The Orthodox Study Bible: New Septuagint Translation of OT, NKJV NT

by: Thomas Nelson

Published by: Thomas Nelson

Reviewed by Bob Pike CSP, CPAE-Speakers Hall of Fame

The Orthodox Study Bible is for those that want a new understanding of the early church prior to the schism that separated the church into Eastern Orthodox and the Western Church. It especially helps the student of the Bible to understand how the Bible was interpreted and applied by the early church.

One interesting thing I learned was the view of the offices of the church (Bishop, Presbyter (or Priest or Elder), and Deacon). In the early church the role of presbyter or priest was not one of someone intervening with God for the people (as OT priests did) but rather Christ living among the people – an everyday example of His love.

While covering a wide variety of topics the various study notes and articles focus on the four main biblical themes emphasized by the Orthodox Church:

1. The Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

2. The Incarnation: The Divine Son of God becoming Man

3. The Centrality of the Church, “the dwelling place of God in the Spirit (Eph. 2:22)

4. The Virtues: God’s call to His people to live righteous and holy lives in Christ.

It is not the quantity of the helps that make this Bible a valuable addition to one’s library, but rather the unique and valuable perspective it gives on the Bible’s place and meaning to the early church.