Book Review: The Open Bible from Thomas Nelson Publishers

I'm a connoisseur of Bibles. I'm also a firm believer that rightly dividing the word of truth requires diligent study. Though I prefer my Bibles to be plain, no center or margin references, no additional notations at the bottom of the pages, no glitz or "eye candy", a quality study Bible is a necessity for the serious student.

THE OPEN BIBLE SIGNATURE SERIES

The name of this study Bible, The Open Bible, is an excellent description of what it's about. This Bible is a part of the Signature Series of Thomas Nelson Bibles and is available in hardcover and bonded leather. It's 1800 pages of Bible text with a generous wealth of features and study helps.

Some of the major features are:

• The Biblical Cyclopedic Index, a detailed index of subjects with categories, subcategories, definitions, and references.
• Book Introductions and Outlines detailing the author of the book, the era of time covered by the book, the keys to the book, the key verses of the book, and a survey of the book. The outlines are very detailed.
• The Christian's Guide to the New Life giving explanations to underlined verse text.
• A Visual Survey of the Bible sandwiched between the two testaments loaded with charts, maps, and time lines.

I MIGHT BE A NITPICK!

I don't like paperback Bibles! I didn't think I could be a fan of a hardcover Bible either. I like my leather-covered Bibles but I do like how this hardcover version of The Open Bible lies flat on the desk without having to use another object to keep the pages from flipping on their own (a nitpick)!

I like my Bibles plain in the text area because I write my own references and notes within the text area of the Bibles I use to preach and teach from (another nitpick). This Bible places the references are at the end of the individual verses, which helps to make the scripture text more cohesive (I can't stand center references, another nitpick!).

I put some of the features to the test starting with a search of the word worship in the Biblical Cyclopedic Index. I soon found myself in the Christian's Guide to the New Life when I read the scripture text under Worship Commanded from the Index. The Guide bears the title, The Meaning of Worship. Then I found myself following the chain to The Expressions of Worship. I was surprised at how seamless this was and how I was drawn to follow the subject deeper (very nice!).

MY RECOMMENDATION

"Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You (Psalm 119:11 NKJV)."

You can't hide the Word in your heart if you don't read it. You must understand the Word to use it as a protection against sin. You must study the Word to understand it. The Open Bible will assist in opening your understanding of the Scriptures through diligent study under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

I can easily recommend this version of a study Bible to the new student of the Word as a first Bible. I can recommend it as a reference tool to the intermediate and advanced student of the Bible.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."