I know. It would have been great to have posted this back in May, just in time for Confirmation and Graduation. Then again, who's to say you can't give a Bible for no reason at all!
In my previous post, I discussed one of the most important decisions about selecting a Bible and that is to choose a translation. But, once you have done that, there are still many, many Bible to choose from. In this post, I will focus narrowing down your selection to the Bible that best meets your needs. Here are some of the top features for a study Bible.
Concordance
This special index helps you find where certain names and key terms appear in the Bible. Can't remember where to find "I am the vine; you are the branches?" Look for "branches" in the Concordance and you see an entry like this:
BRANCHES
I am the vine; you are the b John 15:5
Cross references
Study or reference Bibles typically contains cross references to passages with common themes or verses that further amplify a concept. For example, Romans 3:3 contains references to Romans 9:6, Romans 11:29, Hebrews 4:2, and 2 Timothy 2:13.
Footnotes
I'm generalizing here but footnotes usually fall into two categories: translation notes and study notes. Translation notes present an alternative translation of some portion of a verse or an explanation of the original text. For example:
And as he sat at table v in the house, many tax collectors and sinners.... Matt 9:10 (RSV)
v Greek reclined
The study notes help explain passages that may be unclear. They can also provide historical and cultural context to help with your study. Such notes have been included in Lutheran Bibles since 1522. One thing to keep in mind about the study notes is that they are always written from a certain perspective. That is to say, the study notes for Revelation in a Scofield Study Bible will be quite different from the study notes in The Lutheran Study Bible.
Additional Study Features
Dictionary - Some Bibles include a standalone dictionary while other define words in the study notes.
Topical Index - If you are searching for a particular subject (such as money, trust, or revenge) but are not sure if the exact word appears, a topical index is what you need. As described above, a concordance shows you where and when an exact word was used.
Maps - It's always good to know where you are in the world. A set of biblical maps help you see how the world looked back then. Sorry, no maps of Pangea here.
Introductions and Outlines - Just like a map is a geographical locator, Introductions and Outlines help establish the big picture for your Biblical journey.
Practical matters
The round out this list, I thought I should include a few "practical" items to look consider.
1. Sure, a leather cover is classy and ideal for presentation but if you are going to be tucking your new study Bible in a zippered cover, why spend the extra cash for leather?
2. Go for the thumb indexes (also known as tabs). The thumb indexes are carved out of the page edges to make it easier to find those lesser-read prophets more quickly. I find them especially helpful in a classroom situation. You can buy aftermarket tabs to stick on if your current Bible doesn't have this feature.
3. Make sure the typeface is legible. If you need a "larger print edition," get it. I wish I had thought about this more when I made my last purchase.
4. Go electronic. I'll get back to this another time.
There you have it. Some things to consider when selecting a study Bible. Did I miss your favorite feature? If so, let me know.
Lastly: Read your Bible. No, don't just read it. Study it. Everyday!
Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura
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