NRSV Spiritual Formation Bible [Hardcover]

Timothy K. Jones (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Encounter Series | Publication Date: May 1, 1999

- Helps people encounter God in a more personal and intimate way - Guides readers to experience God's presence through the senses, the imagination, and creative activity such as art and writing - Encourages Christians to meet God in seven areas: the Created Order, Everyday Life, Worship, Service, Prayer, Scripture, and Community - Also available in the New International Version Translation

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An Invitation to Intimacy with God A spiritual renaissance is taking place as believers rediscover the devotional disciplines that Christians have practiced for hundreds of years. In response to this growing interest, The Spiritual Formation Bible is designed for both head and heart. Developed in conjunction with The Upper Room--the publisher for the last 40 years of a popular devotional weekly--this Bible encourages deep reflection on Scripture, offering transforming practices that help men and women worship God more fully in body, mind, and spirit. Instead of a cut-and-dried study approach, The Spiritual Formation Bible enables readers to encounter Scripture in a more enlightening and personal way. Relating the Bible text to the transforming practice of meeting God in the Created Order, in Everyday Life, in Worship, Scripture, Service, and Community, this unique Bible offers hundreds of Entry Point meditations to help readers reflect on the meaning of the text. Five different styles of Entry Point articles include: Lectio divina: readers make the Word of God a part of their lives by reading and meditating on the text, praying the Scripture back to God, and resting so God can speak. Ignatian: encourages the reader to allow his or her imagination to see, hear, taste, smell, and feel the story or text in a way that allows God to speak afresh. Franciscan: emphasizes the sacred in the ordinary and helps the reader encounter God through creative actions, such as writing or art as meditation. Fivefold Question: prompts the reader to ask five questions that will make the meaning of the text more personal. Quotations from respected Christians, old and new, offer perspective and encourage contemplation of the Scriptures. The Spiritual Formation Bible features Easy-to-use side-margin format 20 attractive tip-ins with Scripture calligraphy Text choices of either the NIV, today's most popular modern translation, or the NRSV Book introductions and special articles on spiritual formation The Spiritual Formation Bible also includes quotes, a subject index, a list of Scriptures suitable for lectio divina, an index of entry point passages and quotes, and other outstanding features. Together, they present a Bible of exceptional value to Christians interested in spiritual formation. For Christians from all denominations and every walk of life, the Spiritual Formation Bible will be an esteemed guide on the journey of spiritual discovery and growth.

From the Back Cover

An invitation to intimacy with God. If you hunger for greater depth in your relationship with God, the NRSV Spiritual Formation bible offers you the feast you're searching for. Designed to satisfy spirit, mind and emotions, this unique Bible helps you turn your scripture reading into a transforming encounter with God. On each page of scripture you'll find an "Entry Point" reflection based on spiritual disciplines that have been practiced by Christians throughout the centuries. Five different kinds of "Entry Points," highlighted by beautiful woodcut-style icons, include: - 1. Lectio Divina invites you into a time of two-way conversation with God. - 2. Ignatian reading engages all your senses as you explore the passage. - 3. Franciscan reading helps you encounter God through practical and creative acts such as writing and art. - 4. Fivefold Question prompts you to consider what the Biblical passage means to you. - 5. Quotations from respected Christians, historic and contemporary, illuminate the power of scripture. Besides the over 1,500 "Entry Points," the NRSV Spiritual Formation Bible also features: - Seven articles on the spiritual disciplines to guide you in meeting God in Scripture, Prayer, Worship, Service, the Created Order, Everyday Life, and Community. - 66 book introductions - Articles on "Getting Started in Spiritual Formation" - 20 pages of classic quotations in beautiful calligraphy - Easy-to-use single-column, side-margin format - An index to "Entry Points" and "Meeting God" articles to help you focus on topics of special interest - New Revised Standard Version--a word-for-word, literal translation that enjoys widespread interdenominational acceptance - A "How to Use" feature on page v to help you get the most benefit from you Spiritual Formation Bible.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1728 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan Publishing Company (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310900891
• ISBN-13: 978-0310900894
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #503,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making Ancient Scriptures New Again, January 28, 2000

By 

Darrell Grizzle "hermitbear" (Marietta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: NRSV Spiritual Formation Bible (Paperback)

I bought this Bible the first week of the new year and have been using it to read the Anglican Daily Office each morning. The translation itself, the NRSV, is very faithful to the original Hebrew and Greek but is also very beautifully and poetically written, as well as more gender-inclusive than many translations. Many familiar passages seem to come to life again.

The Spiritual Formation Bible is a devotional Bible, not a study Bible. The focus is on drawing closer to God through meditating on Scripture. There are articles on Praying the Scriptures, Reading the Scriptures Devotionally, and Meeting God in Prayer, in Community, in the Created Order, in Everyday Life. Each page has a beautifully written devotional passage or a quote from a Christian writer. Contemporary as well as ancient writers are quoted, including several of my favorites, Aelred of Rievaulx (the patron saint of friendship), Bernard of Clairvaux, John Donne, Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton, Philip Yancey.

For those who are seeking a breath of fresh air in their reading of Scripture, I highly recommend this new Bible.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Tool for Intimacy with God, March 11, 2002

By 

Robert - See all my reviews

This review is from: NRSV Spiritual Formation Bible (Hardcover)

Christians have used various spiritual methods and disciplines since the birth of Christianity. Unfortunately, many modern churches don't teach these methods to laypersons. One answer: the Spiritual Formation Bible. This Bible contains descriptions of spiritual methods and articles on how those methods can help nurture one's relationship with the Almighty. Each page contains a suggested technique for use with the scripture from that page. The NRSV is an excellent, scholarly translation (the widely popular NIV is also available) and the fonts and print size are attractive. Some of the described methods are ancient monastic disciplines, but they can aid in viewing the scriptures in a fresh, exciting way.

If you are looking for a study Bible, look elsewhere. This one is more for the heart than the mind. If you are looking for a Bible that will help you draw closer to God, this may be the one.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Bible!, November 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: NRSV Spiritual Formation Bible (Hardcover)

This is the Bible I've been seeking my whole life--even though I didn't know it. I received this as a gift (in more ways than one). This is NOT a study bible and probably not the best place to begin for those unfamiliar with the Bible. It is a wonderful devotional book for contemplative/meditative reading done in beautiful type and an easy-to-read single column format with wide margins. (A BIG plus--this is an "easy-on-the eyes" reading Bible.) Each page has (in the margin) a brief reflection that enhances and draws you into the reading. There are several articles that serve as useful introduction to reading devotionally and help you apply your reading--personally and in the wider world. Several "Meeting God in" articles (in "Prayer", "Worship", etc.) enhance the reading experience. Beautiful glossy plates with quotes from the spiritual seekers that marched before are sprinkled throughout. A wonderful edition, available in both the NRSV and NIV. Unfortunately, it is not available in genuine leather, but the quality of the bonded seems adequate. It's hard to see how anyone seeking to deepen their spiritual life could go wrong with The Spiritual Formation Bible.