Rating: 
Summary: An invitation to study
Review: We have been using the CEV at our Bible studies for several years; both adults and teenagers find this translation easy to understand and relate to their lives. I ordered a copy of The Learning Bible, since we have been searching for a good study version of this translation. It is all we had hoped for and more! The format is inviting and easy to follow. The helpful notes on the side columns are clear and hard to ignore, as opposed to tiny footnotes in the usual study Bible. The introductory articles give helpful in-depth background, and the mini-articles spread throughout the book are well-written and informative. All-in-all, a Bible which invites exploration and in-depth study.
Rating: 
Summary: For biblical newbies only
Review: When I first got interested in reading the Bible as a young adolescent, a version of the New Testament called "Good News for Modern Man" was my bread-and-butter. It was put out by the American Bible Society, the same group who later came up with the Contemporary English Version (CEV), the translation used here. While "Good News" at least drew me in and got me reading the Bible, I eventually discovered it was inadequate for serious study. I have the same opinion of the CEV.I suppose the aims of the CEV translators are admirable. There is not much here that is above a third- or fourth-grade reading level, which makes this Bible very accessable, but it also results in some imprecise translation. One example: the Feast of Unleavened Bread becomes the "Festival of Thin Bread" in this translation. Sure, one of the properties of unleavened bread is that it's thin, but "unleavened" and "thin" are not synonyms. Indeed, the entire tone of the translation seems juvenile to me. And, of course, being the 21st century, the issue of inclusive language comes up. So when someone says "he" referring to a person who could be a man or woman, the translators change it from a third-person perspective to a second-person, therefore changing "he" to "you". It satisfies the "political correctness" quotient, but there's one problem: that's not the way it was said, and it could very well change the meaning of the text in some spots. Most of my criticism has to do with the CEV translation. "The Learning Bible" itself is very colorful, with helpful, non-technical notes, and excellent photographs and illustrations. It certainly does not fall short in the "eye candy" department. But, getting back to the CEV, just how many translations do we need? The market seems to be glutted. This may be a good translation for the beginner, but soon even beginners will want to move on to the NIV, the NRSV, or even the grandaddy of them all, the King James Version.
Rating:
Summary: Learning Bible
Review: Written in plain English just about anyone can understand, this Bible seems to have many informational notes not found in other Bibles. Because it is so easy to read, this make for a good Bible for elementary level Sunday School teachers. Teachers can have their students read and discuss scripture without having to do on the spot translations. But this Bible is not just for youngsters. Adults can gain new insight into Biblical lessons in ways that other Bibles fail to deliver. There are many "mini articles" that provide unique perspective and there are introductions to each book that helps place it in proper context. It is interesting to note that Barabbas is described as a well known "terrorist" as if to add new emphasis on his release from condemnation. The side notes and cross references are also very useful. All of these many components make this Bible a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning Christian scripture.
Rating:
Summary: Learning Bible
Review: Written in plain English just about anyone can understand, this Bible seems to have many informational notes not found in other Bibles. Because it is so easy to read, this make for a good Bible for elementary level Sunday School teachers. Teachers can have their students read and discuss scripture without having to do on the spot translations. But this Bible is not just for youngsters. Adults can gain new insight into Biblical lessons in ways that other Bibles fail to deliver. There are many "mini articles" that provide unique perspective and there are introductions to each book that helps place it in proper context. It is interesting to note that Barabbas is described as a well known "terrorist" as if to add new emphasis on his release from condemnation. The side notes and cross references are also very useful. All of these many components make this Bible a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning Christian scripture.
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