Wednesday, October 17, 2007

ESV Bibles. Great Bible, Good Buy



If you are not familiar with the relatively new Bible translation being published by Crossway, the English Standard Version (ESV), I highly recommend that you consider using it.  The ESV is an "essentially literal" translation that holds to the literary qualities of the King James Version from 1611 while being nearly as accurate as the NASB, which is often knocked for sounding "wooden".  Although a very literal translation the NASB at times suffers form sentence structure that doesn't flow well.  The ESV, while being a literal translation like the NASB, is easier to read and retains the poetic qualities found in the KJV.  The ESV is also more literal than the NIV while being just as easy to read.

If you are considering the ESV, take a look at the bookstore at Monergism.com.  Their online bookstore has recently been updated and they have added to their lineup of ESV Bibles.  Of note are the calfskin Bibles.  Although expensive, calfskin Bibles from Crossway are some of the nicer Bibles you can buy.  Not only are these premium leather Bibles nice to look at they are very well made and will outlast less expensive ones.  The key with these calfskin Bibles is not only the super nice covers but the fact that they are have smyht sewn bindings which will allow these books to lay flat on a table or fit your hand like a glove while you sit in during Sunday morning service.  

Monergism is currently offering the Classic Reference in black calfskin and cordovan calfskin as well as the Classic Thinline also in black calfskin and cordovan calfskin.  These prices are the best you're gonna find, even better than Amazon.  Currently they are offering free shipping 'til Reformation Day... that's October 31st for the non-Reformed.  

I own the Classic Thinline in cordovan calfskin and I highly recommend it.  Look for a full review at a later date.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good to read your Crossway ESV comments. You haven't yet seen any of the exclusive binding styles from R.L.Allan of Scotland, have you?

We produce limited edition, hand-finished bindings of the HarperCollins 'Classic' cross reference setting in fine supple goatskin bindings with leather linings - black goatskin with dark blue linings, and tan goatskin with chocolate linings. They are sumptuous volumes.

You'll find them at our website www.bibles-direct.com and most of our ESV customers are in the States and Canada.

Best wishes
Nicholas Gray
Director
R L Allan Publishers, Glasgow

Jesus Saenz said...

Nicholas, I am the proud owner of a black R L Allan ESV! It is a treasure. I mentioned it in one of my earlier posts but I plan to do a full review soon. Can you tell me if HarperCollins will be printing the updated ESV that Crossway is making available on all of their new editions? Does R L Allan to plan to do any other ESV editions? Can R L Allan do custom bindings of Bibles you don't offer?

Nicholas, thanks for coming by!

Anonymous said...

Photos of the Allan ESV1 & 2, as well as a selection of Allan-Oxford KJV's can be found at
www.evangelicalbible.com

thanks
Paul

hcg said...

Oh wow, this got every one going - fascinating input mixed with a good read.