Extremely thorough, fabulous companion to the bible to make ...
352163
Extremely thorough, fabulous companion to the bible to make the deeper messages behind the action clear.  I have learned so much and look forward to my time in the bible.  I am on Amazon to purchase 2 Samuel now.
75468
Superb! Very nice!  A must for all who wish an in-depth study of the scripture.
3031717
Wonderful! I am fully enjoying the detail this study Bible has to offer. It gives useful insight that would otherwise take much research to accomplish. What a pleasure it is to be able to easily expand your knowledge of scripture. The reading is so much more enriched with the study aids and appropriately applied translation of the written word.
2743778
The title is a bit misleading...  this fantastic book literally takes you book-by-book through the Bible with a quick intro of each, including 1) Authorship, 2) Date, 3) Background context, 4) Literary context (genre, etc.) 5) Theme(s), and a concise/understandable working outline of each book.  That to me is the very best part of this book.  Additionally they include fantastic, easy to understand, charts & maps relevant to each book.  This is NOTHING like the Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps & Time Lines.  While the Rose reference is useful, when I want to know about Paul's mission journey relevant to his the church in Corinth - I just want to find it with 1&2 Corinthians.  As a graduate seminary student I have found this book to be one of the most helpful references in my extensive collection.  The intro to each book is concise, yet thorough.  When you want genuine 'take away value,' this book is the answer.  There are no extensive linguistic discussions, etc., etc. - which have their place - just the 'meat.'  Great reference for students of the Bible at any level (Bible study class, lay leadership, seminary, pastor, etc.).  This book along with Fee & Stuart's 'How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth,' are a couple of my absolute all-time favorite reference books.  Richter's 'Epic of Eden,' is a great work for a framework (metanarrative) of the Bible, and C.S. Lewis' 'Mere Christianity,' is a timeless must-read for every Christian.  Blessings in Christ.  -Kevin
1673041
A fantastic book that takes Biblical scripture, reads it word for word, and then fills in between the lines, explaining the history, culture, astrology, peoples, science, and politics of the time. Truly takes you to First Century Israel and opens the door, keeping intact the validity of the Bible's Nativity authors, Matthew and Luke. H.W. van der Vaart Smit explains everything in detail, having done an incredible amount of research. It makes the Bible come alive.
4027008
Excellent effortless delivery to South Africa from Amazon.

The new content and verse by verse commentary really allows for deep and thoughtful study of Gods word.  The editorial team have put together a tremendous collection of biblical resources (including Creeds & Confessions) into one package that will become indispensable.

The Bible is well presented with both the main text and study text legible in reasonable font size and print quality, leather is good quality and protective case is a handy unexpected gift that will help preserve the life of the Bible.
2124831
Just as I expected this bible has everything you need to go deepere i nto the word. I only have found that it is not so easy to locate  the related comments because it is really packed and dense, so it seems to me that there is that little one detail. Beside my previous comment I am enjoying and savioring the Lord while I go into what he has to say.
Each section and add-on is well suited for th epurspose of bible study and I strongly recommend it if you are serious about studying God's word.
3433905
The Navarre Bible series is superb.  It is highly recommended to the serious biblical scholar (it contains the Church's official Latin New Vulgate) and devotional Bible reader alike (these should not be mutually exclusive by the way).  Even the novice will find this version helpful and accessible (the Revised Standard Version is clear and faithful).

Each book starts with a fine introduction that covers authorship, purpose, overview of content, features and themes, and more.  The Bible text is liberally sprinkled with (sometimes quite extended) insights into the text itself and related Catholic doctrine as appropriate; there are also many quotes from important Church figures and documents.  Margin notes refer the reader to related Bible passages.  Fantastic for spiritual reading and meditation!  Couple this with texts like the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (with footnotes that are more exegetical and historical) for a well rounded Bible reading, study, or mediation.

The Navarre series is a welcome addition to any serious Bible reader's library.
4358664
I have always wanted to read the Bible cover-to-cover, but it seemed like such a daunting project, due to reading all the strange names and trying to understand the background for each book. And, not to mention the time commitment.  This is absolutely peerrrrfect!!  I listen to the Bible in the car both on my way to work and on my way home.  In 3 1/2 weeks I am already into 1st Samuel and learning so much!!  The dramatization really keeps my interest and the odd names of people and places are not so daunting!!

I would and have already highly recommended this to anyone.  This would be great in bringing clarity to a Bible Study or Sunday school class. Also the way the CDs are placed in the handy and duable folder is great for the car and travel.  Each CD is clearly labeled with the Book and each chapter.  Each chapter is on it's own track to assist in finding specific sites.

This was the best item I could have found to assist me on my Journey with Christ.
1491900
If you want to know what the Catholic Church has had to say about the Bible from the 200's to the early 21st Century (2006), this is the source to consult. The Church and the Bible in a revised and enlarged edition under the editorship of Dennis J. Murphy contains essential tests of every Catholic pronouncement on the Bible from antiquity to the present. This magisterial book is further enhanced by a four chapter introduction and background that thoroughly prepares you to get the most out of the rich resources contained  in 178 documents that appear in this essential reference work. There is a three-part index by scripture texts, subjects and names and Latin titles of documents referred to.

The excellent background texts are current through the Papacy of Benedict XVI.

Should you find this to be overwhelming and desire something less comprehensive but useful consult The Bible Documents which is the subject of a separate review.
3658632
I am pleasantly surprised by this handbook. John MacArthur did a masterfully wonderful job researching and combining his sermons together to write this great book.

This is not your typical Bible handbook like "Nave's". Instead the MacArthur "Handbook" is like what you would find in a study Bible at the beginning of each book of the Bible. BUT the MacArthur "Handbook" goes into far more detail.

This indepth MacArthur Bible handbook gives you an "Introduction to the Bible", "How We Got The Bible", and "How to Study the Bible". It also gives you an indepth book-by-book examination of all 66 books of the Bible.

Not only that, this MacArthur handbook also has much to offer by examining each of the 66 books by its author, the date approximately written, the meaning of each book, background and settings, key people, key words, key doctrines, interpretive challenges, God's Character, book outline, answers to tough questions, and how to further study each book. As well as there is "A Harmony of The Gospels", "Introduction to the Intertestamental Period", "Overview of Theology", and too much more to state here.

This is an excellent resource for anyone studying the Bible and is a must have in any library.
4368275
The most up-to-date translation with explanations of parts and chapters, as well as very helpful annotations. It puts writings in context and brings other Bible books and chapters in to help anchor the scripture. The editor and assistant editors have all published a number of books of the own on the Bible. I bought this for a gift, but I have my own, which is worn thin.
4953326
Amazing!
Old Testament Miniatures, or, The Maciejowski Bible, as it is known, is a phenomenal resource for armour and garb reference in the 13th century. But it has so much more too! Period illustrations of foot wear, siege weaponry, feasts and even underwear!
Well worth the price you pay. The plates are a large size (this is an Oversized Book) which allows a decent level of observable detail. The only downside is the book's gold inking from the plates seemed to be slightly damaged by the facing page. Not enough for me to send it back, but worth noting for those a bit pickier than myself.
Overall, a five start rating!
4273562
I am so happy with this book.  I study it often.  It sheds so much light on a chronology of the Bible which was missing.  This book is a must have for persons wishing to understand the shaping of the Bible to modern times.  It raises questions like who really wrote the first five books of the Bible when  shows the era in which Moses lived.
4692459
This Book of Enoch needs to be in the hands of every serious Bible student as an indispensable aid in understanding the New Testament regarding the evolution of theology between 200 BC and 100 AD, and also the Old Testament concerning problem prophetical passages. The book was written by a number of Jewish writers around the second century BC, and was considered inspired Scripture in the century before Christ and up to the third century AD by such early Church Fathers, as Justin Martyr, Origen, Clement of Alexandria, and Tertullian. It was eventually removed from the canon of Scripture in the fourth century and was virtually lost to Western Christendom until the early 1800s AD, when Laurence published the first English translation based upon a single Ethiopic manuscript. There are several other popular versions in print today, but the only translation worthy of serious study is the R.H. Charles edition, published in the early 1900s after twenty years of extensive research. His translation is based upon 23 Ethiopic manuscripts and all available source fragments of the time. Compared to other translations, the Charles version is quite exhaustive in the number of pages (nearly twice as many as other editions). He, alone, offers an extensive, in-depth Introduction of over 100 pages, and a comprehensive analysis and criticism of the text, plus accurate verse numbering. This is definitely the version to purchase without question! Two other important ancient books readers might want to consider are The Book of Jasher Referred to in Joshua and II Samuel (1840 edition), and The Book of Jubilees translated from the Ethiopic by Schodde, offered by Artisan Publishers. To ensure accuracy of purchase of this complete translation of The Book of Enoch, cut and paste ISBN 0934666466.
3039320
This is a comprehensive, solidly researched volume that is like having an encyclopedia of Biblical data in your hand.  Easy to use, well coss referenced and cogent comments placed in the NIV text where the comments will enhance understanding the backgrounds of that particular section.  What would take long hours of research and a huge reference library for an individual to discover, is right on the page for the reader of this magnificent volume.  A useful addition to those who wish deeper understandings of the historical context of Biblical materials.

Dick Stenbakken, Ed. D.
4298723
I love this bible, very easy to navigate and lots of extras. References, side stories, historical backgroung it's all here. Also maps of the region in biblical times. Very helpful for studying. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is I haven't used all the features yet. Also, very easy to read and find complimentary passages.