The Word in Life Study Bible, produced in both NKJV and NRSV by Thomas Nelson, is the product of an ambitious collaborative effort by religious scholars and authors to bring the Bible to vibrant contemporary life. A clear understanding of the Word's meaning for general readers as well as insight into practical application of biblical text are the two goals of this second edition.
The first edition of The Word in Life Study Bible was released in the New Testament text alone in 1993, and now has exceeded 300,000 in print. This new edition is surely destined to enhance its reputation as the USA Today Bible because of a unique layout design featuring oversized pages, colorful graphics, pictures, and charts which reproduce the appeal of modern news magazines. At first glance students of all ages might well declare that it's actually fun to read and study the Bible.
The key features of The Word in Life Study Bible are numerous and fascinatingly diverse, and all are marked by user-friendly symbols which point to specific categories of information. In fact, approximately half the text of this edition is filled with hundreds of brief articles, maps, and tables with a massive array of information. "You Are There" sections, for example, give detailed information on geography and culture; readers learn the meaning of names such as "Jezreel" and "Shechem."
Modern readers, especially those who have little orientation to Christian faith and doctrine, will discover rich insights into biblical doctrine and narrative. Most of all, readers will discover that key women and men of the Bible were people essentially like themselves. Sections on career changes (see "Joseph's Complicated Resume" and "career tracks" of Moses) and personality profiles make this clear.
"Consider This" sections invariably bring biblical truth to bear on contemporary issues. Tough questions are posed and answered; for example, when Moses warned the men of Israel not to come near their wives (Ex. 19:15), the editors offer a half page answer to a blunt question: "Is Sex Unholy?"
Is there a study Bible that links Scriptures to domestic concerns now emerging as vital issues in the news media, such as sibling rivalries, spousal abuse and conflict, child-bearing and parenting problems, sexual abuses, domestic violence, and substance abuse? See a three-page discussion, "Family Expectations," embedded within the Genesis text. Noting some dysfunctional Old Testament families, the article concludes: "Ultimately, the good news of the gospel of Christ extends the sobering definition of a family to a more hope-filled statement: A family is a coalition of sinners who will be themselves, but who, in Christ, can respond to sin with forgiveness and change."
Each Bible book has an introduction which presents information in strikingly contemporary language; for example, the introduction to Nehemiah contains the table "Public Works Projects in the Bible." Sidebars labeled "For Your Information" offer intriguing background insights on the census, the tabernacle, and scores of other places and phenomena, while "A Closer Look" features relevant articles that systematize Christian doctrine and Bible information.
Especially appealing, if less noteworthy, is an index on vocations and professions of the ancient Near East, informing readers about job responsibilities of every imaginable ancient worker, from accountant (numerous census workers, tax collectors, and treasurers are mentioned in Scripture) to zoologist (Adam being the first).
Theologically, the tone of this wide range of study material is thoroughly respectful of the text as God's eternal word, and all contributors assume both the integrity and inspiration of Holy Scripture.
The Word in Life Study Bible contains nearly 2500 pages and, as such, is not a volume to carry to the classroom podium or pulpit. On the contrary, it is a Bible that every Christian-minister, teacher, serious student, and especially any young convert-can study for spiritual knowledge and everyday practical application.
Perry C. Cotham is a minister, educator, and Christian author living in Brentwood, TN.
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