Living Insights Study Bible

Rating:
Summary: Good devotional Bible
Review: If you're looking for a work full of footnotes with lots of commentary on ancient cultures and details on the ancient texts, this isn't it. What it is is a great devotional Bible, plus very good book introductions and some good articles about Bible characters. Such articles are not academic: they're expository, very obviously the work of a preacher, and I mean that in a good way. Chuck's great at helping us realize that the Bible, which sometimes feels so distant and ancient, is about real people and real situations which can be of help to us in world in which we live.

I have one hesitation: there's a short article on the importance of accepting dispensational theology if you're going to understand the Bible. I hate to see that, since, well, mostly since I'm not much of a dispensationalist. I can see people running into that article, realizing they don't concur, and tossing out the rest of the notes. That would be a shame, because there's lots that's good here.

We've given away a number of copies of this Bible, and it's the one I use the most often for study, teaching, and occasional preaching. It's nicely printed and easy to read (though the pages are a little thinner & more fragile than I'd prefer).

Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful!
Review: My girlfriend had this bible once. We loved the glossy pages which weren't the usual flimsy kind used for most bibles, so highlighter-markings won't seep through. It has a very readable, easy-to-the-eyes font color which wouldn't give a strain even if you were to spend long hours poring over it. Also, the articles in it are beautifully written in Swindoll-style humor and wit. The extra info given with each book in the bible is also useful and relevant for today's reader. Almost made it to 5 stars for us---pity it only comes in NIV (I think). Would have been extra good if it came in NAS.

Rating:
Summary: A study Bible with the insights to apply personally.
Review: This study Bible has been invaluable to me. Chuck uses his unique gift to add personal applications to passages, and encourages the reader to experience what God has for him/her through the scriptures.