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L**A
Awesome scholarly, informative and devotional
Since this Bible is 2.7" thick, and the pages on the regular size type are said to be very thin, it is a good thing to get the leather, large print. The larger print has thicker pages and the ultimate binding and materials reinforce the durability of the Bible. The reviews on the hardback copy say it is well bound however. The design and art are spectacular and the scholarly weaved theology is geared to devotional and informative study. It is certainly not necessary to have to have a seminary degree, however, you will appreciate it if you do, as it is scholarly and spiritually woven. I am not Lutheran but I love this Bible.What's GoodBook Introductions: The introductions are splendid. They don't hesitate to deal with topics that have afflicted Christendom in the last century, such as historical-higher criticism. The introductions don't succumb to viewing scripture as any other literature, but they do discuss form, genre, and literary devices when it's helpful. The introductions also include excerpts from Luther's introductions--an added bonus!Book Outlines: The outlines, which grace the beginning of each book, are the best I've ever seen. I've seen outlines in some study Bibles that are nearly useless because they are too generic and broad to be of much help. Among the study Bibles now in print, the Reformation Study Bible is known to have excellent outlines. But TLSB's are even better! The outlines have enough depth to be truly helpful (at least three levels deep) and aid the reader in getting a good feel of the overall structure and flow of the books.Key Terms and Phrases: TLSB has included this helpful section before the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy), the Psalms, and the Pauline Letters. Given the challenging language of Scripture, especially as it deals with concepts that we don't deal with in our everyday lives, the "Key Terms and Phrases" is a good idea. It offers much help to make better sense of what various words and phrases in the Bible mean.Drawings: Included in TLSB are several of Hugh Claycombe's line drawings of the Tabernacle, the temples, Jesus' route during Passion Week, and so on. If you've used the NIV Study Bible (or the Lutheran variant, the CSSB), you'll recognize these drawings. They are still some of the most helpful illustrations of their type to appear in study Bibles to date.Articles: The articles are a strong point of this Bible! Unlike the ESV Study Bible (which I think has too many articles!), TLSB has the right balance. The articles cover many topics, from the mainly doctrinal, to being focused on living out what the doctrines mean, and especially those vexing the Church today. Women in the Church? It's in there. Homosexuality? Yep. The wrath of God? It's in there too. What happens at death? Not forgotten. These well-done articles are near the Scripture passages that bring out these questions for us. But the articles are written in such a way that they let God's Word shine on these questions to guide our steps, like Deacon Philip guided the Ethiopian in Acts chapter 8.NOTES . . .Christological Focus: On every page, TLSB lets the Word of God do what our Lord says it is to do: "testify of Me" (John 5:39). A study Bible that helps the reader see Christ in the pages of Scripture does what Scripture is meant to do. Bravo, this alone is worth the cost of TLSB!Wordplay: TLSB often points out wordplay, and carefully explains when it happens. In almost all such cases, the wordplay is lost in our current translations. And so when TLSB highlights these instances in the notes, often including a transliteration so an English reader can hear the similarity in sound, the reader is greatly benefited.Law-Gospel Distinction: Such notes weave their way through each chapter of Scripture and help one reflect deeper on the Word just read. How helpful in a study Bible, an aid that not only helps one understand the text better, but aids in one's devotional life as well. A home run here!Patristics: Reflecting Lutheranism's continuity from the ancient Church as well as Lutheranism's catholicity, TLSB quotes the early Latin and Greek fathers more than most other study Bibles, except perhaps the Orthodox Study Bible. Since the Holy Spirit "calls, gathers, and enlightens the whole Christian Church on earth," we would be a shallow Christian church, indeed, not to consider the wisdom of our Church fathers as they meditated on the Scriptures. TLSB could have quoted the Church Fathers more, but something else would then have had to be reduced. TLSB strikes the right balance.Lutheran Sources: TLSB brings in Reformation fathers, Confessions (the Book of Concord), and even hymns from Lutheran Service Book in its study notes! While most of the study notes do not contain these (or the patristic citations), it is helpful and noteworthy when they do.Dates at the Top of the Page: This simple chronology is a superb aid for study! For people who may have trouble keeping track of what happened when because the Scriptures are often not chronological, this feature really helps makes sense of the biblical timeline.Confession: The Word of God is meant to be spoken! Within the Christian Church, we are to speak it back to God, speak it to each other, and we are all called to speak it to the world. TLSB consistently reminds the reader of this high calling to invite others to share in the joy that we have in the forgiveness of sins and adoption into God's family.
M**6
Jesus Saves
Reading the Bible is life changing. Having detailed citations & references make Bile study a game changer. Going through this Bible is more fun and fulling than any video game I have ever played.
G**E
Clean as promised
I am very pleased with the speed I received my Bible and the quality is as they stated.I will purchase from Green again.
R**S
Excellent Bible
Great Bible all around especially for Conservative Lutherans. It will be the last Bible I ever buy
O**B
Glad I purchased it
For content there is no way I could give it anything less than a score of five. Felt it would be unfair to give it less, even though there are a couple of minor physical issues with it. Wish the pages were made of a higher quality paper, as the pages get creased very easily just turning the pages. For $65 I'm surprised the paper quality is not better. The other issue was the fact the book was either shipped with a dent and a scrape on the left hand side of the cover, or it was damaged in shipping. The scrape had to have occurred before it was boxed for shipping. But it was nothing too serious so I did not send it back.The writing, basically an introduction, to the five books of Moses was very helpful to me. And though it may take me awhile reading the scripture to get used to up to 80% or more of the pages being notes, with the rest being scripture, I will get used to it. It is a study bible so I wasn't totally surprised, only that so much of some of the pages are taken up by notes. But that will be helpful eventually. I'm first going to read through the scripture, then once I finish a book, I'll go back and read the notes to help further enlighten myself. There have been a couple of times though while reading the scripture that I referred to the notes to help understand something a little better at that moment.I am glad I purchased the larger print version. I can't imagine trying to read the standard size. There isn't any real bleed through on these pages to speak of. Nothing that bothers me at least. For those considering buying the larger print, understand the notes are not in larger print. The scripture is, and the introductions to chapters are in larger print (but not super large).A couple weeks before I purchased on Amazon I went to Concordia Publishing House's website to compare prices. I should have checked back before I bought here because Concordia is having a fall sale (approximately 30% off) on their bibles. This larger print version is $46.99, and you get free shipping for orders over $75. You can also buy the bibles with a different cover, leather for example. Much more expensive but the option is there.Anyway, really happy I purchased this and will do alot of reading this coming winter. Something I've wanted to do for years but didn't take the time. Thanks to those who gave their time to writing the introductions and notes. Also, the reviews I read from others who purchased the study Bible helped as well, both in the larger print section and the regular sized version. Lots of thorough descriptions from learned people. Thanks to them as their reviews cemented my decision to buy TLSB.Edited 1/11/2015: It took quite some time but I finally finished reading the New Testament. Had started both Old and New at the same time, but eventually focused more on the NT, and now that I have it completed will be able to devote all my reading time to the OT.The information provided before each book is very helpful. Nothing more so than that for Revelation. It advises the reader to have a broad understanding of OT prophesy, and a specific, clear understanding of Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah, in order to have an understanding of the complex symbolism and visions of Revelation.I would encourage every Christian to actually read the Bible cover to cover to acquire a better understanding of their faith. Unfortunately, too many of us put it off until later in life, and some never do read it. Church leaders would be doing a great service to their congregations if they encouraged more Bible reading in the home. I'm sure some do, but I don't recall that when I was a child going to church. We all make mistakes in life, but I'd like to think I'd have made even fewer than I did had I included daily Bible reading in my day to day life. The time between being confirmed until I was in my mid-late 40's I didn't read it enough.The Lutheran Study Bible helped me understand scripture better when I didn't know what something was referring to, and I'll repeat that the information provided before each book is very helpful. I definitely recommend this study Bible.
B**C
Very nice, after third time...
I wanted to provide an update since I criticized CPH for sending two Bibles in a row that had inferior binding/defects. (Note that that criticism still applies as there is an apparent lack of consistency and quality control in the manufacturing process.)That being said, I tried one more time. The one I just received is in perfect condition. The leather, though not the highest grade, which would make the Bible cost prohibitive for most, feels very nice.I need not elaborate on the content. I believe the notes, study guides, articles, etc., are all top notch. My favorite of any study Bible that I've ever owned.My only criticism is the lack of a ribbon marker(s). I don't know that I've seen a Bible without at least one, especially one made of such fine leather.
S**T
Excellent resource!
Great Bible has super detailed commentaries on the bottom of each page.
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