Customer Reviews

NKJV American Patriot's Bible

5 star:		(137)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(32)

 

 

I have never posted a comment before in my life; however, after reading some of the comments regarding the American Patriots Bible I feel compelled to share a couple of quick thoughts from a regular guy. Give it a rest already! My wife and I have purchased three AP bibles. We are giving two as gifts (one to my 86 year old father in law and the other to our nephew who is a Navy Lt Commander in the Middle East). The third one we are keeping for ourselves. We won't use it as a study bible or carry it to church on Sunday (we have a well-worn NASB for that). Instead we'll keep it in our family room, along with other books. I've already read through the many stories and accounts in the AP bible that focus on people and events that helped shape our country and how God and His word helped shape their thoughts and actions. Not once did I feel compelled to wrap myself in a flag or go out and buy a gun. Nor did I become hypnotized into believing God's word was written only for Americans, that America was God's Promised Land, or that God loves only Americans. And the simple fact is the vast majority of other regular guys and gals who purchase and read the AP bible will feel the same way. Some of the high-minded bloggers who have gone to great lengths to speak negatively of the AP bible, and condescendingly to those who would dare to offer a different view, remind me of the youngster in the school yard who would stand there with his arms folded, stomping his feet, screaming "Listen to me" to anyone within earshot. Creating a big fuss - yes. Being overly dramatic and annoying - definitely! For those of you contemplating whether or not you should purchase the AP bible, may I recommend you not be swayed by the comments of those who act as if their hair's on fire. Check it out for yourself. I am confident you will fine that it's a fine bible with interesting accounts of people and events that contributed to making America great.

I am amazed at the number of reviewers who don't like what this Bible might be, or looks like, or could potentially be. I just want to ask if they've taken the time to look at it. I've only seen one negative blogger who seems to have cracked the cover. His prevailing belief seems to be that Christians should stay out of politics. Ironically, his state just elected a comedian as their senator (jokes on him).

I own one, and have opened it, so I can actually speak intelligently about it.

For a Christian who is interested in American history, it is a great reference tool that brings to light what many would seek to erase. Simply that this country was founded on Christian principles. People can try to deny that; but just take a look at your money, your pledge (yes it still says "under God" with a big "G"), and nearly every monument in Washington. I have yet to find subjective commentary in this Bible, just fact. We can dislike fact, but that doesn't change that it is, indeed, fact.

There is no claim that Christianity is uniquely American. There isn't a reference to an "American Jesus". There is no party endorsement. There are beautiful illustrations, maps and historical documents that I found very compelling.

I'm happy to see this in print and proud to own it.

The American Patriot's Bible is chock full of interesting facts on American history. It is a New King James version, which is okay, but I personally would have preferred a New International Version or an English Standard Version. The only other thing I would change with the Bible is to have thumb tabs...simply a personal preference of mine! The texts are easy to read and I enjoyed the mini history lessons inserted in the beginning of sections and books in the bible. This bible is certainly set up to provide a family history in the beginning and could easily become a family heirloom. The bible includes pages to record births of children and grandchildren, the family tree, the family church record, special family history, ancestors of interest, Military service records, and family deaths. There is a comprehensive subject index dealing with outstanding characteristics of the American patriot, a decent sized concordance, and colorful bible maps to end the bible out. I would certainly recommend this bible for homeschooling families.

The American Patriot's Bible (Thomas Nelson, hardcover, 1,620 pages plus maps) is an attempt to demonstrate how absolutely intertwined American history and culture are with the Word of God. I would not call it a study Bible (although it does contain a decent concordance at the end). Rather, it would probably fit most readily into the category of "novelty Bible". The easy-to-read NKJV text is peppered with callout boxes and glossy-paper articles all having to do with the influence of Scripture on the United States. At the very beginning are maps, lists, and a family-records section. This Bible is very well constructed and quite readable.

I have to admit that I approached this Bible with some degree of ambiguity. I love the Bible, and I love America, but my line of work has pretty much cured me of any vestiges of the so-called "American Exeptionalism". The God of Scripture is not American, and I do not believe that America has any special prerogative in the Divine Plan. Under no circumstances can the promises given to Israel be applied to the US.

Having said that, it takes but a precursory look at history to see the unique role America has played, and continues to play. The US is unparalleled in its foundation on Christian principles, its progress in human rights, its support of Israel, and its support of missionary work around the globe.

And there most definitely is room for the Christian American to be patriotic, so long as he remembers where his true citizenship lies.

The fact that I read The American Patriot's Bible during the 9-11 commemorations--a time when my own patriotism is at a hightened state--may have made me more charitably disposed to this Bible. It has many good features.

The call-out boxes deal with concepts such as "honor", "humility", "defender", ect. and highlight a person, event, or speech from US history. Usually these have something to do with the biblical text at hand. The full-color sections deal with larger themes such as the Civil War or the Great Awakening.

Another cool feature: interspersed throught the Bible are markers showing where the various presidents placed their hands as they were sworn in. (Truly ironic is Bill Clinton's choice of Galatians 6:8. Look it up.)

It is obvious to the reader that Dr. Richard G. Lee--general editor--is trying hard to be bi-partisan. He quotes Republicans and Democrats, and goes so far as to find some glowing things to say about President Obama. Yet, the partisan nature of certain issues cannot be avoided, especially when the Bible is so clear about them (ex. Abortion). To his credit, Dr. Lee does not shy away from these, either.

I was pleasantly surprised with the overall tone of the notes. While there a couple of times where it slips into American Exeptionalism, and at times even seems to hi-jack promises to Israel, the American Patriot's Bible is, on the whole, worthwhile and interesting. It has even given me some material for an English-language Sunday School class I teach here, where we focus on the impact the Bible has had on language and culture.

As a post script to this review, I would like to reproduce a prayer that is found in page 475, as subtext for David's ascension to the throne in I Chronicles. It was written by Josia Gilbert Holland in the 19th century, and I read it on Saturday as I watched video of the events of September 11, 2001, and then saw the thousands of people gathered in protest at the Capitol. It seems to have grown in its relevance:

God, give us men! A time like this demands Srong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands;
Men whom the lust of office does not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
Men who possess opinions and a will;
Men who have honor; men who will not lie;
Men who can stand before a demagogue
And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking!
Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog In public duty, and in private thinking;
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds, Their large professions and their little deeds,
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps, Wrong ruiles the land and waiting Justice sleeps.

(Disclaimer: This review was done in participation with the Thomas Nelson Book Review program for bloggers. While I do get a free book out of the deal, I am in no way pressured to write a positive review.)

I had the opportunity to read and review this new Study Bible. I have to say after reading some other reviews I was curious about this Bible. The articles in this Bible blew me away. There are all sorts of articles that were of interest to me. There is a page that contains the names of all fifty states in the order they were admitted into the United States along with the days of admission. There are several full color featured articles that captured my attention. A few are on the following subjects; The Bible and American Presidents, Christianity in Colonial America, Faith of the Founders, The Great Awakenings, and The Bible and Famous Americans, One of my favorite features is the Presidential Oath Feature. This Bible shows you where our Presidents have placed their hands on the scriptures as they took the Presidential Oath of Office. Some of the subjects that are addressed in the American Patriot's Bible are John Quincy Adams; Buzz Aldrin, Communion on the Moon; Todd Beamer; Winston Churchill; Columbia University; and Christopher Columbus; There is something in this Bible for everyone. This is a hard bound Bible and will last for generations to come. No matter your political affiliation, you will love this Bible.

I am a "history nut"....unashamedly. I also am a Christian, and I love this Bible.
I have five Bibles of various translations. I bought this one recently, beecause the theme intrigued me. I received it as a Christmas gift, and I LOVE it!
I'm not a fan of KJV translations...some how the King's English just doesn't appeal to me. The NKJV is an ok alternative. I prefer the NAB myself, even NRSV,
but the NKJV is FINE. There are a lot of nice background articles in this Bible which is NICE graphically and well packaged. I was intrigued by the amercian history footnotes in this Bible. I disagree with another reviewer however who said they could stand alone as a seperate book....NO WAY! Too many people today would like to diminish and dismiss the Faith of the Founding Fathers....that is truly what is wrong today. American histrory is barely even taught in our schools today!
Unbelievable! This Bible helps to remind ALL of us of who WE ARE and Where WE
came from....WE need that today! Shame we need someone to put together a "patriot's
Bible" to remind us! Buy it! Read it! Buy some for your friends and family!
Atreides

Anyone who gives this magnificent Book 1 star either doesn't know American history or doesn't know the Bible. For the people who think America is an evil nation or that this is "blasphemy", go back and read original sources from the time of the Founding Fathers. They were all Godly men (see the painting named "Prayer At Valley Forge") and built this country upon unalienable rights given to us by our God. God gives us our rights, not man, that's how this country was built. And to the people saying "oh what about manifest destiny and every other horrible thing our country is done." The problem stems from people, my friends, people. This nation was built to be a nation of laws but some choose to pervert and destroy our values and morals for their own personal gain of money and power. I really wish people would think and look into the ABSOLUTE TRUE FACTS and not just what they believe to be true. God has indeed blessed this great country and will hopefully continue to if we don't stray too far from him. Anyways this is a great book and one every American should have, maybe they'd realize how lucky they are that God has placed them here and now, in this time, in this country. God bless America.

This beautifully-created version of the New King James translation would make a great study Bible for any student of United States history. Its presentation and family record pages would also make it useful as a family devotional Bible. This Bible contains many features that teach the reader the spiritual significance of key events in United States history.

I was very impressed with the historical scholarship as well as the spiritual application that the editor brought to this work. This Bible contains all the standard study features of a NKJV Bible such as notes, concordance, and Bible maps. The meat of this special edition, however, is in the thematic introductions to the 66 books, the 254 articles, and the 12 sections that delve deeply into how the teachings of the Bible are connected to U.S. history. These in-depth studies are enlightening, but it's also fun to read the shorter notes that are scattered though out--to learn interesting things such as how the prophet Malachi influenced Hamilton's writing of the Federalist Papers and on which verses U.S. presidents chose to place their hands while taking the oath of office.

In so profound a work of scholarship (not to mention that this is indeed a Bible), I feel shallow commenting on one of my favorite things about this edition . . . but it is graphically very beautiful. The 48 full-color insert pages are gorgeous and the large typeface as well as the two-color treatment throughout the rest of the book makes it particularly enjoyable to read.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers for allowing me to review this study edition of the Bible. I am a member of their book review blogger program.
http://brb.thomasnelson.com/

I bought a hardbound copy of the American Patriots Bible and it has exceeded my expectations! I knew that America had a Christian heritage, but I did not know that the evidence was so overwhelming. Wow, what a blessing to not only know the Christian roots of our country, but also to follow the continuance of the Christian influence to shape our country through the years. I like the two-column layout of this bible and the large print, as well as it being translated in the New King James Version. Its concordance, subject index, maps, and footnotes are all above average. Though the words of Jesus are not in red, with all the other wonderful features that is hardly noticeable. You will not be disappointed with this bible!

As a Christian we must stand and be accountable for our works. As an American History buff, I couldn't wait to share with my children American history paired with the bible and how the two intertwined at times.

I already knew that our founding fathers were primarily deists, meaning they held no belief in our Jesus Christ but this book promised more. Upon receiving it, I began flipping through, the first quote that caught my eye was one credited to George Washington. This quote in no way is his, a quick look online and you find it's an effort by history revisionists to put words in others mouths.

It gives all us Christians a bad name. We don't need to make up stuff to prove our point. This author has gone completely out of his way to take quotes out of context and even goes as far as to make up quotes. George Washington said; "America is not a Christian Nation nor founded on Christian Doctrine" (paraphrased) Treaty of Tripoli, signed by John Adams. But the author blatantly lies and quotes something completely different.

Then on to Jefferson, arguably one of the most provable deists of our founding fathers and again the author misquotes and lies.

If we are going to defend our beliefs, we need facts, not Christian propaganda. In this day and age with Google one can easily research our statements and their accuracy. Why would we risk our credibility by lying. Why didn't the editor catch these blatant attempts of historical revision.

No sources are provided to verify, only general sources that don't benefit in corroborating the authors words.

Run from this book, it's useless fiction and shouldn't be associated with the Lords words.