The Lutheran Study Bible: English Standard Version Hardcover – January 1, 2009

Since this Bible is 2.7" thick, and the pages on the regular size type are said to be very thin, it is a good thing to get the leather, large print. The larger print has thicker pages and the ultimate binding and materials reinforce the durability of the Bible. The reviews on the hardback copy say it is well bound however. The design and art are spectacular and the scholarly weaved theology is geared to devotional and informative study. It is certainly not necessary to have to have a seminary degree, however, you will appreciate it if you do, as it is scholarly and spiritually woven. I am not Lutheran but I love this Bible.What's GoodBook Introductions: The introductions are splendid. They don't hesitate to deal with topics that have afflicted Christendom in the last century, such as historical-higher criticism. The introductions don't succumb to viewing scripture as any other literature, but they do discuss form, genre, and literary devices when it's helpful. The introductions also include excerpts from Luther's introductions--an added bonus!Book Outlines: The outlines, which grace the beginning of each book, are the best I've ever seen. I've seen outlines in some study Bibles that are nearly useless because they are too generic and broad to be of much help. Among the study Bibles now in print, the Reformation Study Bible is known to have excellent outlines. But TLSB's are even better! The outlines have enough depth to be truly helpful (at least three levels deep) and aid the reader in getting a good feel of the overall structure and flow of the books.Key Terms and Phrases: TLSB has included this helpful section before the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy), the Psalms, and the Pauline Letters. Given the challenging language of Scripture, especially as it deals with concepts that we don't deal with in our everyday lives, the "Key Terms and Phrases" is a good idea. It offers much help to make better sense of what various words and phrases in the Bible mean.Drawings: Included in TLSB are several of Hugh Claycombe's line drawings of the Tabernacle, the temples, Jesus' route during Passion Week, and so on. If you've used the NIV Study Bible (or the Lutheran variant, the CSSB), you'll recognize these drawings. They are still some of the most helpful illustrations of their type to appear in study Bibles to date.Articles: The articles are a strong point of this Bible! Unlike the ESV Study Bible (which I think has too many articles!), TLSB has the right balance. The articles cover many topics, from the mainly doctrinal, to being focused on living out what the doctrines mean, and especially those vexing the Church today. Women in the Church? It's in there. Homosexuality? Yep. The wrath of God? It's in there too. What happens at death? Not forgotten. These well-done articles are near the Scripture passages that bring out these questions for us. But the articles are written in such a way that they let God's Word shine on these questions to guide our steps, like Deacon Philip guided the Ethiopian in Acts chapter 8.NOTES . . .Christological Focus: On every page, TLSB lets the Word of God do what our Lord says it is to do: "testify of Me" (John 5:39). A study Bible that helps the reader see Christ in the pages of Scripture does what Scripture is meant to do. Bravo, this alone is worth the cost of TLSB!Wordplay: TLSB often points out wordplay, and carefully explains when it happens. In almost all such cases, the wordplay is lost in our current translations. And so when TLSB highlights these instances in the notes, often including a transliteration so an English reader can hear the similarity in sound, the reader is greatly benefited.Law-Gospel Distinction: Such notes weave their way through each chapter of Scripture and help one reflect deeper on the Word just read. How helpful in a study Bible, an aid that not only helps one understand the text better, but aids in one's devotional life as well. A home run here!Patristics: Reflecting Lutheranism's continuity from the ancient Church as well as Lutheranism's catholicity, TLSB quotes the early Latin and Greek fathers more than most other study Bibles, except perhaps the Orthodox Study Bible. Since the Holy Spirit "calls, gathers, and enlightens the whole Christian Church on earth," we would be a shallow Christian church, indeed, not to consider the wisdom of our Church fathers as they meditated on the Scriptures. TLSB could have quoted the Church Fathers more, but something else would then have had to be reduced. TLSB strikes the right balance.Lutheran Sources: TLSB brings in Reformation fathers, Confessions (the Book of Concord), and even hymns from Lutheran Service Book in its study notes! While most of the study notes do not contain these (or the patristic citations), it is helpful and noteworthy when they do.Dates at the Top of the Page: This simple chronology is a superb aid for study! For people who may have trouble keeping track of what happened when because the Scriptures are often not chronological, this feature really helps makes sense of the biblical timeline.Confession: The Word of God is meant to be spoken! Within the Christian Church, we are to speak it back to God, speak it to each other, and we are all called to speak it to the world. TLSB consistently reminds the reader of this high calling to invite others to share in the joy that we have in the forgiveness of sins and adoption into God's family.

Public disclaimer right up front - I worship in a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregation.Conflict of interest issues now dealt with, on to the review.This is an excellent Bible - but not only for the obvious reason (I am a Lutheran).First, the translation. I have really come to like the ESV. I still have a sweet spot for the NASB (for study) and the NLT (for "casual" Bible reading) (I also often find myself in the NIV and The Message). But wow, the ESV is really growing on me. Literal and readable, though - like many other reviewers - I have my gripes, the ESV is worth recommending (and I do).Next, the study notes. Yes, a blinding flash of the obvious here, but it's the study notes that "seal the deal" once a translation has been decided upon. Evangelicals will purchase evangelically-oriented study Bibles, Reformed-tradition Christians will purchase Reformed-tradition study Bibles, and so on. So, it should come as no surprise that Lutherans (especially, LCMS Lutherans as Concordia Press is the LCMS publishing house) would rave on about this Bible's faithful presentation of Lutheran doctrine, the sublime beauty of the notes, and the quality of Concordia Press' binding (and in traditional Lutheran fashion, add that the price is very reasonable too!) (Not sure how ELCA Lutherans feel about this Bible (weigh in, please) as (at least officially) the ELCA has pretty much given up on the inerrancy of the Bible - not a jab (see below), simply stating a fact.)All true (and yes, the price is very reasonable!), so 5-stars. I'd really be in heaven (sorry!) if there was a Kindle version available (please click on the button Amazon has provided to let Concordia know there's interest in a Kindle version. As Bartles and Jaymes once said, "Thank you for your support!").Thus, I like this Bible because it presents what I need to know as a Lutheran in an excellent fashion (obvious reason). But also, in its clear presentation of Lutheran doctrine, this study Bible would be an invaluable resource for those studying denominational differences (not so obvious reason).Okay - two good reasons to buy (one for Lutherans, one for "non-s").It's important for me to end this review by addressing the second half of my review title. Note, however, what I did not say about this Bible and its notes. Unlike many reviews of denominationally-oriented books, I didn't say, "Finally, a Bible with a correct Biblical interpretation that in all its majesty stomps on all the other denominational pretenders (who are, in fact, misguided at best and heretics damned to hell at worst)." Why? Because it's simply not helpful. I wonder if the folks who write these comments realize the exact same thing is being said of them by the folks they just put down? (Trust me, these "ad hominem" style comments are not the sole purview of Lutherans - check out Reformed or Catholic or whatever book offerings.) Don't these folks realize that, in their zest to defend the Kingdom against the heretics, they are tearing down the Body of Christ? What of the new believer? What of the seeker? What of the atheist/agnostic who is finally willing to take a chance that his/her previous worldview was wrong? Even if you believe every denominational difference is a matter of "we're right, you're wrong," how about showing some respect - if not to your denominationally defective brother or sister, then maybe to Christ?So here's my plea. When you review an item, please consider evaluating it on its merits and not with the intent of beating someone else down. What do you think? We may not have to answer for our rude behavior here or now, but we just might sometime down the road.... Are you with me (or is this just another thing to insult one another over)?