Faster Unto Thee

New ESV Study Bible Coming

Something is coming that has the potential to replace the NIV Study Bible and the Life Application Study Bible from the top of the study Bible selling list.

My favorite English translation of the Bible, the English Standard Version, is finally coming out in a study Bible format worth getting excited about.  To be released this October, ESV Study Bible  is already being touted as one of the greatest study Bibles ever published.

Judging from the ESV Study Bible website, the study material in this Bible is written from a conservative, evangelical perspective.  How much of that perspective firmly and passionately reflects Calvinistic theology I will not be able to judge until I sell a kidney and buy a copy in October, but the fact that most of the contributors personally come from a Calvinistic perspective must influence the notes to some degree.  I am very curious to see if some of the study notes grind an axe against Arminianism, chart a course between the issues that divide Arminianism and Calvinism, or simply avoid the issues altogether.  But with, as I said, most of the contributors being Calvinists themselves, with the exception of Grant Osborne and John N. Oswalt and maybe a few others I do not realize are Arminians, it would be surprising to conclude that great effort had been made to treat the Arminian perspective as a welcome part of the evangelical camp, especially since many in the Reformed camp simply do not consider Arminians to be worthy of the term evangelical.

All that being said, I am confident from perusing the website that the ESV Study Bible will appeal to a broader readership The Reformation Study Bible and The Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible which were prepared specifically for folks in the Reformed tradition.  And hey - the cool and plentiful maps and charts alone will make the purchase worth it. 

After I recover from having a kidney removed and buy a copy in October, I will post a book review. 

Classic Books on MP3

Maybe everyone but me already knows of this.  There are classic books and more available free in MP3 format on the web.  A  friend pointed me yesterday to a site where you can download many classics for free: http://www.oculture.com/2006/10/audio_book_podc.html

Just can't seem to get around to reading Einstein's Relativity or Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities in your spare time?  Load it onto your MP3 player and listen to it in the car, at the gym, or while you do some household task. 

My Renaissance Art Bible Cover

Recently, I began looking for a cover for my United Bible Society Greek New Testament, 4th ed.  I checked out our local Christian book store and looked online, but I could not find a Bible cover that fit properly.  Anyone who has purchased one of the UBS's Greek New Testaments knows how expensive they are, and yet how flimsy and weak the covers are.  If you put yours in a book bag and carry it around a lot, the poor thing simply starts to come apart.  So I needed a cover.

The other day I stumbled upon a blog entry by James R. White at the Alpha and Omega Ministries  website.  There Dr. White recommended a company called Renaissance Art  which makes fine handcrafted leather books, book covers, and more.  He raved about the covers he ordered from them for his Bibles and other books. 

So last Thursday morning, I got on Renaissance's web site, went through the custom ordering process and BAM - my custom-made Bible cover arrived this morning (Tuesday!) via FedEx.  The cover is precisely what I ordered, it "fits like a glove" as Dr. White says, and is rather cool.  I have never recommended products other than books on my blog, but I must recommend Renaissance Art for their fine craftsmanship and super fast delivery.  The same day they took my order a craftsman made my cover and then handed it off to FedEx before the day was over.  Now that is fast!  So next time you need a unique gift for a book lover or need a Bible cover or something else, consider Renaissance Art.

Don't Hate Me Because I'm Arminian

Roger E. Olson has a fine new book called Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities that clears up a lot of misconceptions of Arminian theology.

John Drury has been doing a great job of reviewing the book over at his blog .  Go check it out.

Too Many Books, Too Little Time

If you love reading and are a Christian, you will love the blog of Dr. George Grant. 

Check out his summer reading list.