Bibles We Like

First of all – translations.  The Episcopal Church favorite is the NRSV – New Revised Standard Version.  That’s what we read in church, and we feel most confident, or as confident one can be anyway, of it being an accurate translation from the original languages.We are very picky about bible recommendations for children.  We look to make sure the illustrations show people who looked like the people in the story – so, dark skin and dark hair as is found in Middle East.  We also picky to see that women are depicted as often as men.  So, in the illustrations about Moses and the Red Sea, is Miriam also there?  Does the book include stories of heroines like Esther or Lydia?

Here’s some Bibles we are fond of at St. Mary’s.

For little kids:

The Spark Story Bible

MiaLisa uses this to tell the stories in our Children’s Chapel.  Great for very young children.

Read-Aloud Bible Stories

There is a whole series of these – we love them all –

For early grade school kids:

Spark Bible, Kids

Like its younger counterpart, this one does a great job.

The Children of God Story Bible

We totally love this one!  Our own Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu has retold bible stories in his own words.  Plus the illustrations are fantastic – done by artists from all over the world.  Excellent, excellent.  Love love love.

For older grade school kids:

Children’s Illustrated Bible

This is a good one, as are all the bibles made by DK.  Alongside the text they provide contextual info and photos about what life was like when the passage was written.  You really can’t go wrong with the DK books.

The Deep Blue Bible

The CEB Deep Blue Kids Bible will encourage a thirst for God’s timeless message as young readers join three life-like kids in discovering the Bible and what it means to their lives.

For teenagers:

The Message Solo RemixEugene Peterson has translated scripture into a modern language and style.  Sometimes he goes a little goofy – (like who really says ‘hey man’ anymore?).  But it does a good job of making the scripture stories accessible.  Want a good study bible?  This isn’t the one.  But want something easy to read, with big subject headings and questions for further thought?  This is the one.

There are all sorts of Message Bibles – including one divided into daily snippets, including ones of fancy covers – whatever suits you.  And no, they are not all pink!

Bibles for older teens and adults:

For any bible for teens and adults, you can’t go wrong if you stick with the NRSV translation.  Find one that contains the apocrypha, and that had good footnotes giving lots of context. Be a little wary of those ‘womens’ bibles, as they often put stress on the more subservient role for women.

New Student NRSV Bible

NRSV Bible

This one has good contextual notes, plus good ‘pause and think’ boxes.

CS Lewis Study Bible If you are a C.S. Lewis fan, you’ll probably like this bible.  It’s got Lewis quotes scattered all through it.

CEB Study Bible

This study bible give you the context for what the books of the Bible meant to their earliest readers and what the Bible means right now.