This might be THE Study Bible

Without looking at my bookshelf, i would estimate that i have roughly 25 bibles, and about 15 of them are what might be called Study bibles.  These bibles contain additional articles or prompts for thought or tips or archaeological insights that the "plain old bible" does not.  Why are there so many? What more is there to be learned from and about a 3500 year old book?  Yes, depth calls unto depth and there is much to be gained from continued and consistent study of the Word of God.  But does one need 15 (or more) study bibles to clarify one or two passages for a sermon or bible study?  I can honestly say that each study bible was supposed to be "The" Study bible that would preclude the need for any other, but which obviously did not. 

Into this movement Kregel Publications gave me the option of reviewing yet another  Study bible, "The Evangelism Study Bible".  The fact that the bible was offered free in exchange for a review that is as objective as possible made it that much more attractive to me.  What is the Bible's objective or if your don't mind, its agenda?  According the Book jacket, "The Evangelism Study Bible provides all the tools you need to learn to share the gospel clearly and simply as God opens doors of opportunity.''  I liked where this was going.  God opens the doors of opportunity and I essentially study "to show myself approved" when that opportunity presents itself.  This Study Bible is an efficient and strategic tool to aid me in that study. 

These are some things that this bible uniquely offers:

·         Book introductions with particular attention on the evangelistic themes of each book.

·         Study notes that speak generally about biblical themes, but which also focus on evangelism practices.

·         evangelism tips without direct biblical references.

·         devotions to develop the reader's personal relationship with Christ.

·         Cross references, concordance and maps.

I personally recommend this Study bible, but not as another in your collection.  It should be the Bible that you take with you when you leave your place of comfort and go to seek "that which was lost".  It should be the book you return to when you feel like you have lost your motivation to "keep on keeping on".  This is the study bible that should motivate you to study the Bible.   The cover of the Bible is its best advertisement: there is a full color picture of a fisherman's net and  the caption reads: "follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." - Matthew 4:19.

Three-Minute Video Explaining the Common Core State Standards

Blessed are the Balanced by Paul E. Pettit and R. Todd Mangum

Blessed are the Balanced by Paul E. Pettit and R. Todd Mangum

When I told my friends at my church that I was going to Seminary to become a Chaplain, several  of them said, "stay saved."  Apparently, there was a widespread belief that Seminary was bad for spiritual health.  Here is a quote from "Blessed are the Balanced by Paul E. Pettit and R. Todd Mangum

Seminary, believe it or not, can be hazardous to your spiritual health.

I went into seminary with what might best be referred to as trepidation about what I was getting into.

What Petit and Mangum aim to do is provide a guide for the Seminarian who wants to "stay saved".

Honestly, were it not for a few dedicated disciples and one in particular, I would not have made it out of seminary (actually seminaries) I would have not finished with both a Masters of Divinity and a relationship with the One about whom I would teach.

What the authors do is provide not only guidelines and checklists to warn those in danger about the minefield the Seminarian is getting him-or herself into.  One example is does the seminarian's identity depend on winning a theological argument or simply in knowing Christ?  Do I have the be the smartest biblical scholar in the room, or is it all right to be secure in my identity with Christ? On the face of it, this seems like a simple and easily answered question, but based at least partly on what many Seminaries and denominational bodies (as well as Christian cultural critics) reward and encourage, it can be a Sophie's choice.

"We must continually strive for balance between a humble pursuit of godly wisdom and an insatiable appetite for acquiring theological knowledge." The authors encouragement would ring false for me were it not for one person in my Seminary in Washingon, D.C.

Brown was a former Marine and, like me, a future US Army Chaplain, who was "on fire for Jesus".  He had already had a life that, were it made into a movie, few would believe it.  The reason he was able to run the homeless ministry at his church while also training for marathons, being a full time student in Seminary and a Naval Reservist at the same time was because he recognized the difference between being a seminarian and being a minister both of which he was at the same time.  The authors recognize this distinction as necessary and communicate that belief through the use of an extended analogy viewing Seminary as a place far behind the lines of battle where strategy, tactics, argumentation and evaluation, while churches are the "boots on the ground" places where that knowledge is applied.  Balance in this context is not only beneficial, but necessary.  For those in this kind of context, this book is not only beneficial, but necessary.