The Holman Christian Standard Bible has always been a very significant Bible, but seemingly little used in the UK. CWR did publish the Holman Bible in 2007, as part of their one-year chronological reading plan, Cover to Cover.
This is the new version. It is the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) from Holman Bible Publishers, a division of Lifeway Christian Resources.
There are already a large number of new CSB Bibles in the UK market: the Study Bible (Adult), the Big Picture Interactive Bible (Children), ‘She Reads Truth’ Bible (Women) and later in 2017, the Apologetics Bible.
Already, customers and shops are telling me that this Bible is doing very well in this market. I’m glad, as it is a very good Bible and I am pleased to include it in this book review.
CSB Big Picture Interactive Bible
The CSB Big Picture Interactive Bible is a Children’s Bible. It is designed for children aged 6 to 10. The buying audience is parents, grandparents and ministry leaders of children in that age group. The font size is 9 points.
This CSB Bible includes digital pop-up technology that brings each of the 146 full colour illustrations to life via a free downloadable app. Designed to attract children, this Bible also includes a ‘Christ Connection’ feature, ‘Big Questions’ feature, 100 top memory verses, a ‘Big Words’ feature and full-colour maps.
There are 5 designs to the Big Picture Interactive Bible range, from a bright hardback (around £25) to four attractive Leather Touch designs.
The CSB Big Picture Interactive Bible is a great present for children. It’s based on the CSV version of the Holman Bible, and is therefore beneficial for them.
The new CSB Bible from Lifeway Christian Resources
Proverbs 3: 5-6 (CSB): ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight’.
In 2015, I published a small book, ‘The Guide to Selling the Bible’ (Together Magazine, ISBN 978-0-9932454-0-4), and obviously this revised Bible was not included! However, the Holman Christian Standard Bible is there! The new CSB revision would be an excellent addition to the book.
Over 20 years ago, a team of more than 100 top conservative scholars from 17 denominations came together to translate an English translation faithful to the original Scriptures - the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Broadly this was achieved, and the translation has worked extremely well, particularly in North America. Around 3 years ago - and under an English stylist, Michael Card - the translators began reviewing the text of the HCSB Bible to provide today’s readers with a new translation that is more ‘accurate and readable’.
The Barna Group reported recently that only 37% of Americans read their Bible once a week or more. Ownership in the USA remains very strong but readership and engagement are actually quite weak. In fact, those who are sceptical towards the Bible has nearly doubled from 10% to 19% in just three years. Sadly, this is now equal to the number of people who are Bible engaged, who read the Bible at least four times a week and who believe it to be inspired word of God. America is heading down the same road as Europe!
Lifeway Christian Resources believes that one factor cannot be denied: the importance of a reader’s translation of the Bible. This is an important aspect of the new CSB revision from the Holman Christian Standard Version.
The translators are looking for that ‘sweet spot’ of the balance between ‘Fidelity’ and ‘Readability’ that opens the door for people to read and understand the Scriptures.
Where is the CSB Bible in terms of a combination of ‘fidelity’ and ‘readability’?
The publishers have printed a chart developed by Global Bible Initiative. This shows the CSB revision as being:
This is impressive - and this constitutes a major consideration for customers endeavouring to purchase a new Bible.
I hope that the Christian Standard Bible will rank alongside many of the versions of the Bible in the UK market. It deserves to do so.
Eddie Olliffe
Bookseller and Distributor for the past 35 years. Now Consulting Editor of Together Magazine. I blog on Christian Spirituality, UK Publishing and Bookselling matters.