Bibles

Book Review : The New King James Study Bible

/ Steven Ruff / Leave a comment

nkjvIt seems that daily there is a new study Bible on the market. Each offers something special and significant that their contemporaries do not. I recently received the New King James Study Bible, Full Color Edition by General Editor Ear; D. Radmacher. I was looking forward to receiving this Bible because it is the version that I teach and preach from weekly. This Bible has a great deal going for it. The editors included a section in the Foreword that explains how the NKJV version came about and why it is a reliable translation. The full color format is a great asset. It brings the maps and articles to life. There is an extensive set of study helps found in this Bible which make this Bible a great tool for study.

1. Full length articles. Articles found in almost every book give extended detail about subjects unique to the book. For example: Psalms (The Messiah in the Psalms).

2. Bible Times and Culture Notes. Found in many of the books, these notes shine a light on the key parts of life in biblical times. For example: Matthew (Tax Collectors).

3. Charts and Diagrams. These helps aid the reader in organizing information by having in laid out in chart form. For example: 1 Samuel (The Sad and Sinful Life of Saul).

4. Word Studies. I found this to be especially helpful. Included in the great majority of the books are studies of key Hebrew and Greek words that aid in understanding. For example: Isaiah (salvation) and 1 John (advocate).

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review : The Maxwell Leadership Bible

/ Steven Ruff / Leave a comment

maxwellI must admit that I am a fan of John Maxwell. For years now he has been a personal source of encouragement and inspiration when it comes to matters of effective leadership. Many of his works remain best-sellers and have become timeless resources for leaders in all types of leadership positions. When I discovered that Maxwell had leant his leadership expertise to the creation of a leadership Bible, whether or not I would read it was never in question. The Maxwell Leadership Bible; Lessons in Leadership from the Word of God is Maxwell’s latest work which combines the NIV Bible with a host of leadership tips, secrets, principles, and strategies woven throughout. With all the Bibles available today, why is another one needed? Maxwell writes, “The best source of leadership teaching today is the same as it has been for thousands of years. If you want to learn leadership, go to the greatest Book on leadership ever written – the Bible.”

The resources contained with this Bible are immense. The best way to highlight them is to simply list what you will find within the pages of this NIV Bible.

• The Maxwell Leadership Bible offers dozens of “Profiles in Leadership”. These profiles highlight specific leadership traits of people such as Nehemiah, Samuel, Elijah, Priscilla, Elisha, and Paul to name a few.

• The Maxwell Leadership Bible provides a solid introduction to each of the Bible’s books looking specifically at the leaders, leadership lessons and highlights contained in each.

• The Maxwell Leadership Bible weaves his well-known 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership throughout its pages. Laws such as the Law of Influence (all leaders influence whether negatively or positively), the Law of Sacrifice (a leader must give up to go up) and many others. Articles and features appear throughout that highlight prime examples of these “laws.” A very helpful chart is found on pages 1282-1283 where Maxwell unveils “Jesus and the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”. Excellent.

• Indexes highlight of excerpts from other books such as 25 Ways to Win With People, Talent is Never Enough, The 360 Degree Leader, The Difference Maker, and Winning With People to name a few.

The Maxwell Leadership Bible is a winner. Smartly assembled and written with leadership development in mind, the unique approach to this Bible will without a doubt pay dividends to the reader. The only negative points I could offer would be that there is almost no margin for personal notes as the reader interacts with the content. Also, I am not a personal fan of the NIV version. Aside from that, Maxwell has given us a tremendous resource that will aid each reader in becoming a better leader. I highly recommend to all.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harper Collins Publishers and BookLook Bloggers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review : The NIV Integrated Study Bible

/ Steven Ruff / 1 Comment

nivIt seems that almost daily there is a new study Bible on the market. Each one offers something special and significant that the others do not. At times, many fail to deliver on the promise of something fresh and new. The NIV Integrated Study Bible edited by John R. Kohlenberger III is one such new study Bible. Kohlenberger has made major contributions in the area biblical reference/study, editing over four dozen reference works. The cover says that the NIVISB is “a new chronological approach for exploring scripture”. Is it really? This is certainly not the first chronological Bible ever produced. What makes it different?

Our modern English Bibles are arranged by content (their substance and message) rather than chronologically (as it relates to a historical timeline). We have become accustomed to opening our Bibles and having the same format, divisions, and structure. For example, our English Bibles break the Old Testament down into the Books of Law, History, Wisdom and Poetry, and the Prophets. The NIVISB gives a different approach; offering a running text the biblical narrative. For example, in the NIVISB you will find Genesis, Job, and then Exodus. There are seven major historical sections in the NIVISB. They are:

1. Creation Through the Patriarchs

2. Exodus to Conquest

3. Conquest Through United Kingdom

4. Divided Kingdom and Exile

5. Return to the Land

6. The Life of Jesus

7. The Early Church

A unique feature to the NIVISB is the parallel passages found throughout the book. The editor, desiring to maintain continuity of the overall biblical account, inserts passages that chronicle the same story or account. For example, when you arrive at Deuteronomy 16:1-8 (The Passover), you also have Exodus 12:14-20, Leviticus 23:48, and Numbers 28:16-25 alongside in grayed-out headings that let you know they correspond to the primary passage. Another interesting and helpful feature is the timeline at the bottom of every page. This timeline allows the reader to know where the biblical narrative falls on the timeline of history.

Although I am not a fan of the NIV version, I really like the NIVISB. This study Bible will appeal to a narrow audience. If you want to know how everything “fits in”, this chronological approach is for you. The NIVISB is not a Bible that you will use during a small group study or to follow along during a Sunday morning worship service. At times integration is a little tricky. The reader has to get comfortable with, while reading one passage, seeing the same passage in the book to come on the same page. Likewise, the reader will need to get comfortable with seeing the books that they have already read from on the same page. This is not the typical study Bible with exhaustive editorial notes at the bottom. There are however helpful charts along the way. Overall the NIVISB is a great study resource for those wanting more than a casual reading.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program (with Zondervan). I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”