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73 of 91 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
KJV Genuine Leather Life Application Bible, May 16, 2005
This review is from the standpoint of an independent fundamental Baptist believer. After years of searching for the ideal study Bible, this is as close as it comes for me!
Things I especially like
1. Scripture is printed in paragraph format as opposed to two columns like most Bibles. I found this eminently more readable.
2. Archaic KJV words translated at the bottom of each page rather than in a dictionary.
3. Ample room for notes. Although not technically a "wide margin" Bible, there is a lot of white space. Paper is thick enough to avoid "bleed through" on many pens and dryliners. Bible stays open, even in Genesis and Revelation, without being held down.
4. Mini-maps throughout the text help keep the stories/action in perspective. Excellent maps are also in the back.
5. Like many study Bibles, there is an outline (blueprint) of the book at the beginning of each book. However, they also provide "mega-themes" which give the explanation and importance of major themes within each book; as well as a timeline -- especially helpful to place what you are reading in the context of other books in the Bible.
6. An extraordinarily well done Harmony of the Gospels.
7. Charts, notes, and biographies that help to unite the various books of the Bible together like no other Bible I have ever used. Very often the notes/charts will reference another Biblical character or portion of scripture that illuminate the passage far better than paragraphs of notes ever could. This Bible is indispensable for that reason alone.
8. The "selling point" of this Bible is the notes which are specifically designed for application rather than explanation. I find these far more helpful than the classic explanatory study notes. Many of the notes are geared toward a newer believer, but there are ample thought-provoking and "aha!" notes for mature believers as well.
Things that could improve...
1. The binding. Even the Genuine Leather is a rather stiff, cheap feeling leather, especially if you're used to Cambridge or another fine maker. Heavy use and transport of the Bible tends to break the binding, even if a cover is used. I have used the purchase box as my Bible case and not had any breakage after 2 years. Many of our church folks have broken bindings, however.
2. The book introductions are hokey, even though they contain some good material. The notes are overwhelmingly designed for personal application and reflection. Although this is not bad, there are very few notes designed to help the reader know God/Christ better.
3. This Bible, because of the wealth of material is HEAVY and Large (it barely fits in an X-Large Bible case.) While this is not a problem for most, it is uncomfortably large for many Sr. Saints to lug around or hold on their laps in church. There is really no way this could be changed without using thinner paper or removing valuable study material.
Overall, this is the most useful study Bible I have owned/used (others being Scofield, Open Bible, Thompson Chain, and Ryrie). The most valuable feature of this Bible is that the publishers have succeeded in putting the reference material - dictionary, maps, cross references, charts, and notes - into the text where it's actually used instead of stuck at the end of the Bible in a giant lump. Even after decades of faithful church attendance and Christian education, I find the notes thought-provoking. The one danger with this Bible, especially for a new Christian, is going to be reading the notes instead of the Bible.
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