Customer Reviews

Zondervan TNIV Study Bible

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Another reviewer on here has referred to the new Zondervan TNIV Study Bible as "a design and usability fiasco," but I have to wonder if we are looking at the same product. I don't find the layout busy and cluttered at all. All of the new layout features are included for a reason as anyone who's ever studied page layout would know.

The highlighted chapter markers allow you to quickly fix your eyes at the beginning of the chapters. The boxes around page numbers and reference headings at the top of the page allow you to find what you are looking for much quicker. The A's, B's, and C's in the study notes allow the reader to quickly identify (A) Application Notes, (B) Background Notes, and (C) Character Information.

Yes, the font is slightly smaller than my copy of the first edition of the NIV Study Bible, but the difference is negligible. The pages are thin, but I have Bibles with much thinner pages. This is really a non-issue.

If anything, what's most important is the content in the TNIV Study Bible. This is essentially the 4th edition of the NIV Study Bible tradition. In comparing this Bible with my first edition, I notice 500 pages of more content in the new Bible. All of the notes, introductions, charts, maps and tables have been updated to the TNIV, one of the most accurate contemporary translations available.

There are also 7 essays scattered throughout the text on the following subjects:

1. The Conquest and the Ethical Question of War

2. Wisdom Literature

3. The Book of the 12 and the Minor Prophets

4. The Time Between the Testaments

5. The Synoptic Gospels

6. The Pastoral Letters

7. The General Letters

The reader will also find features such as an extremely details TNIV Harmony of the Gospels and a section on major archaeological studies relating to the New Testament. The person interested in Ancient Near Eastern literature will appreciate the annotated list of Ancient Texts Relating to the Old Testament.

Plus there are an incredible FOUR ways to find context: (1) an extensive TNIV concordance, (2) A biblical subject index (because sometimes you know the subject but not how its worded in the verse), (3) an index to the study notes, and (4) an index to the maps. I don't think I've ever seen a Bible that approached finding information in so many ways.

Yes, this is a big Bible (almost 2500 pages), but it packs an entire library of information in about 2" of thickness. If you would prefer something smaller, wait for one of the personal size editions to be released in the next few weeks. Regardless of which size you prefer, I would unconditionally recommend this Bible for any believer at any stage of spiritual development. Take it with you to church or buy it as an extra reference Bible for your study. Either way, you can't go wrong.

It wasn't until after I completed a thorough study of how Bibles are translated, i.e., formal versus dynamic equivalent, did I come to really appreciate just how good this Today's New International Version is.

Biblical scholars realized that the NIV needed some work to make it even more accurate, more readable. As such, the TNIV translators changed seven percent of the NIV and two percent of this had to do with gender. And in so doing, you won't find a better dynamic equivalent translation of the Scriptures than the TNIV.

Over 100 bible scholars worked on the TNIV translation, and DID NOT have a feminist agenda as some want to contend. In fact, according to Dr. Gordon D. Fee and Dr. Douglas Stuart, two of the most renowned bible scholars in the world, they will tell you that the TNIV is as accurate, if not more so, as any version out there (this from their book "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth"). Other well known biblical scholars such as Dr. John R. Kohlenberger, Dr. Mark Strauss, Dr. Richard D. Patterson, and Dr. Darrell L. Bock heartily endorse this translation. So you can be fully confident that you're reading the actual inspired Words of God.

The TNIV is as good if not better than the NIV Study Bible with it's 20,000 notes and other study aids provided. Its quality is excellent, with a binding that's not glued, but stitched. Has nearly 2500 pages with a concordance that is the largest ever bound with an English Bible. It includes 61 maps: 14 full-color and 48 black-and-white. Complementing the study notes are 40 charts, diagrams and drawings designed specifically for the TNIV Study Bible.

Its paper quality is excellent with printing that is very easy on the eyes with its 8 pt text and 7 pt notes. I love the fact that it's in a single column format and the words of Christ are in red. This is a very sturdy book, solidly made weighing over four pounds. It'll last a long time.

Just got a copy of the new TNIV Study Bible, and I had to comment on the previously maligned layout. I consider it a clear improvement on the old NIVSB's design! Single column text, clean and elegant font, and multi-color setting for maps and charts. My only wish would be to have a heavier paper, but that would just add to the tome's already substantial heft. All in all, I would freely recommend it to any fan of the old NIV Study Bible looking for an update.

Having read reviews and commentaries by several theologians and biblical historians, I was anxious to draw my own conclusions. There is apparently a good deal of controversy among some denominations regarding primarily one methodology used in the translation. An effort was made in translating to use gender neutral terms where the original sources indicated them to be appropriate, both from the language and context. From my reading to date, I have found nothing to be the least bit offensive to me, personally. It is not, as some have said, a "feminization" of the Bible. I consider myself to be a "moderate" Christian who belongs to a "conservative" denomination. Those who believe that the Bible (in whatever translation they favor)is word-for-word literal will likely find this translation to be problematic. Those who believe the Bible to be God's Word in a more general sense, will find it refreshing and easy to read. The historical footnotes are excellent references, and as with the original NIV, the literary qualities of the Bible are well-maintained.

I actually bought this Bible as a present for my brother (who'll have the pleasure of removing the shrink wrap!). I already own the British Text version (Love Your NEIGHBOUR) but I bought this North American Text version (Love Your NEIGHBOR) for my brother who lives in the United States. TNIV is one of the most accurate and helpful translations in print. In particular, where a word is neuter in Hebrew or Greek, TNIV does NOT assume a male declension - as do most Bibles. For example, Hebrews 13 opens with the word "FILADELFIA", which describes a reciprocal, sibling-like affection. The NIV uses "Keep on loving each other as brothers", while its successor (TNIV) uses "Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters". Any gender-specificity in the original Hebrew & Greek texts is, naturally, retained. For example, Proverbs 31:10 reads "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies". It doesn't say a "SPOUSE" or "PARTNER" of noble character because in this instance the author is referring explicitly to wives. In the publisher's own words, TNIV is "recommended...for its clarity, accessibility and precision of meaning".

This edition is tastefully bound in neatly-stitched European leather and comes in a semi-transparent presentation box and weighs about 1800g. The Book itself is 'thumb indexed' and contains colour maps, study notes and a concordance. The words of Jesus appear in red lettering. Ten out of ten for presentation.

I am really enjoying reading the TNIV, but what I am enjoying even more are the study notes. They are very comprehensive and enlightening. Most of the notes are different than what are found in other study bibles that I have.

I love the way the TNIV text reads. I can see that years of updating the NIV text did indeed make many improvements. I don't see what the huge fuss is about the gender issue, I think it improves things all the way around. It makes me sad that due to the controversy the publisher has already announced that they will discontinue this version. If you value all translations as I do, you will certainly want to get a copy of the TNIV while it is in print.

The study notes are extremely good. I have noted that in Gen.1 God creates people and tells them they may eat the fruits and plants. It is not until Gen.9 with Noah that God says they can also eat animals. And or course most of our teeth are those of the herbivore. This TNIV is the ONLY Bible whose study notes make note of that. That is just one small example, but the notes are simply terrific.

I like the one-column layout of the Bible. However I do know something about graphic design, and the layout is in my opinion ugly. The top of each page has the book title, chapter, and page numbers in boxes. The beginning chapter numbers are in huge blocks, and the worse thing to me is that the study notes are rated and illustrated with a huge blocky A,B,or C to try to indicate what KIND of study note it is (totally unnecessary in my opinion), and not terribly easy to remember what the letters even mean unless this is the only Bible you ever refer to. The small cross-reference column of related verses on each page to the left (or right) of the main text is very helpful and nicely done. The text itself is of a nice readable size. The concordance is extensive, but the font is terribly small and difficult to read. The Index to notes has a much better layout and is easier to read than the concordance, but it makes you wonder if the people designing each section compared notes with each other.

The good points about this Bible though far outweigh the issues of formatting, which could be easily fixed.

I have spent a long time looking for a decent bible. For years, it has been either an ancient translation that is very difficult for youth (I'm a youth leader) to read, or it has been so watered down that it misses the mark entirely. The TNIV has somehow managed to find an awesome cross-roads between the two. This study bible takes it the next step and adds a tremendous amount of notes and resources right with the text. As a youth pastor, and someone who preaches with heavy regularity, I highly recommend this bible to anyone!

I'm fairly pleased with this purchase. The text and notes are a little small (8pt and 7pt I believe) so I went on to buy a larger print volume for my devotional reading. There aren't any academic essays in this study bible which I had expected, e.g. like in the NOAB/NRSV and the NAB Catholic Study Bible. The 2,500 page count is mainly because of the extensive concordance. This bible is a very handsome volume and would make a great gift.

It is a shame the inclusive-gender issue has made this version so controversial. Few are assessing it on the merits of the other changes made between 1984 and 2005. I use 6 translations, some are gender-inclusive and some aren't; I feel the whole issue really is a storm in a tea cup. I think the TNIV's inclusive language deserves a cautious thumbs up. St. Paul made 'inclusive' changes when writing his epistles such as in 2 Corinthians 6:18 where he quotes 2 Samuel 7:14. The OT reads 'I will be a father to him and he will be a son to me.' Whereas Paul has rendered this I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters.' Paul also regularly makes an OT 'he' into a NT 'they/those.' There is no way Bible translations are going to return to the antiquated sexist grammar of previous generations. Consider Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to MEN on whom his favor rests." NIV Original. There is simply no way that this is theologically justified, accurate or socially acceptable. You can get an amazing Audio version of the TNIV called the Inspired by Bible Experience from Amazon.

As a pastor, I have always been a fan of the NIV Study Bible because it gives students resources for understanding biblical texts, both in terms of background and interpretation. I was pleased to see the publication of the TNIV Study Bible because I have also become a fan of the TNIV with its updated language and non-exclusive use of gender terms (unrelated to God's identity). The TNIV Study Bible uses the basic text of the NIV Study Bible, including helpful maps and charts. It simply updates the text to match the TNIV. This is the perfect resource for those who love the TNIV and the the advantages of the NIV Study Bible.