Customer Reviews

Concordia Self-Study Bible-NIV

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Amazon.com really should provide a better explanation of what this Bible is. I'll do it for them. :-)

It's actually a Lutheran version (not just Missouri Synod--it's for all Lutherans, even ELCA like myself) of Zondervan's NIV Study Bible. There are quite a few study notes in Zondervan's NIV Study Bible that I didn't agree with, but this version fixes that. This is pretty much my favorite Bible. It has all the features of the NIV Study Bible, plus lots more, like quotes from Martin Luther, etc. It's a wonderful Bible, unless you're a Catholic. :-) They would do well to read it too, though. (Hey, I have two Catholic Bibles. Let's be ecumenical, people.)

This Bible is an absolute must-have for all Lutherans, and would be great for any other Protestant as well. Honestly. (Also check out the New Oxford Annotated Bible.)

This "Concordia Self-Study Bible" was written by pastors in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. It was an expansion of the "NIV Study Bible."

What the writers of this Bible have attempted to do is to put a confessional Lutheran slant on an already fairly-good work. Additions made by the Concordia men are marked by a cross, so it is very easy to see where they have made improvements.

Two helpful features were added to the preface of each biblical book. The first is a paragraph or two entitled, "God's Grace in _[title of book]_" This gives a quick overview of the Gospel content in that particular book. The second good feature is a similar paragraph "Luther on _[title of book]_" which gives a referenced Luther quote on that book that you are studying.

If I could, I would probably give this edition of the Bible four-and-a-half stars. While the notes are quite helpful, there are places where a more confessional Lutheran position could have been taken. For example, during the first plague in Exodus, the notes say that the Nile wasn't really turned to blood, but it instead some red sediment made it only appear as blood (Exodus 7:17). This is adding to what the Bible plainly says.

It is these few evidences of the historical-critical approach to biblical interpretation that makes this Study-Bible less than ideal. However, there is still a wealth of helpful information here. Reading this Bible with a careful eye will benefit you greatly.

I notice another reviewer recommended the New Oxford Annotated Bible. I already had that one, so I can say that the introductions, notes, and other study aids of the Concordia Self-Study Bible are much more in-depth. Even without the Aprocrypha, it's noticably larger. Modifications from the original NIV Study Bible are clearly marked, so I would recommend this for any Protestant, not just Lutherans. I do, however, wish they included the apocrypha in this Bible (as did Luther in his own translation).

Like another reviewer I also write from a Catholic perspective but I write to urge readers especially Catholic readers to get this wonderful Bible. Roman Catholics in general have no idea what Luther was talking about--we are not even on the same page. The fact is that while ecumenical dialogue is promising (except with the Lutherans who really matter that is Missouri Synod folks) and while Catholicism has refined its doctrine of Justification in promising ways--the ordinary Catholic in the pew still effectively practices works-rightiousness--and Roman Catholicism should make it very clear that we are not about that. Since this message still is muddied I suggest Catholics read this Bible with its wonderful notes--to understand the complete Lordship of Christ. It is only because that is true that our particular devotional practices (Saints Mary et al) mean anything. Absent that radical assent to Christ's Lordship we become idolators. So read this Bible and go back to Mass fortified by Luther's insights. Though it may not please other Catholics to hear this Martin Luther is one of the greatest Christians God has raised up and he should properly belong to all confessions.

When I bought this Bible, I was ELCA. I am now LCMS.

This Bible is excellent for confessional Lutherans. It is well-known that it is a "Lutheranised" version of the "NIV Study Bible". The additional study notes are very good and go beyond the "NIV Study Bible", which is more appropriate for conservative evangelicals (Baptist, etc).

The book summaries are informative, and for any Lutheran the commentary by Martin Luther is a nice touch.

The NIV remains my most-used translation. It is not as "literal" as some others, but it is also free of the "PC" sentiments of the NRSV.

I would recommend this to all Lutherans, and to those who want to see how the Scriptures connect to Lutheran theology.

As a Luthern Pastor, I use this bible as my main reading and study bible. It is the best bible out there for Lutherans. As a previous person noted, it has maps, extensive notes and Luther's thoughts about each book as a sort of mini preface.

The NIV is a good translation but it is definitely not a 'for Lutherans, by Lutherans' translation. On the one hand, this is good, since when we talk to other Christians we are 'on the same page' as them (I hate puns, but I couldn't resist). On the other hand, since it was not translated as a Lutheran bible, it does have some Reformed/Evangelical emphases reflected in the translation (the translation of the hapax in 1 Pet. 3:21 as 'pledge' is an example of one of these areas).

There are two areas in which this bible lacks though:

1. Not enough room in the margins for notes

2. While some of the study notes betray a distinctively lutheran perspective, there are many notes which were taken, unmodified, from the NIV self study bible. These notes have a distinctively non lutheran perspective. (The commentary on Hab. 2:4 and 1 Pet. 3:21 might be good examples. Lutherans believe that faith is a gift the Holy Spirit gives to us totally apart from our own decisions or actions through the power of God's word. The Commentary in these sections would lead one to believe that faith and Baptism are things I do for God, not things he does to me out of his grace)

Like I said at the beginning of this post, this is the best bible out there for Lutherans. Just buy it knowing the unique way in which this book was put together.

Based upon the famous NIV Study Bible, the Concordia Study Bible combines the easy to read and understand translation of the NIV, the famously useful and relevant notes of the NIV Study Bible, and the Grace Filled theology of Martin Luther! The notes are written with Luther's emphasis on the absolute power of God's grace. A 153 page concordance will help you find your favorite verses. A fantastic topical guide makes themes and ideas of God's Word easy to find and learn. In text maps and notes are incredible, backed up by 14 pages of full color maps in the back. Top it all off with detailed, relevant book introductions, and you have my favorite study Bible of all time!

General Editor: Robert G. Hoerber, Ph.D. Associate Editors: Horace D. Hummel. Ph.D. Walter R. Roehrs. Ph.D. Dean O. Wenthe, Th.M., The Concordia Self-Stydy Bible is a reference Bible with Lutheran study notes in one volume. This self-study Bible combines the popular New International Version translation with extensive study notes that emphasize distinctive Luthern teachings. Access to the notes has been simplified by placing them on the same page as the text. The Concordia Self-Study Bible is designed to enhance the personal study of both laypersons and pastors. A helpful gerneral introduction summarizes the Luthern understanding of Scripture. Introductions to each book provide comments and explanations, including significant quotations from Martin Luther. -Exclusive NIV cross-reference system in center column. -Complete outlines for every book. -In-text maps, charts, diagrams, and illustrations. -Parallel passages and significant corresponding passages listed under sectional subheadings. -6 pages of full-color timelines of the Old and New Testaments. -16 pages of full-color maps. -Presentation page.

I am very dissapointed with Amazon for not providing any description for this study Bible.

This happens to the be study Bible that is geared for Lutheran Christians (Missouri Synod ,ELCA, and WELS) and anyone interested in the interpretations espoused by Lutherans (and Reformed Christians). This is published by the Concordia Publishing House - the publishing arm of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. It uses the New International Version (NIV) and it is very similar to the Zondervan's NIV Study Bible (used by permission of Zondervan). The annotated notes are similar to the Zondervan version. But where the Lutherans have a different interpretation or emphasis this is presented in the notes with a cross symbol to show the difference from the Reformed church.

This Bible really feels like a serious study Bible: thin pages, lots of cross reference verses in a special middle column on every page, annotated verse notes that sometimes take half the page, excellent charts and tables (34 of them), and maps (45 of them). Also each book has its own introduction with the following sub-topics: God's Grace in 'book-name', Luther on 'book-name', Background, Author, Date, Place of Writing, Recipients, Themes and Message, Purpose and Emphases, Literary Features, Structure, and an Outline.

There is a Preface to the NIV, and also an Introduction to Concordia Self-Study Bible which explains the "teachings of Scripture which govern the interpretations that distinguish this edition" : the Grace of God, Through Faith Alone, Scripture Alone, Law and Gospel, Word and Sacrament: Means of Grace, and Cristology. The Old testament does not contain the apocryphal (or deutero-canonical) books thus following the Masoretic Text instead of the Septuagint (LXX).

The first pages show a Chronology of the Old Testament, New Testament, and Early Church. This is a red-verses Bible, showing the words of Jesus (in the Gospels, Acts, and Revelation). The end of this study-Bible contains a Table of Weights and Measures, an Index to Subjects (for words and concepts coverd in the study notes), an Index to Maps (for place-names found on the maps within the Study Bible), a pretty good but not exhaustive Concordance and some very useful Color Maps.

As a side-note, when I did some research on the use of the word "tradition" in the New Testament (e.g. verses 1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15 and 3:6) I found that the NIV uses the word "teachings" instead. 1 Corinthians 15:3 verse note mentions Paul's link to "early Christian tradition." The word "traditions" (instead of "teachings") interestingly enough is being used in its negative contexts like verses Matthew 15:2,6 Mark 7:13, and Colosians 2:8.

All in all, this is an excellent study Bible for any Protestant, Catholic, and even Eastern-Orthodox in understanding the plain and clear message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and understanding God's Grace and Love for us and humanity.

This is my primary Bible. It's perfect for any protestant reader, and includes a brief summary of Luther's thoughts on every book. Great study notes, also. Usually, a large passage will leave you wanting just a little bit more of the footnotes, which I love, because then I do my on research. Just be careful not to get "addicted" to these very well put-together notes. Remember, they are usually commentaries and inferences by men and women, not the divine Word of God.

I've had this Bible for about 4 years now, and my mother has had her copy for probably 8. Both are in excellent condition, even with heavy use. One more thing: I reccomend making any notes with a ballpoint pen, not a gel-type pen. It usually takes a while for gel ink to dry on these pages, as they aren't very absorbent. You don't want any nasty smears in place of your inspired notes! Good luck finding a Bible, even if this is not the one for you.