Customer Reviews

New Interpreter'sŪ Study Bible on CDROM: New Revised Standard Version with Apocrypha; includes 5 vol. Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible

5 star:		(74)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I can't overpraise this study Bible. Like its key rivals in the academic market, The Harper Collins Study Bible (HCSB) and The New Oxford Annotated Bible (NOAB), it uses the New Revised Standard Version as its text base (a good, responsible, and fairly literal translation of the full biblical canon--the 66 Old and New Testament books all Christian traditions use, plus 16 deuterocanonical/apocryphal books used in the Roman Catholic and/or Eastern Orthodox traditions). Also like its competitors, it has excellent scholarly introductions to each book, extensive explanatory notes, background articles, and maps.

So why, if you already own a good NRSV reference Bible, do you also need to get this one? Because the book introductions are incredibly fresh and up-to-date. Because the study notes are insightful and well-phrased. And because, unlike the HCSB and the NOAB, the New Interpreters' Study Bible has two additional kinds of notes. From time to time, the NISB inserts a "Special Note" among the footnotes that makes an interesting observation on the text to help the reader appreciate the larger issues at play within the Bible as a whole. For instance, at 1 Samuel 2.9 there is a special note that calls attention to two distinct points of view in the Bible about justice/theodicy. These special notes are more information than the reader needs to understand the particular passage at hand (and as such can be easily skipped over because they are slightly indented and set off from the surrounding, more text-specific notes), but they are like little windows opening onto a much wider world...and should not be overlooked. In addition, there are almost 100 brief Excurses on thought-provoking topics like "Sibling Rivalry in Genesis," "Interpretations of Rahab," "Suicide," "Anti-Semitic Interpretations of Isaiah," "The Influence of the Maccabean Martyrs," and "Responsibility for the Death of Jesus." And the editors had the foresight to provide an alphabetical listing of these excurses, knowing that readers were going to want to come back to them from time to time.

The essays included in the NISB mostly focus, as one would expect, on interpretive matters: "The Reliability of Scripture," "The Authority of the Bible," "The Inspiration of Scripture," "Guidelines for Reading and Interpretation," "Varieties of Readings and Interpretations of the Biblical Text," and "Culture and Religion Among the Ancient Israelities." The glossary is mostly a list of literary and theological terms (anthropomorphism, chiasm, theophany), but does include a few typical "Bible terms" that the reader may not find satisfying definitions for in a standard collegiate dictionary(such as, sackcloth, Gentile, Sheol).

If you're a reference book addict like me, the NISB promises countless hours of pleasurable reading and exploring.

This is the one Bible I would take with me unhesitatingly to a deserted island. The notes are based off the larger 12-volume commentary set, and are concise and incredibly thorough. They are critical, honest, and sober.

It is also more moderate than the New Oxford Annotated Bible (third edition) and the HarperCollins Study Bible. Both Bibles tend to shy away from affirming topics like Jesus' divinity, but the NISB readily acknowledges Christological and even Trinitarian passages in Scripture.

Moderates will love this Bible. Those that are too "liberal" (I quote from others) may not like it because it does have some pretty specific views on certain topics. Those that are too "conservative" may not like it because it is still a critical Bible. But those who sit in the middle will love it, as I do.

As a youth director, I love it because it does give some spiritual insights into Scripture that other critical Bibles do not. As an educator, I love it because I have an historically and theologically honest Bible that covers everything I want to say in class. Other Bibles are too rigid, I think, either in their so-called conservatism, or so-called liberalism (do we really need labels?). I must agree with Bruce Metzger, that this Bible is ideal for pastors, students, and academically minded laypersons.

Therefore, were you to banish me to a desert island, this would be the one Bible I took with me.

Some people want a Bible which has been adapted to suit the tastes of a particular sect or group, such as the ESV or the NIV. The majority prefer to use a Bible which has been translated without bias from the best available critical texts - the NRSV is the best available translation at this time.

Some people want a Study Bible which tells them what to believe and how to believe it, thus keeping everyone in line (e.g. NIV Study Bible, Life Application Study Bible). Many people prefer to consult a Study Bible in which the facts are presented from a more historical-critical point of view; the reader is left to make up his or her own mind about what to accept and what to reject (New Oxford Annotated NRSV 3rd ed.[NOAB], HarperCollins Study Bible [HCSB] and the Cambridge Annotated Study Bible NRSV).

For those in that last group, the New Interpreter's Study Bible (NISB) is a very welcome addition. If you already own the Oxford or HarperCollins, then purchase this volume for use alongside. If you are considering the Cambridge, get this one instead.
The study notes are somewhat more detailed than in the Oxford and HarperCollins. On page 5 the book of Genesis starts. There is only room for the first 5 verses, the rest of the space being taken up by notes and an excursus. This is actually quite exceptional. Generally the pages are 60% Bible text and 40% notes. A nice touch is that proper names in the Bible text have been broken down into syllables as was the case in the RSV.

Looking at Isaiah 7:14 as most conservative believers tend to do, we see that the NRSV translates 'young woman' correctly from the Massoretic text. Among the notes at the bottom of the page is a "Special Note" explaining how Matthew came to use the word 'virgin' in his Gospel.
Throughout the volume there are so-called "Excursus" sections. These "give more extended treatment to texts, themes and ideas that deserve special attention..." (page XV). A few of the subjects covered: Biblical Ambivalence to Government; Creation: Ordering Chaos; The Eucharist in John; Gender in Genesis; Two Flood Narratives; Paul and the Law.

The Apocrypha is included in this edition. These books are well worth reading. Strange to think that some Christians do not even know of their existance!! The Apocrypha gets the same detailed treatment as the rest of the Bible.

Add to all this some interesting essays on various topics (e.g. The Reliability of Scripture, the Inpsiration of Scripture, Culture and Religion Amont the Ancuent Israelites etc.) and some maps and you have a superb guide to the Bible. Of course, one must not forget the introductions to each book plus an outline.

The language used is not such that only academics can understand it. The content of the notes and essays is of the highest academic value. Quite a feat!
I must emphasize that owning and using more than one Study Bible is preferable if you want a large, accurate picture of things. you will find yourself leaning towards one Study bible, but the other will provide other insights. Thus the NISB plus either the NOAB or the HCSB, or even all three!

Is there anything negative to say? Yes: the lack of cross-references either between the columns or in the margin. The Cambridge is the only Study Bible in the NRSV to have them. A missed opportunity by Abingdon Press.

The paper used is very thin so you can see the print from the next page. But it is not distracting. The hardback binding is not as good as the NOAB or the HCSB which means the paper easily crinkles. One would expect better for the price.

Unfortunately the copy of the book that arrived at my house was of a sub-standard quality. In fact such a book should never have been allowed to leave the printers. I have mailed Abingdon about this and will post their reaction in a follow-up. Such a pity that a lack of quality control should marr an otherwise great book. I hope this is an exception and not the norm for Abingdon publications.

NISB is an excellent resource for clergy, students, congregations and public libraries as well as general public. Well laid out with maps, charts, introductry materials. I think it is better than the 12 volume NIB commentary. It brings together materials that the Oxford Annotated Study and HarperCollins Study Bibles have separately. Scholarly comments walk careful line between "conservative" and "liberal" Could have been clearer about some points (e.g. composition of Corinthian correspondence). Recommend highly. Also available on CD separately. Worth the money!

Incredible study Bible!!! Along with the "usual" notations you'd expect in a study Bible there are a variety of really wonderful "pluses".... devotional notes, "excursuses" spinning off from topics/issues raised in a particular book, Dead Sea Scroll references, peripheral writings adjacent to Biblical texts, related literature, a history of Biblical canons, including Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, and Jewish; Biblical controversies... TONS of wonderful material. During our Bible Study sessions, once folks had finished reviewing all the differing translations they were using, sharing the differences and exploring varieties of meanings, they would then ask what this New Interpreters Study Bible had to say about the verses in question.... Like THIS BIble was the final word.... I love the readable print, the texture of the paper (important for me..), the huge volume of notes and devotional suggestions.... It's wonderful!! My only wish is that it were in flexible leather... Don't think that's possible, though, due to the sheer size of this work... Suberb!!! If you hunger for richness in your study, do consider this volume!!!

The NISB succeeds where other study bibles fail (see my review of the New Oxford Annotated Bible, 3rd ed.), because the editors have wisely chosen to limit its focus. The introduction states that the chief objective is "to make biblical and theological scholarship readily available to those engaged in preaching and teaching in the ecumenical church." That's a much narrower focus than most study bibles, which attempt to balance the needs of a wide spectrum of readers. The broad emphasis of the NISB tends to be more theological and exegetical, than explanatory or expository. As a result, it's a useful resource for its target audience - but probably less useful for more general readers or students. As a pastor, I find it sufficient for my needs, and it has become my study bible of choice.

The overall thrust is deliberately ecumenical, and reflects current critical and theological scholarship. Some readers will doubtless label it "liberal" - oooo, the bogeyman! There's a glut of study bibles out there, and thoughtful readers will want more than one (I use the NIV Study Bible for a conservative perspective, and for its outstanding reference features - the best I've seen anywhere). Anyone with the capacity for rational thought will find commentary in the NISB with which they'll disagree; if that's threatening to you, then buy something else. For example, this card-carrying liberal believes that Jesus is indeed the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through him. The commentary at John 14:6, however, provides me with little useful guidance for the "other-faiths" question. But - it makes me think. That's the main strength of the NISB: it provokes thought, and it asks and encourages good questions. Anyone looking for authoritative answers won't find them here. [begin rant] The world would be an infinitely better place if leaders, authors and publishers would encourage and expect people to ASK QUESTIONS and THINK FOR THEMSELVES [end rant]. Like many other things in this world, a good study bible is an excellent servant, but a poor master.

Particularly interesting are the many "excursuses" scattered throughout. These notes pursue a single theme - Holy War (in Joshua), or Household Codes (Ephesians). They vary in length from a few sentences to more than a page, and often address questions I haven't thought to ask - which is precisely why they're helpful.

My major complaint: the Apocrypha, 400 pages, more than one-sixth of the whole book. I don't use it, I don't want it, and I don't like turning to where Luke should be and finding Third Maccabees. They should publish the Apocrypha in a separate volume, and make this a thinner, less expensive book - or perhaps devote a fraction of that space to in-text maps, or even a center-column cross-reference apparatus.

Minor, curmudgeonly complaints: 1) Every single book introduction ends with an identical two-line statement, that the study notes are based on the outline in the introduction. This is a perfectly valid editorial policy, but a) So what? and, b) Stating it once in the general introduction, rather than 84 separate times, would shorten an already too-large book by two or three pages and would, over the course of a long press life, save a few trees from being chopped down. At least the twelve huge volumes of the NIB are printed on recycled paper. 2) Suggestion for the copy editor: use spellcheck before you copy-and-paste. "Baased" should be "based" (pp. 1802, 1849, 1906...). Like, duh! 3) The print quality, at least in the leather edition, is uneven - a few pages are printed too lightly.

Abingdon is, of course, branding the New Interpreter's label on a variety of products. I'm impressed with those I've seen - the flagship NIB is superb, and the new Pastor's Bible Study looks promising. Kudos to Abingdon - may they keep up the good work. If they call me, I'll tell them exactly what I want in the second edition!

___________________________________________________________________________

(appended, Nov. 2010)

I wrote the above review in 2004, and have now used the NISB continuously for six years. I've read through it twice (even the Apocrypha [once], which I moaned about above), and made a point each time of reading all the excursuses, all the general articles, and as much of the actual commentary as possible. I've upgraded it to five stars -- this is a superb resource for anyone who wants to read and interpret the Bible, for their own spiritual life, or for that of a faith community. It has become an indispensable part of my life, and if I were allowed to own only one Bible, it would be this one.

The NRSV translation is not meant to be "liberal," but honest and unbiased. The gender inclusive language is problematic sometimes. However, the fact that the language is otherwise so clear, accurate, and enlightening makes the translation worth while. This translation simply makes better word choices in many instances that really makes the meaning much clearer than other translations.

The NISB commentary is also problematic in places where it does deviate from accepted orthodox Christian views. But, these places are few. Most of the commentary is insightful, helpful, and orthodox. Although many of the contributers take a literary view of the Bible in that it evolved in the culture of people, which would seem to deny that it was inspired by God, although these view points are not completely mutually exclusive.

Whereas I would caution against the New Oxford Annotated Bible for someone who wants to develop his or her Christian faith, I think the NISB is good to have as a reference because the commentary is often insightful. Just evaluate carefully the comments. Don't accept them blindly.

Paul tells us in multiple verses to disern carefully truth from error. So, don't be afraid to get this Bible, but do read the commentary with a disering mind. Don't feel that you have to always agree with the commentary. But, that would hold true for so-called "conservative" study Bibles also which also may not be free of error in their commentary.

Deuteronomy 5:32 KJV
(32) Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

I have many versions of the Bible, and this is by far my very favorite. Finally, a Bible with accurate notes and tips for interpretation. I always felt like other Bibles were biased by one way of thinking or believing when I read the comments. But knowing the hardwork that 65 scholars put into making this Bible is very helpful as I study and try to understand the history, context, people, culture and so many other things that need to be understood when reading the Bible. I have not read the apocrypha yet, but I was pleased to see it was also included in this version. For those of you who really want to understand what the Bible means, read this one! I highly recommend it.

An excellent ecumenical Bible. It does not lean toward the conservative interpretation nor to the liberal. It is a scholarly annotation with appropriate translations for Hebrew and Greek words and phrases. Anyone could read the notes and gain a better understanding of the history and religious traditions prevalent at the time of the original writing. These annotations seek to inform rather than convert the reader. Cross references are helpful and numerous.

I own several study bibles and this is the best one. Other study bibles sometimes offer useless or superfluous information. "This was the third time God spoke to Abraham", "This story shows God's greatness", etcetera. The New Interpreter's Study Bible offers facts and figures based on the present state of Bible science. So don't expect a book which ascribes Genesis to Moses or defends typically orthodox opinions. Facts are sacred, uncertainties recognised. The colour maps are fine guides and the many excursuses offer detailed explanations of lots of theological and biblical issues. Finally, the combination with the NRSV translation, generally accepted as the most conscientious one, emphasizes the makers' wish to create a study bible as reliable as possible.