ESV Story of Redemption Bible
Photo by Crossway.
This review was originally published on December 12, 2018. I am resharing it now as this Bible has been discontinued and is replaced by The One Story Bible: Tracing the Thread of Redemption Through God's Word.
For the month of December, I decided to join author Tony Reinke’s #IsaiahChristmas Bible reading plan. I was also reading through the Gospel of John. When I saw the ESV Story of Redemption Bible was available to review, it was the perfect opportunity to help me get through my reading. I wouldn’t be reading from a digital screen. I would be reading a beautiful book.
A Bible You Will Want To Read
I was excited to do my daily readings in this Bible. It felt solid in my hands, but I was gentle with each page turn because they were so pleasant to look at. On my desk, the Bible laid flat when open. The Bible proved to be a bit heavy for me while pacing the room while reading. But when I read on the couch, it rested comfortably on my lap. I even took it to bed one night and I read well.
The black text on the cream-colored paper is easy on the eyes. With a type size of 9.25 for the Bible text and 8.5 for the notes, I did not have to wear my glasses or strain my eyes to read. The single column layout was refreshing, and the extremely minimal use of footnotes and lack of cross-references helped my flow of reading. My personal devotions were enhanced because I looked forward to holding this Bible in my hands and seeing the text. I was able to focus without distraction.
A Pastor As Your Personal Guide
Here is Crossway’s official author bio on Greg Gilbert: Greg Gilbert (MDiv, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is senior pastor at Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of What Is the Gospel?, James: A 12-Week Study, and Who Is Jesus?, and is the co-author (with Kevin DeYoung) of What Is the Mission of the Church?
The notes are written from a pastoral perspective. The tone is kind and trustworthy. Gilbert acts as your personal guide, and I found his notes to be placed at just the right breaks in the text. When I started reading Isaiah, the book introduction helped set the story with enough background to whet my appetite. The notes in the Gospel of John were equally impressive, helping me make sense of the theological themes in the text. They are not study notes. Rather, they are markers to keep you on track with the story. I even used the notes in Isaiah to help me confidently explain the context while teaching my 11th-Grade Sunday School class.
A Beautiful Bible For A Beautiful Story
This is truly a beautiful Bible. It has the physical weight and artistic flourishes that you would expect from a book that houses the story of redemption. The Index of Title Illustrations is equally elegant and helpful. The foldout Story of Redemption Timeline is exquisite, but also a fun surprise to find. As a music leader and artist, I appreciate the design details. It is inspiring to read and it inspires me to create art that is just as beautiful as the design of this book.
This Christmas will be a bit difficult due to some personal reasons for my family. Reading through Isaiah and John with this specific Bible reminded me of the beautiful story of redemption and how God continues to work all things for our good and his glory.
Purchase The One Story Bible at Amazon, or save 5% off your entire order at Westminster Bookstore with code DIVEINDIGDEEP). Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.