Review: The Zondervan TNIV Study Bible
08/04/2006 18:08 Filed in: Faith & Reason
In comparing my 1985 NIV Study Bible to the new TNIV Study Bible, I notice that there have been a number of improvements to the layout. Dark red squares around chapter numbers allow readers to quickly fix their eyes at the beginning of the chapters. The boxes around page numbers and reference headings at the top of the page allow the reader to find the right page much much quicker. There are A's, B's, and C's in the study notes allowing the reader to quickly identify (A) Application Notes, (B) Background Notes, and (C) Character Information.
The font for the biblical text is slightly smaller than my copy of the first edition of the NIV Study Bible, but the difference is negligible. The font for the notes is sans-serifed unlike those in the NIV Study BIble, so that makes for darker print and easier reading.The pages are thin, but I have Bibles with much thinner pages, so this really seems to be a non-issue. Unfortunately the words of Christ are in red, something I really prefer a Bible not to have but at least it's not the bright red found in Bibles a generation or two ago, so I can live with it. However, I am greatly pleased that the editors decided to go with a single-column format instead of the two columns in the original edition.
If anything, what's most important is the content in the TNIV Study Bible. In comparing this Bible with my first edition, I notice about 300 pages of more content in the new Bible, which really would have been even greater if font size had not been reduced in the biblical text. The specs on the Amazon.com page report 2496 pages and that sounds about right. All of the notes (over 20,000), introductions (66), charts and timelines (39), maps (49 black & white in-text and 16 pages of satellite generated full-color maps) and tables have been updated to the TNIV, one of the most accurate contemporary translations available.
There are also seven essays scattered throughout the text on the following subjects:
1. The Conquest and the Ethical Question of War
2. Wisdom Literature
3. The Book of the 12 and the Minor Prophets
4. The Time Between the Testaments
5. The Synoptic Gospels
6. The Pastoral Letters
7. The General Letters
The reader will also find features such as an extremely detailed TNIV Harmony of the Gospels and a section on major archaeological studies relating to the New Testament. The person interested in Ancient Near Eastern literature will appreciate the annotated list of Ancient Texts Relating to the Old Testament.
Plus there are an incredible FIVE ways to find content: (1) an extensive TNIV concordance, (2) A biblical subject index (because sometimes you know the subject but not how its worded in the verse), (3) an index to the study notes, (4) an index to the black & white in-text maps and (5) an an index to the color maps. I don't think I've ever seen a Bible that approached finding information in so many ways.
The Zondervan TNIV Study Bible was just released this week. Since there was not a discount yet at Amazon, I tried to be a good Christian patron, but three of our local religious bookstores did not have it in stock (and of course, one particular chain I didn't even try because I knew they wouldn't have it). Fortunately I was able to procure it at one of our local Borders Bookstores. Of course, I imagine it will be in most regular outlets over the next few days and weeks.
I emailed Zondervan a few days ago asking why they weren't promoting it front and center at TNIV.com (there's no mention of it as of this writing). They sent me back a very friendly reply stating that they were waiting until all editions (leather, personal size, etc.) were released over the next few weeks and then they have a pretty big campaign planed for it as they see its release as a very big deal. Since there seems to have been very little promotion for the TNIV over the last few months, I'm very glad to hear this.
I bought a hardback copy (all that is available this week) because I plan to mainly use the TNIV Study Bible at home as a reference tool. Yes, this is a big Bible (almost 2500 pages and 3.82 lbs. according to Amazon), but it packs an entire library of information in about 2" of thickness. But if you plan to carry it to church or Bible study you might want to wait for one of the personal-size editions. This assumes, of course that your eyes are better than mine! Regardless of which size you prefer, I would unconditionally recommend this Bible for any believer at any stage of spiritual development. Take it with you to church or buy it as an extra reference Bible for your study. Either way, you can't go wrong.
The launch of the NIV Study Bible in 1985 was significant because up until then, most study Bibles had revolved around one person's or one theological system's interpretation. The NIV Study Bible was a huge contribution because it delivered biblical background, exegesis and commentary from dozens of the finest scholars in the evangelical world. As I look around at the scope of study Bibles today, I still see a lot more of the same, but perhaps even more specialized toward someone's perspective or a particular theological system. That's not to say that those perspectives don't have valuable points of view to offer, but in a study Bible I prefer the checks and balances of a more diverse approach. The title across the font of the TNIV Study Bible's dust jacket reads "Today's most comprehensive study Bible." Like it's predecessor, the TNIV Study Bible stands on solid ground as being exactly that and a fine inheritor to a great tradition.
Of Related Interest:
- My Review of the TNIV Translation
- Follow-Up to My Review of the TNIV