Two Bible Recomendations

This shouldn't be a shock given that I am a pastor, a seminary student, and an Evangelical, but I have to say it: I love Bibles. Plural. I keep a contingent of various translations and note settings around to compare or for various ministry tasks or just for my own personal reading. In the past, I tended to prefer "dynamic equivalence" translations which tried to go "thought by thought" rather than "word by word." My go to Bibles have usually been NIV and more recently the TNIV and when working with children and younger youth, I've been very fond of the NLT.

Lately, though, I have been gravitating toward more literal, "word by word" translations. Two such Bibles have entered my stable this week and I would recommend both of them to anyone searching for new Bibles.

The first is the Wesley Study Bible published by Abingdon Press (Cokesbury.) This Bible combines the NRSV translation with an expansive set of foot-notes which give a Wesleyan interpretation to the text. Dr. Joel Green and Bishop Will Willomon served as the general editors and noted Methodist leaders such as Maxie Dunnam, Zan Holmes, Bishop Ruben Job and Bishop Robert Schnase join scholars such as Rebekah Miles and, one of my personal heroes, Ben Witherington III to present a wonderful mix of Biblical tid-bits, Wesleyan theology, and life application notes. (In fact, over 50 scholars and 50 leading pastors from ten Wesleyan/Methodist denominations in 6 countries contributed to the study notes.)

Let me begin by saying that the NRSV is not my favorite translation. Granted, it is pretty well reliable. But the style just leaves me cold. Truth be told, I prefer the ESV over the NRSV and I wish these notes were available with that translation.

Still, the quality and depth and breadth of the notes is admirable. I haven't been able to put this Bible down. I cannot wait to use it in teaching situations, especially the notes explaining "Wesleyan Core Terms" such as Christian perfection. I cannot imagine a more elegant and compelling way for Methodists to understand Methodism than to read through these notes while reading through the Bible.

Interested parties take note: Cokesbury is offering the Wesley Study Bible at an introductory price of $24.99 until the end of the month. You can order on line or head to Preston and 190 in Dallas.

Of course, if $25 is too rich for your blood or if you are a true Bible geek who wants to delve deep into why the translators make the choices they make, have I got a recommendation for you.

A number of Bible scholars, many of whom are local and teach at Dallas Theological Seminary, decided a few years ago to create an internet-friendly Bible so that scholars could blog about English Bible passages without breaking copyright laws.

The result is the New English Translation, or the NET Bible. (Cute, guys. Seriously. Very punny.)

Cheesy name aside, the NET Bible and its accompanying set of on-line tools is a veritable jack-pot for students, preachers, and Christians who are serious about God's Word. And best of all, they can be used for free if you follow this link.

You could also buy a paper copy of the NET Bible from the store section of bible.org, but for me, the wonderful NExT Bible Learning Environment of the on-line version is the best feature this translation has going for it.

May God's word continue to cast light unto your feet and illumine your path!