Easter and Bibles go together and Holman’s new Bible translation is especially worthy of consideration this Easter. Holman Bible Publishers hit a home run when they published Holman Christian Standard Study Bible in 2010. “Evangelical Christian Publishers Association” (ECPA) thought so too when they awarded the bible ECPA’s Bible of the year award in 2011. From the new translation, to the Hebrew and Greek word studies, footnotes, time lines, full color maps and more, there is lots to like in this inviting Bible.
While most Bibles today are revisions of previous translations, “…the HCSB is a new translation for today’s generation” that reflects the “information age” of Biblical research. Instead of interpreting original texts “word-for-word” or “thought-for-thought” like paraphrase translations, the HCSB uses both methods with footnotes if additional explanation is needed.
An entire page devoted to the Plan of Salvation features a FAITH acrostic with the sinner’s prayer, what it means and how to say it.
· F is for forgiveness—Ephesians 1:7a
· A is for available—John 3:16, Matthew 7:21a
· I is for impossible—James 2:13a, Romans 3:23
· T is for turn—Luke 13:3b, Romans 10:9
· H is for heaven—John 10:10b, John 14:3
In addition to the one or three year reading plans, I especially liked Old Testament quotes in the New Testament printed in bold black letters that sets them apart. Then there are the stunning full-color photographs, illustrations and maps for readers who haven’t visited Israel that add rich visual depth and meaning. The center-page cross-references, inset text box word studies and sidebars make the HCSB a rich and valuable resource for in-depth study, yet is still simple enough for lay readers.
Gilt edged pages are laid out in standard format with Bible text on top and study notes on the bottom. Section headings along with chapter and verse numbers are in blue. Denser brown toned pages are used for multiple essays, section introductions and overviews that include timelines, author, surrounding circumstances, purpose and outline of events, plus a feature length article on how to read and study the bible.
I would have liked a larger Concordance, however with all the other features that would make it too large and hard to handle. The Bible’s stunning binding, numerous features, and the way it lays flat for reading more than compensates for a small concordance. Without a doubt this Bible will raise the bar for study bibles and I’m sure others will think so too.
Although I personally use the NIV translation I was so impressed with this Bible I plan to buy one for myself since my husband claimed ownership after he read the review. I encourage everyone to consider the HCSB because, as my husband and I learned long ago, “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”― Charles H. Spurgeon
For more information about the HCSB study Bible: www.hcsbstudybible.com and http://www.mystudybible.com/ or for a quick overview of other best-selling Bibles from Holman, click through the "list" that headlines the review.
‘Holman Christian Standard Study Bible’ Jacketed Hardcover, Holman Bible Publishers, 2010, Holman Bible Editorial Staff, 2336 Pages, 978-1586405069, $49.99
Twitter: @GailWelborn
FaceBook: Gail Welborn
![ "So what?" That's the response many people have to the Bible. Read a passage, interpret it, and still they ask, "So, what difference does that make in my life?"In the Life Essentials Study Bible, renowned Bible teacher Gene Getz complements the full text of the popular HCSB translation by elaborating on 1,500 principles in Scripture that are as relevant today as when the sixty- six books of the Bible were written.Distilling these truths into principles, Getz helps the reader more easily remember and effectively apply the Bible's wisdom to everyday life. He explains how each of these principles represents a supracultural truth - one that can and should be applied at any moment in history and in every cultural situation.In addition, the Life Essentials Study Bible was created with an integrated digital study system--more than 250 hours of free online coaching content led by Getz--that fosters a greater understanding of the Bible's grand story.Along the way, Getz adds pertinent questions in print to inspire personal reflection or group discussion of each principle. There's also an introduction to each book of the Bible and its list of corresponding principles, plus a topical index and cross references for all 1,500 principles. Other features of this dynamic study Bible - available in six different editions - include a two-piece gift box (leather editions only) as well as a presentation page.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/fe/2a/fe2aaf99750f6659829c11af8cedd611.jpg?itok=VEkYOBXt " "So what?" That's the response many people have to the Bible. Read a passage, interpret it, and still they ask, "So, what difference does that make in my life?"In the Life Essentials Study Bible, renowned Bible teacher Gene Getz complements the full text of the popular HCSB translation by elaborating on 1,500 principles in Scripture that are as relevant today as when the sixty- six books of the Bible were written.Distilling these truths into principles, Getz helps the reader more easily remember and effectively apply the Bible's wisdom to everyday life. He explains how each of these principles represents a supracultural truth - one that can and should be applied at any moment in history and in every cultural situation.In addition, the Life Essentials Study Bible was created with an integrated digital study system--more than 250 hours of free online coaching content led by Getz--that fosters a greater understanding of the Bible's grand story.Along the way, Getz adds pertinent questions in print to inspire personal reflection or group discussion of each principle. There's also an introduction to each book of the Bible and its list of corresponding principles, plus a topical index and cross references for all 1,500 principles. Other features of this dynamic study Bible - available in six different editions - include a two-piece gift box (leather editions only) as well as a presentation page.")
![ Stories are basic to life. Everybody loves a good story. We have been reading, listening to, or watching stories all of our lives, so we intuitively know a lot about how they work. Yet, more and more, Christians are unfamiliar with the stories of the Bible and how the grand narrative of God's Word fits together. Indeed, God gave us the stories of the Bible to reveal great truth about Himself and about our lives, and He wants to draw us into the ongoing story of what He is doing in the world. By focusing on the narrative framework of Scripture we can better understand what the Bible teaches and live out its instruction more effectively.Reading God's Story takes that clear narrative approach to the Bible, arranging the complete text into a fresh chronological reading plan developed for the Read the Bible for Life biblical literacy initiative. In this plan the books, chapters, and verses of the Bible are thoughtfully arranged so readers can track the story of Scripture, day by day, from beginning to end, understanding the flow of events and how all the different parts fit together to make sense.Reading God's Story features two-color interior page layout and is organized into 52 weeks of readings (six readings per week). It presents Scripture in three main acts (God's Plan for All People; God's Covenant People; God's New Covenant People) and seventeen total scenes, providing an introduction for each act and scene to orient the reader to its importance in the grand story.Unlike other chronological Bibles, this arrangement is not date specific (e.g. "January 1"), so a person can begin using this edition at any point in the calendar year. ](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/0a/6f/0a6f33982a16cd726e1e94b8176f4446.jpg?itok=Up-cd4Eo " Stories are basic to life. Everybody loves a good story. We have been reading, listening to, or watching stories all of our lives, so we intuitively know a lot about how they work. Yet, more and more, Christians are unfamiliar with the stories of the Bible and how the grand narrative of God's Word fits together. Indeed, God gave us the stories of the Bible to reveal great truth about Himself and about our lives, and He wants to draw us into the ongoing story of what He is doing in the world. By focusing on the narrative framework of Scripture we can better understand what the Bible teaches and live out its instruction more effectively.Reading God's Story takes that clear narrative approach to the Bible, arranging the complete text into a fresh chronological reading plan developed for the Read the Bible for Life biblical literacy initiative. In this plan the books, chapters, and verses of the Bible are thoughtfully arranged so readers can track the story of Scripture, day by day, from beginning to end, understanding the flow of events and how all the different parts fit together to make sense.Reading God's Story features two-color interior page layout and is organized into 52 weeks of readings (six readings per week). It presents Scripture in three main acts (God's Plan for All People; God's Covenant People; God's New Covenant People) and seventeen total scenes, providing an introduction for each act and scene to orient the reader to its importance in the grand story.Unlike other chronological Bibles, this arrangement is not date specific (e.g. "January 1"), so a person can begin using this edition at any point in the calendar year. ")
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