The CEB Study Bible Large Print Hardcover – Large Print, September 16, 2014

My prayer groups have switched over to CEB for our discussions as the translations are great.We always look up items related to what we are discussing and help each other learn.

I had originally decided to not write a review of this book. After requesting a review copy, I only received a copy of the book of Mark and one essay extracted from the book. Though I understood the cost restrictions of sending an entire Bible to every reviewer, it was not enough to prepare a fair and complete review. It was enough, however, to encourage this reviewer to order a copy of the complete Bible for his own use. The complete copy warrants a good review.This massive (2222+ pages) work is one of the best Study Bibles I have seen. The editor is on the faculty of Fuller Seminary and has a long history of publishing in Biblical circles. The CEB Study Bible comes in two basic versions, with and without notes on the Apocrypha. I chose to purchase and review the edition without the Apocrypha.As might be expected in a good Study Bible, the notes are well written. Though leaning more toward a scholarly tone, the notes also include a bit of devotional tone as well. Along with the notes are several sidebar articles which address specific topics in more depth. These sidebar articles are indexed both in Biblical Order and in Alphabetical Order.Color images are included throughout the book, but the thinness of the pages reduces the quality of the images compared to what might be expected in a reference work of this length. Pages of the Introductory material and the Old Testament are numbered separately from the New Testament and Concluding material. The 21 typical Bible maps found in the last few pages of the book are numbered separately - but not with page numbers. There is a map index. The maps do not seem to be as well prepared or as unique as the other tools found in the text.The introductory material consists of typical Bible helps: Abbreviations, Table of Measures, the Hebrew Calendar, a list of the Canons of Scripture from various traditions. This material also includes the aforementioned "Index of Sidebar Articles". Following the New Testament are five essays on authority and use of Scripture by the believer. The concluding material also contains a fairly complete (for a Bible) concordance and the set of maps mentioned earlier.The editor states that the book is designed to assist an individual or group in the understanding of the cultural and historical background of the Scriptures. His choice of authors from a variety of backgrounds (conservative and liberal) provide a somewhat mixed bag in terms of notes. However, the editor's own essay, found near the end of the book declares his own commitment to the validity of the Scriptures, as he writes (page 530):1. Scripture is One2. Scripture is Holy3. Scripture is Catholic4. Scripture is ApostolicI probably would not recommend The CEB Study Bible as a believer's first Study Bible (this honor would probably fall to  The ESV Study Bible  or  the HCSB Study Bible ); I would recommend that a pastor or adult Bible Study leader obtain a copy for regular reference and use. ______________This review is based on a copy purchased by the reviewer for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

I used all the reviews for this edition and decided this would be the perfect "large print" study bible for me. I'm nearly 70 and wear trifocals which give me pretty good correction. I cannot read the tiny 7 and 8 point bibles any longer. Well, I can, but not for very long at a time. This is actually perfect type for me. On a site that compared fonts I decided upon 10.5 ish. Couldn't find one that size anywhere, however. Another reviewer said this is 14 in the large titles. One checked with the publisher and was told it is 12 in the text and 11 in the notes. Another suggested that the serif type made it look smaller than it is. Whatever it is, this is THE one for me! The volume is truly big, as one would expect a "large print" bible to be. I can read it without my eyes getting tired and I do not need to drag out a magnifying glass or pull the lamp closer. I prop it on the arm of my chair and read as long as I feel like it. I haven't had it long (got it from Amazon in the mail a few weeks ago), but I'm very happy with the CEB translation in particular, and all the maps and wonderful comments by experts in this edition. Further research suggests that publishers differ. This is a large print at 12pt. Giant is generally 14pt, super giant is generally 16pt. But they're all different. Search for "giant print" and read the publisher's info because they then seem to tell you the point size when they've listed it that way.

We have used the CEB in our high school Bible class for two years now with much success, and for the last year I've been using it for public reading of scripture in worship. It's not as beautiful as the NRSV in places, which I continue to use for my study, but it is more accessible to our younger kids. And for our adults it opens creative windows of meaning in places where the air may have grown stale. The CEB is now my NRSV's best companion within arm's reach of my desk. Along with the JPS Tanakh, they invite me as a pastor into a conversation with scripture that enlightens and deepens my understanding.We bought the study version to use as graduation gifts for our high school seniors. The articles and notes do a responsible job navigating the cultural wars we are fighting right now in American Christianity. Solid ecumenical scholarship that respects evangelical sensibilities is a great gift to the emerging church movement as well as to mainline churches whose youth and adults have in some ways given up on the Bible. The CEB doesn't go as far as I think it should in translating inclusive Greek and Hebrew terms into inclusive English, but I can only agree with the publisher's choice of words in calling it a "fresh" translation. I'm grateful for the ongoing conversation, and I'm glad the CEB holds up its end well.

I love this Bible. The copious notes explain the cultural and historical context addressing g most verses in footnotes and information boxes. Excellent maps,, easy relatable language, written by a cross section of liberal, moderate and conservative theologians based in study of all types of sources available to us at present. They editors have done away with the columns, and instead reads like a book which I find more accessible. Can't say enough about this Bible for n depth Bible study. It's a good read!

As a customer stated on amazon.com this is'nt "large print". It is however a big improvement regarding text size, on the Ceb Study Bible Standard Print, of which I already have a copy. The bible text is about 12pt, the line spacing gives plenty of room for very comfortable reading. It is also in single column format, apart from the study notes which are double format. There is some bleed through, but nothing more than what is standard in study bibles.The study notes are not afraid to look modern scholarship straight in the face. It doesn't go to deeply into heavy scholarship, so is excellent for general reading. I am very pleased with this bible and glad I made the purchase.Could I also draw the attention of UK readers to the NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition). OK it's a Catholic Bible and is in Vulgate order, but is an excellent translation. Study notes come as standard in all editions and again address modern scholarship. Just make sure you look at editions with a publication date after Oct 2011 when the OT was revised. Also don't confuse it with the NASB. The NABRE is an excellent companion to the CEB Study Bible. It's also available on the Kindle, which unfortunately the CEB Study Bible isn't.

I love this Bible, excellent choice.

Great translation and production but notes very lightweight