(Part 1)

JBTM Book Reviews
169
A one-page quick start guide quickly introduces readers to the features of the 2015 edition,
followed by a detailed table of contents. Unfortunately, the four-page introduction to the
NIV Study Bible was not included in the 2015 edition as it had been in the 2011 edition (which
also had the quick start guide), thus omitting additional beneficial guidance on the Bible’s
features. Yet, once readers go from the quick start guide and the table of contents, they
discover that the 2015 edition has nearly 20,000 verse-by-verse study notes, a biblical verse
cross-reference system of over 100,000 entries, and a concordance with more than 35,000
Scripture references. Other interesting features include clearly written introductory articles
on the Old and New Testaments, each biblical book, and related topics, such as on the genre
groupings of the biblical books and on the period between the Testaments. Also, twentyeight
biblical theology articles have been added to the 2015 edition on topics, such as “The
Bible and Theology,” “The Glory of God,” “Creation,” “Sin,” “Covenant,” “Sacrifice,” “Death
and Resurrection,” “Love and Grace,” “The Gospel,” and others (interestingly, no article
is entitled “Salvation,” although the subject is discussed in various articles listed). Finally,
more maps, charts, graphical illustrations, and pictures were added to the 2015 edition. 2
However, the information and features have increased the size and weight of the 2015 edition
(to almost six pounds), making it the thickest and heaviest of the NIV Study Bible editions
and likely causing a number of readers to decide not to carry it to church or Sunday Bible
study but to use it as a “stationary” reference Bible. Also, when the 2015 edition is open
for reading, the reader must adjust to reading “on the curve” instead of reading flat pages,
due to the thickness of the Bible (and turning the very thin and limp pages may warrant an
adjustment by readers with stiff fingers).
Another appealing aspect of the 2015 edition, in comparison with previous editions and
some other study Bibles, is the display and organization of the information and features.
While the contents and layout of the 2015 edition are similar (and in a few instances, even
identical) to that of previously published NIV Study Bible editions, various features have
been placed in a more logical and handy sequence, such as the index of maps being placed
preceding the color maps, and the Old Testament chronology and the New Testament
chronology charts being placed adjacent to the Old Testament and New Testament sections,
respectively, instead of being together in the beginning of the Bible (as in the 2002 and
1985 editions). In addition, the 2015 edition has gained much appeal and ease of readability
through the widespread use of more (and appropriately chosen) color in the study notes,
charts, illustrations, interior maps, and pictures, especially in comparison with the 1985 first
edition which, other than the words of Jesus (in red) and the geographical maps at the end,
was essentially a black-and-white edition.
All in all, the colorful display, additional content, and better organized features
have resulted in a more compatible and current edition for today’s media-oriented and
²“NIV Zondervan Study Bible: Unpacking God’s Story.” Study Bible Features Overview, http://
www.nivzondervanstudybible.com/overview/ [accessed June 27, 2016].