Customer Reviews

The Scriptures: Single Column Text Bible

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

 

 

The first thing I noticed about this bible is that the picture Amazon shows is for the box that it comes in. The bible itself is smaller than most "standard" sized bibles. This one is smaller than the dimensions of a DVD case (height and length) the width is obviously thicker. It is probably more like the size of a diary.

This bible has no printing on the front cover like the box would lead you to believe. The print is smaller than most of the bibles I have so that was something else I was surprised at.

I love the translation! It is a much easier bible to read that way. I got hooked on this translation after reading a biblezine (which is another great product).

Overall, I'm happy I purchased the bible. Use my observations to make up your mind whether or not purchase this bible. Personally, I couldn't find this at my local bookstores so I kind of bought this on a gamble. I'm still satisfied with it, it just isn't what I expected.

This beautiful brown binding is alligator-like. The compact size fits perfectly in your bag. Fits in your hand nicely and it's just an all-around nice bible for reading. The single column format makes it nice for reading like a book, and the verses are clearly marked.
I did not give it 5 stars because of the size of the text. It is suppose to be a pt 10 but I think it is an 8.5 or somewhere close to that.
Regardless, I still love it and recommend it.

I enjoy checking out the many different translations of the Holy Bible, and some of these I read simply to refresh my understanding of God's Word. However, while I truly admire the single column format, the font style and size, and the scripting of the book titles, this is a bit awkward to carry around. The publishers apparently thought less horizontal desk space was preferable to comfort in the hand of the reader.

I am pretty comfortable with this bible, but I believe a person with smaller hands might consider it a bit cumbersome as it is as thick as many reference bibles. It is not, by any means, a thin bible! The binding is pretty good, but the fake leather cover is far too stiff even if it is attractive looking. Just don't bend it! The paper used is quite thin, but type bleed-through from the reverse of the page is remarkably minimal.

Outside of those small complaints, after reading a few books of the Old Testament and a few, including Acts, of the New Testament I find myself underwhelmed with the text. It simply is too "dumbed down" to give one the sense they are reading sacred scripture. I realize that in our dysfunctional and semi-illiterate society, this kind of simplification has it's advocates. However, I am firmly of the opinion that if we only give people what they can easily chew they will never appreciate good steak. Of course, those without teeth must stick to soup... or milk.

I appreciate the translators intentions, but I would recommend this translation be reserved for only the most unlearned bible students or those struggling with English as a second language. If a person can read and understand a newspaper, a magazine, or even a menu, they would profit from a more literal and reverent treatment of the Holy Scriptures. I consider the New Living Translation a better overall translation, even though I have serious reservations about some of it's translator's assumptions (as in calling Behemoth a hippopotamus and Leviathan a crocodile in Job 40-41).

I will say that this translation is superior to the King James if a person is struggling to understand the complexities of the Pentateuch's many laws, measurements, geographical and genealogical listings. But, to appreciate the depth and mystery of the "living" Word of God, a translation must be a bit "lively" as well.

In addition, the footnotes are repetitive and address the simplest words. I am addicted to checking out footnotes/end notes, but these are quite unnecessary in a book of this depth.