I contributed three related book reviews to the latest issue of Themelios.

1. Review of The Story: Read the Bible as One Seamless Story from Beginning to End. Themelios 34 (2009): 106–7.

“The Story is an edifying tool for a variety of situations: a supplemental textbook for students (junior high, high school, or college), an introduction to the Bible’s storyline for non-Christians or young Christians, and a creative refresher for mature Christians.”

2. Review of The Books of the Bible: A Presentation of Today’s New International Version. Themelios 34 (2009): 108–9.

“The Books of the Bible is ingenious. The way it presents the Bible as a library of literature is unique, simple, and elegant, and it naturally encourages better Bible reading.”

3. Review of Christopher R. Smith, The Beauty Behind the Mask: Rediscovering the Books of the Bible. Themelios 34 (2009): 109–10.

“Smith clearly and persuasively argues that visually presenting the Bible in a single column without chapter or verse references encourages reading that is more informed and engaged.”

Quote of the day:

I was raised on the KJV, so I’m bilingual.

-Walter Kaiser this afternoon in a Panel Discussion of Three Views on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament at ETS

My Leather TruTone Classic Black ESV Study Bible arrived last Tuesday, but I had just left campus for a week so I didn’t get it until I returned to Deerfield this morning. I’m planning to read it in time to submit a review of it by March 1, 2009 for the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. For now I think one word sums up my initial reaction: wow.

Related:

• hardcover
• website
• videos
• endorsements
• interviews

W. Hall Harris, professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary (where he has taught for thirty years), just started a blog called “NET Bible Revolution” (RSS feed). His first posts narrate the origin of the NET Bible. Fascinating.

Darrell Bock just posted this note on his blog:

“If you go to our host site, www.Bible.org, you will see a completely new look and feel. It is part of a several year discussion about how to best serve those who visit the site. Check it out.”

This site is one of my favorites listed on the “theological writings” page of my recommended resources:

*Bible.org: about, NET Bible (cf. my blog post), Daniel Wallace’s “Prof’s Soapbox,” authors, series, reviews, Q&A topics

After I became aware of Zondervan’s TNIV audio Bible “The Bible Experience” last June, I promptly pre-ordered the entire OT and NT on MP3 for $70. (The complete CD set currently sells for $78.74.) I received my copy in October, and since then I have immensely enjoyed listening to nearly half the Bible on my iPod.

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