Customer Reviews

NASB Update In Touch Ministries Wide Margin Edition; Top Grain Cowhide; Black

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The In-Touch Ministries version of the NASB is a welcome addition to the NASB Update family of Bibles. I have the Top Grain leather edition, and I have not found a Bible on the market that can match the leather quality of this Bible. The top grain leather is extremely soft and thick. Even the inside of the covers are made of the leather resulting in a Bible that literally "fits your hands like a glove." The paper is of high quality- easy to turn and it does not allow bleed through of ball point pens and some markers. There are extra pages in the front and back for extended note taking. The concordance and maps are standard NASB/Foundation additions. The print is a good size for reading and clear on the page. The Bible should receive a five star rating except for two things: 1) the lack of cross-references is limiting to Bible study; and 2) there have been some quality problems in the printing process that results in page-fold errors throughout the Bible. Lockman and Foundation Press are aware of these problems and they are working to correct these shortfalls. In summary, if you're shopping for a Wide Margin NASB Update, and cross-references are not important to your method of Bible study, this is the Bible for you. The investment in the Top-Grain Leather is worth it just to hold it in your hands as you "taste" the word of God.

I have been a devout bible student and bible collector for 29 years. My first bible (which I still have) was a Scofield KJV. Since then, I have owned many different bibles that have had various degrees of helps and notes. In choosing a bible, my criteria were as follows:

1. The bible had to be of superior quality and workmanship
2. Wide margins for note taking
3. Limited or no notes
4. Literal word-for-word translation

This "In Touch" addition meets and exceeds my requirements! I purchased the deluxe leather addition.

Many people are have stated that the NASB is the most literal translation available. That is not the case. I believe it is the most literal translation that is widely available. Green's Literal Translation is by far the most literal version on the market today. The NASB most literal passages are not in the body of the text but in the margins! Some have stated that not having these translation notes is by far the greatest weakness of this bible. I would somewhat agree. But this weakness does have an upside-many times I found the alternate readings a distraction because they can be controversial (i.e. the last chapter of Mark and the story of the women caught in adultery), and if I wanted to, I could simply refer to another bible or computer software to capture these notes.

I would imagine that the absence of cross-references would be a showstopper for young Christians. Actually, I believe that the lack of these references will force the reader (young or old) to search the Scriptures. Of course, the reader should solicit the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but this activity (searching the Scriptures) will reinforce the learning experience.

I highly recommend this edition of the NASB.

It has been my desire to find a Bible that I can use for preaching and teaching the Word from the NAS Updated version. I wanted one that had wide margins for my notes and was durable. This one fit the bill and I know that it will do well for many, many years. I can put my Greek & Hebrew expanded notes and definitions as well as room for my outlines. It will do me well!

I certainly have more Bibles than I need. I got hooked on collecting Bibles after I converted and it has become somewhat of a hobby.

My favorites to date have been the Cambridge Bibles and they are certainly second to none when it comes to craftmanship - until now. I have never had a Bible actually evoke an emotional response out of me after opening the box. The leather has no equal (sorry Cambridge) and the typeface is just the right size. The paper has an 'old time' quality that I can't place. In fact - handling the Bible makes you feel like an old Scribe who has found an ancient text that no one else knows about.

Lockman says the binding is designed so the Bible can lay flat - well maybe - but not without some breaking in. It certainly appears to be a very high quality binding, however, it is not a hinged design like Cambridge - which can lay flat right out of the box.

There are no cross references - which can be a negative depending on your point of view. I for one generally prefer them. However, the absences of them give the pages of this Bible a very clean appearance which beckons one to simply sit and read. Anyone buying a Bible like this is bound to be like me in the sense that they will most certainly have another Bible they can use for in depth studies. It would be impossible for me to write in this Bible - it's that beautiful.

The Lockman Foundation scores a 10.

The In Touch Ministries Wide Margin NASB Bible in Cowhide is a beautifully bound quality product. The feel of the cowhide exhudes quality, as does the paper and is one of the best 'quality feel' Bibles I have purchased. My only disappointment is the wide margin aspect. The advetising states that there is a 1" margin around the text, however, after binding, this is not the case. It is very difficult to make notes next to the text at the binding as it is really not wide enough. It should have been wide like the margin at the edges of the page and at the top and bottom where there is ample room. I believe, therefore that people should consider purchasing the NASB updated wide margin, single column text reference Bible instead if they are prolific note takers.

I am not one who greatly enjoys the works of Charles Stanley and so I was a bit reluctant to purchase a Bible that was endorsed by his ministry. However, I overcame my apprehensions and purchased the Bible. I have not been dissappointed.

The Bible is a smooth, genuine cowhide cover. The Bible pages are top quality Bible paper. The margins are good and wide. This edition is in black letter text (a plus for me since all Scripture is God-breathed; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) and is in verse format. There are no center column references. The wonderful part of this edition, however, is that In Touch and Charles Stanley have little in this work except an introduction by Dr. Stanley.

In our age of "study" Bibles for every need, its good to see Lockman putting out a quality Bible such as this one that is not really a "study" Bible full of Stanley's notes but this Bible allows the reader to study the inspired text themself.

The In-Touch Ministries edition of the NASBU is a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind Bible, with buttery-soft calfskin leather in your choice of navy blue, burgundy, or black. Now, this leather is not the same as the leather used on Cambridge Bibles, which is thick and grainy, with a unique smell all its own. This is like the leather on a soft shoe---smooth and pliable. The Bible is smyth-sewn, and has quality French paper.
Unfortunately, all the Bible has is text and concordance with coloured maps in the back, and wide margins. No helps whatsoever.
I would even hesitate before I marked up the Bible, that's how beautiful it is. However, if all you want is a pretty cover, buy it. Otherwise, forget it. Other NASBU reference or study Bibles in genuine or top-grain leather are available at lesser cost. So, save yourself a few bucks and get yourself something that has more information.

Much has been said about this Bible. And yes, it is the best I have used ever. But I want to point out something. As a pastor, I encourage people to read their Bibles. You use something regularly, it will wear out. While this Bible will take a number of years to wear out with regular use, the Lockman Foundation will REPLACE IT. I have some good Bibles, but none have this incredible guarantee.

You will never have need to spend money on another Bible again.

EVER.

Use it, read it, mark it, make notes in it, highlight it, whatever you want to do with it... You will never have to worry about wearing it out. For a book that should be read everyday, this kind of guarantee will not only provide for a Bible that never never wears out, but for a life that will never wear out either.

Ever since my mentor Dr. Charles W. Draper showed me his collection of Bibles and the beautiful editions that are rarely, if ever, printed anymore, I have been scouring bookstores and the internet trying to find a quality, beautiful Bible that would last long after me. When I held this Bible in a bookstore for the first time I almost could not let it go! Finally a binding, leather, paper, and craftsmanship worthy of the Book which they contain!!

It is not often that your expectations are exceeded: many claim they will do it and then you get just the average old item you could get anywhere else. Well - for once - my expectations were well and truly exceeded. This is BY FAR the most beautifully bound bible I have come across. I collect bibles and own many of the most expensive bibles available. And I can honestly say I have not once before opened the package and uncontrollably said WOW! Well-done Lockman/In Touch Ministries! You do not find value like this often.

This bible is indeed less expensive than any similar bible - even so called collector's items. I quite honestly would have been willing to pay more. The leather binding is the best I have ever seen. Indeed - I have not seen a Cambridge bible bound as well with such high quality leather and craftsmanship. The paper is the highest quality I have ever encountered - as thin as tissue but no problem with opacity or pages shining through. The printing is excellent and a very decent size font. The lack of gilded edges really does not detract from this bible - in fact I like the simplicity. Certainly no frills here - a plain but beautifully crafted item.

You will truly do well if you purchase this bible. The accuracy of the NASB is well known and appreciated, but I think most people would buy this bible for the binding and not for the fact that it is a NASB. But rest assured, the NASB is an excellent translation and among the NASB bibles on the market this is the best there is.

As far as the bible itself is concerned: please remember - this is not a "study bible" i.e. with cross-references and footnotes and commentaries etc. It is just the updated NASB text with minimal footnotes. But it reads really really easy. No problem for people that has weak vision. The margins are more than adequate; you will be able to make notes if you can bring yourself to the point where you can write on such beautiful paper. No "book introductions", and no extravagant printing when a new book is started - just a nice header and then the book starts.