The Lutheran Study Bible: English Standard Version

by Anonymous

Engage in devotional, Christ-centered Bible reading and study with the distinctive, comprehensive notes and practical application of The Lutheran Study Bible. This new Bible is the first in English to be developed from the ground-up with notes that are distinctively Lutheran, prepared by Lutheran theologians and pastors from over twenty Lutheran church bodies. Current Lutheran scholarship, insights from the Church Fathers, and rich devotional commentary provides meaningful perspective for both young and mature Christians.

The Lutheran Study Bible features:

26,500-plus uniquely Lutheran study notes.
Over 2,000 application notes and prayers for every part of the Bible.
80,000 center column cross-references.
Over 900 cross-references to 120 full or half-page maps, charts, and diagrams.
220-plus articles and introductions to biblical books and topics.
Insights from early church, medieval and Reformation era church fathers.
Uses the English Standard Version translation.
Durable Smyth-sewn binding.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Christianity, Christian, Faith, Reference, Nonfiction

2372 pages, Hardcover

Published October 31, 2009

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[Eric Estes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm convinced there is no study Bible that can contain everything one would want to have on hand in a portable print edition. If I had to choose just one study Bible to have in my collection it would be this one and there are several reasons. Firstly, it is solidly rooted in the confessional Lutheran tradition and was edited by some of the best modern scholars in that tradition. Since it is Lutheran it is Christ-centered in its approach to Biblical Theology. Secondly, though it is not the first study Bible to attempt to be devotional the meditations and the prayers are not moralistic like so many other Bibles. Rather, Christ is uplifted as both the Christian's justification and sanctification. It approaches the Scriptures with a strong Trinitarian and Sacramental theology showing how these apply to the life of the Christian. Thirdly, it has a good mixture of Christian apologetics, history, archeology, exegesis and theology in the study notes. Few study Bibles are as multifaceted as this one in the number of disciplines that are applied to the study notes. Finally, the topical articles are sensitive to modern reader's concerns about the Bible and give solidly Lutheran answers to difficult questions.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent one volume resource for Bible Study which raises all sorts of questions I find which challenge my own personal theology. It is supposed to be one of the best Study Bibles (which I seem to collect), having 2371 pages. I find the English Standard Version much more to my liking than the New International Version which I used for years but never fell in love with. I gain a great deal of material for my talks, videos and other ministry from study Bibles and Devotional material which I combine with God's spontaneous leading rather than scripting or making notes. I usually have an outline in my mind of what I intend to cover in a talk, but often the Holy Spirit will take over and lead me in a different direction!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

HUGE GOAL ACCOMPLISHED, FINISHED FOR THE FIRST TIME,!! ❤️✝️❤️

And of course all the stars, it’s the true and infallible Word of God!

[Ronnie Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

With its plenteous, interpretive notes, graphs and essays. This edition of the Bible is helpful for the clear, study and prayerful use of God's word

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book, yet it has been four years since the editors updated the notes on this bible. I know the editors were working on "The Apocrypha: The Lutheran Edition With Notes" (also own / also brilliant) so I am giving them both 5 stars. I wish LCMS had these books when I went to confirmation. Church was using the 1987 NIV Study Bible Concordia edition which I had to buy at Northwestern Book Store in 1999.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite study Bibles. A ton of footnotes and many relevant and helpful articles and charts. Print is a little small so the large print might be something to consider, but if you can have only one study Bible, I would highly recommend this one. I read through the Bible using The Lutheran Study Bible in 2010, and I still use it for reference.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good study Bible combining historical, theological, and devotional elements. Good distinguishing of law and gospel.

[Adam Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of our God coming to us in history; creating all things from nothing, sustaining us through the creation, and delivering us from sin, death, and the devil through the person of Jesus Christ our Lord. This is the text of salvation for all people that enlivens its hearers through the gift of faith. May this book written by men and inspired by God bring you into life everlasting.

The study notes and cross references are extremely helpful for understanding the text and the relationships between different passages. The Lutheran Study Bible employs various quotes from historical Christian thinkers from the early Church Fathers to the early Reformers to the Lutheran Fathers, including such figures as Martin Luther, Martin Chemnitz, and Johann Gerhard. These three are recognized as the greatest Lutheran theologians who have ever lived.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible Resources

People for whom face value or background knowledge is not enough this version contains an incredible wealth of information I haven’t even begun to tap. I have the hard copy and love the brief devotion and prayer at the end of every few verses, and wanted to have that capability with me wherever I was, at any time. While it won’t be the tattered, broken- binding, worn proof for future generations to see and hold, I know this will be a tool for boundless growth and a firm faith that I can pass down to them anyway.

[Donald May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found that the brief commentaries on each verse are very helpful in explaining the thought and meaning of the texts. The Law and Gospel application notes are especially dear to me and helpful in my spiritual understanding of Holy Scripture. I highly recommend reading and inwardly digesting Scripture at one's own pace with much meditation. I also recommend presenting any doubts or questions to a pastoral confidant.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

get lost can’t find page previously read when seeking connected information

Some how there is a way to read from this book and connect to associate data and still return to where you were in the reading,
I don’t understand how this works. Perhaps the iPad doesn’t work that way , I don’t know. Frustrating to say the least.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much of our life is based on the Bible. Do I wish there was a Cliff Notes version? Yes. However, we don't get to choose what we want to believe and discard the rest. Read the hard parts; read the familiar parts, ask questions, seek answers and explanations. Enrich your faith. Most of all, read it and learn of the rich history of the Judeo Christian worlc.

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the Bible before, but this is the first time I read this version. It had a 2-year program, to read the book in its entirety, in chronological order.
I enjoyed reading it this way. The Old Testament read like a book of literature, as I learned so much history.
The study guide was extremely helpful, & it gave me a lot of clarity.

[Presley Darnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most impressive thing to me is the pastoral tone many of the footnotes contain as well as the included prayers I find useful in aiding spiritual direction while reading. I am Episcopalian now and come to the scripture in different ways but still find myself in this volume often.

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished my Bible in a year reading plan using The Lutheran Study Bible this go around. I love the format and the features, the notes are helpfully laid out, the essays are well placed, and the introductions are well done. One of CPH's finest.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful notes and cross-references are helpful for those who are new to the Bible as well as those who want to dig deeper.

[Stephen Bernau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me a little longer this time, but a good journey. Always appreciative of the wisdom that daily making my way through the whole thing provides!

[Joseph Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

ESV but great notes

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Bible with study notes and commentary I've ever read, and continue to read

[Benedicta Manurung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terbaik lah pokoknya!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing journey for me this year....reading the Bible from cover to cover!

[Whisper119 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, but my favorite character died.

[Melanie]

Only took me 40 years...

[Kimberly Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always reading and re-reading. I have enjoyed the notes and commentary of the Lutheran Study Bible. It is very helpful to have this extra study material.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Previous to buying this study Bible, I used the Concordia Self Study Bible which is NIV 84. I have been toying with whether or not to switch to the new NIV or the ESV. When I found out that this had been released, I decided to give this Bible and the ESV translation a try this year.

I am Lutheran but I am WELS, not LCMS so I appreciate the fact that Concordia included the small catechism and the lectionary in the front along with prayers on the endpapers. The study format itself also has some useful features. At the beginning of each book, there is an introduction with a mini chronology that shows where in history the book occurs. Each page of the book is also dated with the approximate date. There is a larger chronology in the front but having it right there in the book makes it a bit more useful. After each section within the book (I believe these follow the section headings), there is a brief summary of the section along with a verse or short prayer which is useful for personal Bible study. There are also more detailed articles tucked within each book that expand on certain topics.

I also appreciate that the notes quote Luther and some of the other church fathers. It is nice to have some insight from them at times.

As far as the ESV translation, I have not had an issue reading or understanding it. While the NIV is a thought for thought translation, the ESV is a word for word translation. It might be a bit difficult for the beginning reader.

[Beth Nieman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic study edition of the Bible. I'm really enjoying it. Using a two-year reading plan included near the front. The notes are really thorough, there are lots of articles about ancient life and customs throughout, quotes from the early church fathers, difficult passages explained, and brief devotional thoughts and prayers included after each chapter or section. There are woodcut illustrations, and an introduction to each book of the Bible, including commentary from Luther on each book. The translation is English Standard Version (ESV), which I'm finding reads more smoothly than the New International Version (NIV). I would recommend this study Bible to anyone.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use LSB along with a New American Standard Bible and a Concordia Self-Study Bible. Of the three, I find the English Standard Version translation the slowest. It may be precise, but it's not the easiest of reads.

I enjoy most of the footnotes and the articles, but there is a summary note after every few paragraphs that ends up in a one liner prayer. Frankly, most of the time these one liners add little to my study of the Word.

Even so, this is one of the best academic efforts at doing a Bible with commentary and footnoting I've seen. I use it to study our Lord.

[Benjamin]

Started reading this one a little before 2014 began. I've been marking it up, making it "my own" as they say. I don't read the note section often. Too many times I've had a question and looked for a note and there wasn't a word about it. Other times, because the space is limited, answers were too trite for what I felt was more complex. But, that's the nature of a study Bible like this. You get a little and that'll have to do till you get to the library.

[Debra Hofland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study Bible! My third one, I have a Concordia SB and a MacArthur SB as well. They all have their strengths. As other reviews mention: charts, timelines, chronologies, study notes, quotes really help with understanding. I LOVE the tiny prayers set off with a bullet point & nestled within the study notes--they seem to urge the reader: "slow down & THINK about what this REALLY says to you" and offers a way to individually apply a particular passage to your own life.

[Travis Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am moving this to my read shelf now, because by the time December rolls around I will have read the entire Bible. I am taking an Old Testament course this semester and took a New Testament Course last semester.