Just when I thought the ESV machine couldn’t get any better, B.C. McWhite draws our attention to a way to download the ESV Bible via flash or mp3 for free!. This is simply astounding!
Plus, take a look at the Global Training Network distributing 150 ESV Study Bibles at the Uganda Conference 2009.
Lastly, here’s a pic of an ESV Study Bible along with copies of Spirit-Empowered Preaching by Art Azurdia that we gave out to our pastors’ conference while I was in Trinidad.
It was no secret to those close to me that I was eagerly awaiting the new ESV Study Bible. Some rolled their eyes, others cordially listened, still others shared my enthusiasm. Having been excited about such items beforehand, especially with all the hype that has surrounded this work, I still felt a catch in my spirit which said, “Don’t get your hopes up too high–not everything lives up to the hype.”
So on October 18, it arrived.
Snazzy design on the box. I open it up, and am thankful I obtained a Black Classic TruTone rather than the genuine leather which tends to bend and keep the creases the first time you open it up. The TruTone has a nice feel that has proven to maintain even if it gets caught in weather. (Yes, I have a compact TruTone Bible that I took to Trinidad in 2004. And, yes, I foolishly left it out in the rain. And yes, it held together great.)
Classic Black TruTone
And my first impression was, “Wow …
This is a big Bible!!
And big it was. 2700+ pages. For some perspective, here’s it up against my Coke Zero and my coffee pot (which I never use, thanks to the Coke Zero!).
While the look on my face may convey distress and surprise, this does not mean I was unhappy. You see, when I opened it up and began to see the great resources in it in regards to maps, tables, charts, book introductions, notes that do not get in the way–I realized I had a very special resources in my hands.
Here’s the five-minute video.
I heartily recommend this majestic work.
Check out this 13 minute video covering the particulars of the ESV Study Bible.
Some of you at my church have inquired about the new ESV Study Bible that is coming out. I must say, this study Bible looks impressive! To be honest, I had begun veering away from study Bibles in resisting the temptation to look at the study notes with the same solemnity as the Holy Scriptures.
Yet, this looks like a wonderful resource to help my people and me understand the Word better. The notes, the maps, the layout are all crisp and detailed. My only concern is the size. This is an almost 2,800 page Bible — a beast to carry around, I would assume. Aside from this, I eagerly await its release on October 15.
ESV has released some excerpts in pdf format:
Introduction to the Psalms, along with the notes for Psalm 1
Introduction to the book of Isaiah, along with the notes for the first two chapters
Introduction to Ezekiel, along with the first two chapters
Introduction to the Gospel according to Luke
Introduction and notes for chapter 1 of Colossians
A Reconstruction of Golgotha, the hill upon which Jesus died
Solomon’s Temple
This was at our Java and Jesus Kickoff, complete with bonfire. Some of our college students from EKU asked me to look at the camera with the Bible and “bring it.”
Seriously, God has brought in a number of college students who are hungry for the Word. It gives us such great hope for the Church in the coming generation. Pray for our college students!
The ESV turns five years old today (October 1, 2006). I remember reading about it in World Magazine before it hit the stores and saw the J.I. Packer was the General Editor. I bought a hard cover edition for $17.99 and was immediately hooked.
The ESV website has an article commemorating the anniversary.
Click here to read!
Last Sunday, two children from our congregation stepped forward in believer’s baptism to testify of what Christ accomplished in their hearts. As is our custom here at Boone’s Creek, we give all those who are baptized a new Bible.
I had a choice. Find a nice Bible for little kids that they would outgrow as they matured a couple years — or get them a real Bible that they could use indefinitely.
I chose the latter. So I went to my local Lifeway Christian Stores outlet and purchased on our church account two ESV Children’s Bibles.
Here are some of the specs:
The ESV is written on a 10th grade level, yet it has a translation philosophy known as Essentially Literal. That is what I want my little girl to have in her hands — a Bible that stays true to the original manuscripts.
An objection would be, “But Matt, she’s too young to understand it.” Well, this Bible has over 200 age-appropriate color illustrations to help them know that great stories and doctrines of the faith. And when she reads along with us, we can stop and I can explain what these words mean. It allows me as her father (and pastor, for that matter) to give her a good grounding of the faith from a wonderful literal translation.
Have any of you seen the ESV Children’s Bible? What think ye?
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