5 stars (Desert-island Bible for Moderates) - This is the one Bible I would take with me unhesitatingly to a deserted island. The notes are based off the larger 12-volume commentary set, and are concise and incredibly thorough. They are critical, honest, and sober. It is also more moderate than the New Oxford Annotated Bible (third edition) and the HarperCollins Study Bible. Both Bibles tend to shy away from affirming topics like Jesus' divinity, but the NISB readily acknowledges Christological and even Trinitarian passages in Scripture. Moderates will love this Bible. Those that are too "liberal" (I quote from others) may not like it because it does have some pretty specific views on certain topics. Those that are too "conservative" may not like it because it is still a critical Bible. But those who sit in the middle will love it, as I do. As a youth director, I love it because it does give some spiritual insights into Scripture that other critical Bibles do not. As an educator, I love it because I have an historically and theologically honest Bible that covers everything I want to say in class. Other Bibles are too rigid, I think, either in their so-called conservatism, or so-called liberalism (do we really need labels?). I must agree with Bruce Metzger, that this Bible is ideal for pastors, students, and academically minded laypersons. Therefore, were you to banish me to a desert island, this would be the one Bible I took with me. 5 stars (NISB NRSV w/ Apocrypha) - An excellent ecumenical Bible. It does not lean toward the conservative interpretation nor to the liberal. It is a scholarly annotation with appropriate translations for Hebrew and Greek words and phrases. Anyone could read the notes and gain a better understanding of the history and religious traditions prevalent at the time of the original writing. These annotations seek to inform rather than convert the reader. Cross references are helpful and numerous. 4 stars (NISB for serious study.) -... Abingdon Press :: Religion :: Bibles - New Revised Standard :: Bibles :: Walter J Harrelson :: :: The New Interpreter-s Study Bible- New Revised Standard Version With the Apocrypha
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