Bible teacher reviews the Wesley Study Bible

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[davidpoultney]

I am a Presbyter in the Methodist Church of New Zealand and managed to get a copy of this, I acknowledge the deficits you identify but I do consult it fairly regularly when preparing sermons. Greatly appreciating your channel; thank you.

[SibleySteve]

I am very sympathetic to your theology despite my Baptist education. I love the orthodox heritage in wesleyanism. I try to marry the best parts. Keener has had a profound impact on me. Thanks for this great channel.

[dhrevrogers]

I'm Baptist and I greatly appreciate your work. One of my favorite theologians is Thomas Oden, and NT scholar is Witherington.

[judgehenry]

Another great review Brother. You are one of my favorite bible reviewers. You get into details that others don't. And, we have the Martial Arts background in common. Keep up HIS great work.

[cass]

I’m still counting it as a win because you were able to recommend some good resources for us 😊 Thank you!

[JoshChown]

Thank you for your review. I think the big thing the Wesley Study Bible has going for it is that it's a lot cheaper than other NRSV imitation leather study Bibles, about £35 to e.g. £60 for the Cultural Backgrounds leathersoft equivalent. And I think for that money, what you get is pretty good. Certainly a step up from text only, and in my opinion better than the strictly devotional Bibles with the "consider yourself in this situation" sort of notes. It's definitely a well made Bible, and while you're right the notes are very brief, there's a good mix of cultural context and linguistic and theological interpretation there, plus the small life application and core terms devotional boxes you discuss.

I think that brevity in the notes makes it a very readable Bible, too. There's very little to get distracted by like in some study Bibles, and if you just want to read the text, the notes are just enough to hold your hand through a verse if you happen to need it. I think for that reason it makes a great everyday Bible, one that you can just read.

You're definitely right, that it would undoubtedly be a better product if it included all the things you suggested. Wesley himself has a huge body of work that could abbreviated into some really interesting essays; the notes themselves could be much longer and could easily include a selection of Wesley's own; more information on historical and cultural context would be great; I would love some pictures and timelines and more visual summaries of things; and just anything at all on the history of Methodism would be great.

But all that said, would we get that at the £35 price point? Almost certainly not! So all in all, I'd say it's a good buy, but perhaps promises a little more than what it was ever going to be able to deliver.

[RUT]

Oh God bless you. I was raised Nazarene, also Wesleyan.

[donnavanmaanen]

I’m a Methodist and I love using this Bible.

[AmericanShia]

Your review educated me on some modern Wesleyan scholars. I learned about 19th century Wesleyan and New School scholars in the 1980s and 1990s. Dr. John Miley's two volume systematic theology is my go-to systematic theology. I was big into Charles Grandison Finney as well.

The 4 volume set by Thomas Oden looks like a good place to start.

I also study Anglican, confessional Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox theologians. I'm a big fan of Philipp Melanchthon.

[michaelgorman]

Appreciate your honesty. In my experience, however, the average person in the Methodist pew is looking for and benefiting from this sort of study Bible. It is a step up from no study Bible and from some of the heavier (in words) but lighter (in good theology) works out there--in my opinion.

[dalecaldwell]

I am 75, and a few months ago I gave away my last plastic super hero action figures, so there's still hope for you. :) Thank for the review. I was kinda tempted to buy the book, but you talked me out of it.

[raymondmcinturff]

I like an earlier Wesley bible published in 1990 in nkjv. "The Wesley Bible: A Personal Study Bible For Holy Living".

[davegarciaofficial]

Love that shirt. I’ve seen it somewhere before but can’t remember where! Is it available online somewhere?

[brendaboykin]

Dear Brother JM, thank you for your excellent contribution to the Body of Christ. Have you done or considered doing a review of the Asbury Bible Commentary? All the Best and Blessings for you and yours.🌹🌹🌹🌹

[Craigs_Cartoon_Capers]

We've been visiting a Wesleyan Church and have been attending New Member classes. Can you recommend a good book on John Wesley? If you have a moment, no rush...Thanks!

[MAMoreno]

Perhaps the second edition can reach entire sanctification.

Have you come across the older Thomas Nelson NKJV Wesley Bible from the 1990s? If so, how does it compare? Perhaps it might warrant an update as well. After all, if you can get two different Lutheran Study Bibles (in the ESV and NRSV, respectively), then why not have two competing Methodist Bibles while you're at it?

[RoxanneOakley-ijzp]

You are an answer to a prayer! Let me explain: I am a Christian first! And a Methodist second. We are a very small, conservative church (recently split from UMC) in N Mississippi, and my college SS class is starting an inductive study of the Bible. A couple of them asked me what Study Bible I would recommend, and as their group leader—I’m in study Bible OVERLOAD! They are also interested in an NASB version. For 3-4 days I have watched review after review of the very few NASB study Bible….and thus—I’m now in a dazed and confused state! Here’s where you come in…and what a testament that God DOES answer prayers—no matter how big or small! Ok, so around 4:30 am yesterday while I was on video 750 (exaggerating) I put my phone down, and ❤grabbed my notebook and wrote…”Lord, please point me in the right direction for these kids and myself. Don’t let me make a mistake and steer them wrong. Direct me to the book-or to a person that can help clear up my confusion that has knowledge of our beliefs.”
And I “stumbled” (God led me!) to you this morning!
So now I ask you…is there one of the NASB study Bibles that you would recommend over the other? I’m also open to other translations to present to them. Here are some things they have expressed that they would like to have, but not necessarily “must have”. At least 9 pt, Red letter, quality leather, Concordance of course, good study info, intro to each chapter, and everything else that makes up a fantastic study Bible!
If you can steer us in a good direction…I will be forever grateful to you!!
Thank you for your time and any recommendations that you have! Have a blessed day!

[TruLuan]

You should also break your rule and check out the Knox bible!

[shirleygoss]

I find your honest review of this, study bible to be sad.
I know nothing of your faith tradition, and this Study Bible would not help. Just as a curiosity, for general Christian information. I do know what I believe and where I stand doctrinally. I just enjoy comparing different theological views.
I have come to favor your reviews to anyone else.

[jeffreymosher]

Thanks so much for the honest review. I grew up Methodist, and I am still Methodist. However, pandemic and post-pandemic, I have only attended my current 12-year home church once, when my daughter was getting recognized for graduating high school. Otherwise, I watch my congregation's services on YouTube.
I received an RSV bible at confirmation, and I got a Youth 88 Today's English Version at the international Methodist gathering at Western Illinois University in August 1988. Somewhere in the 2005-2010 range, I bought the Wesley Study Bible.
It is my go-to bible. I've looked occasionally at the study portion in the past dozen-plus years, but haven't truly taken advantage of it as such. The Sunday School classes I was in pre-2020 always had material planned and focused on, ... and the Wesley Study Bible did allow me to interject a Wesley perspective on the topics the class leader was sharing with fellow Methodists.
The weaknesses you point out are spot on, and yet for a Wesley-based Methodist of my level of learning and reflection, this Study-lite offering is sufficient. Could it be better? Sure! However, I have a library of untouched Methodist-related resources from 2 or 3 generations and value knowing they're available.(2 Methodist parents, 4 Methodist grandparents, and likely Methodist heritage earlier) I look forward to reading the bible, and if life ever slows, I'll supplement it with the study resources this version delivers.
But for now, count me as the sweet-spot market for this work. Appreciated!