THE VINES EXPOSITORY BIBLE - NKJV published by Thomas Nelson

Gone are the days in which a person simple goes to a bookstore and grabs a King James or New King James version of the Bible. Once upon a time the only options a person had was the type of cover a Bible had. Today, the accompanying supplements to a Bible can make a person grab the cheapest Bible off the shelf and move on BUT DON’T DO IT!

Thomas Nelson publishing has once again present an option to those who want to read Scripture with understanding in the form of THE VINES EXPOSITORY BIBLE. Hmmm, that sounds like a pretty serious compilation of information, perhaps it is to much for the novice reader; it is not.

Expository: to bring clarity by presenting information in a more detailed way (my defintion).

The VINES EXPOSITORY BIBLE General Editor Jerry Vines, Pastor First Baptist Church Jacksonville FL, Retired, is a New King James version of the Bible that contains various Bible study helps. As listed on the back of the jacket the study helps include: 205 Presenting Messages, 148 Living the Message, 237 Applying the Message, 311 Discerning the Meaning, introductions to each book, a topical index and a concordance; and of course there are maps. I personally appreciate Bible application thus reading “An Anguished Cry” found in Lamentations (APPLYING THE MESSAGE| Lam. 1:12) was not only thought provoking but made the book all the more relevant to today. To discuss the sections entitled PRESENTING THE MESSAGE would make this review longer than it already is however I must say- if you are a Church Leader of any level you will definitely appreciate this discussion.

I firmly believe it is very important that people own a tangible copy of the Bible, for those who really want to know what ‘thus sayeth the Lord’ this is a Bible worth purchasing. -written by Marsha L F Randolph

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

NKJV MINISTERS BIBLE

Thomas Nelson’s NKJV MINISTER’S BIBLE is the first Bible I have reviewed that was not what I expected. What I thought I was going to read were commentaries that were historical in nature and suggestions as to how to present information. I anticipated seeing a lot of Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic words noted within the text. I did not see any of what I was expecting.

Tucked between the book of Malachi and the book of Matthew is what I would refer to as Pastoral cheat sheets. It is a book within a book containing “Resources for the Minister”; a compilation of how-tos. The sections include: Weddings, from pre-marital counseling to the actual ceremony; Dedications, Baptisms and the Lord’s Supper; Worship, including a worksheet to help plan the entire service; Pastoral Care, which includes ministering to the both Believer and un-Believer; Invitations, a.k.a. Alter Call; and of course Funerals. If you wanted to start your own church this would be a good Bible to get.

Personally, all book reviews are personal, I felt much of the Pastoral information presented was denominational. As I read some of the suggested plans/ remarks / ideas I thought: This sounds like what I have seen in a Catholic service. Other times I could see a traditional Baptist church flair. This is why Scripture instructs novices not to be in the ministry.

The NKJV MINISTER’S BIBLE is a great source and one I will definitely keep. For the experienced leader the information provided is a great guideline which can be adjusted according to one’s faith. There are Pastoral books that contain this information, having it in your Bible is a great idea.

This Bible is not for everyone but would make an excellent gift to one entering the ministry. Physically the Bible is beautiful enclosed in a unique box that you will not want to throw away. — written by Marsha L F Randolph

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.