Best Bible w/extras and helps

[mccorm45]

I am curious to see what many of you think is the best one-volume Bible, not focusing on the translation, but rather in regards to the various extras and helps that are included. I have spent a decent amount of time investigating this, and in general, I must say that I think the NIV Study Bible has the best selection of supporting material and helps. Not only does it contain a wealth of maps, articles, cross-references, notes, etc…but it comes in many sizes, covers, and has a wonderful layout. To be honest, I am not sure that any Catholic Bible at this point even comes close. (Perhaps the Ignatius Study Bible will, but I fear that we may not see a completed version for many years.)

In regards to Catholic Bibles, I think the regular edition of the NJB is pretty good, particularly in regards to cross-references and layout, and I also like the new editions of the NRSV Catholic edition that Harper Collins has been recently publishing.

 

[NMJenny]

For my money (and I’ll admit it is a lot of money), nothing beats the Haydock Douay-Rheims…

 

[Fidelis]

I am curious to see what many of you think is the best one-volume Bible, not focusing on the translation, but rather in regards to the various extras and helps that are included. I have spent a decent amount of time investigating this, and in general, I must say that I think the NIV Study Bible has the best selection of supporting material and helps. Not only does it contain a wealth of maps, articles, cross-references, notes, etc…but it comes in many sizes, covers, and has a wonderful layout. To be honest, I am not sure that any Catholic Bible at this point even comes close. (Perhaps the Ignatius Study Bible will, but I fear that we may not see a completed version for many years.)

In regards to Catholic Bibles, I think the regular edition of the NJB is pretty good, particularly in regards to cross-references and layout, and I also like the new editions of the NRSV Catholic edition that Harper Collins has been recently publishing.

I wish there were a Catholic Bible out there equivalent to the NIV study Bible, but unfortunately there isn’t yet. Like you, I too despair of ever seeing the ISB completed in my lifetime (I’m 50).

Having said that, I considered getting a NIV so I checked one out of the library to give it a trial run. I found the notes (not to mention the translation) had too much of a Protestant bias so that it was distracting and sometimes annoying to read.

Desperate for a decent study Bible, however, I did settle on another NIV version though – the Archeological Study Bible. It’s a beautifully made edition which mostly focuses on the historical and sociological background of biblical times (with lots of color maps, charts articles and tables) and not so much on doctrine and interpretation of the text. I love this kind of background information and the people in the Bible study groups I lead love it too. I sometimes teach apologetics and adult confirmation so I’m pretty wary when it comes to doctrinal correctness. So far I haven’t noted much Protestant bias in this Bible so I’m pretty happy for now.

 

[mccorm45]

Fidelis,

I have a copy of the NIV Archaeology Bible as well…and I agree with you, it is pretty sweet. I wonder how long we have to wait for greater options in Catholic Bible study. One thing I have been doing is contacting publishing various publishers, like Zondervan, to encourage them to produce Catholic editions.

It is such a shame that Ignatius is taking so much time to produce their Ignatius Study Bible. I know that the B16 books are selling well, but perhaps they could put a few on hold in order to finish the study Bible.

Also, I would like to see the folks at Scepter produce a one-volume Navarre study Bible. Oh well, I can dream!

 

[Refugium]

I am curious to see what many of you think is the best one-volume Bible, not focusing on the translation, but rather in regards to the various extras and helps that are included. I have spent a decent amount of time investigating this, and in general, I must say that I think the NIV Study Bible has the best selection of supporting material and helps. Not only does it contain a wealth of maps, articles, cross-references, notes, etc…but it comes in many sizes, covers, and has a wonderful layout. To be honest, I am not sure that any Catholic Bible at this point even comes close. (Perhaps the Ignatius Study Bible will, but I fear that we may not see a completed version for many years.)

In regards to Catholic Bibles, I think the regular edition of the NJB is pretty good, particularly in regards to cross-references and layout, and I also like the new editions of the NRSV Catholic edition that Harper Collins has been recently publishing.

The BEST one-volume Catholic Bible is the Haydock Douay-Rheims. The downside is that it is fairly large–the size of a family bible–so not something that would be easy to tote with you. Besides that, a regular Douay-Rheims is the best. Baronius Press and Loreto Publications put out some nice editions.

All of the rest are basically protestant bibles and best to avoid them. But if you really don’t want the DR version, go with the Revised Standard Catholic Edition from Ignatius Press. I would avoid the New Jerusalem Bible and the NRSV as they have a very liberal slant. And the NAB contains modernist footnotes that border on heresy.

 

[Refugium]

on another NIV version though – the Archeological Study Bible. It’s a beautifully made edition which mostly focuses on the historical and sociological background of biblical times (with lots of color maps, charts articles and tables) and not so much on doctrine and interpretation of the text. I love this kind of background information and the people in the Bible study groups I lead love it too. I sometimes teach apologetics and adult confirmation so I’m pretty wary when it comes to doctrinal correctness. So far I haven’t noted much Protestant bias in this Bible so I’m pretty happy for now.

Er…Catholics are forbidden to read Protestant Bibles and, in fact, are instructed to burn them. This is in the Catechism of Pope St. Pius X.

 

[mccorm45]

Refugium,

I am actually trying to look at Bibles that were produced within the last 100 years. I own the DR Haddock, but I do not find it as useful, nor practical that most study Bibles today to be honest.

And also, burning Bibles that Protestants use is probably not the best of ideas. They may not have all the books we have, but it isn’t like they are using the New World Translation or something. For the most part, modern translations are pretty similar between the different Christian churches.

Also, the RSV Catholic edition is very minimal right now in regards to Study helps and extras. The old, blue cover version basically includes nothing, besides the text, some cross-references, and a few notes. The new Second edition RSV-CE is a modestly updated translation, with the notes appearing in the text. (The also include maps from Nelson Publishers.)

 

[puzzleannie]

quite frankly, a bible without good color maps is almost useless to me for study purposes. However, esp. when I go to a large type edition, ease of use is also important, and I prefer to have as few notes and aids in the actual bible itself, and to consult reference works, which are more complete, and do not contribute to the weight of the book in my hands. I cannot manage a heavy book with a lot of flipping back and forth in my age and physical condition. It is easier to mark my place, put down the bible, pick up a bible atlas, dictionary, concordance, or other reference, consult it and make notes if necessary, and then go back to the bible. Since I don’t need all those references when I am simply going to a prayer meeting or chapel or retreat, I would rather have the simplest, lightest, text only bible in my bag at those times.

 

[Mattjolley]

You could try the CTS New Catholic Bible, have a read of the page below and see what you reckon;
cts-online.org.uk/Files/CTS%20Bible%204pp_Layout%201.pdf

Hope it helps, its my Bible of choice, the notes are rather good but dont take up a lot of the page at all, see the sample page here:
cts-online.org.uk/Files/Bible/CTS%20New%20Catholic%20Bible,%20Maccabees%20extract.pdf

And it has no inclusive language, being the original Jerusalem Bible. Also comes in variety of sizes, all with the same notes and maps and so forth, even the largest size is quite small and very easy to take somewhere with you

The first link has all the info you need

Matt

 

[didymus]

You could try the CTS New Catholic Bible, have a read of the page below and see what you reckon;
cts-online.org.uk/Files/CTS%20Bible%204pp_Layout%201.pdf

Hope it helps, its my Bible of choice, the notes are rather good but dont take up a lot of the page at all, see the sample page here:
cts-online.org.uk/Files/Bible/CTS%20New%20Catholic%20Bible,%20Maccabees%20extract.pdf

And it has no inclusive language, being the original Jerusalem Bible. Also comes in variety of sizes, all with the same notes and maps and so forth, even the largest size is quite small and very easy to take somewhere with you

The first link has all the info you need

Matt

The brochure says it has the Jerusalem and Grail translations – what is the Grail translation? Never heard of it.

 

[Mattjolley]

its the translation of the Psalms used in the english lectionary, the original jerusalem ones use yahweh instead of The Lord, which is contrary to Benedict XVI’s wishes for catholic bibles. The grail translation has been used for the Psalms in the UK lectionary, along with the Jerusalem bible for the rest of the scriptures, since the 60’s i believe.

Matt