The Lutheran Study Bible: ESV++

After much anticipation, my copy of The Lutheran Study Bible arrived about two weeks ago and I’ve spent some time getting to know it.  The ESV has been my translation of choice since CPH released their hardback ESV Reference Bible a few years ago and I have appreciated the readable and rhythmic translation.

When I initially made my pre-order 8 months ago, I ordered a standard genuine leather edition for myself and a larger genuine leather edition for my mother.  I thought I had fairly decent eyesight — no glasses and pretty sharp vision.  Fortunately, CPH phased the release of the different editions and sent out the standard hardback edition weeks before the leather editions.  My church library received a hardback edition and I eagerly opened it and found that even for my eyes the study notes and footnotes were kind of small and densely situated on the page — readable, but small.  The font size for the Bible text wasn’t bad.  Hmm.  What should I do?   At just about the same time, Pastor McCain had a blog post about the larger print edition he got for his son.  Maybe the larger print edition would work for me.  Next step:  Called CPH to change my order BEFORE the leather editions shipped AND added two ribbon sets and Gerhard’s A Comprehensive Explanation of Holy Baptism and Lord’s Supper for good measure.

Then it was just a matter of waiting for CPH to ship and FedEx to deliver.

My initial reaction:

This is a BIG Bible (and that is not necessarily bad – keep reading).  8 1/8″ wide x 10 3/8″ long x 2 1/2″ deep and about 5.3 pounds (according to the kitchen scale).   It’s larger than my college dictionary which I thought was big.  BUT, I like it (referring to the Bible, not the dictionary).  There’s something to be said for having an imposing Bible like this in your life.

In my anticipation I was also hoping that the paper used in the leather editions would be a bit thicker than the standard hardback.  The hardback copy I saw had very thin (tissue-like) paper that tended to wrinkle if not handled with care, but it seemed to be durable.  I am VERY pleased with the paper in the leather larger edition – a bit more substantive paper with minimal bleed through.  The thicker paper, though, comes at a cost — a thicker book.

The font size of the Bible text, cross references, and the study notes are comfortable on the eyes — not too big and not too small.  For me at least, the larger print was a welcome trade-off to the larger book size.

What I appreciate most (so far) about this Study Bible is how Christ permeates the entire Bible.  The study notes and book introductions help the reader see Christ and what He has done for us — even in passages where Christ might seem to be absent.  Granted, not every note does this, but note upon note helps build this foundation.

Following with a close second are the quotes from the Church Fathers, reformers, and the Lutheran Confessions sprinkled throughout the study notes.  I suppose you could call it “theological seasoning” — not overpowering, but nuggets selected with care.   It is edifying to read what those who have come before have written.  The Lutheran Study Bible will be instrumental in introducing more people to these historic writings and providing springboards for further study.

A request to CPH:  Please provide a PDF download of the prayers on the front and back covers of the hardback editions — they are missing from the leather editions.

CPH and the associated contributors have provided the Church a wonderful gift in the Lutheran Study Bible.  It’s definitely something to consider for your daily Bible study and prayer life (see the Law/Gospel notes!).  This is ESV++!

So what’s next?  I think I’m going to splurge and get a a custom leather Bible cover from Renaissance Art.  They have made me wonderful leather covers for the pocket Book of Concord and the personal edition of Lutheran Service Book.

Related posts:

1. The LCMS 100 “Song” Study: Part 1
2. Organist Tip – Unwieldy Sheet Music
3. LSB 334: O, Lord, How Shall I Meet You
4. The Treasure of the Lutheran Church (according to Lohe)
5. The Lutheran Choir