Recommended Study Bibles Life Archaeology Application Study Bible Study Bible (NIV) (NIV or NASB) [HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!] One of the overall best study Bibles for the money. Produced in partnership by Zondervan and Gordon- Combines background and theological insight with Conwell Theological Seminary, this Study Bible is the applicational insight for one’s daily life. best source of background information on the world of Scripture currently in print. Full color articles contain insight that is unavailable anywhere outside of Zondervan commentaries and scholarly resources. Study Bibles NET Bible (TNIV or NIV) w/ CD-ROM A great balance of background notes, illustrations, and (NET) cross-references make this an excellent study Bible for the money. Not as in-depth on life application notes, but good background info, timelines and charts make up for A completely new translation by scholars done entirely it. online, the NET Bible contains over 60,000 translation, background, and application notes submitted by scholars Quest and teachers from all over the world. A downloadable version is available for FREE at www.bible.org/netbible . Study Bible The print version contains incredible satellite maps of the Holy Land. (NIV) The Apologetics A perfect study Bible for those new to Biblical studies or those with questions regarding certain hard-to- Study Bible understand passages or concepts. Thousands of questions sent in by readers are answered in the blue (HCSB) margin on each page by various Biblical scholars and teachers. Though it has fewer notes than any of the others, Holman’s contains many excellent articles and notes on intellectually interpreting and defending the faith as well as introductory biographical sketches of famous ESV Apologists in Church history. It is a good study Bible for Study Bible those who like the HCSB translation or are interested in (ESV) Apologetics. NLT Study Bible (NLT) This is one of the most comprehensive study Bibles on the market at this time. One of the best features is the Appendices section in the back which contains over 200 pages of articles and essays on various aspects of The study notes in this one provide excellent Biblical studies. Though slightly Reformed in theological insight from a wide range of evangelical scholarship and orientation, the notes reflect scholarship and theological theological positions. It is recommended over the NLT views from across the spectrum of Biblical Christianity. Life Application Study Bible for those who prefer the It also includes access to the online version for free. NLT’s more readable translation. GSUMC Recommended Parallel Bibles Today’s TNIV/ Parallel Bible The Message (NIV,NASB,KJV,NLT) Remix Parallel Bible This Bible offers the best range of translations from A more convenient size makes this a good parallel across the spectrum. NASB and KJV seek to be word- Bible that can be carried anywhere. The TNIV for-word translations, whereas the NLT seeks to translation is an excellent update of the NIV and the convey the overall meaning of the text in Message Remix, while not a reliable Bible translation, understandable language. The NIV lies somewhere in often gives a fresh perspective on the text, particularly the middle of these. the narrative sections of Scripture. (Available in various bindings) GSUMC Recommended Devotional Bibles Strive True Identity (TNIV) (TNIV) A great Men’s devotional Bible without all the clutter of Like the Strive Bible, the True Identity Bible contains normal devotional Bibles. The text is presented in good devotional articles and discussion questions paragraph format to make for easier reading with aimed at women, while also avoiding all the clutter and excellent articles and discussion questions throughout. fluff of other women’s devotional Bibles. (Available in (Available in various bindings) various bindings) GSUMC Recommended Interlinear Bibles The Interlinear The New Hebrew-English OT Greek/English Interlinear NT Ed. By John Kohlenberger, III A great one-volume interlinear containing the th An excellent interlinear containing the Greek text Hebrew text (BHS 4 ed.) with word-for-word th translation beneath each line. Also contains the (USB 4 ed.) with word-for-word translation beneath NIV in a parallel column. each line. Also contains the NRSV in a parallel column. (Available in various sizes) Non-Recommended Study Bibles Study Bibles by Individual Christian Teachers, Authors, or Theological Viewpoints A good study Bible should provide more insight than a single individual author can contribute. It should also provide notes that are as objective as possible and that are not aimed at reading something into the text, but rather at getting the true meaning out of the text. Study Bibles that have the names of famous Christian authors, teachers, or speakers are often lacking in solid background notes, or reflect the theological bias of the individual editor or theological point of view. Thus, one’s money is better spent on a study Bible other than the ones below: Charles Stanley’s The Scofield Life Principles Study Bible Bible (various translations) (NKJV) Joyce Meyer’s The MacArthur Everyday Life Study Bible Bible (various translations) (Amplified) T.D. Jakes The Dake Annotated Woman Thou Art Reference Bible Loosed (KJV) Bible (NKJV) [Strongly discouraged] The Spirit Of the Reformation The Maxwell Study Bible (NIV) Leadership or Bible The Reformation Study Bible (NKJV) (ESV) The Blackaby The Wesley Study Bible Study Bible (NRSV) (NKJV) The Ryrie The Evidence Study Bible Bible (various translations) (NKJV) Study Bibles by Liberal Non-Orthodox Scholars While these study Bibles contain many helpful literary and historical notes, they often operate from the view that Scripture is not Inspired in the orthodox sense of the word and contains errors, historical inaccuracies, false authorship, and/or other marks of a purely human product. They adopt scholarly assumptions from 19 th -20 th century European frameworks such as the Documentary Hypothesis for the Old Testament and the Q Hypothesis for the Gospels—both of which are unnecessary and antiquated by-products of post- Enlightenment skepticism. Theological and applicational notes are also kept to a minimum. The Harper Collins The New Interpreter’s Study Bible Study Bible (NRSV) (NRSV) The Oxford/New Oxford Annotated Bible (RSV or NRSV) *Out of the more liberal study Bibles on the market, this one is the most orthodox and faithful to the text. Gimmick Study Bibles Some publishers, seeking a niche market, publish Bibles with certain “gimmicks”. Study Bibles should contain insight and background information in addition to any devotional or inspirational information. Many, unfortunately, simply contain little, if any, study material. For example, some attempt to color-code verses in Scripture based on subject matter. Unfortunately, many passages of Scripture cannot be simplified in such a way and speak to numerous subjects or situations. One’s money is better spent on a good study Bible such as the ones on the first two pages. The KJV Rainbow The Green Bible Study Bible (NRSV) (KJV) One Year Devotional The American Bibles Patriot’s Bible (various translations) (NKJV) .