A Review of the Archaeological Study Bible
Zondervan’s Archaeological Study Bible: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture © 2005, would be an asset to any student’s library. Featuring the New International Version translation, this study Bible is packed with almost 500 breathtaking color photographs and articles–in fact, each page is printed in color. I purchased the hard bound copy, but I have seen the leather bound Bibles and wish that I had paid the extra to own one of them. Perhaps if Zondervan were to ever print the ASB in the NASV, I would most likely purchase one in leather.
The ASB is an excellent reference resource for teachers who want to provide interesting backgrounds for Sunday School lessons or even college and seminary classes. Becoming familiar with the organization of the ASB affords one the ability to quickly find study topics and information that will enhance any lesson. For instance, at the back of the ASB, there is a study helps section that includes a table of weights and measures, glossary, subject index to articles, list of articles in alphabetical order as well as by Scripture reference, a concordance, and an index to color maps. Each page of the ASB has a parchment type look to it which emotionally brings the reader into each study as if they were a part of an archaeological dig for treasure.
As a frequent user of the MacArthur Study Bible, I found the verse commentaries to be very well researched and written. There are also cross-references located in the spine area of each page to help the reader delve into more thorough study. The list of contributors to the ASB project reflects a group of people with staggering credentials and is one of the reasons why the ASB’s over 2300 pages makes for an excellent study resource. This Bible is large and probably not one that I would take to church or the pulpit, but if a well-written, colorful, and exciting learning experience is what the student of Scripture wants, the Archaeological Study Bible is a first-class investment for the lay student or the professional teacher.
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About
- David and Paula McAfee on Rainbow Trail
Our Story…
David has served in many areas which include serving as an officer in the USMC, law enforcement, information technology, sales and more importantly ministry. He has been a Minister of Single Adults, Minister of Education and Senior Pastor in Lubbock, TX and recently Tucumari, NM. David received a Bachelor of Arts in Law Enforcement Administration, a Master of Arts in Political Science, and has one semester left to complete a Master of Divinity degree. Paula was formerly an executive secretary with Occidental Petroleum, Oklahoma University College of Continuing Education, and Texas Tech University Law School.
Sangre de Cristo Journal is a collection of postings about seminary life in the Sangre de Cristo mountains and is not endorsed by the Seminary, although I think they like it. Hopefully it will give prospective students a better feel for what a non-traditional seminary atmosphere is like and provide some meaningful information that the Seminary website does not provide.
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Quote of the Week
Trifles Which God Gives
“The emperor Augustus, in his great feasts, gave trifles to some—but gold to his favorites.
Just so—honors, riches and worldly pleasures are the trifles which God gives to the worst of men.
God gives His gold—His special love and grace—only to His people.” - Thomas Brooks Heaven on Earth 1667
Do you think that study bibles are just condensed forms of several commentaries? I think I rather buy the commentary rather than a water-downed version. I have not seen the list of contributors to this specific study bible, but it does seem that I would get more thorough information by reading a commentary;however, it is nice to have a devotional book that has a running commentary with pictures in it as well. Whenever I have bible study people enjoy seeing the maps and the commentary sometimes provides some good back ground information.
I agree that it is great to have commentaries and any other resource one can find to help in the study or teaching/preaching of God’s word. The ASB is a nice resource that is specific to the discipline of archaeology. We’ve already had our classes on archaeology and were required to buy a Bible Atlas and another archaeology book. They are resources I will use for indepth study, but the ASB is great for getting quick facts. There is a lot of information in the ASB though that one might not find in commentaries or even some books specific to the field of study.
Have you used the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary Set? How do you compare that commentary with this one especially on their views of the age of the earth –Or is it ever brought up?
Hello again Gus!
I have not looked at the Zondervan set but I imagine it is more extensive than the Archaeology Study Bible. The ASB does not seem to take a position of the age of the earth but presents the different viewpoints. I’m not a proponent of the gap theory or the old age theory and while I suspect that many at Sangre de Cristo Seminary would agree with me, I can’t speak for them. As far as I know, SdCS does not have an official statement on that issue.
Are you in classes this summer? We just finished Biblical Conflict Resolution and before that Church History III. Tomorrow we start Pastoral Duties. Summer classes are fast and furious, but we really enjoy them.