Zondervan NIV Study Bible by Zondervan
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Book Reviews of Zondervan NIV Study Bible
Book Review: A good Bible gets better
Summary: 5 Stars
The only statement the publiser/editors make about how this revision differs from the landmark first edition (1985) and the well-received second edition (1995) is found on page xviii: "In this fully revised edition of the NIV Study Bible, the Associate Editors and I have added hundreds of new study notes, improved the book introductions (e.g., paying greater attention to the rhetorical, structural and other literary features) and enhanced other helps."A certain amount of the "Evangelical defensiveness" I found bothersome in the 1995 edition has been burnt off in the nicely-conceived, thoughtful re-expression of book introductions found here. Compare, for instance, these statements from the Introduction to Job:
[1995 ed.] "Two dates are involved: (1) the date of the man Job and his historical setting, and (2) the date of the inspired writer who composed the book."
[2002 ed.] "Two dates are involved: (1) that of Job himself, and (2) the composition of the book."
While the editors have not gone overboard trying to turn the NIVSB into a "pc/inclusive language" text, they have restated a few things here and there that, to my sensibilities, seemed worth fixing. For instance:
[1995 ed., from Wisdom Literature Introduction] "The Jews sometimes speak of the OT as the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings."
[2002 ed., page 725] "An ancient tradition among the Jews divided the collection of their holy books into three major divisions: the Law (Pentateuch), the Prophets (Former and Latter) and the Writings."
These are small but welcome changes. [For those who may be following the controversy about the "Today's New International Version" translation, an adaptation of the NIV which endeavors to use gender-inclusive language when both men and women are clearly being discussed or addressed, the NIVSB uses the "unaltered" NIV. This is a good choice for a Study Bible, since serious Bible students need to confront the patriarchy of the ancient world at some time or another. The notes, rather than the translation of the text, seems the best place to accomplish this.]
Although I see nothing in the introductions and notes that should be alarming to the book's primary audience (Evangelical Christians), the NIVSB now seems worthy to be used by Christians from other Protestant traditions, as well as by the general reader who may be curious about the Bible as one of the most important texts of Western civilization.
The NIVSB continues to use three "icons" with its introductions, charts, and notes: a "seedling" to suggest an item that will help the reader apply something to her/his personal life; a "trowel" to identify items based on archaeological discoveries; and "a human head" to call attention to items relating to key characters. One could read the notes carefully and dispute the way these icons have been assigned throughout the text, but the editors should be applauded for their judicious restraint. To tag more notes with icons (or to introduce more types of icons) would have created visual clutter. The publisher should also be applauded for making the icons gray instead of solid black as in the previous editon; it's easy to read around them. (I only pay close attention to the "trowel" icons, because I am personally curious about what in the Bible can and cannot be confirmed by external evidence; although I usually skip the "seedlings"--because I don't like to be told how to apply Scripture to my life--these notes often discuss key theological concepts and are equally worth reading.)
The typography is improved in the 2002 edition, most notably in the center column reference system. However, I still find it difficult to know where to look when I see a superscript marker in the Scripture text (To the center column or at the foot of the Scripture text?). At some points in the text, there are two superscript markers! For example, the name "Immanuel" in Matthew 1:23 is followed by a roman superscript "d" and an italic superscript "w." Oddly, both identify Isaiah 7:14 as the related text. Although, I suppose, there's nothing technically wrong with stating something more than once, I think it unnecessary in a book so tightly packed with information. The unintended effect on the reader might be to erode his/her willingness to pay attention to the notes or to bother to look things up. That would be unfortunate, indeed, because there's a lot in the revised NIV Study Bible that is worth checking out.
Book Review: The best overall study Bible
Summary: 5 Stars
Looking for a study Bible?Want a Biblical commentary that allows you to draw your own conclusions?
Then you may want to consider the NIV Study Bible.
This is a great study Bible for Christians both young and old in the faith. It combines a readable and reliable translation, excellent reference material, and unbiased commentary. I have seen this study Bible through all it's previous editions and am continually impressed.
Pros:
1) The readable and reliable NIV text.
Some people can be rather critical of the NIV even to the point of accusing this translation of heresy. Such accusations are completely without merit. I have studied from the NIV for over 20 years and I have never found it to be anything but reliable.
2) Excellent reference material.
Cross-references, maps, charts, timelines, historical context, and more. This study Bible has just about everything you would need for a complete study of any given passage. Granted, space restrictions do not permit an exhaustive analysis of any of the above. However, there is more than enough information to satisfy all but the most intensive reader.
3) Good commentary.
The study notes offered in this Bible are excellent. They do not enforce any one denominational position and present various viewpoints on disputible issues.
4) Easy to read print.
I do not know what kind of font was used for the printing of this Bible but it is incredibly easy to read.
Cons:
1) Thin paper.
Unfortunately the paper quality for many of Zondervan's Bibles has been rather poor recently. It is ultra thin, probably to allow for thinner Bibles. It can be distracting to see the opposite page through the one you are reading. Especially if the next page is a chart or a map. This can also cause problems for people who like to take notes in their Bibles.
2) Only available in the NIV.
As I've said in the Pros this format is very good for Bible study. It would be nice to have this available in another translation for those who prefer a more formal translation like the NASB or ESV. There is a Zondervan NASB Study Bible that is very similar but it has not been updated along with the NIV.
Overall, I would recommend this Bible to any one who desires to dig into God's word for themselves. You won't be steered wrong by this.
Book Review: Highly Recommended
Summary: 5 Stars
The main difference between this new 2002 and the previous 1995 revision is the inclusion of 800 new study notes. A quick browse through easily reveals a number of these, the first of which being at the first line of Genesis. There are also a number of explications to replace the frustrating "See note at Psalm 15:2" type of notes. Now they sometimes tell you why you should see it. Many of the earlier notes are also revised based on comments from seminary students, professors and pastors to bring them up to date with current conservative evangelical scholarship. There are also a few more charts in this version, a couple of new color maps (only dropping one, the pointless "The World as it is Today" from the previous edition). The typography is also slightly different, as are the icons used to denote archeology and life application passages. The font used for the headers is also different (in my view a slight improvement since it makes it easier to quickly spot stories and parables), and the comfortable font used for the Bible text itself remains unchanged. The standard edition is 2198 pages not including color maps, while the 1995 version was 2172. The spine of the leather version is also more stylish than the 1995 edition, simply stating "Zondervan NIV Study Bible" and "NIV" and "Zondervan" near the bottom. The 1995 edition said "The NIV Study Bible" "New International Version" "Words of Christ in Red Letter" and "Zondervan," which made it a little busy. Oh, yes--the new version contains no family record pages, apparently realizing that study Bibles are used for study and not as heirlooms. There's only a nice presentation page and then it gets right into the timelines. All in all I highly recommend this update--and that's only after a quick browse-through! FrankBook Review: Excellent Study Bible
Summary: 5 Stars
As translations of the Bible go, I consider the NIV a good choice. It is much easier to read than the KJV. Also, I like the fact that it is edited by a large committee rather than a few, likeminded individuals. Many of the inaccurate translations in the KJV are corrected in the NIV, since the NIV comes straight from the original languages rather than relying on earlier Latin translations. Although it doesn't go as far as the Amplified Bible (which gives multiple examples of word meaning), it is not as laborious to read.
The layout of this Study Bible is better than most others I have seen. The reader is allowed to choose how much information he/she wishes to glean from any given passage. The actual Bible is left in uninterrupted text; commentary is contained at the bottom of the page. Symbols denote what type of comment is being made, so one can chose to read or dismiss a comment based on its nature. There is also information in the front of the Bible, the back of the Bible, at the beginning of the chapters, and in side boxes. While there are maps in the back of the Bible, maps are also dispersed throughout the text. So, when one is reading Romans, there is a detailed map of "Rome in the Time of Paul" at the beginning of the chapter. There are also wonderful graphic organizers that consolidate information dispersed throughout the Bible or give additional historical information.
The only drawback of this Bible may be that it is rather large. Personally, I don't mind that. However, I know that slim Bibles are more convenient for carrying to church. This might not be the Bible you want to use for church, but it is a good copy to have at home for personal devotions.
Book Review: second to none
Summary: 5 Stars
I have used the NIV study bible for 7 years and I think it is the best study bible on the market. The editors have a somewhat conservative perspective, but they are very much upfront about that, and the scholarship is solid. I also have the Oxford New Annotated Bible and the Harper Collins Study Bible sitting on my shelf right now and the NIV is without a doubt my favorite and most helpful study bible (followed by the Oxford). The cross references may be the best thing about this study bible! They are amazing! If you wish to find any of the obscure Old Testament prophetic references in the book of Revelation, for example, the center column cross refernces are your best friend. In addition the NIV has (I believe) the largest concordance of any major study bible, which makes finding that reference that you only sort of remember much easier. The notes in earlier editions were slanted a bit in the Reformed-Calvinistic direction, but the revisions of the last few years are supposed to make for a more ecuminical study bible. The introductions to the sections and books are also very good, TONS of info is included about the historical contexts from which the different books come in addition to the theological emphases. I HIGHLY recommend this study bible for pastors, students, and anyone who wants a better understanding of the Scriptures.