Bible Study Tools: Part 4

Our English Bible is a translation of sixty-six books that were written millennia ago in cultures that are foreign to us, so it’s not surprising that Bible students seek resources to help them better understand God’s Word. But putting together a library of biblical resources is not something to attempt haphazardly. I learned the hard way that it’s easy to spend lots of money on books that will eventually need to be replaced or supplemented. In part 3 of our look at Bible study tools, we surveyed the best commentary sets. To learn why it is better to bypass commentary sets and buy individual commentaries, read Commentaries–the most versatile tool in the box.

In the coming weeks we will explore the best options for individual commentaries. Today we’ll look at a list of conveniently sorted commentaries for each book in the New Testament, and next week we will do the same in the Old Testament. I recommend putting together your library slowly. Buy commentaries as you study a particular book; so when you or your study group or your church is going through Matthew, research and purchase a commentary or two on that Gospel.

Bible Study Tools: Part 3

Thousands of commentaries have been written about the Bible, and it’s easy to become confused because these resources are written to various audiences. Choosing the “best” will depend upon the kind of analysis you desire. Commentaries are often divided into three categories:

• Devotional–target audience is everyday Christians; most devotional commentaries are introductory level and designed to help readers better understand God’s Word and how to apply it.

• Pastoral–target audience is pastors, teachers and students; most are intermediate level and designed to help teachers better understand and communicate Bible truths.

• Technical–target audience is pastors, teachers, and students; advanced level with various sub-categories (e.g., textual criticism); some require a basic knowledge of Hebrew and/or Koine Greek.

Most commentaries fall into one of these three categories. A second distinction is depth. Some commentaries cover the entire Bible in one volume, while others devote four volumes to analyzing one book of the Bible.

Bible Study Tools: Part 2

Study Bibles provide a wealth of essential information in a portable package and are often a new Christian’s first investment. There are numerous options and picking the “best” study Bible can be challenging. Many are addressed to specific audiences (women, men, teens, recovery, charismatic, etc.), so what is best for you at one stage of your journey may not be a good fit in another season of life.

Some study Bibles are attached to only one version. Some are theologically narrow (e.g., Reformation Study Bible), while others are more comprehensive and offer various positions on controversial passages (e.g., ESV Study Bible). The way to find the right one is to compare them and ask yourself what you are looking for in a study Bible.

Two of the best study Bibles for new believers are the Life Application Bible (available with KJV, NKJV, NIV, NLT, NASB, NRSV) and the Gospel Transformation Bible (ESV only). Neither spends a lot of time on history, culture, or etymology. The emphasis is on living out the Christian faith in our day-to-day lives. Both answer the question, “How does this passage apply to me?” Readers who are familiar with the fundamentals of Christianity may find some of the entries too basic, but they are good reminders of our identity in Christ. I recommend application-oriented study Bibles to both new and seasoned believers.

Bible Study Tools: Part 1

The Bible is a complex book that often generates more questions than answers. Thankfully, we’re not left on our own to sort things out. God has given us many tools we can use to build our faith and gain wisdom. In the coming weeks we will look at various study aids, discuss their value, and put together a small library of the best resources.

Today we’ll discuss the first and most important implement in the toolbox: an English text that effectively communicates God’s Word. The book we call the Bible is actually a collection of 66 books that are divided into two parts. The Old Testament was originally written in ancient Hebrew and Aramaic, and the New Testament was written in Koine Greek. These languages have not been in use for centuries, and scholars disagree about everything from word/phrase definitions to the reliability of the various ancient copies of the text. As a result, numerous ways to translate the Scriptures have appeared. Most fall into one of three categories:

• Word-for-word translations (also known as formal equivalency translations) replace the words of the original language with the closest English language equivalents. Examples include the English Standard Version (ESV), New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), New King James Version (NKJV), and the venerable King James Version (KJV).

• Thought-for-thought translations (also known as dynamic equivalency translations) attempt to convey the meaning of the original sentences and phrases. Examples include the New International Version (NIV), New Living Translation (NLT), Today’s English Version (TEV), Contemporary English Version (CEV), and the New Century Version (NCV).

• Idiomatic translations (also known as paraphrases) attempt to convey the meaning of the original text in colloquial language. Examples include The Message (MSG) and The Living Bible (TLB).