New Testament Version of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach

This version is for sale on Xlibris.com. Very little information is given about this NT. There is a short sample available. From that one can see that this version uses "Yahshua" for "Jesus," "Ha Mashiyach" for "Christ", "El" for "God" and "Yahovah" for "Lord." At the top of some pages is the name "BB Edwards" - anyone know who that is? If you've got this Bible or know information, please leave a comment. I'd love to know more. I'm in the last weeks before I need to send my manuscript in to the publisher. Some of these versions are just making it in!

Revelation App

The Revelation App is an illustrated version of the book of Revelation. I can't wait to see what this looks like. Unfortunately, it is not currently available. However, the web site states that it will be back soon. It is also supposed to be published in formats other than iOS. Good news for those of us without Apple devices! (I've sold my iPad so I'm cut off from all those goodies now).

NIV Student Bible

I was given a complimentary copy of The NIV Student Bible (e-book) by Zondervan for the purposes of this review. This does not affect my review in any way (positive or negative).

The NIV Student Bible was released in 2011.

After the table of contents is a section titled "Why the Student Bible?" The subtitles "I Get Discouraged" and "I Can't Understand It" grabbed my attention right away. This Bible addresses those concerns.

First, it has three different tracks to reading the Bible. Each track takes 5 to 15 minutes to read. Track 1 takes two weeks for each section. There are sections on Jesus, Paul, the Old Testament and other subjects. If one wishes to dig futher, track 2 presents a guided tour of the Bible. This hits the highlights and well known portions. Finally, track 3 is a slow read through the entire Bible. This plan is unique as it takes 3 years to read the whole Bible.

Secondly, the Bible has quite a bit of extra helps. The guided tour of the Bible is mostly commentary and "life questions" for applying lessons. Other notes are inserted into the text, but in a different color to distinguish them from the Scriptures. There are also the footnotes which are at the bottom right of each page.

The content of the footnotes appears to be limited to language notes, variants and other readings. The inserted notes are commentary on the text. The guided tour notes go a bit further than the commentary. On the whole I found them to be helpful. I believe they would be excellent discussion topics for a student study group.

The Scripture text itself is the NIV 2011 edition. While I like the layout, style and content of the notes, I am not sure about the 2011 NIV. I prefer the 1984 edition. Still, if looking for a Bible for a student group I would certainly consider this one.

NIV Student Bible

Action Bible New Testament

I was given a complimentary copy of The Action Bible: New Testament (e-book) by David C. Cook Publishing for the purposes of this review. This does not affect my review in any way (positive or negative).

The Action Bible New Testament is due to be released in March, 2012. The full Action Bible was released in September, 2010.

The introduction states that the intent of this work is to present God & Jesus as a heroic figure. Instead of being amazed at the fictional stories of Superman, we can be amazed at God's works. The hope is also that this will inspire readers to be active - to be "difference-makers."

The first thing I noticed when reading this NT was the artwork. The pictures are realistic, not cartoonish. Even as an adult, I found it enjoyable to look at the pictures. All those I viewed were tastefully done.

The next thing is, of course, the text. The text is not taken directly from any existing Bible version. It appears to have been written specifically for this Bible. It is a creative retelling of Biblical stories with additional information added. For instance, the book begins with the story of an old man being oppressed by a Roman soldier.

I have used picture Bibles in the past to stir up interest in children for reading the Bible. The Action Bible New Testament would certainly serve that purpose. It may be a stretch to call it a "Bible" since it does not present all the Scriptures. Also, it has information not taken from the Scriptures. But it certainly should interest young people while giving them an overview of some important Christian truths.

The Action Bible New Testament: God's Redemptive Story (Picture Bible)

The Action Bible

Bond Slave Version

I just found this version on BibleSupport.com in a module for e-Sword. The information section of that module led me to the Bond Slave Version Bible Project. The name is derived from the usage of "bondslave" rather than "servant." This is a revision of the King James Version.

Bible for a New Generation

This is a new version I just found this morning: The Bible for a New Generation. So far, only the book of Romans is available. The book of Galatians is expected soon. There is a sample presented in a video format. The web site says this version is:

• easy-to-understand, not confusing or difficult
• an accurate word-for-word translation, not a faulty paraphrase
• new and fresh, not the same, old, rehashed words
• based on Greek manuscripts, not on old English versions
• real and practical solutions, not just religious talk
• easy-to-read, not hard or complex
• uses everyday regular words, not archaic "Bible words"
• a collection of books, not a collection of verses

Bibliographic Help?

Does anyone know the proper MLA style bibliographic entries for Bible Software packages? I need entries for e-Sword, Bibleworks, Sword Project, TheWord, Logos and Online Bible. I know the general format for a bibliographic entry for software but am having trouble finding the details for these Bible programs. Help?

Timothy Clontz

Timothy Clontz translated the Common Edition: New Testament and the Comprehensive New Testament. He was working on a third which was to be titled the Comprehensive Orthodox New Testament. Does anyone know the current status of this project?

Campfire New Testament

I just discovered this New Testament version this morning. It is called the Campfire New Testament. There are samples of the translation and a short description. If anyone knows how to contact the author, please let me know. I couldn't find any contact information.

Ancient Roots Translinear Bible, New Testament

A. Frances Werner's Ancient Roots Translinear Bible was complete last year with the publication of Ancient Roots Translinear Bible, New Testament. You can view samples of it on Amazon.com. If anyone has this, could you send me the quotes for John 14:6 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17?

Encyclopedia of English Language Bible Versions

Yes, it is finally going to get finished. I have signed a contract with McFarland Publishing to publish my Encyclopedia of English-Language Bible Versions. Of course the title isn't definite yet, but should be something similar. I will be delivering the manuscript in a couple months. If you know of any new Bible translations even if it is a project just getting started, please let me know. I have a special page of questions I haven't gotten answered yet. I would appreciate any information you can share. Thank you!

Also, I want to personally thank Bill Paul for encouraging me to pursue publication with McFarland. I told him they wouldn't be likely to publish it. How delighted I am to be wrong!

There are a lot more "thank you"s due many, many of you. I appreciate all the help you have given as I've searched for English Bibles, translators and Scripture quotes.

This is a culmination of about 17 years of study on this topic. I hope that the publication of this work will be a help to some one else in their studies.

I will post more when other details become available.

Action Bible Update

I posted about the Action Bible, a graphic novel type work, about a year ago. Today I discovered that there is a web site for this work. Take a look - it has thunder and lightning in the background! More importantly, it has samples of the Action Bible for viewing online.
The Action Bible