Book Review: Compass Study Bible {BookLook Bloggers}

Compass: The Study Bible for Navigating Your Life
ISBN: 9781401680305
Hardcover, 1664 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Retail: $19.99

From Thomas Nelson: Compass is about helping you find the answers you’re looking for in the pages of the Scriptures and allowing that truth navigate your life. Packed with Bible-reading helps and using an energizing, new Bible translation, Compass is a Bible designed with you in mind. Do you want to start reading and applying the Bible to your life, but aren’t quite sure where to start? Let Compass point you in the right direction.

Features include:

• In-text notes that include cultural, historical, theological, and devotional thoughts
• God’s Promises®—Thomas Nelson’s bestselling guide to Scripture for your every need
• Book introductions
• Reading plans for every day of the year
• Topical Guides to Scripture and notes
• In-text maps

*This post contains affiliate links*

My thoughts:

A bible...it seems that I collect them. The very first one I can recall owning was a New World Translation {that's the Jehovah's Witness Bible}. Years later I came across an old King James Version (KJV) at a yard sale. I think that was where it started. I own a Geneva Bible, multiple KJVs, a New KJV, New International Version (NIV, 1984), and a New Living Translation (NLT). My kids each have a KJV and an Action Bible {the Bible in artist renditions; comic book format- definitely not my favorite Bible in the house}. 

With all those Bibles, I always go back to the KJV. I do love God's Word.

This new Bible... eh. I am not too much of a fan. Of course, I haven't read the entire book {that was a little joke...}. Here are my thoughts, in no order of importance. I will warn though, I don't have much good to say about it. 

1.) The format is confusing. It's written in 'screenplay format'. The preface says that this is "to avoid the repetition of conjunctions, articles, and certain verbs. (p. vii)" Not all the books are as confusing perhaps because there aren't as many characters in the book, but I am not fond of the screenplay format. {I think it's just an annoyance to me because I don't particularly enjoying reading screenplay. Someone else may find this very appealing.} 

Example: Genesis 35:10-12

God: Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be known as Jacob. Israel will be your name.

From then on, God addressed him by his new name: Israel.

God: I am the God-All-Powerful.* Be fruitful and multiply. You will give right to a great nation; indeed nation after nation will come from you. Kings and rulers shall be numbered among your descendants. Your children will one day possess the land I promised to Abraham and Isaac.

*35:11 Hebrew, El Shaddai

2.) When I just randomly opened the Bible, it opened to Isaiah. But the issue I have is every page. The font of the Bible names at the top of the page, the little arrow...thing, and the shaded bottom right corner {but not the bottom left corner} just was too much. I didn't understand the need for the arrow at the top of the page nor the shading on only part of one page. I kept looking down at that part of the page; looking for a note or something I needed to read. There isn't generally any 'thing' there. I am very glad the pages are in gray scale; color would drive me insane. 

3.) The inclusion of italicized words, which I am used to in many Bibles, whose purpose in this Bible is to give fuller meaning, or "often provide readers with information that would have been obvious to the original audience (p. vii)," isn't always necessary {imho, of course}. Here's an example:

Genesis 35:29

By the time he took his last breath and joined his ancestors in death, he reached a ripe old age and lived a full life. His sons, Esau and Jacob, buried him.

I suppose it is possible that some would not associate 'ripe old age' with 'full life'. I just found it interesting to omit some words but add in some others {see my first point}. At some points it seemed repetitious and unnecessary. Small thing, I'm sure...

4.) It's soft in some areas. Throughout the book there are notes that give more insight, or that is the intent. But they are not declarative. The marriage between one man and one woman in Genesis is described as the ideal marriage. It does not help people to see any more clearly that it is to be only between one man an done woman. "Ideal" isn't always reality and this is like saying "well, you know, this is how they saw it but uh, things are different now. Your marriage might not be ideal but it can still be a marriage." 

This is where I think the 'compass' is supposed to come in with this book; through those little notes. But its noncommittal stance in some areas makes this a broken compass. The Bible is to show us that we are sinners in need of a Savior. Our salvation is through Jesus Christ alone, his death, burial, resurrection and sitting at the right hand of God. For the most part, I think it does that. From there the Bible shows us how to live the life that is most beneficial to us. It isn't going to say, "well, if you feel like you're doing good, you're okay." 

Some things I *do* like in this Bible include:

1.) There are more "visuals" than I am used to. They have a couple for genealogy, which I've always been fascinated by when reading through the Bible (p. 48 & 66). By 'visual' I just mean they are outside of the text, and highlighted. Another is an explanation of the Hebrew lunar calendar and the corresponding celebrations (p. 101). In Numbers there is a table of the tribes of Israel's censuses, along with the change from one to another (p. 161).  

2.) I do admit that while I don't like the screenplay format, I do like how some emotion has been put into accounts. For instance, reading about Joseph there are exclamation points where I'd expect there to be. It is interesting.

3.) The maps, although they are black and white, are nice and crisp. 

I can't really recommend this Bible but if you'd like to have a look inside, or you're already convinced you want it, you can purchase from Amazon {affiliate link} or Thomas Nelson. Bibles from Thomas Nelson have something interesting: They are "Guaranteed for Life" 

Every Thomas Nelson Bible is crafted with pride and care to serve you for a lifetime. If the Bible you purchased fails because of manufacturing defects, you may return it for a free replacement. If the same Bible is no longer available, it will be replaced with a Bible of the same or greater value. This guarantee does not apply to normal wear and tear.

Disclaimer: I received this free from the BookLook Bloggers program {previously BookSneeze} for the purpose of this review. All opinions stated are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.