Bible and Bible Reference Survey 2007...Continued from page 1

Conversations: The Message with its Translator (NavPress) is a special annotated version of The Message incorporating “special excerpts, contemplations, sermons, and essays” from Eugene Peterson.  Peterson’s notes stress a contemplative reading of the Scriptures, with questions and prayers, rather than the overly analytical approach one often encounters in hermeneutics courses.

Nelson has published The Majority Text Greek New Testament Interlinear.  It is an attractive, nicely bound volume but is not as helpful as The English-Greek Interlinear New Testament, ESV published last year by Crossway.  The Crossway volume has more tools to benefit the reader. The primary benefit of this Nelson volume will be for those who favor the Majority Text.

Other new study Bibles include Celebrate Recovery Bible (NIV; Zondervan), an outgrowth of Saddleback’s Celebrate Recovery ministry, a second edition of The Woman’s Study Bible (NKJV; Nelson), and Aspire: The New Women of Color Study Bible (NIV; Zondervan).  Nelson has also published a new Parallel Study Bible with the NKJV, NCV, The Message and an abridgement of the notes from their NKJV Study Bible.

Lastly, two new audio Bibles have come out featuring the voice talents of well known actors:  The Bible Experience (TNIV; Zondervan) and The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible (NKJV; Nelson).  Both are nicely done with good musical accompaniment.  I have enjoyed listening to them.  The Word of Promise uses a scripted dramatization of the NKJV rather than a straight reading.  It also has Jim Caviezel, following his role in the Passion of the Christ, doing the voice of Jesus.

Reference

A Concise Dictionary of Bible Origins and Interpretations, Alec Gilmore (Continuum; pb.) is an expanded form of the first edition, this time including entries on hermeneutics.  Useful reference for brief explanations of various people and ideas associated with the translation and production of the Bible over the centuries. Brief descriptions are given of major English translations though curiously the ESV is left out.

Randolph Tate’s Interpreting the Bible: A Handbook of Terms and Methods (Hendrickson; pb., 482 pp.) contains an alphabetical list of entries on terms and methods which can help one through the dizzying maze of contemporary hermeneutical discussions.