Bible Resource List

In worship here at Geneva, we read mostly from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible, which is one of the very best modern day translations from the original Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic languages. If you are going to buy a new Bible, here are some of Pastor Joe’s suggestions:

1. The Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible (NRSV): I highly recommend this Bible because of the outstanding scholarship and additional resources to help us think about living what we read.

2. The Harper Study Bible (NRSV) – with complete concordance (which helps you find words / themes that repeat throughout the Bible). Once again outstanding scholarship, but no additional resources for application.

3. Holy Bible (NRSV): study helps, dictionary / concordance - published by Zondervan and distributed through Cokesbury. 

4. The Student Bible (New International Version NIV) – with notes by Philip Yancey. Before I went to seminary, this was my Bible and it got me interested in the scriptures. The scholarship is sound and engaging. The only drawback is that it is a slightly different version than we use in worship.

5. The Message: The Bible In Contemporary Language - Presbyterian pastor and scholar Eugene Peterson translates (paraphrase may be the better word here) our scriptures into everyday readable language. While it is very different than the version we use in worship – it has opened my eyes and heart to the scriptures in a whole new way. Peterson has a way of making the Bible come alive. 

6. The Oxford Bible Commentary – Oxford University Press (New Addition)– this book is a great study companion for any Bible. It gives history, context, and sound insight into every book of the Bible.