The Lutheran Study Bible: Initial Thoughts

I received my copy of The Lutheran Study Bible: English Standard Version a few days ago. It’s a huge book. I bought the hardback edition and the binding seems good. It stays open well and should hold up nicely. However, the pages are incredibly thin. Think onion-skin thin, and there is plenty of bleed-through. Not good for notes or quick page turning.

Having said that, I am incredibly impressed with the book. It is simply packed with notes and helps. Everywhere. There are the usual verse-notes at the bottom of every page–generous verse-notes too, but there are also introductions to each book that address overall themes, Luther quotes, “Challenges for Readers” which introduce isogogical issues and some apologetical issues, vocabulary lists of important terms, outlines and more. Plus, each major category of books also sport introductions, for instance, the Pauline Epistles have their introductory sections.

I haven’t had much time to evaluate the content of the notes and study helps, though what I have seen is quite good for modern LCMS Lutherans. In other words, it well reflects the current theological stance of the Seminaries. What does this mean? Solidly Lutheran, Confessional…and slightly fundamentalist/naturalistic. Allegory and “spiritual meanings” are given short shrift to historical-grammatical analysis. In places some miracle stories are explained naturalistically, though the hand of God is still recognized as running the show. I think for many/most within the LCMS this is probably not an issue…but it is for me.

Having said that, even after only a quick look I would recommend for most Lutherans as well as for other Protestants who are looking for a meatier, deeper study Bible.

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