Congratulations to the ESV Study Bible, and Crossway, who produced it. They won the 2008 Book of the Year award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers’ Association. I am enjoying my copy immensely. (I got the brown trutone version, that you see to your right.)
My pastor, John Piper, also won top honors in the Christian Life category for his Spectacular Sins: And Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ (also from Crossway).
Justin Taylor, editor of the ESV Study Bible, and blogger at Between Two Worlds, has details on the ECPA awards, given out at the recent Christian Book Expo in Dallas.
UPDATE: Comment #2 under this post, includes a mini review of the ESV Study Bible that I quickly threw together in response to a reader’s comment.
The ESV is my preferred version, but I’ve held off on the study bible because I don’t know the theological bent of the notes. Do they reflect Reformed understanding? I have the Reformation Study Bible in ESV, which I enjoy, but I’ve had a couple of people recommend the ESV Study Bible. However, they haven’t all been from folks who have what I would consider an informed understanding.
Chris,
I had the Reformation Study Bible in ESV before the ESV Study Bible, and the ESV Study Bible far outshines it. I’m thoroughly reformed, too.
The contributors to the ESV Study Bible tend to be reformed and the notes tend that direction, but they try to be fair and balanced and give the other view in certain passages (like Revelation, for intstance). But the quality of all the maps and diagrams is quite first class, with color, and more. The fact that its so popular is a good thing, really. The contributors are all conservative, so no egalitarian views on women and ministry, and no playing loosey-goosey with inerrancy.
They include notes by Vern Poythress on a history of salvation overview for each OT book. It includes notes by Leeland Ryken on the literary features of each book. They include a mini systematic theology. Mark Dever gives the plan of salvation, John Piper speaks to prayer and Bible study.
I could go on and on, but I think you’ll find this study Bible superior to anything you’ve ever seen. Personally, I was a little let down with the Reformation Study Bible. The notes were good and all, but I was hoping for more. The ESV Study Bible gives me more. Not that it’s perfect, I would like to see Vern Poythress’ History of Salvation notes (not the book overviews) in the text rather than in the back of the Bible as an appendix. One can’t have everything, I guess.
Blessings,
Bob Hayton
This brings up a subject I’ve considered in the past. What about pictures? I would love to see you do an article on pictures in Bibles, especially pictures of Jesus, as they do or do not relate to the 2nd Commandment. As a general rule, I stay away from Bibles with pictures. id o not include maps in that category.
Hi Bob (and Chris and everyone else, for that matter),
I gladly reiterate the value of Poythress’ history of salvation notes and overviews. There is much helpful material in the ESV Study Bible, and Poythress’ contributions are the most outstanding. I’ve been less than pleased with some of the notes on the text, though, especially in the OT, and most especially in the Psalms. I was thoroughly displeased with the notes on Psalm 45, for instance. I had hoped to find something more Christ-centered, especially given Poythress’ history of salvation notes in the back. So if you buy a copy, use the various commendable features well, and read the OT notes especially with discernment.
Great points, Nathan. Even with the Reformation Study Bible you have to be discerning, if I remember correctly. Their notes left me wanting.
What we really need is a Redemptive Historical Study Bible (edited by Nathan Pitchford)!!
Chris,
Regarding pictures, I think the 2nd commandment is pretty explicit that false worship is the issue. In fact, if you go with the Lutheran numbering system, what we typically think of 1st and 2nd commandments is all one commandment.
That would be a good post, sometime, as I was in a church that wouldn’t even have a baby doll in the manger during a Christmas outreach play for fear of breaking this commandment. So that view is represented.
Blessings in Christ,
Bob