Customer Reviews

Life Application Study Bible, NASB

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this study Bible about a year ago. This was my first copy of the NASB translation. To be honest I did not care for it at first. It does not come in red-letter (not that that's all I read but I happen to like a little color) and I was not certain that the NASB translation went well with the Life Application notes. The single column text format was also a surprise as I had never seen it before.

After a year of on and off use I am happy to give this study Bible my endorsement. The NASB is one of the most accurate translations and much easier to read since the 1995 Update (which this Bible uses). The application notes do an excellent job of helping you, well, apply scripture to your life. There is not as much historical data as in some study Bibles but the multitude of charts and maps more than make up for it.

My only complaint so far has been with the quality of the binding. Recently, I noticed that my one-year-old Bible had very loose binding and was beginning to lose some of the presentation pages. This was surprising in a Bible that had been well taken care of and was only a year old (I'm told that bonded leather bindings should be good for ten). Fortunately, Zondervan honored their lifetime guarantee on the binding and replaced it with no questions asked.

If you're a serious Bible student, or want to be, then this is a good Bible to have.

I love my Life Application Study Bible, NASB. I had gone through another Bible when I learned that NASB is the best modern translation. I was reluctant to let the other go because it was highlighted and noted from beginning to ending. I could find things in the old Bible. Nevertheless, I began once again on page one.

It did not take long to discover that, yes, this is the Bible to read. What makes it so enjoyable includes several reasons. First of all, I love the translation. It maintains that sacred tone while in modern speech. Those who believe the King James translation is the only authentic version don't realize that it is a translation into the language of the King James court in England (during Shakespeare's time). A translation is never going to be an exact one because of language and cultural differences, but the NASB is certainly noteworthy.

Another winning factor is the abundance of study guides for each book: time lines, vital statistics including summary and application for each book, maps, outline of the book, charts and diagrams, and megathemes. I looked forward to these with each book. I read them both before and after each chapter and made simple notes in the margins.

Another winning aspect of this version is the Harmony of Old Testament scripture with New Testament passages. Jesus is first referenced in Genesis 1:26--"Let Us make man in Our image..." The footnote provides the Harmony. From Colossians 1:16 "we know that Christ, God's Son, was at work in the creation" (6). This continues throughout the Bible.

In fact the footnotes are where important life applications are found. Here is one example: Gen. 1:27: "God made both man and woman in His image...From the beginning the Bible places both man and woman in the pinnacle of God's creation. Neither sex is exalted, and neither is depreciated" (7).

Then there are the profiles of major characters interspersed throughout the chapter. For Adam there is a summary of his role, then a listing of his strengths and accomplishments, his weaknesses and mistakes, lessons form his life, vital statistics, and key verses. This same list is provided for each profiled person.

This is an example of "Vital statistics," an important part of chapter study, applied to Genesis: a stated purpose, author, to whom written, setting, key verses, key people. Very concise, very orderly.

If the student of God's Word starts at the very beginning of this translation and this study guide, s/he will finish about a year later much wiser and more knowledgeable of God's plan and our place in it. Then begin over because one reading is only a start. However, "Life Application Study Bible, NASB" is a great place to begin a life-long journey of spiritual growth.

I already own a number of other Bibles in book form including an NIV study Bible and software with almost every English Bible translation available. This is my favorite Bible so far. The life application study notes are very good, maps, concordance, character studies etc are all very good. The text is big enough, the book itself is a little bulky but not too heavy, as can be expected for a complete Bible with all the study notes and other sections. I prefer hard cover Bibles as I think they are more durable, especially for the heavy use I make of them. Quality of the book is good, no issues with the binding, and I expect to be using this for many years, both in church as well as every day in personal Bible study.

Update about a year later:
Some time ago, I noticed somebody else had written a review and commented on the quality of the binding, complaining that it was not very good for heavy use. Having used the Bible VERY heavily over the last 12 months, I wanted to come back and disagree. Each year I read right through a Bible. My choice of translation for 2005 was this one. I read and cross referenced many chapters, every day. In addition, I carried the Bible to work and back home again. On most days, I used it more to choose some verses to use to send on to some friends via email, and looked through the life app study notes to add some comments for their benefit. At least once every week, ad often twice, it was subjected to some rather heavy handed treatment and inspection as I took it in and out of a prison in ministry. The binding held up well. Of course, it is showing signs of wear, but my use was probably substantially higher than most other people would have in a few years.

As the title says this Bible is not to bad. It has pluses- like the great introductions at the beginning of each book along with nice maps and character studys. On the negative side if you're looking for a study Bible with a strong dose of theology in the notes, look elsewhere. I use this Bible when I teach teens in my Sunday school class because the notes are geared towards applying Biblical principles to your life. In that area it's a great Bible, for serious study try the NASB study Bible by Zondervan.

It is a vast academic reference--containing maps and a multitude of assisting tools throughout for Berean scrutiny. I, without hesitation, rate this Bible holding all 5 stars!

I personally would not have thought of adding such an abundance of accommodating references. The intro info and footnotes wax wisely for brain storage, but I would have added and subtracted concerning some and I do so in the margin areas. I must tell you, however, for your comfort, that I would never add or subtract from the inerrant Word of God.

The concordance isn't perfect. But of course, a Bible should not weigh a ton so I understand and have not minded adding my own desired references in the margins. I thoroughly enjoy the definitions set beside most words and the "Index to Notes" is an added plus for locating scriptures. However, I would have added this to the "Dictionary-Concordance-Thesaurus" section so one isn't continually bouncing back and forth.

The "Harmony of the Gospels" falls after the book of John and I would have set it before the Gospels. You don't notice it unless you happenstance upon it. Added to the Gospel harmony are sectioned verse references on the death and resurrection of Christ, His parables and miracles. Nice and very concise!

My Bible is severely worn which speaks volumes concerning my use of it and how I thoroughly enjoy it.

Those seeking to be true Bible scholars should also own a "Cruden's Compact Concordance" as it is small and easy to grab for quick verse hunting. A vast reference concordance such as Strong's comes in handy for deeper intrusive study but it is encombersome. I also find a Bible Dictionary, such as Unger's, a delving must. Amazon carries reasonable priced new and used copies of all.

I am in my 60's and found this Bible to be an outstanding version of the Bible. I use it for Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). The explanations, historical data, and clear print help me to understand the Bible and its meaning better than I ever have before in my life. This Bible gives me a clearer Spiritual understanding of Christ. I would recommend this Bible to a new adult Christian just starting to learn or a person who is a biblical scholar.

I have the zondervan NASB STUDY BIBLE and this NASB LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE and they are somewhat different.
I really like the life application for its thought provoking commentary, but there a few times where i wish it would have been a little less general and a little more specific with some of the verse notations. I bought the regular NASB STUDY BIBLE as a backup for the commentary, but ideally i should have just bought a regular commentary and been done with it lol.
But over all i would give this NASB LIFE APPLICATION bible a 9 out of 10 and will probably be buying this to give away as gifts in the near future.

This Bible has renewed my hunger for God's word. It is like having a Bible Study at your fingertips while you read the Bible. I love the background information provided to put things in context while I read. The notes at the bottom really encourage you to take what you read and apply it to life. Having this Bible makes it easier to understand scripture that I may not have been able to otherwise without the commentary. Highly Recommend!

This bible is excellent. It seems as if everyone is now in a study group of some kind. This one has so many footnotes, and it explains everything, but what's so special is that it tells you how to apply these things in today's world. There's color maps, and a concordance built right in the back. I'm a Catholic and this book is awesome. It doesn't have the acrophya books that the Catholic bibles do, but I haven't been able to find a Catholic bible that has study notes to this extent. Definitely worth it! It's readable and applicable for everyone.

I have several Bibles, but none of them have all that this particular one has to offer. I am by no means a scholar, however, I have found that I am more inspired to pickup my Bible to find an answer to a question that may come up during discussions with both fellow believer and nonbelievers alike. It is written in what I am told to be the most accurate English translation, therefore easy to understand, and the footnotes are extremely helpful in giving further insight into what is going on in the passage concerning customs of the times, situations and so forth, background information; like a narrator.

I recommend this Bible to everyone. It has proven itself invaluable in my home to help my family walk closer to the Lord everyday.