NIV Chronological Study Bible

The Chronological Study Bible presents the text of the New International Version in chronological order—the order in which the events actually happened—with notes, articles, and full-color graphics that connect the reader to the history and culture of Bible times and gives the reader a dramatic, "you are there" experience.

 Features include full-color illustrations of places, artifacts, and cultural phenomena, contextual articles that connect Biblical times and world history and culture, daily life notes, time panels and charts that show the flow of Biblical history, and in-text and full-color maps.

Part of the Signature Series line of Thomas Nelson Bibles
Chronological Study Bibles sold to date: More than 367,000

My review:
   I've seen this Bible in stores, but never really looked at it much, but when I had the chance to review one, I decided it was time I checked it out.

  If the word "neat" can be used to describe a Bible, this is a really neat Bible. I love the look of the pages. They aren't the typical plain white pages of most Bibles. They ARE white, but have colors along the top, and in other areas on pages, along with pictures scattered throughout.

  The Bible is separated into 9 sections called "Epochs". As the name of the Bible indicates, books, chapters, and verses appear in chronological order as they happened. The difference isn't noticeable all through the Bible, but in certain parts it is. For instance, during the events of David's life in I and II Samuel, the Psalms he wrote at that point in his life are inserted into that part of I and II Samuel. In the New Testament, a chapter from Acts will appear on the same page as I Corinthians.

  This is not a Bible you'd carry to church to look up Scriptures to read along with, as it would be hard to find some passages, but as a personal study tool and for devotions, I think it is great. It is different, but interesting to read passages of Scripture in the order they happened, and read accounts from a couple of different books side by side. It gives a different and better perspective, not that I am going to ditch my Bibles that have the traditional order of books, chapters, and verses. It is a very attractive and useful Bible that can make Bible reading a little different once in a while, which can be helpful instead of doing it the same old way.

  My one dislike of the Bible: this is the newer version of the NIV, and they have made it more gender neutral in some passages, which I don't like. (i.e. changing father to parent, and other similar changes).

The Chronological Study Bible is available from Thomas Nelson Publishing, and comes in The NIV and New King James Versions.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson/Bookbloggers.com for the review copy.