Review: NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible

A revised version of the previously published NIV Zondervan Study Bible, the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (Zondervan, 2018) represents the best of biblical scholarship in a compact study Bible. It introduces Biblical Theology (BT), a discipline that is intended for readers to weave individual books and stories into a larger metanarrative that reveals God's redemptive plan through the entire Bible. To that end, this study Bible includes articles introducing BT and articles on theological matters.

While the emphasis of this Bible may appeal to a more Reformed/covenantal audience, the contributors span a variety of theological traditions and are respected authorities within their discipline. The verse-by-verse notes—over 20,000—are insightful and suitable for determining the historical, literary, and cultural background of the text with a view to responsible interpretation of Scripture. There are in-text cross references, a concordance, maps, and useful charts. Each book contains an introduction that highlights its background, cultural issues, placement within the story of Scripture, and theological themes. Stunning full-color photographs and diagrams bring the study experience to life.

Congratulations to the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible for providing a balanced, rich study Bible, suitable for all audiences. It stands apart as a unique and powerful resource for those who desire to dig deep into the theological meaning of Scripture and BT. One downfall, however, is its size. This edition was an attempt to trim down the NIV Zondervan Study Bible, yet it remains incredibly bulky and heavy. This does not appear to be the most ideal Bible to bring to church. Nonetheless, it is a wonderful tool for Scripture study and to better understand the full story of the Bible.

(My thanks is given to Zondervan for providing a complimentary review copy in exchange for an honest review.)

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