Bible formats

[Macrina]

Well, there's a thread on audio Bibles, so why not the non-audio kind?

Do you use anything unusual, like an interlinear, parallel, or chronological Bible? Devotional Bible or study Bible? Any great recommendations?

Recently, I've been reading from a chronological Bible. I've never really thought much of them, since I think there's great value in the canonical order... but I thought this might change things up and give me a new perspective. It has, too, so far -- prophets are placed in the appropriate historical point, etc. I certainly wouldn't recommend it for one's only Bible, but for "Bible junkies" it can provide an interesting new angle.

 

[Hentenza]

I use an interlinear online bible. http://bible.crosswalk.com/InterlinearBible/

I also use a Strong's concordance.

 

[JoeWill]

Well, there's a thread on audio Bibles, so why not the non-audio kind?

Do you use anything unusual, like an interlinear, parallel, or chronological Bible? Devotional Bible or study Bible? Any great recommendations?

Recently, I've been reading from a chronological Bible. I've never really thought much of them, since I think there's great value in the canonical order... but I thought this might change things up and give me a new perspective. It has, too, so far -- prophets are placed in the appropriate historical point, etc. I certainly wouldn't recommend it for one's only Bible, but for "Bible junkies" it can provide an interesting new angle.

I have a small dog-eared hardback Bible that I use for street outreach. Key verses that I might want to show someone are highlighted with a yellow highlighter pen, because it's horrible when you need to find a verse quickly on a page and you can't.

I think it can be very effective to actually show someone what God says in the Bible instead of just verbalising it. Then again, you've got to know when to do it. One time when talking to some teenagers, I just bent down to pick up my Bible and by the time I straightened up they had all done a runner.

 

[Tangeloper]

Well, there's a thread on audio Bibles, so why not the non-audio kind?

Do you use anything unusual, like an interlinear, parallel, or chronological Bible? Devotional Bible or study Bible? Any great recommendations?

Recently, I've been reading from a chronological Bible. I've never really thought much of them, since I think there's great value in the canonical order... but I thought this might change things up and give me a new perspective. It has, too, so far -- prophets are placed in the appropriate historical point, etc. I certainly wouldn't recommend it for one's only Bible, but for "Bible junkies" it can provide an interesting new angle.

I have two bibles myself:

One, I inherited from my mother when she passed away almost 10 years ago. It is old, stained, the cover is almost gone, but it is the one I read the most... It has numerous colorful maps of biblical places and regions, a bible dictionary/encyclopedia in the back, as well as a Concordance after the dictionary part.

It was given to my mother by her parents as a confirmation present in 1953 (Wow, I just realized it is over 50 years old -- no wonder it lookes well-worn -- the binding is still good though)! It is a KJV Bible and was published by Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis, MO. (I love the Old English scripture more than a "modern" translation).

The other Bible that I read when I have trouble understanding a certain passage (sometimes the flowery old English gets in the way! LOL). My other bible is, "The New American Bible" which I received from one of my CCD teachers in 6th grade (it is a Catholic Bible -- 2nd Vatican Council 1968/1970 edition)

I just downloaded a free computer-based interlinear version (with concordance modules) but I can't remember the name of the program off-hand as I didn't install it yet and so I can't give a review at this time! LOL

Thanks for posting this thread! I have wondered myself which version I should purchase next as I don't want my Mom's Bible to completely fall apart now that I'm starting to read it everyday again!

If anyone can recommend a good study bible or bible study resources I would be much obliged!

~~ Tangeloper

PS -- I just looked in the back of my Mom's Bible and the concordance is a "Combined Concordance" with a Subject-Index & Prounouncing Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names (which is VERY hard for me to understand still! LOL). It contains a logo on the title page of that section which says "Nelson's Series" and was apparently published originally by Thomas Nelson & Sons of NY, NY.

Oh, and the Bible Dictionary is; "The Concordia Bible Dictionary with illustrations and indexed Bible Atlas" 3rd Edition coyright 1940

 

[Macrina]

I also use Bible study software -- I use Accordance for the Mac, which is a module-based system that works great for me. I can, say, have parallel columns of Greek, NIV, and RSV texts with auto-scrolling Calvin's commentaries at the bottom. Or whatever -- you set it up the way you want. Incredibly useful.

Yesterday, I ordered a wide-margin NASB from Amazon.com. I want to be able to make notes without being horrendously cramped.

Bible junkie here.

 

[Macrina]

If anyone can recommend a good study bible or bible study resources I would be much obliged!

There are lots of great study Bibles out there, depending on what you're looking for. For new Christians, I often recommend the New Life Application Study Bible, probably in NLT or maybe NIV for ease of reading. The NIV Study Bible is a good solid one as a basis for study, and I think it's now available in an NASB version. The Reformation Study Bible (ESV) is quite good, distinctly from a Reformed perspective.

 

[Macrina]

Oh, and as for resources -- not sure what you mean by that, but I can think of a couple helpful things:

*IVP Bible Background Commentaries, Old and New Testament -- great to consult for when understanding context is necessary

*"Reading the Bible for All Its Worth" by Fee and Stuart is a good how-to guide, including a great chapter on the differences between various translations.

 

[Tangeloper]

Oh, and as for resources -- not sure what you mean by that, but I can think of a couple helpful things:

*IVP Bible Background Commentaries, Old and New Testament -- great to consult for when understanding context is necessary

*"Reading the Bible for All Its Worth" by Fee and Stuart is a good how-to guide, including a great chapter on the differences between various translations.

Thank you for the suggestions Macrina! I really appreciate it!

 

[Tangeloper]

There are lots of great study Bibles out there, depending on what you're looking for. For new Christians, I often recommend the New Life Application Study Bible, probably in NLT or maybe NIV for ease of reading. The NIV Study Bible is a good solid one as a basis for study, and I think it's now available in an NASB version. The Reformation Study Bible (ESV) is quite good, distinctly from a Reformed perspective.

Yeah, I think the one for "new Christians" would be good for me. I have a strong church background (both Catholic and Lutheran), but not a good grounding in actual scripture and Bible study unfortunately. I have a "hunger" to learn a lot more about this than in the past, so I'm sure your suggestions will come in handy! I think I'll have to spend some time in our local Christian bookstore!

 

[Gregged]

This is a great thread!

I mostly use a big thick parallel Bible with 4 versions in columns - KJV,AMP,NAS,NIV though I mostly read NIV and AMP, occasionally looking at the other two if I notice something a little different. The problem with this when you open it, the left page has the NIV and AMP, the right has NAS and NIV. I'm so used to reading through the NIV which is always on the right side of the book that when I read a normal book, I forget that it continues on the back, left hand side of the page (hope someone understands that!!!)

When I want to get into a study, and check the Hebrew or Greek, or search by Strongs, I use the "Online Bible" (you don't have to be online to use it though). It's free and has many Bible versions (some though you have to pay the copyright for - like NIV, though it's a nominal fee), commentaries, Strongs etc etc. It's a great tool.

I want to get an ESV (English Standard Version), but I am now going to order one of those chronological versions - that sounds very interesting

 

[picnic]

I have a chronological bible that is aimed at reading through in a year. It's NIV and I'm behind. I started about a year ago and I'm only in the beginning of November. There are a few different arrangements of chronological bibles but there aren't that many available in different translations (NIV, KJV and NLT seemed to be about the only ones). The main purpose I suppose of a chronological bible is to be able to read it from beginning to end, getting the big picture of the bible.

Other than that my bible are simply bibles, I would like to get hold of an ESV reformation study bible though.

 

[Criada]

I am a bible-oholic! I have most translations, Though I use the NIV mostly for reading, and the others for more in depth study.
I also have a greek New Testament - and will learn to read it one day!! Started learning, then children came along....
So - now I think it's a project for when they leave home!

Does anyone know of any downloadable bibles/commentaries that work on a mac? Cos the ones I used to have on my old PC won't work

 

[ContentInHim]

Criada - I know my friend has problems getting Bible software for her Mac. I'm seeing her tomorrow night and will ask her for recommendations.

I have maybe every Bible known to the English speaking world. And I love them all for different reasons. I see you all do also! Interesting! and defining of us in a way that we love scripture so much!

Picnic - a Read thru NIV in a Year was my second Bible reading experience. In the end, I find that I get more out of reading through, front to back, an approximate number of chapters per day. Doing so, I read through maybe twice in a year, including study and taking notes of what the Holy Spirit makes known to me. So you are off to a good start!

 

[Criada]

Criada - I know my friend has problems getting Bible software for her Mac. I'm seeing her tomorrow night and will ask her for recommendations.

Thanks!

 

[Macrina]

Criada -- I use Accordance and love it. There is an unbelievable array of modules for it, and the interface is both simple and adaptable. If you're looking to invest in Bible study tools of any kind, I can't recommend it highly enough.

 

[Criada]

Criada -- I use Accordance and love it. There is an unbelievable array of modules for it, and the interface is both simple and adaptable. If you're looking to invest in Bible study tools of any kind, I can't recommend it highly enough.

Thanks, Macrina
It looks excellent - will have to start saving up!

 

[rrguy]

I am still working on the good old Bible, I have a few different editions with some beautiful pics & helpful maps. I guess I am scared of any changes being made to the Bible. I did take my first Bible study last year & it had a timeline which really helped me to understand what was going on when & where.

 

[ContentInHim]

Hey, Greg - that wasn't so scary, was it?

I know what you mean about being worried about changes. I have stayed away from anything from The Message to any of the new NIV's - like the Teen NIV which sounds horrible.

 

[Criada]

I love the message - not accurate, and I wouldn't base anything on it, but is great for getting a 'feel' for large chunks! I read the NT in it on the beach this summer!

 

[desmalia]

I grew up on the NIV, but later switched to the NASB. I have the MacArthur Study Bible in NASB, and absolutely LOVE it. Plus they sent it to me free (along with loads of other stuff) just for being on the mailing list.

For quick reference I use biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.com quite a bit. I also like to use the KJV and NKJV from time to time. We have a number of translations around the house, but I definitely prefer my NASB, and so does DH.