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Summary: it is a very good bible
Review: It is a very good bible but I should prefer it was made to new study bible totally annoted by lutherans. more dogmatic
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Summary: A must for Catholics
Review: Like another reviewer I also write from a Catholic perspective but I write to urge readers especially Catholic readers to get this wonderful Bible. Roman Catholics in general have no idea what Luther was talking about--we are not even on the same page. The fact is that while ecumenical dialogue is promising (except with the Lutherans who really matter that is Missouri Synod folks) and while Catholicism has refined its doctrine of Justification in promising ways--the ordinary Catholic in the pew still effectively practices works-rightiousness--and Roman Catholicism should make it very clear that we are not about that. Since this message still is muddied I suggest Catholics read this Bible with its wonderful notes--to understand the complete Lordship of Christ. It is only because that is true that our particular devotional practices (Saints Mary et al) mean anything. Absent that radical assent to Christ's Lordship we become idolators. So read this Bible and go back to Mass fortified by Luther's insights. Though it may not please other Catholics to hear this Martin Luther is one of the greatest Christians God has raised up and he should properly belong to all confessions.
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Summary: simple to read
Review: The best thing about this bible was there were a ton of footnotes to clarify what words or passages meant.
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Summary: One of the better Bibles on the market . . .
Review: This "Concordia Self-Study Bible" was written by pastors in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. It was an expansion of the "NIV Study Bible."What the writers of this Bible have attempted to do is to put a confessional Lutheran slant on an already fairly-good work. Additions made by the Concordia men are marked by a cross, so it is very easy to see where they have made improvements. Two helpful features were added to the preface of each biblical book. The first is a paragraph or two entitled, "God's Grace in _[title of book]_" This gives a quick overview of the Gospel content in that particular book. The second good feature is a similar paragraph "Luther on _[title of book]_" which gives a referenced Luther quote on that book that you are studying. If I could, I would probably give this edition of the Bible four-and-a-half stars. While the notes are quite helpful, there are places where a more confessional Lutheran position could have been taken. For example, during the first plague in Exodus, the notes say that the Nile wasn't really turned to blood, but it instead some red sediment made it only appear as blood (Exodus 7:17). This is adding to what the Bible plainly says. It is these few evidences of the historical-critical approach to biblical interpretation that makes this Study-Bible less than ideal. However, there is still a wealth of helpful information here. Reading this Bible with a careful eye will benefit you greatly.
Rating:
Summary: One of the better Bibles on the market . . .
Review: This "Concordia Self-Study Bible" was written by pastors in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. It was an expansion of the "NIV Study Bible." What the writers of this Bible have attempted to do is to put a confessional Lutheran slant on an already fairly-good work. Additions made by the Concordia men are marked by a cross, so it is very easy to see where they have made improvements. Two helpful features were added to the preface of each biblical book. The first is a paragraph or two entitled, "God's Grace in _[title of book]_" This gives a quick overview of the Gospel content in that particular book. The second good feature is a similar paragraph "Luther on _[title of book]_" which gives a referenced Luther quote on that book that you are studying. If I could, I would probably give this edition of the Bible four-and-a-half stars. While the notes are quite helpful, there are places where a more confessional Lutheran position could have been taken. For example, during the first plague in Exodus, the notes say that the Nile wasn't really turned to blood, but it instead some red sediment made it only appear as blood (Exodus 7:17). This is adding to what the Bible plainly says. It is these few evidences of the historical-critical approach to biblical interpretation that makes this Study-Bible less than ideal. However, there is still a wealth of helpful information here. Reading this Bible with a careful eye will benefit you greatly.
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Summary: I like it, but have reservatons.
Review: This Bible is a resource no one will outgrow. It has more than enough features with cross references, study notes, text notes, introductions to books of the Bible, tables and charts, an index of the study notes, and a concordance. I was disappointed that the study notes do not make a connection between the Tower of Babel (confusion of languages) and Pentecost (the bridging of languages). The Oxford Annotated makes the connection. The notes on Ephesians 4:9 assume "lower parts of the earth" refers to the incarnation when Kittel's TDNT presents a good case for understanding this phrase as hell as per ancient Greek usage. This is an important proof passage for Christ's descent to hell in the Apostles' Creed. The study notes in this Bible dismiss the meaning found in historic Greek usage without explanation. Notes on the communion sacrifice in Leviticus 3 overlook the way these type of sacrifices were common throughout the ancient world and had the effect of uniting God and people through a shared meal. The Jerusalem Bible with Notes recognizes the sacramental aspect of the communion sacrifice in Leviticus. If you can use the German language, check the very excellent Stuttgarter Erklaerungsbibel available from the German Bible Society (Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft) in Stuttgart. All in all, it is a more satisfactory study Bible. I seldom quote notes from the Concordia Self-study Bible, but often quote (in English) notes from the Stuttgarter Erklaerungsbibel.
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Summary: My best study Bible
Review: This Bible is my best study-Bible.The NIV text ,in my opinion , is the best biblical english text.The notes of study are exellent.I'm very satisfacted.
Rating:
Summary: A great resource
Review: This bible is the NIV study bible, but with Lutheran notes added. The additions are a vast improvement and easy to read. I especially enjoy the book introductions with a grace and Christ centered perspective with the addition of some of Luther's words. I have found in the Lutheran notes as well as the NIV notes one can find much of the same information in short form that one would find in large commentary volumes. Although not a one stop solution to all biblical questions this is probably the most thorough study bible I have ever used. My only wish was that they would print an edition in a different translation like the ESV which has a much more literal Greek to English translation.
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Summary: Excellent Study Bible and Well-Made
Review: This is, of course, the NIV Study Bible with the addition of Lutheran notes. The NIVSB is one of the best selling study Bibles in the world today, and these Lutheran notes only enhance it. I especially like the emphasis on the Eucharistic teachings of the Lutheran Church. Of course, there is some backlash from Lutherans on the NIV text; a lot of them are now using the ESV. Of course, the only important Lutheran bodies today are the Missouri and Wisconsin Synods which do not purport to "ordain" women, and hold to the infallibility of the Scriptures(may their tribe increase!!!!). The other group swings way left on most issues of the day, and is really just another mainline Protestant body. This Bible is an encouragement and can be a most helpful tool for anyone who studies it. Get the leather edition.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Bible for confessional Lutherans
Review: When I bought this Bible, I was ELCA. I am now LCMS. This Bible is excellent for confessional Lutherans. It is well-known that it is a "Lutheranised" version of the "NIV Study Bible". The additional study notes are very good and go beyond the "NIV Study Bible", which is more appropriate for conservative evangelicals (Baptist, etc). The book summaries are informative, and for any Lutheran the commentary by Martin Luther is a nice touch. The NIV remains my most-used translation. It is not as "literal" as some others, but it is also free of the "PC" sentiments of the NRSV. I would recommend this to all Lutherans, and to those who want to see how the Scriptures connect to Lutheran theology.
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