The
Scofield Study Bible III - Pocket Edition
(New
York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2006), 1989pp, genuine leather,
$33.99
First of all,
let's get past several bones which seems to get stuck in many
people's teeth: not everyone will agree with everything C. I.
Scofield taught and, study bibles which include notes always exhibit
biases reflecting a particular approach to scripture. But that's what
all teachers in the Body of Christ provide and we are to make use of
them as best we can regardless (Eph. 4:11). If you dislike C. I.
Scofield's teaching or don't believe that a dispensational approach
to interpreting scripture is sound, then you won't like this bible.
But, if like me, you understand dispensationalism to be the result of
sound biblical interpretation, then this "pocket edition"
is an amazing bible study companion.
First, let me say that
Oxford University press has produced a beautiful work of high
quality--which really cannot be found anywhere else in this form
factor or for this price. The genuine leather and sewn binding are
first-rate. Due to its pocket size, this bible is thick for its width
and height. Yet it lays open beautifully, nor due the pages stick
together like so many new bibles. The paper itself is high quality,
not skimpy and is whiter than most. In short, the pocket edition of
this work is as high quality as most high-end bibles (ala Cambridge)
costing 3-4 times as much. For a compact version, it is hard to
imagine a nicer package.
Regarding the contents: this is the
fully updated Scofield Study Bible with all the modern improvements
and revisions (clarifications, charts, tables, and full set of study
helps at the rear). The study aids include: the complete index to
subject chain references (6 pages), a thorough subject index (37
pages), an index of proper names (29 pages), and a real concordance
(61 pages). In regard to the concordance: it is the same concordance
as the full-size Scofield (which is abbreviated from the concordance
found in the revised MacArthur Study and Baptist Study editions of
the NKJV). Still, a strong concordance compared with the
embarrassments which are typically passed-off these days. This is a
red-letter edition (words of Christ in red).
It also bears
mentioning that Oxford has not succumbed to the postmodern mantra of
our age so often found in modern study bibles: wasting precious print
space for eye candy. (The Nelson NKJV Study bible being a prime
example which comes to mind where visually appealing insets are so
commonplace that useful information suffers at the hands of visual
presentation.) Very little space is wasted. Indexes are real
indexes--whoever did these indexes understands that an index is only
as good as it connects the searcher's concept with the destination
material. A refreshing change from the flimsy charts or tables which
many study bibles have which purport to be indexed helps.
Older
folks will need glasses to read this text: it is quite small--as one
would expect--it's a pocket edition, right?! Still, it amazes me how
well Oxford University Press has done 'shrinking down' the update
Scofield Study Bible into this small package while retaining all the
information while retaining quality.
In summary, if you are
looking for a handy-size, high quality study bible which upholds the
literal interpretation of Scripture and refuses to spiritualize away
God's promises or find prophetic fulfillment in approximations, I
highly recommend the genuine leather version of this work (ISBN
0-19-527568-3).