The Biggest Story Bible Storybook

 

Published by Crossway, who kindly sent me a copy to review, TheBiggest Story Bible Storybook is loaded with colorful artwork by Don Clark and kid-friendly Bible stories retold by Kevin DeYoung.

Immediate orders might make it in time for Easter, but these timeless stories bless readers anytime, especially because they show the connection of the biblical books with Jesus. As the Introduction says:

“The Bible is filled with many stories – some sad and some scary, some happy and some holy…. But ultimately there is one story. And it’s a true story right down to the smallest details. The one story is the Biggest Story, and it’s all about Jesus.”

“Jesus is the one that the Old Testament foretold….”

“Jesus is the one that the New Testament makes clear is the Messiah…. the Son of God…. the Son of Man…. the exalted Lord…. the Word made flesh…. the heir of all things…. our God and Savior….”

“He is the theme. He is the goal. He is the good news.”

Divided into seven parts, the first one – the Pentateuch – covers stories in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. Part 2: History touches on the major stories from Joshua through Esther. Part 3: Poetry briefly highlights Job, Psalms, and Proverbs, and Part 4 provides a peek into The Prophets.

Almost half of the book is devoted to stories from the New Testament -The Gospels, the Acts and Epistles, and Revelation. One of the most important is taken from Luke 25, “Jesus Lives,” which takes us through the first holy week, from Good Friday through Easter – the week where we are now!

“Jesus knew he was going to die and that he wouldn’t stay dead.

“Friday was dark and sad. Saturday was stone-cold silent. But Sunday – the third day – was not just another day or another week. It was another age. A new time had begun. The Biggest Story had turned a page. The world would never be the same.”

This story never ends! But the retelling concludes, as each of the stories does, with a prayer:

“We thank you, God, for the resurrection and the new life we have in Jesus. Amen.”

May God bless your Holy Week and your continued reading of God’s Word.

 

©2022, Mary Harwell Sayler

 

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The Septuagint: What It Is and Why It Matters.

 

In this comprehensive paperback resource that Crossway kindly gave me to review, authors Gregory R. Lanier, PhD, and William A. Ross, PhD, address The Septuagint: What It Is and Why It Matters. Although the title sounds straightforward enough, this Greek translation of scripture follows a meandering path.

Until the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586, Hebrew scriptures were well-attended by priestly scribes. Once the Temple was destroyed, however, a central depository no longer existed. Then,

“As the biblical text was copied in disparate areas over the following centuries with much less coordination or oversight by the Jerusalem priesthood, textual variations both large and small inevitably started to enter the picture. Although the reconstruction of the temple around 516 BC reinvigorated priestly scribal activity, some measure of textual diversification of the Hebrew Bible had already begun. The results of this process are visible in the biblical manuscripts of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which were discovered in the 1940s but include scrolls dating as early as the third century BC.” In addition, “ancient copies differed from each other to varying degrees.”

Therefore, “…it is an oversimplification to say that the Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible in a straightforward way, since the translators were not working with a standardized text (or with the same text we use today).” Also, the name “Septuagint,” which commonly refers to the seventy or so Greek translators, is somewhat of a misnomer. i.e., That likely did take place, but other attempts to bring the Bible into the Greek language also occurred.

Does this mean we should ignore the Greek, as some have done? Not at all! For one thing, the Septuagint can be useful for informative and devotional purposes. And “…because of the dynamics in translation, students of the Greek Old Testament can gain insight into Jewish interpretive principles, theology, and messianism by studying the Greek translations, particularly where they deviate from the known Hebrew.”

In a way then, The Septuagint is like having the four perspectives of the Gospel writers, or, perhaps more aptly, like the many fine translations into English we now have, each of which contributes greatly to our overall understanding of God and His Word.

 

©2022, Mary Sayler, poet-writer, pray-er, and lifelong student of the Bible

 

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ESV Concise Study Bible

 

If you can read fairly small print (7.75-point font), the new ESVConcise Study Bible, which Crossway kindly gave me to review, provides an excellent, hardback edition to carry to your Bible discussion group as it features over 12,000 study notes, over a dozen articles on the scriptures and/or Christian life, and loads of maps within the text to keep you grounded in the biblical terrain.

 

The highly popular ESV Study Bible, which my husband gave me in gorgeous leather and which I reviewed almost a decade ago, includes more articles and aids, but its encyclopedic size kept me from taking it to study groups. Therefore, it’s on my desk, waiting for me to research a biblical theme I plan to write about or prepare me for my weekly Bible discussion group.

 

Like its larger counterpart of the English Standard Bible study edition from Crossway, the ESV Concise Study Bible also includes helpful features such as “The Time between the Testaments,” illustrations such as “The Temple Mount in the Time of Jesus” as well as charts and diagrams within the text. It also includes study questions to think about such as:

 

“Who is involved in the passage?

What are they saying?

Are there any repeated words, clauses, or themes?

What is the passage’s historical and literary context?

Do the verses before and after this passage help me to understand more about the verses?”

 

Bible students are also asked to consider:

 

“What does this passage teach me about God and his work in his world?

At what point in God’s story is this passage taking place?

Is this passage fulfilled in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection?

How does this text inform my faith?”

 

Ultimately, Holy Scriptures are meant to be applied to our lives. For instance, “The Bible: God’s Message to Us” asks us to ask ourselves:

 

“What should I do or believe because of the text?

How does this text impact my life?

What does God expect from me?

How can this text encourage my faith?”

 

Well, there’s more – much more packed into this concise edition, which aids our understanding of life in Israel, the Trinity, teachings of Jesus, and even curses! For example, the Glossary defines a “curse” as the consequence of breaking covenant with God then goes on to say: “Such curses are always intended to lead to repentance so that one’s relationship with God can be restored.”

 

May God restore, renew, and bless our relationship with Him, our loved ones, and our fellowship with other Christians in this Christmas season and throughout all of our coming years.

 

©2021, Mary Sayler, poet-writer, blogger, Bible reviewer

 

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ESV Expository Commentary: Matthew–Luke

 

My first impression of the ESV Expository Commentary: Matthew–Luke, which Crossway kindly sent me to review, is undeniable heft! With 1156 pages and a three-inch depth from hardcover front to back, the very weight of this volume illustrates its own aim toward comprehensiveness.

 

Using the highly acclaimed ESV translation (English Standard Version) as the basis of this massive work, the scholarly team referred to biblical texts in the original languages and also to noncanonical sources such as the books often referred to as the Apocrypha as well as writing from the early church. In addition to thoroughness and accuracy, the contributors wanted the commentary to be “globally aware – aimed as much as possible at a global audience, in line with Crossway’s mission to provide the Bible and theologically responsible resources to as many people around the world as possible.”

 

Beginning, of course, with the Gospel of Matthew, the Introduction of twenty pages adds another six to provide an outline with these headings:

 

I. The Origin, Birth, and Identity of Jesus (1:1-2:23)

II. The Preparation and Early Ministry in Galilee (3:1-4:25)

III. The First Discourse: Discipleship in Jesus’ Kingdom (5:1-7:29)

IV. The Kingdom’s Growth under Jesus’ Authority (8:1-11:1)

V. The Kingdom’s Growth in the Face of Resistance (11:2-13:58)

VI. Training the Disciples among Crowds and Leaders (14:1-20:34)

VII. Conflict and Teaching in Jerusalem (21:1-23:39)

VIII. The Fifth Discourse: Trouble, Perseverance, and the Eschaton (24:1-25:46)

IX. Death and Resurrection (26:1-28:20)

 

Once the actual text begins, each passage is followed by a Section Overview, Section Outline, Comment, and Response, the latter of which helps readers to consider and apply the biblical truths just discussed.

 

For example, after presenting the ESV translation of Matthew 5:1-16, the section overview tells us:

 

“The Beatitudes only faintly overlap the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 or other virtue lists such as Colossians 3:12-15 and 2 Peter 1:5-8. They also contrast with classic Greco-Roman virtues: courage, wisdom, temperance, justice. They are equally distant from the contemporary praise of authenticity, tolerance, determination, and honesty. Indeed, the Beatitudes seem to be traits no society admires.”

 

Besides this listing of God’s priorities, we’re reminded that “The Beatitudes are steeped in the OT.” With those biblical roots often found in Psalms, “The Beatitudes also align closely with Matthew’s portrait of Jesus.” I’ve omitted the many scriptural references below as the overview goes onto to say:

 

“Seven of the eight beatitudes cite traits that Matthew later ascribes to Jesus, typically using the same Greek terms. Jesus repeatedly says that a disciple should be like his master. So Jesus blesses those who mourn, and Jesus mourns over Israel. Jesus blessed the meek, and he is meek. Likewise, Jesus pursues righteousness and shows mercy. He also grants and exhorts purity, offers peace, and endures persecution. Thus Jesus blessed disciples whose character conforms to his. Matthew frequently explores the way Jesus fulfills, and the disciples participate in the Beatitudes.”

 

Following an Outline of this section, the Comment on Matthew 5:1-5 tells us:

 

“Contextually, vast crowds are following Jesus at this time, largely because of his miracles. But Jesus seeks disciples, not merely a crowd of followers. The moment has come to describe the nature of discipleship.

 

“The first three beatitudes describe awareness of need. When Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom,’ he establishes a kingdom virtue that clashes with other notions of virtue. To be poor in spirit is to know one’s spiritual neediness and dependence on God.”

 

The Response following each section calls us to consider what we’ve read as we evaluate our own lives and pray for God’s help. In the Response to Matthew 5:1-16, for example, we read:

 

“It is impossible to expound Matthew 5 without beginning to call for a response, as recent paragraphs show. First, every beatitude prompts self-examination…. Do I mourn sin in society or have I become cynical…. Am I merciful? Do I pursue peace or seek unnecessary conflict? Every question invites us to go deeper.”

 

Moving on to Mark, the Introduction provides this purpose for the book:

 

“The ultimate intent of Mark’s Gospel is to present and legitimize Jesus’ universal call to discipleship as he inaugurates God’s eternal and universal rule and build his eternal temple made of ‘living stones.’”

 

The universal appeal of discipleship extended itself to children, too, as shown in Mark 9 and 10. In the Response to this passage:

 

“Jesus does not instruct his disciples to become childish. Instead he calls them to be childlike. In simple trust and humility before the God who atones. The power of humility resides in the fact that a humble person does not depend on his own limited strength. Rather, such a person entrusts himself to the powerful and deeply resourceful hand of God. Humility does not seek itself. Rather, it pursues God’s purposes in God’s way. In this way, a humble person may be very strong in character, since such a person trusts entirely in God’s power.”

 

Turning to the Gospel of Luke, we again find a lengthy Introduction, which, as do the others, includes:

 

Overview

Author

Date and Occasion

Genre and Literary Features

Theology of Luke

Relationship to the Rest of the Bible and to Christ

Preaching from Luke

Interpretive Challenges

 

To give you an idea of “Genre and Literary Features, this section on Luke “zeroes in on the birth of the Baptist and the experiences of his parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah. At the same time, in contrast with Matthew, Mary’s perspective on the birth of Jesus is featured, and thus we read about Gabriel’s appearance to Mary, the visit to Elizabeth, her song of praise, her pondering in her heart the things said and done in those days. Luke also relays the story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, precipitated by the census commanded by Caesar Augustus. At the same time, only Luke tells us of the revelation of Jesus’ birth to shepherds and of their subsequent visit. Unique to Luke as well is the narrative of Jesus’ presentation in the temple and the words of Simeon and Anna on that occasion. Finally, only in the Lukan infancy narrative do we read the narrative of Jesus’ traveling with his parents to Jerusalem for Passover, where he stays behind for conversations with religious leaders in the temple.”

 

I’ve often wondered what became of those leaders and if they ever let themselves be led by Christ. But we can! With the Bible and Holy Spirit to guide us, this Expository Commentary from Crossway will help to open up The Way.

 

©2021, Mary Sayler, poet-writer, and lifelong lover of God’s Word

 

 

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ESV Journaling Bible

 

Many of us who long to get closer to God are apt to jot down our thoughts, questions, prayers, poems, or insights as we read the Bible. Almost any wide-margin Bible gives us room to do that as our written words interact with the written Word of God.

 

If we want to read the Bible straight through, as we would any book or family saga, we might choose a conversational translation or a paraphrase, but for journaling, an excellent choice is a word-for-word translation as our words respond to what God has to say.

 

Consider, for example, a message from a friend. Would you prefer to receive word from the bearer of news or would you rather hear directly from your friends themselves before responding? The translators of the English Standard Version of the Bible (ESV) aimed in that direction.

 

In the Preface of the ESV Single Column Journaling Bible, which Crossway kindly sent me to review, the “Translation Philosophy” states:

 

“The ESV is an ‘essentially literal’ translation that seeks as far as possible to reproduce the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer. As such, its emphasis is on ‘word-for-word' correspondence, at the same time taking full account of differences in grammar, syntax, and idiom between current literary English and the original languages. Thus it seeks to be transparent to the original text, letting the reader see as directly as possible the structure and exact force of the original.”

 

When we hear directly from our friends, we can catch their voice inflections, listen to what they actually have to say, and respond appropriately.

 

Not only does the ESV Single Column Journaling Bible give you that opportunity, this edition comes in a variety of patterns. Inside those cloth-over-board covers, the cream-colored Smyth-sewn pages have lines awaiting a word from you.

 

©2021, Mary Harwell Sayler

 

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ESV Panorama New Testament

 

The ESV Panorama New Testament, published by Crossway who kindly sent me a copy to review, presents the NT in a unique, panoramic view.

With extra-large pages (10.2 x 12.6") inside a hardback cover, this edition uses a well-spaced 8.5-point font, so each book of the New Testament requires as few pages as possible.

Shorter books take only one or two pages, which means a whole book often spreads before you, making it easy to see favorite verses you underline or key words you circle. 

To encourage that process, the edition has thick, cream-colored pages Smyth-sewn into a grey cloth-over-board cover that lays flat on a desk or table.

The idea is to engage readers fully with God’s Word. For instance, the layout of the Panorama New Testament enables Bible students, pastors, teachers, writers, and devotional readers to follow a particular theme or topic in each book or readily locate scriptures to memorize.

This reader edition contains no footnotes or other aids generally found in hefty study Bibles, but the large pages and wide margins provide plenty of space to make your own notes. And, unlike study Bibles that might be a few inches thick, this one is only 0.7-inch, which seems far less formidable for those of us who like to read an entire book of the Bible at one sitting.

 

©2021, Mary Harwell Sayler, poet-writer, Bible reviewer

 

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Every Day Bible: 365 Readings Through the Whole Bible

Published by Crossway, who kindly sent me a copy to review, the Every Day Bible: 365 Readings Through the Whole Bible weaves together scriptures from the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and the New Testament with text from the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible.

This highly acclaimed word-for-word translation is, as the Preface tells us, “essentially literal” with a goal “to reproduce the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer.” As a writer myself, I appreciate the aim to retain the tone or voice of biblical writers, which clearly differentiates the long, complex sentences of the Apostle Paul from the brief, practical statements of James or poetic voice of John.

I wish this nice edition showed which verses are on which page in case we want to find a particular passage. Also, I’m interested in how the producers of the book decided which portions of scripture would be placed on which page. Was this, for instance, random or were themes intended to be developed or was each date for a day’s reading influential? (Looking at the readings for December 25^th, however, I’d have to say the latter is unlikely.)

Regardless of the emphasis I might have had, the publisher succeeded well in carrying out its own excellent purpose and “goal of helping you engage with God’s Word every day of the year. Each daily reading can be completed in approximately fifteen minutes, and includes a passage from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.”

The handy book size, clear font, and slick cover encourage reading, and the large lettering used for each day of the year helps readers to find their place easily by a quick glance at a calendar. More important, the quality of the book should support years of use as this unusual paperback actually has a Smyth-sewn binding!

If you’ve been looking for a scripturally-sound devotional book and/or a reminder to read the Bible every day, I highly recommend combining both with the Every Day Bible: 365 Readings Through the Whole Bible from Crossway.

Mary HarwellSayler, ©2020, poet-writer, and Bible reviewer eagerly awaits review copies of the next new editions or translations of the Bible – especially in large print!

 

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Literary Study Bible, ESV

As a poet and writer, I’m just naturally interested in the effects literary forms have on readers. For instance, narratives draw us into stories with which we can relate, while poetry expresses for us the praise, laments, thoughts, and feelings we have in common.

In other words, poems and stories help us to connect with God, one another, and ourselves. It’s not surprising then that the Bible consists primarily of two main genres or types of literature: narratives and poetry.

In the Introduction to the Literary Study Bible, which Crossway kindly sent me to review, we learn that biblical narratives come in sub-types such as the “hero story, Gospel, epic, tragedy, comedy (a U-shaped plot with a happy ending), and parable. Specific poetic genres keep multiplying as well: lyric, lament psalm, praise psalm, love poem, nature poem, epithalamion (wedding poem) and many others.”

The Introduction goes on to say, “In addition to narrative and poetry, we find prophecy, visionary writing, apocalypse, pastoral, encomium, oratory, drama (the book of Job), satire, and epistle. Then if we start adding more specific forms like travel story, dramatic monologue, doom song, and Christ hymn, the number of literary genres in the Bible readily exceeds one hundred.”

Since we might not be familiar with all of these literary terms, the publisher included a Glossary in the back of the book, explaining, for example, that encomium is “A work of literature that praises either a general character type (e.g., Psalm 1 on the godly person and Prov. 31:10-31 on the virtuous wife) or abstract quality (e.g., 1 Corinthians 13 on love and Hebrews 11 on faith).”

Does any of this matter? I think so. For example, if you know I’m a fairly well-traveled Southerner who grew up believing in God’s love for all people, in Jesus as the full embodiment of God’s Word, and in Christian fellowship as vital for up-building the church, you’ll have a better idea of where I’m coming from and, therefore, more likely to connect. Similarly, the literary forms in the Bible help us to know where the writers were coming from and what they hoped we, the readers, would relate to, hear, and heed as they bring us God’s message in a particular way. Or, as the Introduction puts it:

“Whereas history and the daily news tell us what happened, literature tells us what happens – what is true for all people in all places and times…. The goal of literature is to prompt a reader to share or relive an experience. The truth that literature imparts is not simply ideas that are true but truthfulness to human experience.”

To give you a better idea of the features in this edition, let’s begin in the beginning with Genesis, “The Book at a Glance.”

“As its title signals, the book of Genesis is the Bible’s book of beginnings. It is a foundational book that informs us about the first principles of the biblical faith – such first principles as how the world came into being, how sin entered the world, how God began to unfold his plan of salvation, and what people and human institutions (especially the family) are like. Although Genesis is a history book, its history is packed in highly literary forms, the most dominant of which is hero story. Because the history that is recounted in the book of Genesis reaches back to the primitive origins of the human race, it is particularly rich in universal, elemental human experience. Despite the seeming remoteness of the world of Genesis, the experiences are actually very close to our everyday lives.”

In one example of the timelessness of these experiences, we read how the serpent in the Garden of Eden cast doubt on whether God meant what He said – a question that troubles many people today. (Unnecessarily, I must add! If God said it, God means it!)  Another example of a common experience is the sibling rivalry Cain felt for Able (though we pray it doesn’t have the same tragic ending in our families!) Or what about Abraham’s lying to protect himself or Jacob’s learning the hard way that deceitfulness is apt to boomerang?

“The Book at a Glance” for Job has its own theme and purpose as “It raises the question not simply of why people in general suffer but specifically of why the righteous suffer. Philosophers and theologians call this ‘the problem of evil’ and the attempt to offer a satisfactory solution to the problem is called theodicy.”

Regarding the genres used in Job, “The story begins and ends with a narrative frame in which the author tells the story of the fall and restoration of the protagonist Job. Within these bookends, though, the primary form is drama, as we are presented with the speeches and dialogues of the actors in the story. The form in which these speeches are cast is poetry.”

Before reading The Psalms, its “Theological Themes” introduce us to “(1) The nature of God: no book of the Bible offers a more comprehensive survey of the acts and attributes of God. (2) The nature of people: because every psalm is at some level a personal statement by a poet. Psalms is also an index to what people are like, both good and bad. (3) Nature and the physical creation: the psalms say and imply many things about the external world that God made and sustains. (4) Worship: the psalms are used in worship, and many of them talk about worship. (5) Suffering: the many lament psalms yield a theology of suffering.”

Skipping ahead to the New Testament, a footnote on Matthew 5 points out that Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount “has the nature of an inauguration speech.”

The footnote goes on to say, “The beatitudes are one of the most patterned passages in the entire New Testament. They follow the Hebrew verse form of parallelism: In each beatitude, Jesus (a) pronounces a blessing on a group of people, (b) names the group according to their essential trait, and (c) offers a reason (which is at the same time a promise) for their condition of blessedness.”

A distinctive feature in the Gospel of John “is the linking of a sign or other great symbol with a corresponding statement made by Jesus in the form of either a conversation or a full-fledged discourse. For example, Jesus asks the Samaritan woman for a drink from the well (4:7-8) and then pursues a conversation with the woman about water that climaxes in Jesus’ claim to be the source of living water that wells up to eternal life (4:9-15). To cite another example, Jesus feeds five thousand (6:1-14), and a few verses later we read his discourse on Jesus’ being the bread of life (6:25-40).”

Symbolism reaches great height in the book of Revelation as the author uses narrative story and poetic imagery, metaphor, and simile in presenting its “pageant of visions.”

With these unique aids and insights into studying the highly acclaimed English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible,I look forward to sharing this excellent resource in my Sunday School and mid-week Bible discussion groups, which, Lord willing, will begin again soon, even if we need masks to accompany our prayers.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020, poet, writer, pray-er, and lifelong believer in God’s Word.

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ESV Seek and Find Bible

When Crossway kindly sent me a review copy of the ESV Seek and Find Bible for children, its many features made me regret the categorization for kids 5-9. This hardback edition of the English Standard Version is so sturdy and well-done, older kids might want to read it -- and I do too!

Consider these features listed on the inside fold of the slick, attractive cover:

The complete ESV Bible text
provides a reliable translation in a readable font.

130 full-page, full-color illustrations
depict Bible people and scenes realistically in full color.

A simplified Bible story retelling for each illustration
For example, “Deborah’s Message from God” depicts the story found in Judges 4-5, with an era-friendly illustration and the words in this excerpt:

“After twenty years of living under the mean King Jabin, the people of Israel cried out to God for help. God listened to their prayers and sent them help through a judge named Deborah. Every day Deborah sat near a palm tree in the desert and helped the people of Israel with their problems.

God told Deborah exactly what to do.”

Reflection questions for each story to help kids understand and apply God’s Word
In the story “Jesus Calms the Storm” from Mark 4:35-41, “Key Questions” include:

Why were the disciples afraid when the storm was raging?
What did Jesus say, and what happened when he said it?
Why should Jesus’ miracles fill us with faith?

Related Bible readings for each of the 130 stories
For the story of Jesus’ calming the storm, readers are encouraged to look up relevant scriptures in Luke 8:22-25 and John 6:16-21.

50+ illustrated profiles of major Bible characters from Adam and Eve to Timothy
For example, a side bar in the Gospel of John introduces readers to Andrew:

“Andrew was a fisherman who listened eagerly to the teaching of John the Baptist. John told people that they must repent and get ready for the promised Messiah. When John called Jesus the Lamb of God, Andrew knew that he must now follow Jesus the Messiah. Andrew found his brother, Simon Peter, and brought him to Jesus, too. So Andrew and his brother Simon Peter became two of the 12 disciples, who were Jesus’ closest friends and helpers.”

Introductions to each book of the Bible
The Introduction to Psalms, for example, lets readers know the book, “written by different authors over a period of centuries” became the hymnal of God’s people.

“…Some psalms praise God with great joy for victory (Psalm 18); others for his acts of creation (Psalm 104) or for his provision and care ((Psalm 105). Others are laments, songs of mourning that praise God by bringing to him deep feelings of sadness (Psalm 88). Many psalms are cries for protection against persecuting enemies (Psalm 7). Other psalms confess sin and pray for forgiveness (Psalm 51). Still others express deep longings to know God better and follow him more closely (Psalm 27). The longest psalm praises the Word of God from many different perspective (Psalm 119). Several psalms look ahead to the Messiah in his sufferings (Psalm 22) and in his glory (Psalm 110). The book of Psalms is one of the best loved books of the entire Bible, having something for every believer, no matter what their specific circumstances or feelings.”

Alongside that Introduction (as with all the others intros), each page briefly includes information on:

• Author(s)
• Date
• People
• Purpose
• Central Themes
• Memory Verses

20+ illustrated facts about Bible objects, structures, and places
including the Jerusalem Temple, its main contents, and the city at various times. As children see what these look like, the Bible text becomes more real to them. One picture, for example, is of a “Galilean Fishing Boat” with these words beside the illustration:

“Jesus and his disciples probably used a boat like this one that fishermen typically used. It could have held 15 men and was 26.5 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 4.5 feet high.”

Key verses to memorize
has a little key drawn within a circle and placed next to verses such as this one from John 8:12:

“…Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

A few pages later, the Bible story of “Jesus Heals the Blind Man” includes that verse, so the above key verse shows the page number to that event. The problem I had, however, was finding that and other pages by number – ironically because the generous illustrations and other fine features utilize the same space in this highly recommended edition of God’s Word.


Reviewed by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020.

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ESV Story of Redemption Bible

Those of us who love reading the Bible and learning more about God’s Word most likely enjoy having a variety of study editions to add light and insight to our readings. If that’s the case for you, the Story of Redemption Bible: A Journey through the Unfolding Promises of God from Crossway might be one you’ll want to add to your collection.

Since the publisher kindly sent me a review copy this week, I’ve had a chance to skim through, but not read the entire book. My first impression, however, is that this edition of the English Standard Version (ESV) will be most helpful to new Christians, young people, or readers new to the Bible. For example, the Introduction says:

“The goal for the ESV Story of Redemption Bible is to allow the reader to see the majesty and beauty of the Bible. May this resource launch the reader into a lifetime of reading, cherishing, learning from, and better understanding the Scripture. Our hope is that the reader will increasingly stand in awe at what God has done to save humanity from its sin. Most of all, we pray that the reader will come away with an understanding of how Jesus Christ stands at the center and pinnacle not just of the Bible’s storyline but of human history itself.”

The Preface then goes on to discuss translating the Bible from Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic languages into English and to explain the decisions translators must make to use a “thought-for-thought” method or “word-for-word” (as the ESV aims to do) or something in between.

With almost 900 notes from pastor Greg Gilbert scattered throughout this edition, readers get an introduction to each book such as this one prefacing Genesis:

“The whole history of the universe begins right here in the book known as Genesis.The word genesis literally means ‘origin’ or ‘beginning,’ and that is exactly what this book describes – the beginning of everything.”

Other notes, however, offer background information not obvious in the text. For example, a note in Psalms says:

“Psalm 72 is the only psalm attributed to Solomon, and it is doubtlessly placed here at the end of Book Two for a reason. Throughout this section, David’s cries for divine help have focused a bit less on his own personal distress and more on the nation’s need for God’s deliverance. Further, it has become clearer and clearer that the ideal of God’s king worshiping in God’s temple in the center of God’s city would finally be realized through God’s reign over Israel. Psalm 72 represents, without doubt, the high point of that vision…”

Other features include an attractive and reasonably readable 9.25-point font, a single column format, and over 80 new maps and timelines designed by illustrator Peter Voth. In addition, a “Story of Redemption” foldout in the back of the book produces a timeline that’s helpful but a little hard to follow as it seems to read up and down, rather than linear.

Also, the “Intertestamental Period” between 400 and 5 B.C. is labeled as “400 years of silence” – an assumption many will be likely to protest if they find any spiritual value whatsoever in the “Apocryphal” (aka deuterocanonical) books written primarily in Greek during those particular years.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2018, poet-writer, reviewer


ESV Story of Redemption Bible, hardback



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Super Giant Print Bible in ESV from Crossway

ESV Super Giant Print Bible (TruTone, Black)

The Super Giant Print Bible in the English Standard Version, (ESV) which Crossway published and kindly sent me to review, makes an excellent choice for a pulpit Bible. Not only is the ESV highly accurate and easy to follow along with other translations, the darkly inked 17-point type can probably be seen from the front pew! The humongous type should also eliminate the need to borrow someone else’s reading glasses in case you forget to bring yours to Bible Study.

This hefty reader edition is meant to last with extensive use too. The flexible TruTone cover has a double-row of stitching around the edges to minimize fraying over time, and the sewn-in pages have a center line down the middle to keep eyes from drifting from one column to the next.

Like most thick Bibles (which huge print or study editions are apt to be), the paper is thinner than some, but not overly so. However, to avoid any distraction by the ink shadowing the back of each page, this sturdy edition comes with a thoughtful touch – a black insert to place behind the page you’re reading.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2018, poet-writer, reviewer


SuperGiant Print Bible, TruTone cover




ESV Super Giant Print Bible (TruTone, Black)
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Review of the reader-friendly guide: Biblical and Theological Studies

Some people refer to incredible timing as a coincidence, but I find God-incidence much more plausible and easier to believe! God is with us. God cares about our lives. And God knew when my son would be ready to unpack a dozen heavy boxes of books kept in storage for over seven years.

Most of those books came from his religious studies at Stetson, Vanderbilt, and Marquette, providing a range of perspectives in theology I wanted to know more about but feared were over my head! And then “suddenly” I received an email from Crossway, announcing the availability of an advance reader copy of Biblical and Theological Studies: A Student’s Guide to review.

Not only did the title appeal to me, the purpose stated at the topic of the cover challenged me: “Reclaiming The Christian Intellectual Tradition.” What a great idea!

We’re not dumb! But when it comes to theological premises, we (at least, I) might be ignorant. So, before tackling two or three huge boxes of texts on the topic, I dove into this study guide by Michael J. Wilkins and Erik Thoennes, who apparently knew I needed something accessible, conversational, concise and to the point (without tangents), making what could be difficult concepts understandable to me and, undoubtedly, to you.

In the Introduction, for example, we read:

“God has spoken. This whole book is about those three simple words. That God has personally, truthfully, and sufficiently revealed himself in the Bible is the assumption of our understanding of the study of the Bible….”

Then
“Biblical studies is an academic discipline that seeks to understand the Bible as God intended when he inspired its human authors. The study of theology is the effort to summarize the overall teaching of the Bible so it can be meaningfully applied to our lives.”

This practical application begins with our need to focus on what God emphasizes, rather than what we think or expect. As the authors point out:

“Your basic beliefs, assumptions, and attitudes will determine how you approach your quest for truth. How you define God, humans, and the purpose of life will shape your experience in learning and also determine your methods of learning.”

With “theo” referring to God and “ology” to the study of, our theology will be based on who we believe God is and how we read God’s Word to us in scripture. Hopefully, we’ll read the Bible with humility, prayer, awe, praise, worship, and prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit to enlighten us and guide our understanding.

The back of the book contains a glossary, additional resources, and “Questions For Reflection” that will help us to focus on God as revealed in the Bible and, perhaps, even redirect our thinking, especially if our fears, prejudices, or opinions, which began in childhood, haven’t been updated into an adult view of the Christian faith and our Father in Heaven.

As the authors state: “Both the purity and unity of the church are at stake in this matter.”

Why? We ARE the church! Before we draw others to Christ or minister accurately, lovingly, and well in His name, we need to settle within ourself our beliefs from a prayerful, biblical point of view. This book will help us to do that as we reclaim Christian intellectual traditions for ourselves and the church Body of Christ – so in need of truths meant to heal, embrace, and unite us in Jesus' Name.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2018, poet-writer, reviewer


Biblical and Theological Studies: A Student’s Guide



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How To Read & Understand The Biblical Prophets

In his new book How To Read & Understand The Biblical Prophets, author and OT professor Peter J. Gentry discusses the many literary styles Bible prophets used to wake people up to God’s ways and calling on their lives – so many in fact, he suggests “We might well ask if the literature of the biblical prophets actually constitutes its own genre or type of literature.”

For example, “a Hebrew author begins a discourse on a particular topic, develops it from a particular perspective, and then concludes his conversation. Then he begins another conversation, taking up the same topic again from a different point of view.”

In general, the Old Testament prophets reiterated what God had already said or revealed then showed how that word applied to a situation in their era in hopes of encouraging faith and obedience to God.

The prophets also exhorted the people to seek God’s will and rely on God to help them find it. In Deuteronomy 18, for example, Moses strongly warned against contacting mediums, fortune-tellers, sorcerers, witches, or the dead as other nations had done when wanting to know about or, perhaps, control future events. Such control and oversight belong only to God.

Therefore, biblical prophets often gave predictions “to demonstrate publicly that only Yahweh knows and determines future events.”

In addition, “prediction of the future was necessary to explain the exile.” Also, the prophets wanted to reassure God’s people that deliverance takes time, but God can be trusted – not only by them but by everyone. For example, a message “not only announces future judgment for a particular nation but also indicates how it may find deliverance by seeking refuge in Zion.”

With world events worrying many of us, this book from Crossway, who kindly sent me a copy to review, will help us better understand the God’s prophetic word, which speaks to us even now.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2017, poet-writer and Bible reviewer

How To Read & Understand The Biblical Prophets, paperback



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