Skip to main content

The Modern Life Study Bible (NKJV)

The Modern Life Study Bible: God's Word for Our World



The Modern Life Study Bible (NKJV)http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140167514X/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1QNA7MXKQPF970H9DFZR&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846

This new study bible entitled The Modern Life Study Bible (NKJV) is a unique addition to the myriad of Bibles on the market.  The aim is to bring the eternal truth of the Bible to reckon with the world we live on and its various problems, which are not too different than the ones back in the Garden of Eden.  This study Bible is bent on addressing the issues of life in the private and public spheres and bringing God’s Word to bear on all of life.  The editors write, “…but as Christians living in the modern world, it is imperative that we recover the often forgotten public dimension of the gospel.” (xvii)  This focus on the public dimension of faith is as important as ever in a world that is seemingly losing its grasp on key biblical foundations.

Highlights
In line with the public dimension of faith, the Insight section on Genesis 41:42-26 was excellent.  The editor writes, “Yet Joseph was able to diligently maintain his faith in his environment. Consider his strategies: He maintained his integrity.  He did his best when his situation was at its worst.  He carried out the task he was given.  He used his power and influence compassionately.” (73)  We know from the biblical text that Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife, power, and a hard life of work, yet he did not give in.  It is these Insight sections that I thought really encapsulated the intended message of the bringing the public and private spheres together in which faith can flourish.  From an Insight on characters such as Pharaoh to one on Just War, the Modern Study Bible is replete with truth in all its various ways.

I also greatly enjoyed the Focus sections throughout the study Bible.  These sections are designed to narrow our focus in on a theme or person in the Bible to bring out its significance.  One corollary application point made concerning marriage and divorce that was very good comes in connection to Deuteronomy 24:1-4.  The editor writes, “As much as God hates unfaithfulness and divorce, He offers compassion to any who fall short of His expectations.  He readily forgives and restores people who seek his pardon.” (295)  The overarching concept of God’s forgiving grace is evident here even in the midst of sin and brokenness.  This kind of help is needed in our culture of divorce and remarriage.

Criticism

At times, there was a lack of focus on how the OT prepares people for the coming of the King, namely Jesus.  We don’t get any connection to the Messiah from the notes on 2 Samuel 7:14 but we do get some background from Psalm 22.  Also, it would have been helpful to have more connection between the many chapters on David and his connection to the Christ.  Another quick note is that there needed to be more of a comprehensive Key New Testament Passages.

Overall, I really enjoy reading the Modern Life Study Bible and also its focus on key people in history who have shaped the faith in remarkable ways.


Thanks to BookSneeze and Thomas Nelso Publishers for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Saving Casper

Saving Casper: A Christian and an Atheist Talk about Why We Need to Change the Conversion Conversation by Jim Henderson and Matt Casper http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Casper-Christian-Conversion-Conversation/dp/1414364881 Many readers will quickly know the authors of this book from their previous release Jim and Casper Go to Church.  Jim and Matt’s new book entitled Saving Casper focuses on the way we talk about conversion in the church and the devastating ways we have pushed away atheists and other non-believers by our posture.  Both Jim and Matt traversed the national landscape, meeting in churches and asking hard questions about faith, conversion, and life. The basic premise of the book and travel is laid out here in their words, “Part of what Casper and I are trying to achieve when we speak to a group of Christians is to help people move a little bit on their “judgment meter.”  This capacity, while intellectually and often theologically uncomfortable,...
Post a Comment
Read more

Essential Christian Doctrine

  Essential Christian Doctrine , General Editor John MacArthur Pastor John MacArthur has for years been teaching the Word of God in both pulpit ministry, books, and conferences with an aim to displaying God’s revelation to his listeners in a winsome and foundational manner.  This new book, Essential Christian Doctrine takes an entire life of teaching and preaching and encapsulates the main contours of the Christian faith for its readers.  John in a systematic way highlights the most necessary teachings from Scripture including God’s Word, the Trinity, while also including sections on Man and the Future. One of the most helpful ways the authors bring to light biblical truth and theology is the way in which they group together particular themes.  In the section on the Holy Spirit, instead of a complex discussion of personhood, word pictures of the Holy Spirit are introduced in a discernible and profitable manner.  The metaphors for the Holy Spirit include fir...
Post a Comment
Read more

God's Grace for All of Life

The Romance of Grace by Jim McNeely III To be honest, when I received this book in the mail I had visions of what it might be like with a title like, ‘The Romance of Grace.’  The emotional rollercoaster and one-sided perspective on how our emotions fuel our faith was my presumption about the book, but this was the furthest thing from the truth as I started reading.  The Romance of Grace by Pastor Jim McNeely III is a careful look at the movements of grace in the way God pursues us with his love and his desire to get us to love him back.  McNeely writes, “We are entering a cosmic romance with a passionate lover, and He is interested in our heart’s truest desire.  His deepest objective isn’t to make us more moral; it is to get us to love Him back.  Virtue is the fruit, not the root” (18).  Why is this helpful?  For one thing, beginning with God’s initiating grace frees us from starting out on the wrong foot in the way we tell the story and...
2 comments
Read more