Understanding the Word
Bestselling novels are often printed in a variety of formats throughout their lives in print. Hardcovers, paperbacks, first editions, 10th anniversary editions, deluxe editions etc. can all be expected for blockbuster classics. Is it any wonder then, that the world’s all-time #1 bestselling non-fiction title – the Bible – is available in such a plethora of translations, formats, editions, and so on?
The newly released Transformation Study Bible from David C. Cook combines the fourth best-selling Bible translation (2008/2009) – the New Living Translation or NLT – with Bible teacher Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe’s highly respected commentary. The NLT is a modern English translation of the Bible, featuring easy-to-read language, and is based upon a translation method that relies both upon formal equivalence techniques (word-for-word), and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought).
This being my first encounter with an NLT Bible, I was quite pleased with the easy-to-read, yet accurate text. After reading several important passages, I’ve found that this version supports a literal seven-day creation period, and in no way detracts from God’s absolute sovereignty and authority over the earth and all that is within it. Though this is certainly a given for long-time NLT readers, the modern equivalencies of weights, measurements, time, etc. are a huge blessing. Easy to read without a Bible dictionary at hand for looking up formulas for translating these antiquated measurements into ones I’m familiar with, this is incredibly convenient (original measurements and such are provided in the footnotes.)
After satisfying myself with the content and theological basis of the translation itself, I turned my attention to Wiersbe’s commentary. Drawn from his vast collection of popular “Be” series titles – 50 expositional Bible studies which focus upon the application of God’s word to the lives of believers – this commentary is the result of over 30 years of work. I found Wiersbe’s commentary to be both helpful, and accurate; whether dealing with Paul’s theological writings in Romans, or narrative stretches of scripture, Wierbe’s explanations are clear and balanced.
Bible ‘extras’ include cross-references in the center column (I love these), words of Christ in red, a small, standard selection of full-colour Bible maps, preaching outlines by book, and a very respectable dictionary/concordance – the most comprehensive built-in concordance I’ve seen. Formally structured book outlines provide an overview of the pain points and occurrences within each portion of scripture. A conversational introduction to the book, and “Be Transformed” section help readers to discern the meaning of the book, and its potential to apply directly to their lives. The “Catalyst” sections spread throughout the text do an excellent job of focusing in on the “big picture”, the overarching themes of God’s plan, illumining the personal relevance of important events and sections of scripture.
Incredibly accessible, I highly recommend the Transformation Study Bible for anyone who may have read through certain portions of the Bible and wondered how what they were reading fit into God’s larger plan, or how the text applied to their spiritual growth. I’ve only just skimmed the surface of this large volume (2300+ pages), but I’m looking forward to reading through the Bible with an increased sense of meaning, depth, and personal relevance as I continue to explore its pages.
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One of the most anticipated and comprehensive Study Bibles of the year, The Transformation Study Bible has been a lifetime in the making by a man who is the former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, an internationally known Bible teacher, and someone who has given his life to a deep examination of the Word of God.
Biography of Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe,
contributor to The Transformation Study Bible
Dr. Warren Wiersbe is a beloved author, teacher, and the former pastor of three churches,
including The Moody Church in Chicago. He served as general director and Bible teacher
for the popular Back to the Bible radio broadcast. Dr. Wiersbe’s books have sold over
4,000,000 copies worldwide. The Transformation Study Bible is the first full-text Bible to
incorporate excerpts from Dr. Wiersbe’s beloved “Be” Commentary series. Now retired
from full-time ministry, Dr. Wiersbe and his wife make their home in Nebraska.
Q & A with Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe,
contributor to The Transformation Study Bible
Q: What made you decide to become a part of The Transformation Study Bible
project? Were you humbled by the thought of lending your name to the Bible?
A: I’ve studied the Bible for a long time now, and have been blessed to record
many of my thoughts on Scripture in the “Be” commentaries. I wrote these
observations as a companion to the Bible in hopes that they might help people
better understand and apply God’s Word. It’s good to know that they have been
helpful.
It is extremely humbling to have my name associated with Scripture in this
unique way. If my thoughts on the Bible can prove helpful to others, I can
think of no greater honor. The important thing is that people realize that the
words of the Bible are inspired, and my words are the limited efforts of a man.
God’s Word is life for the soul. That’s what’s important.
Q: What would you say to pastors, students, and disciples who are seeking to
make the message of the Bible clearer and more understandable in an age of
skepticism and Biblical hostility?
A: First, we should appreciate the Word, because it is God’s Word and not
“mere human ideas.” We should read the Bible with reverence and respect, not
carelessly the way we sometimes scan a newspaper or speed-read a book. When
you open your Bible and your heart, God will open His mouth and speak to you.
Second, we should appropriate the Word, because merely having the Bible
before our eyes is no guarantee we have its truths in our inner person. The
Bible is like bread (Matt. 4:4), milk and solid food (1 Peter 2:2; Heb. 11—14),
and even honey (Ps. 19:10; 119:103), and food does us no good unless we eat it
and digest it. What digestion is to the body, meditation is to the inner person.
We should welcome God’s Word into our hearts and cultivate a growing
appetite for spiritual truth.
Third, we should apply the Word. God’s Word is “alive and powerful” (Heb.
4:12), and therefore it can work in our lives as we exercise faith and obey what
God says to us. The Holy Spirit, the author of the Scriptures, lives within each
Christian believer and will teach us if we are willing to learn and obey (John
16:7–15; 7:16–17). “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it
says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” (James 1:22). Reading the
Bible but not obeying it is like reading the menu but not eating the meal. The
Word of God can be applied to every area of our lives, and because it has divine
energy, it can work deep within us and change us (Eph. 3:20–21; Phil. 2:12–
13).
Q: You’ve seen and been a part of so much change in culture. Is the Bible still
relevant to today’s society, and what should Christ followers be doing to help
make it so?
A: The beauty of the Bible is that it has stood the test of time, and it remains
relevant, regardless of culture. It was relevant to the ancients, remained
relevant through the Middle Ages and the Enlightenment, and continues to be
relevant in Postmodernity and beyond. There will always be criticism of the
Bible, but the Bible is God’s living Word. It is the greatest transformational
power in the universe. When something is truly transformational, it is truly
relevant.
Q: For years your “Be” series of commentaries have encouraged believers and
been a great aid to pastors. Did you envision that this series would impact so
many people, and eventually become part of a study Bible?
A: No. I could never have imagined the impact of this series. It’s very
gratifying and humbling to know that you can contribute to an understanding
an application of God’s Word. We could compile a book of letters from all over
the world telling what God has done in the lives of people who have studied the
“Be” series. To God be the glory!
I never would have thought that my writings would one day be associated with a
study Bible, and it’s extremely humbling and very exciting for me to be a part of
this project.
Q: Explain the importance of the word “Be,” and tell us why this little word has
become the staple of your ministry.
A: In 1972 my commentary on 1 John was published under the title, Be Real.
Nobody remembers who named the book, but the “Be” stuck with me. For the
next three decades I wrote books with “Be” in the title.
The real significance of “Be” is that it is an action word. It communicates that
it’s not enough to simply go through the motions. If a person is truly
transformed by God’s Word, they will go from passive spectator to active
participant. They won’t just “do” the things Christ calls them to do, or think
about great philosophical and spiritual themes. Instead, they will “be” the
person Christ has called them to become. Christianity is more than just
thoughts and deeds; it is a state of being.
Q: The Moody name carries such interest and influence in the Christian
community. What was it like to pastor at The Moody Church, and what does it
mean to carry on the Moody legacy?
Bestselling novels are often printed in a variety of formats throughout their lives in print. Hardcovers, paperbacks, first editions, 10th anniversary editions, deluxe editions etc. can all be expected for blockbuster classics. Is it any wonder then, that the world’s all-time #1 bestselling non-fiction title – the Bible – is available in such a plethora of translations, formats, editions, and so on?
The newly released Transformation Study Bible from David C. Cook combines the fourth best-selling Bible translation (2008/2009) – the New Living Translation or NLT – with Bible teacher Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe’s highly respected commentary. The NLT is a modern English translation of the Bible, featuring easy-to-read language, and is based upon a translation method that relies both upon formal equivalence techniques (word-for-word), and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought).
This being my first encounter with an NLT Bible, I was quite pleased with the easy-to-read, yet accurate text. After reading several important passages, I’ve found that this version supports a literal seven-day creation period, and in no way detracts from God’s absolute sovereignty and authority over the earth and all that is within it. Though this is certainly a given for long-time NLT readers, the modern equivalencies of weights, measurements, time, etc. are a huge blessing. Easy to read without a Bible dictionary at hand for looking up formulas for translating these antiquated measurements into ones I’m familiar with, this is incredibly convenient (original measurements and such are provided in the footnotes.)
After satisfying myself with the content and theological basis of the translation itself, I turned my attention to Wiersbe’s commentary. Drawn from his vast collection of popular “Be” series titles – 50 expositional Bible studies which focus upon the application of God’s word to the lives of believers – this commentary is the result of over 30 years of work. I found Wiersbe’s commentary to be both helpful, and accurate; whether dealing with Paul’s theological writings in Romans, or narrative stretches of scripture, Wierbe’s explanations are clear and balanced.
Bible ‘extras’ include cross-references in the center column (I love these), words of Christ in red, a small, standard selection of full-colour Bible maps, preaching outlines by book, and a very respectable dictionary/concordance – the most comprehensive built-in concordance I’ve seen. Formally structured book outlines provide an overview of the pain points and occurrences within each portion of scripture. A conversational introduction to the book, and “Be Transformed” section help readers to discern the meaning of the book, and its potential to apply directly to their lives. The “Catalyst” sections spread throughout the text do an excellent job of focusing in on the “big picture”, the overarching themes of God’s plan, illumining the personal relevance of important events and sections of scripture.
Incredibly accessible, I highly recommend the Transformation Study Bible for anyone who may have read through certain portions of the Bible and wondered how what they were reading fit into God’s larger plan, or how the text applied to their spiritual growth. I’ve only just skimmed the surface of this large volume (2300+ pages), but I’m looking forward to reading through the Bible with an increased sense of meaning, depth, and personal relevance as I continue to explore its pages.
Article Author: Jennifer Bogart
Jennifer Bogart is a born again child of God, wife and mother to three (so far). Living in rural Alberta, Canada, she relies upon her blog for creative expression and is busy developing multi-sensory homeschooling supplements at Bogart Family Resources. …Visit Jennifer Bogart's author page — Jennifer Bogart's Blog
One of the most anticipated and comprehensive Study Bibles of the year, The Transformation Study Bible has been a lifetime in the making by a man who is the former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, an internationally known Bible teacher, and someone who has given his life to a deep examination of the Word of God.
For over thirty years, millions have come to rely on the timeless wisdom of Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe’s “Be” Commentary series. Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary and insights on Scripture have helped readers understand and apply God’s Word with the goal of life transformation.
We may be the messengers, but God transforms lives through His Word and The Transformation Study Bible promises to be an essential resource for growing motivated disciples. Not only will readers understand God’s Word with a greater sense of clarity, but they will be given the means to apply what they learn with a new sense of purpose.
Now available for the first time, The Transformation Study Bible offers the full text of the highly readable New Living Translation with accompanying notes and commentary from the 50 books in Dr. Wiersbe’s “Be” series.
Rely on Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe to guide you through Scripture and lead you in real-life transformation. Uncover the profound truths of God’s Word. Apply what you learn with a new sense of purpose. This is a must-own Bible for everyday use by all Christians who want to get more out of their study of Scripture.
contributor to The Transformation Study Bible
Dr. Warren Wiersbe is a beloved author, teacher, and the former pastor of three churches,
including The Moody Church in Chicago. He served as general director and Bible teacher
for the popular Back to the Bible radio broadcast. Dr. Wiersbe’s books have sold over
4,000,000 copies worldwide. The Transformation Study Bible is the first full-text Bible to
incorporate excerpts from Dr. Wiersbe’s beloved “Be” Commentary series. Now retired
from full-time ministry, Dr. Wiersbe and his wife make their home in Nebraska.
Q & A with Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe,
contributor to The Transformation Study Bible
Q: What made you decide to become a part of The Transformation Study Bible
project? Were you humbled by the thought of lending your name to the Bible?
A: I’ve studied the Bible for a long time now, and have been blessed to record
many of my thoughts on Scripture in the “Be” commentaries. I wrote these
observations as a companion to the Bible in hopes that they might help people
better understand and apply God’s Word. It’s good to know that they have been
helpful.
It is extremely humbling to have my name associated with Scripture in this
unique way. If my thoughts on the Bible can prove helpful to others, I can
think of no greater honor. The important thing is that people realize that the
words of the Bible are inspired, and my words are the limited efforts of a man.
God’s Word is life for the soul. That’s what’s important.
Q: What would you say to pastors, students, and disciples who are seeking to
make the message of the Bible clearer and more understandable in an age of
skepticism and Biblical hostility?
A: First, we should appreciate the Word, because it is God’s Word and not
“mere human ideas.” We should read the Bible with reverence and respect, not
carelessly the way we sometimes scan a newspaper or speed-read a book. When
you open your Bible and your heart, God will open His mouth and speak to you.
Second, we should appropriate the Word, because merely having the Bible
before our eyes is no guarantee we have its truths in our inner person. The
Bible is like bread (Matt. 4:4), milk and solid food (1 Peter 2:2; Heb. 11—14),
and even honey (Ps. 19:10; 119:103), and food does us no good unless we eat it
and digest it. What digestion is to the body, meditation is to the inner person.
We should welcome God’s Word into our hearts and cultivate a growing
appetite for spiritual truth.
Third, we should apply the Word. God’s Word is “alive and powerful” (Heb.
4:12), and therefore it can work in our lives as we exercise faith and obey what
God says to us. The Holy Spirit, the author of the Scriptures, lives within each
Christian believer and will teach us if we are willing to learn and obey (John
16:7–15; 7:16–17). “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it
says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” (James 1:22). Reading the
Bible but not obeying it is like reading the menu but not eating the meal. The
Word of God can be applied to every area of our lives, and because it has divine
energy, it can work deep within us and change us (Eph. 3:20–21; Phil. 2:12–
13).
Q: You’ve seen and been a part of so much change in culture. Is the Bible still
relevant to today’s society, and what should Christ followers be doing to help
make it so?
A: The beauty of the Bible is that it has stood the test of time, and it remains
relevant, regardless of culture. It was relevant to the ancients, remained
relevant through the Middle Ages and the Enlightenment, and continues to be
relevant in Postmodernity and beyond. There will always be criticism of the
Bible, but the Bible is God’s living Word. It is the greatest transformational
power in the universe. When something is truly transformational, it is truly
relevant.
Q: For years your “Be” series of commentaries have encouraged believers and
been a great aid to pastors. Did you envision that this series would impact so
many people, and eventually become part of a study Bible?
A: No. I could never have imagined the impact of this series. It’s very
gratifying and humbling to know that you can contribute to an understanding
an application of God’s Word. We could compile a book of letters from all over
the world telling what God has done in the lives of people who have studied the
“Be” series. To God be the glory!
I never would have thought that my writings would one day be associated with a
study Bible, and it’s extremely humbling and very exciting for me to be a part of
this project.
Q: Explain the importance of the word “Be,” and tell us why this little word has
become the staple of your ministry.
A: In 1972 my commentary on 1 John was published under the title, Be Real.
Nobody remembers who named the book, but the “Be” stuck with me. For the
next three decades I wrote books with “Be” in the title.
The real significance of “Be” is that it is an action word. It communicates that
it’s not enough to simply go through the motions. If a person is truly
transformed by God’s Word, they will go from passive spectator to active
participant. They won’t just “do” the things Christ calls them to do, or think
about great philosophical and spiritual themes. Instead, they will “be” the
person Christ has called them to become. Christianity is more than just
thoughts and deeds; it is a state of being.
Q: The Moody name carries such interest and influence in the Christian
community. What was it like to pastor at The Moody Church, and what does it
mean to carry on the Moody legacy?
“Warren Wiersbe is one of the greatest Bible expositors of our generation.”
Billy Graham, evangelist
“Relevant commentary, from the heart of the Pastor’s Pastor.”
Greg Laurie, evangelist and pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, CA
“Dr. Wiersbe’s unique style is not overly academic, but theologically sound. He explains the deep truths of Scripture in a way that everyone can understand and apply. Whether you’re a Bible scholar or a brand-new believer in Christ, you will benefit, as I have, from Warren’s insights.”
Ken Baugh, pastor of Coast Hills Community Church, Alison Viejo, CA
“I wholeheartedly endorse this incredible new study Bible. I have used the “Be” series throughout my ministry to ensure my interpretations were Biblical and balanced. These study notes from Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe will be a great encouragement to all who want to study and dig into God’s Word. I can’t think of a better Study Bible to add to your personal library. It’s practical, inspirational, and informative.”
Michael C. Catt, pastor, Sherwood Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia
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