For all those of you who love the English Standard Version of the Bible, this should serve as exciting news. The new ESV study Bible will be released in October 2008. It is described briefly like this from the website:
2,752 pages, 200-plus full color maps
2 million words, 40 all new illustrations
20,000 notes, Over 50 articles
80,000 cross references, More than 200 charts
The website also says that anyone who purchases a copy of the study Bible will also get free access to the ESV online study Bible.
In my opinion, the best two features of the Bible are the Single Column text format, and the Smyth sewn bindings. If you know much about Bibles you are probably aware that Smyth sewing is the absolute best way to bind a Bible and ensure that it will last a long time. With prices as low as $29.99 (hardcover), this really will be worth more than what you pay for it.
If you want more information on the ESV study Bible, the website also has a blog that has copious amounts of information to keep you geared up for the release.
Can't wait? Me either.
-JC3
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10 comments:
Based on what I have seen on the www.esv.org website, it appears that the ESV Study Bible will be among if not the best study Bible on the market when it is released in October.
Unfortunately, that is not as an enthusiastic endorsement as one might suspect. I have long been concerned (and annoyed) at the lack of quality explanatory notes and introductory materials in study Bibles that actually explain what the author meant and what the readers/hearers understood. And, it would seem, the ESV Study Bible offers much of the same. For instance, Clinton Arnold (the ESV SB contributor for Paul's letter to the Colossians) states that the theme of the letter is (and I quote in full):
"Christ is Lord over all creation, including the invisible realm. He has secured redemption for his people, enabling them to participate with him in his death, resurrection and fullness."
What he says above is true, in so far as it either speaks to aspects of or leads to the letter's main theme. Yet, in the section of the Introduction to Colossians entitled "Theme" Arnold fails to mention the main reason Paul wrote the letter, which is his call to maturity for God's new community in Christ. Of course, this call to maturity is based on what Arnold says is the theme, but this misses or obscures the main thrust of the entire letter. When he finally does mention this, it is found at the bottom of a long list of themes of Colossians. But, this is not one theme among many; it is the very heart and purpose of the entire document.
The main argument of the letter (i.e., probatio) is found in 2:6-2:23. Here Paul calls the Colossians to continue living and being strengthened in the faith (2:6-7), which is made possible by our identification with Christ's baptism and resurrection when they were baptized (2:8-15). Because we are in Christ, therefore, Paul calls them to stop submitting to the rules of this world rather than Christ (2:16-23). This leads into the exhortation section of the letter (i.e., exhortatio) in which he provides principles for living the new life in Christ, first, in the Church (3:1-17), then the home (3:18-4:1), and then in the world at large (4:2-6).
The above analysis of Colossians is based largely on a rhetorical analysis of the letter based on first century Greco-Roman letter writing rhetoric. Now, it seems to me that this could have been easily written for non-experts to understand, teach and apply. Call the 'probatio' the 'Main Argument' and so on. This leads to the following question: why is this sort of analysis essentially absent from every study Bible that has been published in the last 25 years regardless of translation?
Thanks for commenting David, and thanks for the insightful analysis. To answer your question regarding why in depth and and 1st century "cognititve commentary" (as I would call it) is missing, I think I would say a few things.
Before I do, let me agree with you that most "study Bibles" I have seen have been disappointing in one way or another. But I think there are several reasons.
1.) Is the purpose of the Bible. Sometimes these "themed Bibles don't offer the depth of instruction because the publisher is not seeking to offer that.
2.) More commonly I think, and much sadder, is that many people don't want to understand the Bible to the degree that you have referenced. Many say they do, but what they really want is to know all of the pertinent passages or texts that support a notion or theme that they consider relevant to their lives. I had one man tell me that the Bible was "a love letter" written to express God's deep care for us. Now, I agree that God loves us, and I agree that's why He sent His Son. But you can't read passages like Galatians 5 where Paul (through inspiration) says that he hopes the Judaizing teachers "emasculate" themselves and then say "the bible is just a love letter.
But many believe the Bible is what they want it to be, and unfortunately, many publishers have bought in to that.
Other than that, I am not sure. But thanks for reading the blog...and thanks for participating in the discussion here.
- JC3
This looks awesome! Do you think Michael might like one for his birthday? If so, maybe we could all go together and get him a nice one. His Bible is wearing out, and I bought it for him just so he could have an ESV until they came out with a study Bible. I know you have to take notes in study Bibles with a grain of salt, but what do you think?
I think he would like this one a lot if he wants a study bible. Just remember this one is pretty thick. Some people don't like carrying around a big Bible all the time...but some people do. So I guess I am saying, if he would like a study Bible, then he will probably like this one a lot. I think it would be great to pitch in and get him one if you want too.
And Michael...if you are reading this, just pretend like your surprised when you get a new Bible for your birthday. :)
-JC3
I'm pretty anxious for this particular study Bible. I bought the Reformation Study Bible when it came out. R.C. Sproul was the General Editor which caused me a great deal of discomfort. My apprehension turned out to be well founded as that particular study Bible has added nothing to my library.
By their very nature, study Bibles are hit and miss. If the folks editing them remove their subjective lenses and view the Scriptures from a purely objective standpoint, then you can find some truly useful insights. If they cannot, you can generally expect drivel and a great deal of error. Also, you need to understand what to expect going in. While there can be some useful information, there generally will not be a lot of it simply for lack of space. Above all else we must understand that the editors and contributors are uninspired men.
Having said all of that, I am fairly excited about this study Bible. I believe the English Standard is the most textually reliable translation out there (though there are several very good ones). The cross referencing and the maps alone will make this study Bible well worth the cost, in my opinion.
Adam
How would the ESV compare to the NASB? I am unfamiliar with the ESV. I could not find a place on the website that would allow me to see some pertanent passages to get a flavor for the translation. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Hope you and the fam are doing well.
Adam, I agree that much of the commentators notes aren't worth much sometimes. You can guarantee that there will be a Calvinistic bias. And most of the commentors are Premillennialists, so of course you have to look out for that as well. But I also agree that this looks like a pretty good one (considering what's already been said).
Rick,
The ESV is a fantastic translation of the Bible. I love the NASB and still use it. In fact, I carry one with me to the pulpit (along with an ESV) and almost everywhere else I go.
The ESV though is much, much more readable. I don't know if you have ever heard the NASB described as "wooden" but I think that is a pretty good description. The NASB is a great translation but it doesn't "read easy." That is one of the greatest accomplishments of the ESV: the translators have managed to create a translation that is as accurate as the NASB but it is so much smoother to read. Just pick one up and read a little bit to see what I mean.
My only complaint with the ESV is that they don't put the translators words in italics. Having said that, i would recommend the ESV to anyone. Hope that helps.
-JC3
Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. I may consider an investment in an ESV translation.
Hey, Jim. You may already know this, but I just heard that the new study Bible is set to hit stores like Berean on the 15th.
Adam
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