HCSB

HCSB 2009 available at OliveTree

OliveTree has the 2009 HCSB available.  I was made aware by Matt in a previous post.  I happen to own BibleReader and the HCSB, so out of curiosity I went to update it and to my happy surprise the HCSB 2009 version was there.  I went to verify if they had a bullet note for “languages” and sure enough they did.

The note for 1 Corinthians 12:10 has a small bullet before the word “Languages”, which in the HCSB means that there is further explanation of this word in the back of the bible.  This is what the note says:

<b>Language(s)</b>
The Greek word <i>glossa<i> has traditionally (ca 1530) been translated as “tongue” because the Gk word is used for the organ of speech as well as for a language.  Some see <i>glossolalia</i> as having a specialized meaning: either estatic speech or heavenly languages.

I did a search to see if there are any notes regarding the use of the word “brothers” and found no footnotes or bullet notes to help clarify in certain instances where “brothers & sisters” (family) are being addressed.  I still think that HCSB should include a bullet note similar to what the ESV bible has:

Romans 1:13 Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God’s family, the church

Not sure why they are being so stubborn on this one, but the final print is not done yet so we still have to wait and see.

Happy or Blessed?

The other night in church an old friend was ministering and he was preaching out of the KJV.  I happen to have my HCSB with me (now a days I carry several translations on my Android) and noticed a subtle funny difference between the two.

The HCSB has received some flack about it’s usage of “Bless(ed)” in the Psalms.  For instance in Psalms 1:1

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly… KJV

How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked…HCSB

However, it is backwards in 1 Peter 3:14

But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye…KJV

But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed…HCSB

There you have it, I guess when I am blessed I will be happy.

HCSB Revised version now available in print

UPDATE: the changes in the HCSB Student version of the ASB are not the full changes read Will’s comment below.

Curiosity got the best of me and went to my local Academic Christian Book store and purchased the new HCSB Apologetics Study Bible for Students (ASBS).  Not so much because I need another study bible, but because I wanted to evlauate the new revised HCSB text, and how it looks on print and how different it might be from the digital copy that I have.

I have confirmed that new HCSB ASBS does in fact have the revised HCSB text, dated 2009.  There is no mention in the copyright pages that this is a revision, or an update.  The only thing that gives it away is the date mention of 2009.  Some time back I had done a comparison of Ephesians with the original HCSB, and the digital revised text that I had purchased.

Just a few quick observations, just bought it today.

Disappointing things about the revision are:

  • There are no footnotes for “brothers” in the New Testament
  • There are no footnotes for the use of the phrase “[another] language” (Tongues) in Paul’s usage of the word in his letters.
  • In both cases I was hoping that some footnotes would have been added.  Now there still might be some for Brothers, but I have not done an exhausted search.  Have to do it by hand, the old fashion way.

Positive things about the revision are:

  • bullet points are much, much smaller and non-intrusive.

I have made a PDF of the first page of Ephesians so that you can see for yourself that it does contain the revised HCSB.  Check out the PDF for Ephesians it’s not the best copy in the world and I used Mono to remove all color from the page.  Scanned it with my Verizon Eris.

HCSB 2nd Edition Eph1

HCSB 2nd edition in print?

There are some rumors floating around that the HCSB 2nd edition is available in print.  Check it out here at Jeff’s Thoughts, and this is the printed version that is being claimed to have the 2nd edition available Apologetics Study Bible For Students

Anyone own a copy that can verify if this is true?  Tempted to buy one but I don’t want another first edition HCSB I already own to many.

Pre-Order the HCSB Minister’s Bible at Amazon

Amazon is taking pre-orders of the HCSB Minister’s Bible.  Current cost is $62.99.  This bible does contain the second edition of the HCSB.  As the box says it is genuine calfskin which should make for a great reading bible.  I have the original one not calfskin but still a wonderful bible.  I will be replacing my old bible with the new 2nd edition calfskin bible (did I mention I love calfskin bibles?).  Already placed my pre-order.

If you are on a budget you can get the HCSB Minister’s bible in imitation black leather for $37.79 at Amazon.com.  I think by imitation leather they mean the Trutone stuff we see at the book stores.  If done right it feels very nice, I got my ESV SB that way, and I also have a few others.  They have a nice feel to them of course not as nice as calfskin, but we are on a budget right?

  • Leather Bound: 1824 pages
  • Publisher: Holman Bible Publishers (June 1, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1433600862
  • ISBN-13: 978-1433600869
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches

FEATURES
• Lifetime guarantee
• Two-piece gift box
• Single-column Bible text setting
• One inch outside margins for taking notes
• Seventy-two page HCSB concordance
• Introduction to the HCSB
• HCSB Bullet Notes
• Eight 4-color maps
• Where to Turn When . . .
• Plan of Salvation
• Four-color presentation page
• Various wedding and funeral outlines by Jim Henry
• “8 Traits of Effective Church Leaders” by Thom S. Rainer
• “21 Essentials of Authentic Ministry” by James T. Draper
• “Four Kinds of Expositional Preaching” by Ed Stetzer
• “30 Keys to Giving an Invitation” by O. S. Hawkins
• “Leading a Child to Christ” by Bill Emeott
• “Reaching Students with the Gospel” by Lynn H. Pryor
• “The Importance of Baptism and Communion” by Rick White
• Commitment Counseling
• The Christian Year and Church Calendar
• The Apostles and Their History
• Table of Weights and Measures

HCSB Study Bible Coming October 2010

hcsbsbWow that seems so far away.  I was hoping for early next year, but at last I must wait.  I also hope that they offer it in a premium leather, with quality binding (i.e. stitched binding), good paper, single column, no red lettering, and good size fonts, which is something that HCSB has always done well.  Even in their small editions of their bibles they have by far the best size fonts, that are very readable.  All of the leather bibles that I own are stitched bound, even the bonded leather ones.

Based on their advertising it appears that it will be a good enough size to carry around.  I never take my ESVSB anywhere it is just too big!  It is always at home and it is only used for reference.  Although I do use the on-line version much more.  My understanding is that they will be offering an on-line version of the HCSB study bible as well.  I hope it has good note taking abilities, although the ESVSB has note taking it is not as good as I would like it to be.  It would be nice to be able to take with me a decent study bible on the road, or when reading somewhere outside of my home (i.e. Starbucks).

Anyhow this is all good, but the real good news is that this will be the first printed version to have the revised HCSB 2nd edition.  Well at least I have the digital version (HCSB 2nd edition) of it for now, and do hope that they continue to improve it before they go to final print.

You can read a comparison I did of the HCSB 1st edition, and HCSB 2nd edition on the book of Ephesians.

TNIV – Where have all the bibles gone?

I have gone to 4 major Christian bookstores and have been unsuccessful in finding a TNIV. Only one out of 4 of the Christian bookstores that I went to carried the TNIV. Borders and Barns n’ Noble carried the TNIV, but I was only able to find just one or two copies. NIV is easy to find, as a matter a fact at one Christian bookstore they had 8 shelves of NIV bibles to choose from, in all sorts of shapes, sizes and styles. TNIV is a great translation, and most experts will say that it is even better than the NIV. Why is not available at Christian Bookstores? I just read this update from Anwoth regarding bible sales. NIV continues to be the number 1 selling bible in both categories Dollar/Unit sales. But the TNIV did not even make the top 10 list. KJV is holding both 3, and 2 spot, and the NLT seems to be doing well.

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This is disturbing news. Will the TNIV fall away because no one carries it? Or will it survive due to a grassroots movement? Zondervan does not seem to be pushing or properly marketing the TNIV as it’s main bible and continues to offer new and great products for NIV, but not TNIV.

The bible that I thought would fade away was the HCSB, but looking at both Dollar/Unit sales it appears to be doing excellent. It is holding both 2, and 3 positions.

The other interesting point was the drop for the ESV bible, down to 6th in both places. Other points of interest were Study or Specialty Bibles.  Wesley Study Bible (NRS) number two spot and it was just released in Feb. 2009?  I thought the ESV Study Bible was the number one best seller it comes in 9th place?  See for yourself who holds the number one spot, yet again another surprise.  For the full reports go to CBA Best Sellers List.

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Based on what they say on their website they are only tracking sales at Christain Book stores.  So these charts do not give us a proper indication of true Dollars/Units sales.  It does not take into account sales from Amazon, or bookstores such as Borders.  I just wonder how much it would change if it did?