Study Bibles


Go to iTunes or SoundCloud for Audio Podcast

Outline:

Study Bibles
What kind of Bible are you using?
·      It’s okay to use a Bible that has a lot of meaning to you
o  Can connect us to the past (Kervin Jones’ talk for Lenten Lunches)
o  Connection with Past can help us feel closer to God
·      Important thing is to read regularly
o  If don’t use, won’t be affecting you
o  Bible not just tool to understand but to change
·      It can help to have things explained to you.
o  True especially if you don’t read Greek (or Hebrew)
o  Study Bibles can help because they have notes
What to look for in a Study Bible:
1.    Good Notes
·     Bible Studies with less notes might be harder to read
§  Current version is much better
·     Notes linking to other passages are helpful
·     Maps and side notes about Biblical Cultures really help
·     Get really fancy with a Concordance
o  Index of words used in Scripture
o  Can help you find verses quicker
o  Can also get a Concordance as a separate book
2.    Theological Bias
·     Typical Categorical Views in The Anglican Communion:
1)   Catholic
·     Word literally means “Universal”
o  Sees us as 1 church w/ Romans and Orthodox
·     Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (ODCC): Focus on Historic teaching vs. just Bible
·     Can also refer to a focus on Sacramental Theology
2)   Evangelical
·     Protestant in Nature
·     Evangelicalism in ODCC:
o  Focus on “conversion and salvation” in Christ
o  Also focus on teaching through ‘Good News’
Note: Anglican members can subscribe to bits of both views
·     Subcategories in Each
1)   Traditionalist
·     Focus on historical tradition of the church
·     Looks at what has been passed down to us since start
o  Question can be “which start”, the Early church or the Reformation
·     Often referred to as Conservative
o  Some argue not conserving
o  Also could argue some open-minded
2)   Expansionist
·     Look to expand view of the church
o  Doesn’t mean not Biblically focused
o  Just going beyond traditional approach
·     Often referred to as Liberal
o  Not all are open-minded
o  Not just progress for progress sake
o  Not just about “being with the times”
Note: Can be traditional on one issue and expansionist with another
3.    Scriptural Interpretation Bias
·     Fundamentalism
o  Late 19thCent. Movement named for 5 fundamentals
o  Modern focus has been on ‘scriptural inerrancy’
o  ODCC: started as a reaction against evolution, liberal theology, and biblical criticism
·     Historical-Critical Method
o  Tries to understand the lang. in context of era written
o  Can lead away from seeing text as a Spiritual tool
·     Episcopal Ordination Vows
o  Holy Scriptures “The Word of God”
o  “contain all things necessary to salvation” 
o  Said by Bishop, Priests, Deacons- Book of Common Prayer (BCP) 513, 526, 538
o  Not everyone will interpret the same
o  Important that it gets at Spiritual nature of Bible
§  Divine Inspiration of human authors- BCP 853
How to pick a Study Bible:
·     Is it a good translation?
o  No translation is perfect.
·     Does it have easy to use resources?
o  Ex. (again) Old vs. New New Oxford Annotated
o  NIV Student Bible can be a helpful place to start
§  Ease of use sometimes hurts translation quality
·     What slant does it have?
o  ESV Study Bible best of Traditional/Evangelical
§  NIV has same slant
o  The New Interpreters Bible- more expansionist
o  New Oxford Annotated one of the better critical eds.
§  Slight expansionist leaning
o  Best to have multiple Bibles with multiple leanings
·     Will it have a place for notes?
o  Paperback is better than leather bound for this
·     Is it a good size?
o  Smaller is easier to take with you
o  You can even get an app for your phone
§  Some for free!
·     Is the print readable?
o  Large-print is available for most editions
The Point:
·      Pick a Bible that is best for you.
·      Go with resources that help you understand the text
·      Try to get a fairly balanced view of interpretation
o  Stretch yourself, but not to breaking point

Sources used:
The Book of Common Prayer. New York: Church Publishing Incorporated, 1986.
Cross, F.L. and E.A. Livingstone eds. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 3rd edition revised. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.