The NIV Proclamation Bible was not what I expected. On the front cover, Timothy Keller states, “There are many Study Bibles, but none better.” Given Keller’s love for theology and exposition, I expected a study Bible chocked-full of such details. And while such details are certainly be found in the study Bible, it breaks the mold in that it does not tell the student of God’s word what the text says so much as how to find what the text says. The subtitle, Correctly Handling the Word of Truth, is crucial for understanding the intent behind this volume. According to the editors preface, this volume is “a resource to help Bible teachers at all levels” teach the Bible. It equips the reader with the metaphorical shovel and treasure map needed to mind out the great riches of God’s word, but it does not do all the work for you. As Lee Gatiss, editor of the volume states, “This volume will give you a steer, keep you on track, tell you what you should not miss – but without overwhelming you.”
The contributors in this volume are world-class biblical scholars. From introductions of individual books and the larger corpora to the essays at the beginning of the volume, the NIV Proclamation Bible is replete with fresh instruction for all students of the Bible. In particular, the essays by Vaughan Roberts and Christopher Ash may be worth the price of the whole volume. As a full-time pastor and a PhD student in biblical studies I’m thrilled to recommend this volume and look forward to using it in my own studies. Well done!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
