Many people ask, “Which is the best Bible?” My tongue and cheek reply is ,“Of course the one that is open and read.” With theme of having your Bible open in mind, Thomas Nelson has a unique offering with their updated version of The Open Bible. What is an Open Bible? The Open Bible is the ultimate reference Bible, offering clean and easy navigation through Scripture. This Bible’s complete reference system includes the leading topical index showing with over 8,000... Read more

The Abide Bible by Thomas Nelson is an elegant edition of the Holy Scriptures. First, let’s cover the physical features: This is an attractive looking Bible that comes in an equally attractive box (see pictures). The Abide Bible I received has a brown Leathersoft (imitation leather) cover but has a realistic grain and texture. It has perimeter stitching which adds greatly to the durability. Other noteworthy features are Thomas Nelson’s exclusive NKJV Comfort Print which is a 9-point type size... Read more

Allen Taylor has written a new book. It’s called I Am Not the King. I caught up with Allen recently to talk to him about his new book. Here’s the interview. Enjoy! When readers ask “what’s your book about?” they are really wanting to know “how is this book going to solve a problem I have?” How would you answer that question? For many Christians, knowing what to say to others when witnessing is difficult. They don’t feel comfortable with... Read more

Interpreting the Parables is a book by Craig L. Blomberg. IVP graciously sent me a copy to review. Blomberg begins the book by discussing the previous scholarly consensus in interpreting the parables along with the sizeable minority report, newest developments, methods and controversies in interpretation, form criticism, redaction criticism, new literary and hermeneutical methods. You know, all the arcane stuff that scholars like to talk about with one another when they’re not writing, reading, or watching television. He then launches... Read more

As many of you know, I’m currently revising and expanding my 2005 book The Untold Story of the New Testament Church. During my research, I was talking to one of my favorite New Testament scholars — Robert Banks, author of Paul’s Idea of Community — about some issues related to first-century family life and the size of houses in that day. Banks referred me to Early Christian Families in Context by David L. Balch and Carolyn Osiek, which the publisher... Read more

Discovering Luke by Joel B. Green has just released. Instead of a verse-by-verse exposition of every verse, this volume does something different. Green looks at how the Gospel of Luke was interpreted through the ages. From the Middle Ages, to the Reformation, to the present. He then discusses how Luke’s book maps to geography, spatial metaphors, and the world in which he lived. Green dissects the anatomy of Luke’s narrative and pays special attention to Mary’s Song in Luke 1.... Read more

In 2019, I read — and reread — one particular book. The book is entitled You Are My Friends by Frank Labauch. It’s all about cultivating an intimate friendship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The book was originally published in 1942 in hardback then in 1969 in softcover, and it’s been out of print for many years. I found my copy on Amazon. The original 1942 hardcover edition. And I was blessed to have only paid $5.29 for it. However,... Read more

Many of you are aware that I’m revising and expanding my book, The Untold Story of the New Testament Church. The revision will be extensive, so if you don’t have the original edition (published in 2005), hold off until the new version releases. In my research for the book, I came across From Pentecost to Patmos, 2nd Edition: An Introduction to Acts through Revelation by Craig L. Blomberg and Darlene M. Seal. The publisher kindly sent me a review copy... Read more

After I gave my life to Jesus Christ at the age of 16, I spent time with some of the folks in their 30s in my church. I recall one of them had a Bible that fascinated me. It was the Thompson Chain Reference Bible. So a several years later, I asked for my own copy as a birthday present. It was in April 1983 that I received my first Thompson Chain. It was a black genuine leather KJV edition.... Read more

Incredible Opportunity: By a request I’ve received from a Christian parent, I’m looking for a specific person to write an article for this blog and my other blog (which has garnered over 2 million readers over the years – frankviola.org.) There can be several people who will write the article, actually, and it will be a joint post. Criteria (all non-negotiable) a SERIOUS follower of Jesus Christ ability to write clearly female age – 20s used to hit the clubs... Read more