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I was fortunate enough to be able to review volume 1 a short time ago and now finish the series with another review, courtesy of IVP Academic. This final volume is focused on the last stanza of the Creed of 381:

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

I want stress that contrary to common thought, ‘catholic’ doesn’t refer to Rome, no more than ‘church’ does, neither ‘apostolic.’ (Stop building your doctrines on misinformed superstitions.) Here, the word ‘catholic’ means universal, as it has always since Ignatius first used it. It merely means the wider, greater, church, and not a single congregation. So, in a sense, a real since, what the ancient creed says is that they believe in church, not individuals, united under one banner, reaching back to Apostles and that it is holy.

To review these volumes is fine, and to be honest, pretty easy, however, instead of the standard review, I will take this week to share some of the quotes contained therein and then follow that up with the review.

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Witherington’s latest work is an 800 page masterpiece. In order to help me keep track of my thoughts on this book, and in part to showcase more of the book than a review, I am posting ‘reflections’ on each chapter.

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Witherington’s latest work is an 800 page masterpiece. In order to help me keep track of my thoughts on this book, and in part to showcase more of the book than a review, I am posting ‘reflections’ on each chapter.

Read the rest of this entry »

Witherington’s latest work is an 800 page masterpiece. In order to help me keep track of my thoughts on this book, and in part to showcase more of the book than a review, I am posting ‘reflections’ on each chapter.

Read the rest of this entry »

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From Amazon:

The Life Recovery Bible is today’s #1-selling recovery Bible and is based on the 12-step recovery model. It was created by two of today’s leading recovery experts, David Stoop, Ph.D., and Stephen Arterburn, M.Ed., to lead readers to the source of true healing-God himself.

Features:

• New Living Translation
• Recovery Notes-Placed throughout the Bible text, these notes pinpoint passages and thoughts important to recovery
• Twelve Step Devotionals-A reading chain of 84 Bible-based devotionals tied to the Twelve Steps of recovery and placed throughout the Bible text
• Serenity Prayer Devotionals-Based on the Serenity Prayer, these devotionals provide an excellent More than 50 Bible-based devotionals create an excellent guide to recovery
• Recovery Profiles-Key Bible characters are profiled and important recovery lessons are drawn from their lives
• Recovery Reflections-Topically arranged recovery reflections pinpoint specific Scripture passages at the end of most Bible books
• Recovery Themes-Prominent recovery themes are discussed at the openings of various Bible books
• Other Features: Outlines, book histories, topical index, devotional index, book introductions, user’s guide, and a new 12-step comparison chart

You can see more post in this series here.

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From Amazon:

The Voice™ is the product of the best minds in this emerging generation of Christian leaders. Together they are helping young people fall in love with the Scriptures. Instead of confining God’s Word in the framework of biblical criticism, The Voice™ highlights the beauty of God’s communication to His people. In The Voice™, the voice of God is heard as clearly as when He first revealed His truth. This is the first-ever complete New Testament in The Voice™ translation. Writers include Chris Seay, Lauren Winner, Brian McLaren, Greg Garrett, David B. Capes, and others.

Features include:

• Bronze, highlighted text
• Screenplay-like format, ideal for public readings and group studies
• Devotional commentary
• Book introductions

You can find my others posts on The Voice here.

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Witherington’s latest work is an 800 page masterpiece. In order to help me keep track of my thoughts on this book, and in part to showcase more of the book than a review, I am posting ‘reflections’ on each chapter.

Read the rest of this entry »

Click to Order

As part of the reflection series, I wanted to share with you a few of the added material, letting it stand on its own. Remember, part of the purpose of this bible is to connect the goals of recovery with Scripture, or perhaps Scripture with the goals of recovery.

They are just random excepts:

Ezekiel 16.59-63:

Even though Israel had failed God and punishment was certain, God’s promises of blessing would still be fulfilled in the end. The judgment Israel would suffer was part of the recovery. The same is true for us. As we face the consequences of our failures, we should not blame God. We must face the truth that we have failed God and others. but no matter how great out sins, we can hope for future restoration. If we listen and respond humbly to our sufferings, God will use them in our recovery process. God will never fail us if we admit our sins and seek to follow his will for our life.

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Warning, you might not like this post.

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I wanted to spend some time this week introducing you to the Life Recovery Bible from Tyndale House Publishers.

First, let me say that I am generally, if not always, against ‘niche’ bibles. They are marketing tools designed to appeal only to the sight and never to the mind of the believer, new or old. I was a bit apprehensive of this bible, because, frankly, I thought that it might be a niche schemed bible, but after some time reading the added material, I have to say that it is little, or a lot, more than the bibles some hand out with highlighted passages and hand written notes in the front cover.

The translation is the New Living Translation, which I believe to be a fine translation for everyday reading, and serves well as an introduction to bible reading by those who may not be use to it.

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