Bob and I feel there’s nothing quite like cracking open a new Bible, inhaling the smell of fresh pages and print, and, more importantly, diving into the life-giving message contained within.  Maybe you’re a person who has a favorite version of the Bible – the New International Version; the English Standard Version; the New Living Translation; or, the old tried and true King James.  If you are one of these readers, or even if you are looking for a favorite version or the best Bible for a friend or family member, you can’t go wrong with the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (NRSV).

Here’s the thumbnail historical sketch of the New Revised Standard Version’s origins: It is a revision of the 1952 Revised Standard Version – which was a revision of the 1901 American Standard Version – which was a revision of the original 1611 King James Version.  In other words, like a pure bloodhound breed, this version can clearly establish its biblical pedigree.

The NRSV, first completed with both testaments in 1957, stands in a long line of strong versions of the English Bible.  The NRSV aims to combine a solid translation of the biblical text while maintaining its poetic flow and narrative integrity.  That is, the NRSV wants to reflect the Bible’s message in both its literal translation and its readable form.

To give you a feel for the sturdy scholarship and use for the church and Christians, the NRSV has been officially authorized by mainstream denominations of the Protestant world, the Anglican communion of churches, Roman Catholicism, and the Eastern Orthodox Church.  In short, no other version enjoys such a broad acceptance across the Christian spectrum than the NRSV.

Another unique aspect of the NRSV is that its translation committee of 30 rotating members continues to meet throughout the decades so that they can keep up with fresh discoveries in archaeology, language development, and biblical studies.  This enables the NRSV to keep abreast of the best tools for ongoing translation work.

Bob has sniffed over the NRSV Bible with his highly attuned smell of biblical accuracy and devotional use, and with his “5 Bark Review System” we take a sound evaluation of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

Trustworthy

Bob knows a good pedigree when he sniffs one, and his eyes perked up when sniffing the NRSV.  The fact that the NRSV has a broad acceptance across the Christian world testifies to its trustworthy nature.  With the NRSV’s attention to current language and contemporary developments in biblical discoveries, this Bible is as trusted as a bloodhound’s nose.

You can rest assured that the NRSV is a Bible which is rich in substantial scholarship and attention to the original biblical text.  And for that Bob gives a hearty “bark” as to the trustworthy nature of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

Understandable

The ability to understand the message of the Bible is a major aim of the NRSV’s translation committee.  They pay as much attention to language style as they do in providing a literal translation.  From the get-go, the NRSV had an intentional focus to giving the church a translation to be used for public reading and congregational worship, as well as personal devotion, study, and meditation.  Maintaining a combination of understandable language for the contemporary listener and retaining the Bible’s original flow has been at the heart of the NRSV.  To get a feel for this, read out loud Psalm 23 from the NRSV:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
     He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
     he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.

Bob is sniffing right now, and its not because he is searching for a squirrel – he’s all choked-up over the wonderful message of Scripture through the NRSV.

Therefore, Bob utters a heartfelt “bark” to the understandable nature of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

Readable

Now, we get down to the actual physical aspects of the New Revised Standard Version.  I (Tim) happen to own a NRSV Bible published by HarperCollins, and I absolutely love it.  The paper isn’t cheap, and the font is clear, clean, and easy to the eyes.  The beautiful flow of the Bible’s message shines through from page to page through the easy movement of the text.  The margins are not too big or too small.  If you want to mark in it, you can (and I do); and, if you want to keep the text free from markings, the handsome readability never detracts from the message.

The NRSV’s publishers also include: Augsburg Fortress Press; United Methodist Publishing House; Zondervan; and, Oxford University Press; and, others.  In other words, the NRSV’s ecumenical flavor isn’t limited to the translation committee but extends to the publishing rights.  This is another nice feature of the NRSV, that they want broad use and acceptance for all Christians.

Bob and I are confident that you will be able to find a good physical Bible for your use in both the church and the home.  Therefore, Bob gives a solid “bark” as to the readability of the NRSV.

Durable

Another benefit of giving the rights for publishing to several publishers is that you can find a good durable Bible to use.  As with any Bible, the cheaper Bibles are not going to last like the more expensive ones.  Yet, whether you want to make an investment into a lasting Bible to use for years, or just want to buy a more inexpensive Bible for occasional use, the NRSV gives you many options.  Just make sure to look at the spine of the book and give it a good try before you purchase it.  This means you might need to make a trip the bookstore instead of buying on-line, but the smell of books is something that most of us book nerds need to survive as readers of great literature.

Bob gives the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible a “bark” as to its durability and enduring use.

Attractive

In the world of Bibles, aesthetics matter.  Purchasing a Bible that looks like it came from the bottom of your cheap Uncle’s closet is a bit like putting a ratty old collar a new puppy – it just doesn’t fit or look good.  Bob and I believe that an attractive and handsome looking Bible invites potential readers into its life-giving message.  Anything that gets people reading the Bible is what Bob and I are totally in for.  The NRSV, like many other versions, have a wealth of different study Bibles and regular Bibles in various sizes and fonts.

Thus, Bob utters a healthy “bark” as to many of the attractive NRSV Bibles.

 

Based upon Bob’s “5 Bark Review System”, we give the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible:

5 Barks out of 5

 

Way to go, New Revised Standard Version of the Bible!  You have given us a wonderful reading experience with Holy Scripture in our churches and in our homes.