Customer Reviews

TNIV Reference Bible (Bible Tniv)

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

 

 

I have been anticipating a good leather version of the TNIV ever since the translation came out. When I received my copy, I couldn't wait to take it out of the box and feel the flexible leather cover. I was terribly disappointed to find the inside of the cover was some cheap rigid paper which when bent actually creased causing the cover to show all the wrinkles. I have many Zondervan Bibles and none have this kind of paper backing.

I recently recieved a copy of the new TNIV Reference Bible in the premium leather black cover. It is very nice. It shares all the great qualities of the edition with the bonded leather cover - single column, all words in black, smyth-sewn binding, many cross-references and topical ties.

This particular edition adds a premium leather cover and two ribbon markers instead of one - a great little feature. I can't say how the leather will age or hold up with time, but right now it is great. It is so flexible and soft and even smells like real leather! The paper is a nice thickness too - not a thinline edition.

This Bible was designed for preachers, teachers and serious students of Scripture, and I feel like they delivered well. This is a Bible without interpretive notes, but the cross references and topical ties will lead you on a journey though the Bible, using the Bible to understand the Bible.

Maybe it's not perfect - a little bit bigger font, some more margin room for notes...but Zondervan has done a nice job. Hopefully a sign of more great products to come.

I am a fan of the TNIV. However, Zondervan plans to kill it when they release the NIV 2011. So get a copy or copies while you can.
I love this Bible for many reasons.
1- It is a great translation
2- Size is perfect for teaching and preaching
3- I love the references and Topical ties at the bottom
4- Single column
5- Black letter

The only thing I wish they had done is that the bonded leather feels kind of plastic and has no give at all. VERY stiff. And I wish they had put the reference information in the inside of the text instead of the outside so you would have had some area to put notes. But other then that I love this and use it often.

I broke down and bought the Fine Leather edition and I agree with what others have said, the leather is very nice but the very thin paper they put on it to bind it to the Bible is REALLY THIN and so the leather is very easy to bend and to be honest not worth the extra money.

Zondervan has been slow in putting out the TNIV, fearing the backlash of conservatives who are following Dobson's orders not to read any "gender inclusive" Bibles. It's a shame because this Bible is worth owning.

The cross-references are classic Zondervan. The margins are not great, but the typesetting is nice to read. It is a good size and wonderful to use as a minister.

The thing I like most so far is the layout - I'm coming to really like the single column layout - it's a lot easier on the eyes than the standard two-column layout, though most of us are used to the two column style. The cross-references are on the outer edge of the page, which is really great since sometimes they in the inner side and get caught down in the fold and that makes it too hard to see sometimes. It looks like they somehow set it up so the references start from the middle of the page and work out (up or down). What I mean is the references are centered in the middle of the page so that on some pages with only some references, the list is short leaving room for marginal notes. However, there are pages where there are a significant number of notes leaving little if any room for marginal notes. (See the picture in Nathan's review for an example).

Another feature I like and I think really contributes to the process of Bible study is the paragraph layout. I have the International Inductive Study Bible and while it is in the single column layout, they did not section out the text in paragraph format, but rather in a verse by verse layout. Why is this important (the paragraph lay out)? Because the biblical text flows in units of thought and whether one agrees with where the editors chose to close one thought and begin the next (side note: I've often noticed commentators segmenting the text a verse or two different than the average Bible) the point is, it really helps the average pastor or person studying the Bible to have the text laid out in paragraph form, especially for the Inductive Method. (If you want to learn more about what I am talking about here, consider David L. Thompson's Bible Study That Works, Evangel Publishing House, 1994 - this little book is an absolute gem!). Also, it helps when preaching through a book, one know where the next section begins, etc.

I also like the Topical Ties segment located at the bottom of most pages. What are the Topical Ties? It is a topcial reference system inteded to complement the cross-reference system highlighting various topics found in Scripture. To me it seems like having a condensed Nave's Topical Bible right in your main Bible. It's should be noted, this is NOT a study Bible in the technical sense, but I think in some ways it is a great study Bible! How so? Because of the strong cross-reference system and the topical ties system. It helps you study the text of Scripture on your own! The study notes in most study Bibles are typcially background based (a very good one is the new NLT Study Bible, with few exceptions, its notes are second to none (that is, in my opinion.)

Here are some Topical Ties to consider: (picked at random)

Deut 32:22 Fire of judgment from God. Ge 19:24-25. Nu16:35 <---> 2 Ki 1:9-12. (arrows here indicate addtional verse (or verses to consider).

A survey of these verses show that in some cases, fire is used to in God's judgment against wickedness or disobedience, and so on.

Acts 22:14-16 Baptism in the early church. Mt 28:19. Ac 16:31-33 <---> 1 Co 1:13-17

Based on these verse we see that baptism is part of the process of being saved though not necessarily required for salvation - it symbolizes our inclusion in the larger Body of Christ (as does faith).

So these are just a couple examples of Topical Ties. Perhaps later I'll have to follow one through from beginning to end to see how it develops and what comes of it.

Finally, I think the Dictionary of TNIV terms at the end of the Bible, before the maps, will come in handy for quite a few folks, even myself when I need a reminder or come across a term I am not familiar with. The descriptions are short and to the point. They are not intended to be exhaustive. That is what a Bible Dictionary is for! (e.g., Eerdmans or some other).

Here are a couple of examples:

Firstborn Oldest son and the possessor of special priviledges. In the Old Testament the term often described the priviledge and favor God granted to Israel (Ex 23:19). In the New Testament, the term is applied to Jesus (1 Co 15:20) and to believers (Jas 1:18).

Kingdom of God God's rule over all creation as the Creator (Ps 103:19; 145:11-13). His special rule over Israel is also sometimes referred to as his "kingdom" (Ex 19:6; 1 Ch 17:14; 28:5: 29:11; 2 Ch 13:8; Ob 21). The kingdom of God as God's special rule in the hearts of believers and his gracious restoration of the goodness of the creation was initiated through the coming of Christ and will be consummated when Christ returns to bring his saving work to completion.

If I were to list some weaknesses of the TNIV Reference Bible: Renaissance Leather Edition, the main one would be that the thinness of the paper allows it to flold a little too easily - I have already had to unfold a few page corners here and there I don't remember folding. I hope too, the paper lining on the inside of the leather cover does not soon begin to pull away. Hoepfully it has been glued well enough to stay strong for a long while. I already see some fraying on the smyth sewn binding so I hope it won't continue to be a problem.

It might be fine leather Bible, but still, care and attention will be needed to see that it lasts.

Thank you Zondervan for this review copy of the latest TNIV Reference Bible: Renaissance Leather Edition - it is and has been and will be a tremendous blessing!

I purchased this version after doing a little research on the gender issue and have been pleasantly surprised. The TNIV's clarity is refreshing without being too novel-like. The quality of the Renaissance Bible is very nice. The leather on the outside is soft and supple, and the paper is non-glare and thick enough for notes without bleed through. The only negatives to me are that I would have liked the inside cover to be leather lined and the paper edged in gold instead of silver. I also would have preferred the type to be larger and bolder for easier reading. The Bible is just the right size for carrying back and forth to Church, etc. without being too bulky or heavy. It has great reference notes, as well. All in all a very nice Bible at a great price. You won't be disappointed.

This review does not serve any purpose other than to share all potential buyers about this Bible. I do not care about TNIV translation problems nor the debates between scholars regarding gender-inclusive language, etc. What I care about, in this review, is letting people know about this particular Bible...not the translation.

First off, let me tell you that I have a Bible obsession. For some unknown reason, I have to have every major translation. I was missing the TNIV so I searched and found this particular Bible: The TNIV Reference Bible by Zondervan, with the Renaissance Fine Leather (Premium Leather). When choosing a Bible, I am extremely picky about how it feels in my hands, the flexibility of the leather in correlation to the strength of the leather. Some leather is flexible but is rather weak and damages easily over a short course of time. I'm also interested in how strong the binding is (even though I could just get it re-done). I am also very concerned with price...I want the works without having to pay for them. Now about this Bible:

First off, it is a single column layout. This is the first single-column layout I have ever purchased...LOVE IT. I'll never go back to a double-column text after experiencing the single-column. I'm more focused without even trying to be or not to be. The single-column draws you in naturally. This is also much better because it automatically incorporates letter-style writing which is what the original Bible was. Double columns tend to be separated or paragraphed after every verse, not so with the single-column. It allows for more focused reading and a better read.

The cross-references are to the outside of the pages and are fixed in the middle of the pages branching upwards and downwards (from the middle) based on the amount of references. This is because of the single-column text and it is extremely desirable.

There are topical ties at the bottom of the pages. For example, Hebrews 13:5-6 has a "Trusting in the Lord" topical tie. This topical tie begins (marked with a B) in Exodus 14:31, Romans 15:13, and ends with this Hebrews passage. if you go to one of those passages, they will be about "Trusting in the Lord" as it relates to the Hebrews passage. In most cases, there will be further passages tied to each of the topically tied references to the Hebrews. What I mean is if I turn to Exodus 14:31, since it is a topical tie to that Hebrew passage...Exodus 14:31 will have more ties than what is given for the Hebrews passage. This causes a great amount of study and enjoyment in digging deeper in the Word!

The Concordance is extensive...more so than I imagined it would be.

The leather, the premium Renaissance leather is unlike anything I've experienced. It is cowhide...and it is so soft and supple. Sitting at my desk, the leather is so soft and flexible that I often hold it in my hands while I read because it's comfortable. This is by far the best leather I've felt on a Bible.

The binding is strong...real strong. Smyth-Sewn binding which is top-notch binding and hat I would only consider with a Bible.

The pages are not like most Bibles where they are terribly thin and if you even slightly wet your finger to aid in turning the page a print is left where you touched. No no no. Not with this Bible. This Bible does not have thick paper, but it is definitely not thin. I have an NRSV translation from Cambridge Bibles and it is very thick paper. I have other Zondervan thinline Bibles that utilize terribly thin paper. This is the best paper I've experienced in a Bible. Not too thick, not thin...just right.

I really have no qualms about this Bible. I'm shocked at how great this Bible is. For the price...it's a complete bargain. There are reviews about the cheap page attached to the leather covers and how it wrinkles...not as bad as I thought it would be. The book is entirely well made and durable. if this concerns you...it really should not. It makes it flexible and it lays flat upon first open. In fact, I put it to the test. I opened it to the last chapter of Revelation FIRST to see if it would lay flat...to my surprise it did.

Best Bible I've ever owned (and I currently own 16...after having donated some)...well worth the money. This should be considered stealing at how cheap this Bible is...BUY IT.

The Today's NIV is a great translation; such a shame it's not been as popular as the NIV. This Bible is great to hold with a beautiful leather cover that's really soft and a pleasure to handle. It's a good size and notes on A5 paper (or half letter size)fit nicely in. It's quite heavy to hold though if you're in the habit of walking about when preaching. A couple of downsides: there are so many notes and references that sometimes it seems as if almost every word has a superscripted reference and that can be off-putting. The main disadvantage though is that book names and chapter numbers are in the centre of the top of each page so you have to open the Bible more than those with refs at the edge of the page to find your way about, which slows you down a bit. But I'm getting used to that. Overall, a great Bible at a great price.

I have been very pleased with this Bible. Before investing in the TNIV translation, I compared it to the NIV, ASB, HCSB, and KJV on-line. I then purchased the NIV Bundle for my e-sword which included the TNIV. The TNIV is a very good translation that makes an really good reading or study Bible. The workmanship in this particular Bible is wonderful. The cover is made of a smooth fine grain leather like what is used for well-made leather coats or jackets. Its ability to lay open in your hand is incredible.