Worldview Study Bible - CSB Version from Holman Bibles [Bible Review]

NOTE: It would take a Biblical scholar to truly evaluate the content of a version of the Bible verse by verse and also to evaluate the study notes included with said version. I do not purport to have such qualifications.

BIBLES/Christian Standard Bible/Reference
ISBN: 9781433604348
Navy Leather touch©
$69.99 USD

My thoughts: Study Bibles have basically two portions.... 1) The Biblical text or "The Bible," and 2) The study aids including cross referenced Bible verses, essays, commentary on specific subjects or verses, and maps. The most important of the two is the Biblical text or holy scriptures. While I prefer the King James Version, I understand today's readers often prefer a version such as the Christian Standard Version of the Bible for its readability. Scholars conclude that the CSB stays true to the original. I leave that interpretation and evaluation to scholars.

This is a beautifully appointed bible that has a soft leather-touch cover with great flexibility. The print is pretty standard in size though some might wish for larger typeset. I don't care for the comments sections that have grey background and smaller text. This presents a hardship when reading. I would opt to remove the grey background. For a modern version, the CSB is probably top ranked. The wealth of essays included present a variety of topics that are great for reading, referencing, and formulating a Christian Worldview.

Review by my son:

Pros:

• CSB Translation is very readable.  Flows well.  
• CSB Translation and publishing company are very reliable and true to scripture.
• Maps are in color and easy to understand. 
• I like how verses are separated by the paragraph or by train of thought.  
• The New Testament has each portion of a chapter titled or headed by subject. (See Matthew chapter 6 for example)
• The world view notes are excellent for studying different world views held up against God’s word.

Cons:

• I wish this edition had red lettering for the words of Christ.
• The map with Paul's missionary journeys has two colors that are so similar that it is difficult to distinguish between them.
• I wish the typeset was slightly larger.  This Bible reviewed is of the standard font edition, and it is difficult to read if you are beyond middle age.

Conclusion: Overall I am excited to receive this Bible and will cherish it.

Version

The Christian Standard Bible Worldview Study Bible is first and foremost a Christian Bible including all 66 books of the Bible - Old Testament and New Testament. The version is Christian Standard  which "features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible (CSB). The CSB stays as literal as possible to the Bible's original meaning without sacrificing clarity making it easier to engage with Scripture's life-transforming message and to share it with other." (from the promotional material of this Bible)

What is the "Worldview Study Bible"?

Verse commentaries help understand and interpret meaning (at bottom of pages with greyed background).
Center column references direct readers to other similar or associated portions of the Bible.

My thoughts: First of all one must understand what a "worldview" is and specifically what a "Christian worldview" is. A worldview is the basis by which one interprets each and every event and action that happens in the world or the method by which one makes decisions about how one will live their life. A Christian Worldview entails a person's looking at events and actions in the world from a Christian perspective and making his or her decisions about life and how they react to events and actions from a Biblical viewpoint.

From the product: The CSB Worldview Study Bible features extensive worldview study notes and articles by notable Christian scholars to help Christians better understand the grand narrative and flow of Scripture within the biblical framework from which we are called to view reality and make sense of life and the world. Guided by general editors David S. Dockery and Trevin K. Wax, this Bible is an invaluable resource and study tool that will help you to discuss, defend, and clearly share with others the truth, hope, and practical compatibility of Christianity in everyday life.

Study aids or materials (not actual Scriptural text) are included in this edition of the CSB Worldview Study Bible 

Hefty Bible but nice and flexible

• Extensive worldview study notes
• Over 130 articles by notable Christian scholars
• Center-column references
• Smyth-sewn binding
• Presentation page
• Two ribbon markers

My thoughts about the Bible's layout of notes and study helps. 

The extensive study aids, essays, etc. are no doubt quite valuable and would benefit new believers as well as those established in their faith. For a study Bible this would be highly beneficial. 

Some well-known verses comparing CSB and KJV (borrowed from https://www.eden.co.uk/blog/csb-side-by-side-comparison-p128899)

John 3:16

[CSB] “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

[KJV] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Jerehmiah 29:11

[CSB] “For I know the plans I have for you” ?— ?this is the Lord’s declaration ?— ?“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

[KJV] “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Psalm 23:1-2

[CSB] “The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures”

[KJV] “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”

Romans 12:12

[CSB] “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.”

[KJV] “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”

Genesis 1:1

[CSB] “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

[KJV] “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

Find it on Lifeway - click here

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of this CSB Worldview Study Bible was provided by the BH Blogger Review Program on behalf of Holman Bibles/BH/Lifeway to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are mine and my son's and are freely given.