Jesus Bible, ESV Edition, Leathersoft, Black: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture

I've been studying the bible all my life, and at 56, this Bible is the most wonderful version I've read. The ESV version is wonderful because it's one of the most technically accurate translations but in very readable and modern English with headings and subheadings to guide the reader. (It avoids the difficulties of the old King James Version, which is highly accurate but difficult to understand and avoids the mistranslations of the New International Version which is very clear but the translators took liberties inserting words or phrases to support evangelical theology.)Having said that, the commentaries in this Bible need to be read with critical thinking and not necessarily accepted as completely true or accurate. As an example, the principle of Christ's Atonement is probably the most complex and important doctrines of Christianity. There are several theories of why God became man, died on the cross, was resurrected, and how this provides salvation to mankind. One theory is Christ Victorius, one of the earliest explanations, teaching that Christ needed to die and be resurrected to unlock death and hell from the inside and become victor on our behalf for our salvation. Another theory is substitutionary atonement, a more recent evangelical view that God 's justice needed to be paid for our sins and Christ chose in love to pay the price in substitution for us. Many, including myself, find this explanation contrary to my understanding of God.Other examples of theological doctrines that require the individual to seek the Spirit's guidance is the issue of God being Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There are competing possibilities of how this mystery translates into reality. We do NOT NEED TO FEAR when we study and ponder these doctrines that we might be condemned or lose our salvation or offend God if we are unsure of which explanation makes sense. We need not fear reaching a conclusion that could be "wrong." So in reading the commentaries, you will find some writers make statements of fact explaining an aspect of the Bible text which supports one theory and does not mention that there are other potential explanations. In other words, you may encounter opinions stated as fact in the commentaries. What stood out for me right away was the "substitutionary theory" of atonement in one of the commentaries. Studying the Bible requires real study, the courage to question, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and most of all to not be intimidated by any preacher or teacher that insinuates you may go to hell for not having the correct knowledge of Christ. That absurdity in Christian preaching has done great harm to Christianity, and we are free not to perpetuate it.My point is that there will be commentaries that clarify verses and deepen understanding of Jesus and the Christian gospel; and there will be some that will do the same by your ability to discern and ponder on what is incorrect and inconsistent in the opinions expressed with your understanding of God and the Bible you're reading.In addition to the commentaries, each chapter contains references and citations connecting concepts and verses found in the chapter to other places in the Bible. These are excellent for deep study.The book itself is beautiful, soft, crisp, and feels luxurious.

100% recommend. It lies flat, the cover is high quality and yet still floppy and soft, it’s heavy and thick, just what I wanted and the articles and notes are amazing. It’s altogether brilliant and I couldn’t be happier with it. Definitely not the one to go for if you need a compact bible but if you’re happy with heavier and bigger than average, this one is PERFECCTTTTT. I love it so much

Great quality And a great study Bible

Now this bible is very good! I read it everyday and it’s very well put together. The essays/commentary helps the believer see Jesus Christ throughout the whole bible and not just in the New Testament. Highly recommend this bible

Great quality and love the format. It points out how Jesus is connected throughout all scripture not just the NT.