Customer Reviews

The Wesley Study Bible

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My first impressions of this new study bible (just got it today) are quite positive. Physically, the binding is a surprisingly supple and attractive leatherette for the price. The bible is a nice size, with large pages and not too thick. It lays nicely in the lap or hand for reading. The typography inside is nothing exciting, but clean and readable. There are lots of color maps at the back and an index to the two kinds of special notes (described below). Alas, I already noticed a typo in the introduction to Matthew.

I have several other study bibles, from the NIV study bible (my favorite because of its charts, references, and resources) to the NLT study bible (also lots of goodies, a little more conservative) to various NRSV study bibles (often overly academic or liberal). This Wesley Study Bible seems to be aimed a little differently. In the tradition of John Wesley's own notes on the bible, the editors and contributors have provided an academically solid, yet practical commentary aimed squarely at working preachers and the folks in the pews.

There are three types of notes: (1) Running footnotes at the bottom of each page which do a verse-by-verse job highlighting important points in scripture and quickly explaining their significance. These often refer to other scriptures, tracing important themes throughout the bible. Occasional references are made to John Wesley's own sermon and notes. (2) Pull-out boxes for Wesleyan Core Terms such as "prevenient grace" - the grace of God which enables us poor sinners to freely respond to God's offer of salvation. (3) Life Application Topic pull-outs which are mini sermons or devotions on topics like mercy, service, true riches, and the wages of sin.

The scholarship is pretty middle-of-the-road (as was Wesley). It has a much higher view of scriptural authority than the extremes of the "Jesus was a very nice man and we should try to be like him" liberals, but doesn't see every word and punctuation mark as carved into stone by God himself without human intermediary as the fundamentalists seem to suggest.

If you are looking for an in-depth academic study bible, this ain't it. If you are looking for a platform for extreme viewpoints to the right or left, this ain't it. But if you are looking for a satisfying reading bible with thoughtful and thought-provoking notes and commentary, this is the ticket. It is going to earn a place next to my NIV study bible on the shelf.

As a United Methodist pastor, it is exciting to see this Bible being recieved so well. I feared that this Bible might be too "scholarly" for the general congregational population but I have been pleasantly surprised to see that the study notes have been written for the average reader. It is wonderful to have a Bible with study notes that are steeped in the Wesleyan theological tradition that are accessible to most readers. I am recommending this Bible from the pulpit of my church and will continue to do what I can to get this Bible into the hands of as many folks as I can. I have studied personally with some of the contributors to this Bible and am looking forward to discovering all that it has to offer in the years to come.

I was required to buy this study Bible as a textbook for my Methodist Doctrine class at Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and I am glad that I was. If I had not been required to buy this book, I might not have decided to spend the money on another NRSV Bible, and therefore would have lost out!

First, the good:
1. The imitation leather cover and the ribbon bookmark make this bible lovely, and it comes with a very nice presentation box. The binding lays flat no matter what page the Bible is opened to. Note to Abingdon: Future editions of The United Methodist Book of Worship should be bound in this way.
2. The cost is low for a study Bible, especially one of this quality.
3. The notes give attention both to critical study of the origins of the Scriptures and to the theological interpretation of the text in its final form. In addition to the "standard" notes, text boxes provide additional notes on "life application topics" and "Wesleyan Key Terms". The notes are detailed enough to be of use to clergy in sermon preperation, but simple enough to be readable by any layperson with a high-school education. The notes presume no prior theological knowledge.
4. This study Bible is based on the NRSV translation, which I consider the best among all the current translations of the Bible. It is accurate, readable, and inclusive- the translators used the same "as literal as possible, as dynamic as necessary" approach to translation that the translators of the NIV used, but they did it right! Essentially, the NRSV paid translates passages speaking about human beings in a way that makes it clear that they apply to both men and women. In addition, the NRSV stands in the tradition of the King James Version, and tries to echo its phrasing- quite simply, it's English is not only clear, it is beautiful as well.
5. This study Bible is a joint project of mainline and evangelical scholarship; the most liberal denomination involved in the project is the United Church of Canada, while the Christian and Missionary Alliance is probably the most conservative denomination involved in the project. All those of us who hope for unity in the Body of Christ should be overjoyed by this cooperation in a project involving precisely the issues that divided mainline and evangelical protestants from one-another in the 1920s.

The Bad:
1. The NRSV has two downsides- the Old Testament was translated in a way that is difficult to interpret typologically- the Hebrew was translated , and it introduces the unbiblical word "sodomites" as a translation for arsenokoiti in Corinthians.
2. The pages are so thin that a marker-type highlighter will bleed through, but a crayon-type highlighter smudges the ink.
3. The margins leave little room for the owner of the Bible to leave his or her own notes.
4. The indices of life application topics and Wesleyan core terms contain no page numbers, which makes them less then useful. This is stupidity of the first water on the part of Abingdon Press.

I have not had this Bible long, but already I am using it for sermon preparation. It is stuffed with great insights, information and commentary from the works of John Wesley and contemporary Wesleyan scholars. I don't think there is anything like it elsewhere. The Wesley Bible of a few years ago does not have the narrow focus on John Wesley this Bible does; it was more of a general "Wesleyan Study Bible." I freely admit I am no scholar, but I have found nothing to quibble over, and a great deal to celebrate. I looked forward to the publication of this new study Bible, and I hope it gets a wide reading; anyone who considers himself a Wesleyan should look at it.

I bought the bible for personal study and occasional sermon preparation. Physically it is a very nice volume, well bound, nicely printed. The maps in the back are particularly nice.

With its running commentary on scripture and highlighted wesleyan terms it is a nice introduction to Wesleyan thought and theology, though I think a dedicated book on
Wesleyan thought would more helpful, perhaps using this bible to look up references.

I did not find this to be a useful Study Bible, that is, a Bible that helps me study the Bible. I particularly look for a decent concordance and thorough cross-references to tie together parallel passages, show where a passage is quoted in another part of scripture and to help with topical studies. The Welsey Study Bible has no concordance and only very meager cross references embedded in the commentary. It would be very hard with this Bible to, say, do a study on eternal security or the role of women in the church. It would be easy to find out what Wesleyans think about any particular passage.

Given all that I returned it. I will be looking for a real 'Study Bible' and read things like Wesley's standard sermons for the rest.

First, the cons:

It is NRSV, which to many, could be considerd a `liberal' translation. While I have used the NRSV, and found no problems with it, rather not enough for me to discard it, I feel that Abingdon might have provided a few translation choices.

Secondly, the index of Core Terms and Life Application Topics are found in the back of the bible. Ideally, it should have have been first, but this might be a personal preference.

The pros:

The bible is duo-tone leather, very supple, with the pages of adequete quality. It is wider (not wide-margin) than an average bible, giving you room to open it nice and flat. It is a very nice, church bound bible, which should last a dozen years or so.

The Editorial Board includes Joel B. Green and a whole host of other theologians from schools from across the country. The List of Contributers, including Ben Witherington III, include a wide range of voices, which is suitable for the Wesleyan Tradition.

Each book is prefaced with a short introduction, summarizing and many times, giving a segway into what part it played in the Wesleyan Tradition.

The study notes which accompany the reader on every page are solidly in the greater Wesleyan Tradition - middle of the read, the namesake was. It does allow, briefly for modern scholarship, such as questioning the authorship of several of the books, but remains true to the theology of the Wesley's, especially in such places as Romans 8 which is a key separator between the Wesleys and Calvinist. They are not essentially academic, but they serve the purpose of highlighting the passages as used by Wesleyans. Special attention is given to using John Wesley's study notes, and his sermons (see pf 1401, referencing Sermon 12.)

While many of the notes are indeed from John Wesley, the majority can be rightly said to be in the Weslyan Tradition - regardless of authorship.

The Wesley Core Term is an added benefit which explains the meaning of certain theological words according to the Wesleyan Tradition, such as Grace, Acceptance, Danger of Riches and Kingdom of God. It is clear that this study note system, including the Core Term system, is unapolegettically centered on Wesley's notes and sermons, which included snippets of social justice ideals which we see prevelent in today's Methodists churches.

Another feature along side the previous two is the inclusion of the `Life Application Topic.' It includes insights for applying a certain passage to the reader's life, much in the same way a devotional might. For example Colossian 3.14 discusses Paul's use of `binds' applying it to the love of Christ which brings us together. Or, the LAT found in 1st Thessalonians (pg 1453) which states the etymology of the English word encouragment, connecting it to Paul's goal in writing to the Christians in that city.

While this bible is geared to those of the Wesleyan Tradition, which too often is solely associated with only the Methodists, it should be remembered that Charismatics, Pentecostals, and those of the Holiness Tradition more often than not decended theologically from John and Charles Wesley.

If you ask my wife, I have a "Bible fetish." I have too many Bibles and really did not need anymore, but I was intrigued by the thought of having a Wesley Study Bible to use since I am inundated with Reformed doctrine in many of the study Bibles already in my possession. First off, this is a great study Bible with extensive notes. I read in a review that the terms in the back do not have page numbers but are only listed according to Book. Well, in the newest edition they come with page numbers. The Bible does not have a cross-reference column which is no big deal for me seeing as I use many Bible when I'm doing a study (and you're bound to have at least one Bible with a cross-reference that you can use). Personally, what gives this Bible a perfect score is its composition and binding. I am stickler for binding and the way the Bible feels in my hands and the way it is held. This Bible, by far, is the best Bible I own when it comes to binding and feel. Usually with my previous Bibles, even when new, I would have to have them re-binded because it was weak. Not with this one. Great binding, great look, not too big and not too small. This is my Bible of choice and will certainly be using this as my primary Bible. HIGHLY recommended.

Oh yeah, I am not a Methodist either. I do not really belong to any denomination and the study notes are still applicable and well-thought out in my opinion. This Bible is not just for Wesleyans/Methodists. If you a nondenominational, or what have you, have no fear. This Bible is perfect for everyone coming from the Arminian viewpoint.

This Bible is a fabulous piece of scholarly translation. I recommend it for all levels from daily devotions to scholarly thesis papers. It gives a wonderful insight into our roots of Methodism within The Salvation Army. As an international officer in Finland having very little English theological writings to use this is a must. I believe every Salvation Army offcier should include a copy in our libraries. This Bible should be a must for cadets attending training college or studying at the university level. The price for a leather quality Bible is absolutely wonderful and shipping to Finland was unbelievably fast. Thankyou for your service once again amazon.....but first and foremost I thank my Lord and Saviour for giving us a new view of His wonderful Word. God bless....

As a United Methodist I find the commentary and notes from Wesley's sermons very helpful in my Bible study. They are also very helpful when preparing Sunday school lessons. This is a great Bible to give any UM or Wesleyan member.

This Bible isn't just for Methodists. If you know about John Wesley you know he never wanted Methodist to be a Religion. It turned into that here in the US. The Bible has life applications as well as John Wesley incites. It is a good bible for becoming a Disciple of Jesus Christ.