
- Many of the original charts (Israel’s Festivals, Themes in Proverbs, etc.) became infographics in order to communicate better.
- New illustrations were commissioned – the Tabernacle; Solomon’s Temple; Herod’s Temple; Jerusalem in the time of David, Nehemiah and the 1st C.; a 1st C. house; 1st C. synagogue.
- Colorized all interior maps.
- Streamlined the section intros, chronology articles, and book intros.
- And of course, the images. We added over 1,000 images with the express purpose of making the text come alive. We called them “windows to the Bible world” in the development process. The intent was to include more than just pretty pictures – we wanted to include images that evoked the character of the person or world power, or that helped people see what a theme or place is all about.
As I said last night, after looking at both books, there is valid reason to have both books in our libraries. The earlier book is available in both WordSearch and LOGOS; I now hope that they will take time to move this new book into their libraries as well.
Blessings,
FloydPastor-Patrick.blogspot.com
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Thank you, Floyd, that was helpful!
I like Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
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