The 'Good Book' ranges widely in readability, from genuinely interesting stories and historical myth to dry genealogies and ancient blueprints. Some of the authors are fond of sticking to a stereotyped format, so that you end up reading the same "headers" and "footers" again and again; not very fun.
My rating of three stars is generous, buoyed by the (cherry-picked) genuine wisdom of several books and the tangential insights it gave me in learning about Christian scripture.
While the book does have its own merits, sadly history has made it a force for evil in this world, as it's even now often used to justify hatred, violence, divisiveness, child abuse, mutilation, policies that allow the spread of AIDS, pseudoscience, rejection of good science, exaltation of ignorance, etc.
By no means am I trying to pigeonhole all believers this way, but I believe those multitudes of faithful who ARE intelligent or good are so in spite of religion. I very much doubt any of the supernatural events of the Bible actually happened.
I've read the Bible through cover to cover at least three times--and studied portions of it for many years. So, I imagine I've read most of it at least 20 times. My favorite was the Jersualem Bible (now out of print--and not to be confused with the New Jerusalem Bible) I love the King James for the poetry in Psalms in particular--but for reading and understanding the NIV is my current favorite. (I wore out my Jerusalem Bible) The study version has excellent notes.
As I finished the final chapter of the Bible today...I love that the final words of Jesus are repeated 3 times. "I am coming soon! I am coming soon! Yes, I am coming soon." Reading that my heart felt two things. 1. Peace. Because I made him Lord of my life and have a relationship with him...my heart feels overwhelmed with peace. No matter the struggles, pain, or difficulty that are in this world. He is with me...offering peace in chaos and reminding me this world is not my forever home.
2. A sense of urgency. Jesus is coming back so I pray the Lord would give me a heart that breaks for what breaks his. If you are curious to know this Jesus...I highly recommend grabbing a Bible and reading one of the books in it. Start with one that is about 2/3 of the way in like Luke (one of my favorites) or John. And as you get to know him, I pray you find the peace he gives.
听This Bible contains balanced and orthodox study notes and articles from the Pentecostal perspective. A great resource for introduction to Pentecostal theology. Even this who are cessationists should obtain this Bible for their study as it will give them a better understanding of Pentecostal theology and they will see how it does not coincide with the extremes of T.V. evangelists and other ministers and preachers.
There is a companion Full Life Bible Commentary to the New Testament, which I also recommend and recommend it be read along with the Full Life Study Bible.
Also note, if you are seeking to purchase this Bible, the name has been changed to the Life in the Spirit Study Bible; and, while I have it in the KJV, it is also available in the NIV.
Have questions or need more information after reading a scripture? The Full Life Study Bible gives you many notes and explanations as well as study tools. The Full Life Study Bible was written and reviewed by pastors and scholars who were committed to creating a standard by which Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians could study, preach and teach. I recommend the Full Life Study Bible to others!
Far and above all other Pentecostal Study Bibles. What I like best: There is none of the false prosperity doctrine espoused. I have studied this Bible since its publication in 1992. I've given it to my kids... It is the only Study Bible that I will recommend to others because it is purely Biblical, not a bunch of devotional fluff. Thanks for reading. God bless!
By far, the best study Bible ever. It is now called the Fire Bible. it has the best footnotes than other study Bible that I have ever seen. A must to have for any serious student of the Scriptures.