A parishioner recently asked me what study Bible to use. I mentioned to her the New Oxford Annotated, a classic scholarly resource. I used an older version of the NOA in seminary 20 years ago.
As an afterthought, I also brought up the newly published Wesley Study Bible. “I’ve not used it myself,” I said, “but the reviews are good. Bishop Will Willimon was one of the editors.”
She bought the WSB and says it’s just what she was looking for.
I used to be too much of a purist to appreciate study Bibles. I didn’t want notes cluttering up the pages of scripture, getting in the way of the Spirit’s voice. But time has softened me on this.
Now I often use the Student Bible, a study edition we give to our young confirmands when they join the church. The notes, written by Philip Yancey and Tim Stafford, connect to daily Christian experience. The reading plans are excellent.
Here’s a typical comment, coming from Psalm 27:
The Psalms are not pious devotionals. They bristle against enemies who scheme and gossip and plot violence. For the psalmists, faith in God involves a constant struggle against powerful forces that may seem more real than God. The writers often feel abandoned, misused, betrayed.
These words hit the mark with me and helped the Psalms come alive in a new way. Not that I live surrounded by enemies — mine are internal. But these words reminded me of the messiness of spirituality. It’s never a neat and tidy affair.
The best study Bibles shed light on our life with God in this way and help us see the way forward.
