The Best Bible Pen

    If you're going to write notes or references in the margins of your Bible, you may have noticed that it's hard to find a perfect Bible notes pen. You know, one that won't smear or skip or bleed through the page, and is still legible years down the line. Many pens' ink deteriorates for feathers out over time, making your notes no longer legible. Well, I think I finally found a great Bible notes pen, so here it is: the Pigma Micron 005 . And the great news is it only costs three bucks!

My Bible

If you're looking for the best quality Bible on the market- check out what Cambridge has to offer! I L-O-V-E my Cambridge Bible! My previous Bibles weren't particularly cheap (like $80-90), but I just haven't been happy with how they've held up long-term. Since I think it's a pain to switch Bibles (transferring notes, etc.), I took my time and researched to try to find the best quality one I could so that I could "move in" to it and stay put!

My Two Cents on Bible Translations

Many new translations of the Bible are said to be thought-for-thought, rather than a literal interpretation of the original text. These shouldn't be heavily relied upon, because they are depending on man's interpretation of God's thought. Here's a helpful guide to see where your translation falls between literal and thought interpretation:  (click it to view larger)

**This chart is copied from Mardel Bookstore website, here.

I found this chart at the Mardel Bookstore. Click HERE to read their Bible translation guide, which gives a brief explanation of each translation. 

 

The translation I use is the New American Standard. As you can see, this is ranked the most literal on Mardel's chart. There will always be some debate over which translation is best, but, from what I've found in personal study and in talking to various preachers, the New American Standard seems to be pretty hard to beat when it comes to a really good literal translation. 

Selecting a Bible, Part 4 (Conclusion)

*This article is posted with permission from its author, Wayne Goforth, and was published in Preceptor Magazine.

Whichever Bible you may choose, read it, love it and live it. Bibles are not lucky rabbits feet to keep around for luck, or a press for birth and death notices and 4-leaf clovers. It is God’s Word to you and me. While we are searching for individual copies of God’s Word that will last a lifetime, remember that though paper and leather are consumed by time, God’s Word will stand forever. 

1Pet 1:24-25 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Selecting a Bible, Part 3 (Premium Bibles)

*This article is posted with permission from its author, Wayne Goforth, and was published in Preceptor Magazine. 


Premium Bibles 

There are many people who delight in getting a new Bible every year or two. A new style, color, format, etc can be a nice change. Others, though, like being able to use the same Bible for many years, or even a lifetime. It becomes personal, an old friend. After all, one gets use to which side of the page a particular passage is located on, or how far over to open it to get to the book you’re about to cite. Only a very few companies are trying to fill that niche. Like many preachers, I go through a new one about every five years. Not by choice, mind you, but because of falling apart from low quality and heavy use. If there is such a thing as “preacher Bibles” these would be the ones.

Selecting a Bible, Part 2 (Quality Levels)

*This article is posted with permission from its author, Wayne Goforth, and was published in Preceptor Magazine. 

Mass Market Bibles 

Certainly not everyone needs (or wants) a Bible that will last a lifetime. Many enjoy getting new ones regularly. And if that keeps them excited about God’s Word then that is wonderful. There are always new covers and styles coming out. Some are engraved with your favorite sports team logos, or the insignia of a branch of the military. These can make thoughtful gifts and awards. Generally these are not as expensive and thus not as well made (what point if geared to those wanting a new one frequently?). The binding is usually glued with little to no stitching. But, not every tool is a screwdriver, and all bibles will not be used the same way. There are waterproof bibles for your tackle box; pink ones with butterflies for your 8 year old daughter’s birthday and a camo one for your son’s first deer.

Selecting a Bible, Part 1 (What You Should Know)

Today I'm going to share the first of an excellent four-part series of articles by Wayne Goforth, who examines the physical construction of Bibles, and their pros and cons. If you're considering purchasing a new Bible, read this series beforehand! It introduces you to terms you should know when shopping for a Bible, and looks at the various quality levels to choose from, depending on your needs and budget. 

Selecting a Bible, Part 1

*This article is posted with permission from its author, Wayne Goforth, and was published in Preceptor Magazine. 

Many articles have been written over the years concerning various translations of the Bible available. Which ones are good and reliable, which should be avoided like the plague, the specific errors or positive qualities, etc of each. This series, however, views the physical construction of Bibles and the pros and cons of them. This is the result of research, interviews with the publishers themselves, having a book binder to examine samples, and examining or even dissecting scores of various editions that were generously supplied to better understand the process of the manufacturing of Bibles in order to help others find the Bibles that meet their individual needs. Delving into this was limited to only certain translations, to insure a true comparing of apples-to-apples…KJV, NKJV, NASB and ESV.