NLT Life Application Study Bible, Personal Size, Juniper/Gray Lace: New Living Translation, Juniper / Gray Lace TuTone, Leatherlike, Personal Size Edition Product Bundle – 19 Dec. 2014

First the qualification - I am a practising Christian and on this occasion I have contextual buying advice to offer with respect to this range of volumes. LIFE APPLICATION BIBLES are a popular choice for those looking for explanation and commentary in the cause of exploration and self-education. They tend not to evangelise or politicise.Each biblical chapter and verse is covered three times over:-The full bible text itself - according to the translation you have chosen to buy - Standard NIV, King James etc.The explanation of the text and lessons to be taught or learned from it.A "timeline" that is considerably broader than the name suggests giving further context to the article.So what's the problem? I found two key issues.I made the mistake of spending little time selecting the edition (there may be 20+ variants to choose from comprising quite a broad range) and the one I received was written for the American market, therefore Americanised English spelling and grammar, as well as phrasing for the ear of the American reader with associated terms of reference. A lot of effort was then wasted re-working my literary compass to convert American culture back into UK values and terms. Not an onerous task for, just an unnecessary distraction when what I really wanted was to just study this tome.Secondly I should have matched the translation of the Life Application Bible to my existing bible (which is NIV). The physical size of the LASB lead me to use both books simultaneously (which I concede is itself of debateable value) for focused study, at which point trying to cross reference a reading from my NIV with an explanation written against the same passage in NLT language simply didn't work as well as it ought and made for disjointed reading. While hardly beyond the wit of this particular man, the process turned study into an exercise in mental gymnastics that was simply unnecessary.I recommend you carefully consider and trial your selection before you go on to buy or simply use the book by itself.The study segments remain objective and set with the aim of expanding on the canon and the accepted lessons that are taught from it. I.e. "...this is what they are saying..." and "...this is what we practice as a result..." My feeling is that the associated justification and debate is largely set aside for more the more focused authors with their respective points to make. That is not to suggest that LASB is lightweight or avoids issues, just that there is sufficient debate if not ambiguity surrounding the texts as they are. LASB's allow you to clearly understand what is being said and leave you to argue later from an more informed standpoint.They are not challenging to read and anyone with the ability to tackle the Bible in the first place will find this a structured and progressive solution. They don't appear to be aimed at children but most able teens should digest this unaided. Moreover, there is a tendency to hold to the "Wikipedia" principle of not necessarily being absolute authority they are perceived to be, but a sufficiently clear overview to allow the motivated to guide themselves to the truth.

Firstly I find the NLT transation suits me as it is comprehensive and in today's language. There are reference notes relating to each chapter,where explanations of context and interpretation are provided. This Bible also suggests how the content can be applied in people's lives today. Each Book has a lengthy introductory explanation as to who wrote it, when and to whom it was written, it's historical and biblical context etc. There are also summaries about the main characters who feature in the Bible. There is a another section that takes you through the Gospels in, as much as possible, chronological order, with references to the different versions of the same event. It is ideal for daily reading, but also as a source of information for more in depth study.The book is reasonably hefty so I additionally purchased the kindle version. Once you work out how to flip between text and reference notes, it works very well and is, of course , much more portable. There are a few blips on some of the charts that don't precisely fit the page, but this is not an issue with me.I would recommend it to new Christians who want to learn more, but also as a reference for those more mature in their faith.

This review is not of the Life Application Bible in itself, which is an excellent edition of the world's greatest book (a book I have been reading and studying for nearly 60 years) but a review of this e-book version.A Study Bible, by its very nature, has hundreds, if not thousands, of book introductions, footnotes, cross-references, maps, review articles, etc. and these are very much an essential part of the book. The difficulty is navigating round all these in the e-book version when studying a Bible passage. In a physical book it is easy to flick over pages, put your thumb in a page while you look somewhere else, etc. Even a PC version, with various icons scattered round the screen, is easy to navigate. However, the e-book format does not lend itself to the constant jumping from place to place necessary for a serious Bible study. I have stopped using all the notes, maps etc. because the navigation is too difficult - I would often find myself on the wrong page and then spend as much frustrating time trying to get back to the original page as I did actually studying. Perhaps if I had fine, brain surgeon's fingers that can access the very small icons it would be easier, but my wide fingers do not make it at all easy.I must repeat that this is not a negative review of the Life Application Bible as such, but just of the e-book version.

Annoying pointsI find that I am continually having to return and search for the chapters and verses, as it refuses to return to the place I was at when I look at cross references, maps, or notes. When I click on either the Old or New Testament it just sticks on the title . The guide does not open every time.Good points.It is written in language I understand, it's quite easy to read, when it keeps to the chapters and verses I'm reading. The fact it's on kindle allows me to see it really well. I like that I can bookmark my page. Though it doesn't always open were I've bookmarked. It's easier and lighter to carry my kindle or iPad. Than the book form.