The world we live in is confusing. Things that once seemed black and white now look more gray. We are constantly hearing voices via the internet and other media sources that tell us things that are directly opposed to what the Bible teaches. Yet, those things are often packaged in such legitimate-sounding rhetoric that it can be difficult to sort through what is true and what isn’t. If ever there was a time in history when a biblical worldview is essential to our faith, this is it.
The study of God’s word is the only way to begin to see the world through the lens of scripture. Trevin Wax and David Dockery are the editors of a brand new Bible called the CSB Worldview Study Bible, and they assembled a team of over a hundred contributors, many of whom are names that you will recognize. Some of the most respected and sought after teachers of Scripture have filled this Bible with notes and articles that are designed to help you form a Christian worldview.
The editors explain what they hope to accomplish:
Those who have worked together over the past five years to bring together this project join us in praying that the Lord will use this reference work to help Christians hear afresh the words of Jesus from what is known as the Great Commandment (Mt. 22:36-40). In this passage, we learn that Jesus calls on his followers to love God not only with hearts and souls, but also with our minds. The words of Jesus refer to a wholehearted devotion to God with every aspect of our being, from whatever angle we choose to consider it–emotionally, volitionally, or cognitively. This kind of love for God results in taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ (2 Co. 10:5), a total devotion to Christian thinking and living. We pray that the CSB Worldview Study Bible will serve Christians well, enabling them to see life from a Christian vantage point, thinking with the mind of Christ.
The truth is that the future of our world is bleak except for the hope of Jesus Christ. What if we began to see Christians with a total devotion to Christian thinking and living? According to Wax and Dockery this is the definition of a Christian worldview. Jesus defined it best when he called us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. Imagine how it would change us, change our culture, and impact eternity if we began to process the world around us with the mind of Christ?
What I like about this Bible is that every book begins with a summary of the Christian worldview elements that are addressed. It’s the kind of commentary that you might get from a sermon, only you can get this insight in your personal study times. These sections help you to focus on truths about God and the way that He works, important doctrinal points, and the deeper principles of passages that we might otherwise miss.
Each book’s introduction also includes a helpful timeline of events to help you see how all of it fits together. And, aside from the study notes within the scripture, the real jewel of this Bible is the countless essays written by various thinkers including Russell Moore, Al Mohler, and many others, which focus on a wide variety of Christian worldview issues. “A Christian Worldview of Art,” for instance. “Biblical Models for Business.” “Is Gender a Choice?” “How Should Christians Relate to Government?” There are so many fascinating and informative choices for learning among these essays, and all are written from a conservative, biblical perspective.
I would also add that if you haven’t tried the Christian Standard Bible version, it’s very readable. I grew up with an NIV and have frequently used the ESV in recent years, but this version is accurate and easy to understand. It’s an original translation taken from the ancient texts (not from another English version), and it is translated into modern English. Give the CSB a try, and I think you’ll enjoy using it as a personal study Bible.
The CSB Worldview Study Bible is an excellent choice for Christians who are wanting to understand what is happening in our world, letting God’s word inform our thinking instead of all of the other words that fly at us all day on the internet. There are plenty of voices out there trying to deliver their “truth.” This Bible helps us focus on the only Truth–the inspired words of God.
You can find the CSB Worldview Study Bible here. The Kindle edition is here.
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I received a copy of this Bible in exchange for my honest review.
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