©2005, Crossway Bibles,  hardback

There are numerous Bibles available for children.  This recently published Bible will be of special interest to parents for a number of reasons.

The translation chosen is the English Standard Version.  The publishers have included the entire biblical text, not just selected stories or book segments.  The text is a red-letter edition.  I prefer a single color text since the entire Bible is God’s inspired word.  An introductory paragraph is found at the beginning of each book.  This provides the reader with the purpose, author, and a suggested date when the book was written.  

Additionally, the publishers have included a number of sections that will be of great help to both children and parents as they seek to grow in their understanding of Christianity.  Over two hundred illustrations are accompanied by relevant Old and New Testament texts at the top and bottom.  These scriptures from all parts of the Bible show that there is continuity and completeness in God’s Word. Scriptures are generally well-chosen.  However, I wish the illustration regarding the raising of the bronze serpent in the wilderness had included Christ’s quoting of the verse in John 3.  A number of the New Testament illustrations include Christ.  All illustrations are eye-catching and artistically pleasing.  I particularly appreciated the expressions on the faces of the characters.  They are realistic to the scene conveyed.

The Bible Study Helps provide many sections that, I believe, will be extremely helpful.  The opening section answers the question “What is God like?” by providing a chart of twenty attributes of God.  Each attribute is defined and accompanied by appropriate references.

This is followed by a section on how God reveals Himself to man.  The third section is entitled, “God Chooses A People for Himself.” Here, the covenant is introduced as being God-initiated.  The section concludes with an explanation of God keeping His promises.  Spiritual Israel is defined as Christians with an appropriate reference to Galatians 3:7,l6.

The Ten Commandments are explained with attention given to how each shows what God is like.  These pages include a listing of some of the ways these commandments can be broken.  By examining one’s life in light of this list, the child (or adult) can quickly see the broad application of each commandment.  Each can clearly see that he has not done what God requires.  This is a good introduction for the subsequent sections that explain the work of Christ, justification, and sanctification.

Numerous other brief sections equip children in Bible reading and study.  A chart with suggested chapter readings from the Old and New Testaments can be used to help develop a daily Bible time.  Not every chapter in the Bible is included.  The readings are arranged historically rather than in book order.  A Bible dictionary is included.  Words such as “baptize”, “predestined”, and “propitiation” are included.  They are defined in a manner that children can understand.

These sections encourage readers to take the Bible and the study of it seriously.  The compilers have included sections that are often thought to be inappropriate or “over the heads” of children.  Such concepts as covenant theology, adultery, and virgin are included in the dictionary.  These are handled tastefully. The entirety of scripture is not just a book for adults.  It should be read early and often by individuals of all ages.

Crossway has done everyone a great service in the publication of this Children’s Bible.  This edition teaches the importance of all Biblical revelation and makes it easier for children to prayerfully study and apply it to their lives, by God’s grace.

Review ©2006 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia