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75 of 79 people found the following review helpful: Interesting contributors, fine articles, good binding, October 1, 2007 By  J. Bradford "Beowulf" (Mississippi) - See all my reviews I must admit my biases up front. I lean towards a presuppositional apologetic. Seemingly, I would take issue with many of the articles, but I really don't. The editors sought those who are recognized in the evangelical world for the skill in both philosophical theology and applying the bible to tough questions. They did not let us down. Pros of the Study Bible: 1. Some of the articles are simply outstanding. I can't say more. The ones by Frame, Russell Moore, Copan, and Walt Kaiser are quite good. 2. The study notes are decent, if one understands the context. It is not aiming to give an exposition of each passage, but to focus on the apologetical application of passages. Still, it gives interesting historical, archeological, and contra-cultist insights. Interestingly as a side-note, the Study Bible takes a premillennial approach to Revelation 20. 3. Wide margins. I applaud the formatters on this one. This bible has wider-margins than most. This was a huge plus in my opinion. One can legibly write thorough notes in the margin. Cons: 1. Some of the study notes take an almost facile approach to some really hard questions. But this doesn't happen too often. Neutral: The translation is the Holman Christian Standard Bible. This should be evaluated independently of the Study Bible. I sort of like the translation. The notes of the study bible take a mildly Calvinistic slant. It is not as Calvinistic as R.C. Sproul but is more Calvinistic than Geisler, Moreland, and Lane Craig (even though the last three are contributors). I have the hardback quality. The binding is very good and quite durable. I thoroughly recommend this study bible.  Comments (4) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)

56 of 63 people found the following review helpful: Very, Very Well Done, September 25, 2007 By  S Donahue (United States) - See all my reviews This review is from: The Apologetics Study Bible: Understand Why You Believe (Apologetics Bible) (Leather Bound) I have eagerly awaited the Apologetics Study Bible, and so it arrived in many bookstores last week. It is available in hardback, black bonded, brown bonded, black genuine and brown genuine leather. I initally wanted the brown genuine leather, but the artwork inside the bible appears to be black and silver, which did not go as well with the very dark brown leather; so, I chose the black. The black has silver page edges and a good-lengthed black and a silver ribbon marker. The binding is sewn; not glued. The print is very good, my guess is 10 or 10.5. It is a black letter edition( YES!!!!!!), so words in the New Testament are NOT in red. The Bible contains annotations, which are very helpful, doctrinal articles, in-text maps, and wonderful charts (in colour) in the back with compares traditional Christian doctrine with world religions, and also with cults. This is an excellent Bible to have as it necessarily builds up one's faith along with traditional orthodoxy. The Holman Christian Standard Bible uses what is termed, 'optimal equivalence.' It is much more literal than the NIV, but more readable than the ESV. I have only heard/read good things about the HCSB. This is a definite to-have Bible.(Note: The HCSB is under revision, completing in 2009. Look for discounts soon on all first-edition HCSBs)  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)

49 of 68 people found the following review helpful: Somewhat Disappointing, October 3, 2007 By  Adan Trahan "anon7136" (USA) - See all my reviews From the list of contributors, I was expecting a five star product across the board. But that was not to be. There are many good articles and excellent notes making this Bible worth owning for reference purposes but it should most definitely not be a single source for apologetic material. In some controversial topics where there are differences of opinion even among conservative evangelicals, they tend to give coverage to only one of the opinions--and even then do not cover it as well as it could have been covered given the space limitations. If they do mention an alternative opinion held by other conservative Christians, it is usually a passing comment. In one instance they mock holding an opinion other than the one they present. This work has many great contributors and enough quality material to recommend itself. But, in some instances, it does not present a well-rounded Christian apologetic. Supplementing the notes in this Bible with works from Zondervan's Counterpoint series would go a long way in correcting the problem.  Comment (1) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)