Rating: 
Summary: Great 'Access' to the Bible!!
Review: Another evangelical christian who loves this Bible! Although the introductions and notes have a liberal leaning, the amount of objective historical and cultural information is amazing. In my opinion this is not a Bible for beginners although it is much more accessible than the New Oxford Annotated or the HarperCollins. This Bible offers a unique format with commentary interspersed throughout the text rather than at the bottom of the page which helps with continuous reading. The sidebar essays are helpful and thought provoking. This Bible gives you a lot of background information but lets you think for yourself! Used alongside an evangelical study Bible such as the NIV Study Bible any reader has the best scholarship available from various perspectives. The bold, clear print that Oxford uses in this (and their other study Bibles) is easy to read and I would love it if evangelical study Bibles would follow Oxford's lead in this regard. If you want to gain better understanding of the Bible in its historical context, choose this Bible as one of your main study editions!
Rating:
Summary: Great 'Access' to the Bible!!
Review: Another evangelical christian who loves this Bible! Although the introductions and notes have a liberal leaning, the amount of objective historical and cultural information is amazing. In my opinion this is not a Bible for beginners although it is much more accessible than the New Oxford Annotated or the HarperCollins. This Bible offers a unique format with commentary interspersed throughout the text rather than at the bottom of the page which helps with continuous reading. The sidebar essays are helpful and thought provoking. This Bible gives you a lot of background information but lets you think for yourself! Used alongside an evangelical study Bible such as the NIV Study Bible any reader has the best scholarship available from various perspectives. The bold, clear print that Oxford uses in this (and their other study Bibles) is easy to read and I would love it if evangelical study Bibles would follow Oxford's lead in this regard. If you want to gain better understanding of the Bible in its historical context, choose this Bible as one of your main study editions!
Rating:
Summary: A great resource for Disciple Bible Study
Review: Anyone involved in the Disciple Bible Study courses will find this Bible tracks very well with the lessons. I found that the majority of assigned readings were identical to the phrasings of this Bible. The comments provide a wonderful foundation for in-class discussion. Class facilitators would be well served with this Bible. As for those critical of the "liberal" commentary, I would offer that this Bible incorporates recent theological, social and archeological insights. The new (1999) informaiton has been scrutinized by leading scholars and approved for Christian consumption. You will find many of the same experts who were interviewed in Lee Strobel's "The Case for Christ" listed as contributors. I see these facts as a continuing affirmation of the Truth. You will find yourself better tooled to discuss your Christian world views with those who seek the comfort and guidance not available through secularism.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Bible for Study
Review: I have been wanting to read the entire Bible (am a Methodist) and wanted a version that reflected all the latest findings without any specific preaching--In other words I wanted to read and make up my own mind. This is it. Plus the notes are excellent and easy to follow along the text (they are not at bottom but interspersed among the relevant text--a big plus) and the maps are great--everything in one volume. I think it is the best and helps one to really study and learn. Do what I did--compare it with others and see which one helps you really understand the context, culture, and what was being said.
Rating:
Summary: Evangelical Who Thinks This Bible Is A Winner!!!
Review: I think this is the best study Bible I've used. What makes this Bible better is the amazing amount of footnotes within the text itself. This forces the reader into studying each section. The scholarship is better than any evangelical study Bible. The book introductions are essay-driven mini-books that have a seminary-style approach. I was almost overwhelmed with the scholarship and attention to detail. I have one picky complaint. The B.C.E. designation (before common era) instead of B.C., before Christ. This is politically correct terminology that minimizes the importance of Christ's life, and how it marked the beginning of the Christ era, not the Common era. But that does not take away from the academic detail of these editors. We all know Jesus' impact, and what his birth meant to the world. Also, God has no concept of time anyway. As far as the facts go, these scholars seem to get it right. There is a fantastic balance of research and scholarship as well as making it understandable for the layman. It makes the facts and stories come alive. This is what sets it apart from other study Bibles that often preach rather than teach. Granted, some Bibles should preach (i.e.-life application Bible). But if you want to study the context and history of ancient Israel, and the hows, whys and whats of the sacred text, than this Bible is the best. It's fun reading as well.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent Bible for study
Review: I used to use the HarperCollins Study Bible, but the commentaries and notes were all so secular. This Bible's notes and commentaries are more faith-based. This is an excellent Bible for people of faith who want to learn more about the context the Bible was written in. It is my primary study Bible now.
Rating:
Summary: Best Translation and Study Bible
Review: Once upon a time, my personal bible reading was becoming dry and dull. Then along came The Access Bible (hereafter known as Access), New Revised Standard Version. It waked up my study! Access provides generious book intros and notes sprinkled throughout the text. Unlike other study bibles, Access does not tell you what to think. Instead, it leads you to make your own conclusions about what you read. As with all other study bibles, Access includes maps and a concordance. Access comes in editions with and without the Apocrypha. (The Apocrypha is a set of books that are accepted by Catholics and some Protestants.) The translation used is the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). The NRSV is a literal version. It's a revision of the Revised Standard Version of 1952. The NRSV makes use of gender-inclusive language. This may offend some people, but in my view, it makes the translation better. The NRSV is also based on the best Greek and Hebrew texts we have. Access bindings range from a blue (without the Apocrypha) or a tan (with the Apocrypha) paperback/hardback to leather. The only quibble I have is that I wish it was available on a CD-ROM for use on computers. This is the best study bible; I recommend it. Buy it in bulk for your family and friends!
Rating: 
Summary: A Touch Too Liberal
Review: The Access Bible is a well-made product from Oxford University Press, in the NRSV translation, available with or without the Apocrypha.It is a black-letter edition(words of Christ in black print). The print is attractive and easy-to-read. The Bible contains much useful information and well-thought-out annotations. However, those with a traditional/conservative theological outlook will not be happy with many of the annotations, or even with the translation itself, as it employs gender-inclusive language more than any other English version. It also leans more towards the Dynamic Equivalence theory of translation than the original RSV. This edition, as are a majority of NRSV Study Bibles, geared towards those of the mainline denominations who are fairly liberal in their theology. Those who are conservative/fundamental should look elsewhere for a Study Bible.
Rating:
Summary: Evangelical Who Thinks This Bible Is A Winner!!!
Review: The Access Bible, New Revised Standard Version (without the Apocrypha) is an interesting and informative study Bible. I come from a conservative evangelical background, so many in my camp would scoff at the NRSV Bible in and of itself. But the more I read the user friendly text, and excellent footnotes along side, I get the feeling I've just studied the Word for the first time! There is some gender neutral language in the translation that is not in-your-face. Nor does it distort the meaning of the original writers. In fact, it's far less apparent than in some other modern translations like the New Century Version. What's great about the NRSV is the readability and accuracy of the text. Plus, the magic quality of the KJV is somehow retained in this version. As for the footnotes and commentary, I've read a few other reviews regarding the "liberal" tendencies of the scholars. I must admit they take a different approach than a John MacArthur would. For instance, in Genesis they talk about the 2 creation accounts, where most scholars brush it off and move to other topics. It does cause the reader to think without losing faith in God. They give a detailed explanation as to what the ancient writers (they don't attribute Genesis all to Moses) may have been doing. Also is the B.C.E. designation (before common era) instead of B.C., before Christ. This is a politically correct terminology that minimizes the importance of Christ's life, and how it marked the beginning of the Christ era, not the Common era. But that is kind of picky. We all know Jesus' impact, and what his birth meant to the world. Also, God has no concept of time anyway. As far as the facts go, these scholars seem to get it right. There is a fantastic balance of research and scholarship as well as making it understandable for the layman. It makes the facts and stories come alive. This is what sets it apart from other study Bibles that often preach rather than teach. Granted, some Bibles should preach (i.e.-life application Bible). But if you want to study the context and history of ancient Israel, and the hows, whys and whats ofthe sacred text, than this Bible is a jewel. It's fun reading as well.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent new NRSV study Bible
Review: The Access Bible, the latest offering from Oxford University Press, is an impressive study Bible that has as its aim to make the Bible immediately accessible to the average reader. The edition uses the text of the NRSV Bible (recognised as one of the most readable and accurate of all modern English translations) and also comes with leading essays on various aspects of biblical interpretation, commentary, maps and even a concordance. The unique feature of the Access Bible is that its commentary is interspersed with the biblical text and not, as is common, placed underneath it. This allows the reader uninterrupted enjoyment of the biblical text. Aside from its unique layout, there are several other features that impress and set the Access Bible apart from other study Bibles of its kind. The text is printed in a marvellously readable font. The commentary, the work of leading biblical scholars, is written in a non-technical style, clear enough for any layperson to understand. Difficult aspects of interpretation are explained with great ease, and the gap between scholar and layperson is admirably reduced. In addition, the commentary is not overly elaborate, but focused enough to answer most critical issues in any given passage of the Bible. Whenever I found myself reading through a difficult passage, I found that the Access Bible had comprehensively covered the matter in the commentary.
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