misterkatamari

Thanks for the suggestion, NORM. I'll have to take a look at that book, because it sounds petty interesting. It's obviously helpful even if one does take Judaism as a foundation of their religion, since a better understanding of the foundation helps the whole. Either way, I'm interested in the Talmud from a secular aspect anyhow, so it'd be worth it to get a better understanding of the text.

Thanks again everyone, I'll be looking into these suggestions! The online downloads from Yale are awesome too! But yeah, I'm not really looking for the 'inspirational' or topical form of study Bible. I agree that those are of little help to most people, since it is far easier to splice up whatever you want to mean whatever you choose. I always think of it from this angle: If I had a child, what would I want them to learn or know? I'd want them to know the entirety of whatever knowledge we have available, and the context and history of the text. I wouldn't want them to just look at a color coded book and memorize quotes, blindly thinking that somehow that is the entirety of the Bible. Back to the reason I want a study Bible though, I just like to have some facts and context readily available as I read. For instance, the NIV I do have is nice because it lists things like archeological evidence or geographical information. Much of it is actually true, and gives context to the text, so I really enjoy that. However, there is just so much information that it tends to overlap with the theological viewpoints of the writers, and when it gets to that point I'd rather just read online and dissect the various subjects myself.

Thanks so much, both of you! I'll look into those versions right away, so I can really get into studying more. I love history, and Biblical history is one of my real interests--so I like having those bits of information and background. Giving the text historical context makes it more realistic and living, to me, personally. Thanks again!

Hello everyone! I'm new to the site, and have something of a question. I enjoy the bits of facts and context that is provided in my NIV Study Bible, but I disagree with the blatantly (and admittedly) conservative evangelical slant of the translation. Reading about how the men of Sodom wanted to literally rape angels, and replacing things like male prostitute with 'homosexual' bothers me. It makes me wonder just how much of the 'facts' and study bits are even true. I know its great to question and find out things for yourself, which is what I have done in the past. However, I'd really enjoy a study bible that actually has somewhat of a more scholarly feel to it without being so specifically slanted. If there is a Bible out there like that, it'd be great--but I doubt there is. I just wish I could read the Bible without having to second guess every sentence on whether or not the translation is biased or flat out incorrect. I guess its too much to ask for a bible that isn't saturated by 'fundemental' Christianity, and maybe there isn't a big enough demand for bibles like the one I would like. If that's the case, then I guess I'll just have to read the Bible--pray for guidance, and check out the facts myself!