CSB Worldview Study Bible

When I requested the CSB Worldview Study Bible from BHBloggers, I wasn’t sure how the worldview theme/ focus would be handled. After receiving my copy, which Lifeway kindly sent me to review, I still wasn’t sure. The articles seem to go on a bit, but I did find helpful clues.

The Introduction, for example, offered this insight:

“In the book of Job, we see how a false worldview results in false comfort." As Job went through terrible trials and suffering, his well-meaning friends “accused Job of having sinned. The friends shared a worldview that said, ‘Everything happens because of cause and effect. Do bad things, and bad things will happen to you. Do good things, and good things will happen to you.’ This worldview was the lens through which they viewed Job’s suffering. The book of Job challenges this perspective in light of an all-powerful, all-wise God who permits things to happen that are beyond our understanding.”

Another helpful example of intent in the Introduction considers Ecclesiastes where the worldview was “a life without meaning and purpose in the face of death.” And so the author “wrote a book that helps us understand the mind-set and worldview of someone who lives as though this life is all there is.”

Scanning the articles interspersed throughout this edition reveals theological and philosophical views expressed over the ages. The content of those articles and their placement between portions of scripture make the book most appropriate for reading and studying alone, unless, of course, your group aims to discuss religion and philosophy from a world view. For those of you who live in cosmopolitan areas where people come from all sorts of cultural and religious backgrounds, this edition should be well-suited to your goal of reaching others for Christ.

For example, the article “Speaking To A Non-Christian About Jesus” says,

“Knowledge of the background, culture, and worldview of one’s audience assists Christians in meaningfully sharing about Christ. Demographics are changing and peoples from all over the world are now neighbors to evangelical churches across America, especially in the larger urban centers. Christians, therefore, must increase their ‘CIQ’ - Cultural Intelligence Quotient - in order to successfully and meaningfully share Jesus with others.”

The article goes on to say, “Paul adapted his method of sharing Christ with unbelievers based on the audience.” Furthermore, “Sharing Christ in today’s world involves understanding the worldview of the people we are seeking to reach.”

Knowing scripture and what we believe are prerequisites for comfortably and accurately talking to others about Christ. If you haven’t yet read the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) text chosen for this edition, I highly recommend it. In fact, the CSB Study Bible is one of my all-time favorite study Bibles.

To give you a glimpse of its readable, accurate text, let’s look at Psalm 1, which could become a motif for this present edition:

“How happy is the one who does not
walk in the advice of the wicked
or stand in the pathway with sinners
or sit in the company of mockers!
Instead, his delight is in the
Lord’s instruction,
and he meditates on it day and night.”

May God help us to receive His Word, instruction, and love more fully and show us how to extend that forgiving, redeeming love to others in Jesus’ Name.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2018

CSB Worldview Study Bible, leatherflex


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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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God’s Book of Proverbs

God’s Book of Proverbs, which LifeWay Christian Resources kindly sent me to review, provides “Biblical Wisdom Arranged by Topic” in order to “give you God’s guidance in matters related to everyday life.”

Using biblical text from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) published by Holman, the book groups topics alphabetically in the Table of Contents followed by headings ranging from “Anger,” “Beauty,” “Calamity” to “Wealth,” “Wickedness,” “Wisdom,” and “Wonder.”

Slightly larger than a typical paperback, this cloth-covered hardback edition makes an attractive, nicely sized book to give as a gift and/or keep in a purse or side pocket of a car, which is where my copy will most likely reside after this review, so I’ll have insightful, meditative-type reading material handy whenever I’ll be in a waiting room or any waiting mode.

To give you a few examples, I turned to “Discernment,” which lists 16 Proverbs such as:

“The one who understands a matter finds success,
and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy.”
Proverbs 16:20

“Counsel in a person’s heart is deep water,
but a person of understanding draws it out.”
Proverbs 20:5

Under “Guidance,” you’ll find 43 Proverbs to guide your decisions, while “Happiness” has a couple of pages with such insights as:

“Bright eyes cheer the heart;
good new strengthens the bones.”
Proverbs 15:30

"The one who understands a matter finds success,
and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy.”
Proverbs 16:20

“A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22

Those verses might especially speak to people with achy joints, arthritis, or aging bones! However, all of us can deepen our trust in the LORD with prayer, praise, regular Bible study, and these faith-building Proverbs that not only show us how God can be trusted, but that God knows our human nature and our spiritual needs.

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

God’s Book of Proverbs, hardback



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When life is a challenge, The Challenge Study Bible will help!

Recently I did an online search for the Contemporary English Version (CEV) of the Bible produced by the American Bible Society and discovered that Bridge-Logos had released The Challenge Study Bible in CEV this very month! I immediately requested a copy, which the publisher kindly sent in a hardback with large print even in the footnotes.

As you’ve most likely noticed, a larger font for footnotes is highly unusual, but then so is this unique edition, supervised by Don Wilkerson, co-founder of the highly successful Teen Challenge program begun over 50 years ago to help people who suffer from various dysfunctions find ways to function well – physically, mentally, and spiritually.

In addition to the accurate, reader-friendly text of CEV, this special edition includes words of guidance, wisdom, inspiration, and encouragement in footnotes gleaned from a variety of current and classical Christian leaders. With rehab a major emphasis, the publishing team has successfully shown Christians of all ages and backgrounds the spiritual tools and social skills needed to get through tough times with God’s help.

For example, the first footnote in Genesis 1:1 says, “Nothing lasts that is not rooted and grounded in the nature and character of God. A God who created mankind and the whole world by the Word of His power certainly can recreate those in the process of needing a life change.” The reader is then encouraged to check out the topic “Conversion” in the Topical Index, page 1912.

Turning to that page, we find:

CONVERSION
A man can never change himself; but it is also gloriously true that what he cannot do, Jesus Christ can do for him. (Acts 26:1)
A person can give up drink, drugs, and crime, but what is needed is a complete transformation by the power of God. (1 Thess. 1:9)
God can recreate those in the process of needing a life change. (Gen. 1:1)
Let this be your turning point to seek God and follow in His ways and will. (Isa. 48:18)
Nature forms us, sin deforms us, but Christ transforms us! (1 Cor. 6:9)

The topical index then suggests seeing “New Beginnings, New Birth, New Life” for relevant scriptures. So, turning to “New Life,” for example, the statement “When Jesus came into your life, you were made brand spanking new,” concludes with a reference to 2 Cor. 5:17, which, in the CEV, says:

“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.”

The 5:17 footnote goes on to say:

“The word new is from the Greek word ‘kairos,’ intended to describe something that is brand-new or recently made. It also carries the idea of something that is superior. When Jesus Christ came into your life, you were made brand spanking new. The new you is superior to the older you. In fact, you are so new that you’re called a new creature. The word ‘creature’ is the same word used to describe the creation of the world. When God created the universe, He used no existing materials or old elements to make anything…. Now the same word is used to describe what happened to you the day you got saved. Everything about you is a ‘new you’.”

That doesn’t mean we won’t slip back into old habits or unworkable ways that take us away from God's Way! Not surprisingly then, this edition includes scriptures on topics such as “Relapse/Backsliding,” “Relapses, Avoiding,” and even “Relapse, Causes of,” all of which intend to provide both warnings and encouragement as we become more adept at living life in the spirit, power, and word of the Lord.

Mary Harwell Sayler, poet-writer, reviewer

The Challenge Study Bible, hardcover



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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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Great & Small Bible makes a great baby gift!

When I received the Great & Small Bible, which Holman kindly sent me to review, my first impression was “Sweet!” And, indeed, the charming artwork, quality construction, and reader-friendly text of the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) make this edition a sweet gift for Christian parents of new babies.

While not actually for babies, the book encourages parents to jot down memorable moments in their child’s life from birth weight, height, etc., and also record the names of parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, and more on the page “Your family loves you with a great love!”

One double-page insert focuses on the first times a child smiled, slept all night, rolled over, and other firsts, while another double-page spread encourages parents to record something about their baby’s first holidays.

My favorite double-page insert, however, says, “You are small, but we know you have a great future!” then provides lined writing space on the left to note “These are our greatest hopes for you.” On the page on the right side, parents can fill in spaces for “Our precious child, this is our prayer for you” and “We chose this special Bible verse for you.”

Instead of the typical baby book that many of us begin then forget, the inclusion of the CSB encourages parents to read the text each time they pick up this unique keepsake edition. The lovely artwork will please a growing child and, hopefully, cause them to ask to hear about their first year of life and, in the process, be drawn to reading God’s Word for themselves.

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

Great & Small Bible, hardback

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The #Bible: Reading is Believing

God's love seems like an abstract concept, but reading the Bible makes it real. Through God’s Word to us, we can feel the Holy Presence with us. We can discover the way to love God, other people, and ourselves. We can learn what true love is and how we can become part of that Eternal Life of Love.

As we read the whole Bible, cover to cover, we can also see how the Law, Prophets, and Wisdom books point to Christ. Jesus Himself confirms this when “beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures,” Luke 24:27, New American Standard Bible (NASB.)

In Luke 24:44-46, the risen Christ also said, “'These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”

If we don't understand what we're reading or we feel confused about the character, will, and purposes of God, we can pray for the Lord to guide us and give us insight. “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope,” Romans 15:4 (NASB.)

In an encouraging letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul wrote, “you have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work,” 2 Timothy 3:15-17, New Living Translation (NLT.)

Another word on the Word comes in Psalm 119, which I encourage you to read in the many translations presented by Bible Gateway. Or read my favorite renderings of Psalm 119, also found on Bible Gateway.

Comparing various translations will let you know which ones you prefer. If you don’t have a copy of that particular one, type the name of the translation into the Search box on this page to read reviews of Bibles translated from the original languages into your favorite English version.

May the Lord continue to bless your continual reading of God's Word.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2018

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