Concordia Self-Study Bible-NIV

by Concordia Publishing House

The Concordia Self_Study Bible has the readability of the NIV with distinctively Lutheran study notes. Features words of Christ in red; center_column cross_reference system; book outlines and introductions; in_text maps, charts, diagrams, and illustrations; parallel passages and significant corresponding passages listed under sectional subheadings; six pages of full_color timelines of the Old and New Testaments; sixteen pages of full color maps; concordance; subject index; and a presentation and family record page. Genuine leather. NIV Concordia Self_Study Bible, Genuine leather, Burgundy,

2151 pages, Leather Bound

First published June 28, 1987

Reviews

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This happens to the be study Bible that is geared for Lutheran Christians (Missouri Synod ,ELCA, and WELS) and anyone interested in the interpretations espoused by Lutherans (and Reformed Christians). This is published by the Concordia Publishing House - the publishing arm of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. It uses the New International Version (NIV) and it is very similar to the Zondervan's NIV Study Bible (used by permission of Zondervan). The annotated notes are similar to the Zondervan version. But where the Lutherans have a different interpretation or emphasis this is presented in the notes with a cross symbol to show the difference from the Reformed church.

This Bible really feels like a serious study Bible: thin pages, lots of cross reference verses in a special middle column on every page, annotated verse notes that sometimes take half the page, excellent charts and tables (34 of them), and maps (45 of them). Also each book has its own introduction with the following sub-topics: God's Grace in 'book-name', Luther on 'book-name', Background, Author, Date, Place of Writing, Recipients, Themes and Message, Purpose and Emphases, Literary Features, Structure, and an Outline.

There is a Preface to the NIV, and also an Introduction to Concordia Self-Study Bible which explains the "teachings of Scripture which govern the interpretations that distinguish this edition" : the Grace of God, Through Faith Alone, Scripture Alone, Law and Gospel, Word and Sacrament: Means of Grace, and Cristology. The Old testament does not contain the apocryphal (or deutero-canonical) books thus following the Masoretic Text instead of the Septuagint (LXX).

The first pages show a Chronology of the Old Testament, New Testament, and Early Church. This is a red-verses Bible, showing the words of Jesus (in the Gospels, Acts, and Revelation). The end of this study-Bible contains a Table of Weights and Measures, an Index to Subjects (for words and concepts coverd in the study notes), an Index to Maps (for place-names found on the maps within the Study Bible), a pretty good but not exhaustive Concordance and some very useful Color Maps.

As a side-note, when I did some research on the use of the word "tradition" in the New Testament (e.g. verses 1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15 and 3:6) I found that the NIV uses the word "teachings" instead. 1 Corinthians 15:3 verse note mentions Paul's link to "early Christian tradition." The word "traditions" (instead of "teachings") interestingly enough is being used in its negative contexts like verses Matthew 15:2,6 Mark 7:13, and Colosians 2:8.

All in all, this is an excellent study Bible for any Protestant, Catholic, and even Eastern-Orthodox in understanding the plain and clear message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and understanding God's Grace and Love for us and humanity.

[Caleb Stander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complete study tool imho

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of three Bibles I own. It's notes are its strength, there is a lot of interpretation and commentary. Even though I also own the Lutheran Study Bible, I continue to use this regularly.