Book Review {& Giveaway}: Fresh Start Bible

In recognition of National Bible Week, first declared by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941, we have a book review and giveaway of the Fresh Start Bible (NLT).

Surprisingly, I wasn’t aware of National Bible Week, which is recognized from Sunday to Sunday of Thanksgiving week.

NationalBible.org shares:

“On Sunday December 7th, 1941 the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) which was a leading national radio station at the time, invited the founders of the National Bible Association to open programming for the day which was Sunday. As they began their reading, bulletins came in from Hawaii announcing the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Instead of just opening the day with one Bible reading NBC then asked the National Bible Association to continue reading the Bible all day between the bulletins about Pearl Harbor.”

Now, the week is set aside to encourage Americans to recognize the importance of the Bible in our nation’s history and culture. “The National Bible Association whose members are of the Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish faiths, all joined together for the sole purpose to “encourage everyone to read the Bible…whatever version.”

What is the New Living Translation (NLT)?

We have several versions of the Bible in our home which we use to compare during Bible study, but we didn’t have a copy of the NLT so reading this has been an educational experience. While researching I learned how the NLT has changed over the years, with the latest version becoming the most literal translation. The Fresh Start Bible includes an extensive discussion of those changes and the translation process used.

One of the main differences between a NLT and other versions of the Bible is the use of a “dynamic-equivalence” style of contemporary writing. The translators removed “foreign idioms and awkward syntax,” and “rendered the message more dynamically when the literal rendering was hard to understand …” with hopes of staying faithful to the original text while rewriting it in “clear, natural English.”  (Fresh Start Bible introduction)

It’s said the New Living Translation translates “thought for thought” while other versions, such as the King James Version or the New American Standard Bible translate “word for word.”

Contributing Writers of Fresh Start Articles

In addition to the God-inspired books of the Bible, Genesis through Revelation, many Bibles today include devotions and articles.

Fresh Start Bible includes over five hundred articles.  The writers include members of Gateway Church , a non-denominational, “Bible-based, evangelistic, Spirit-empowered” megachurch in Texas.  Many of the devotions and articles are written by Gateway’s pastors: Robert Morris, Jimmy Evans, and Jack Hayford.

Gateway Church has its own publishing house, Gateway Press, which is the publisher for this Bible.

The Inside of Fresh Start Bible

In addition to the books of the Bible, inside of the Fresh Start Bible includes:

• Fresh Start Journey”: 52 lessons about the foundations of faith. These are based on a book written by Jimmy Evans.
• Intersections: 59 lessons on key Bible characters and events
• Road Signs: “Brief and practical teachings from key communicators connected to Gateway Church … to illuminate Scripture and inspire spiritual growth.”
• Worship Way: Discusses the What, Whom, Why, and How of Worship
• Freedom Path: Explores the spiritual freedom available to every believer
• Bible Reading Breakthrough: Explains the importance of reading God’s Word every day
• Leader Guide for Small Groups
• Bible Book Introductions
• Cultural and Historical Articles
• Topical Scripture Lists
• Charts, Tables, and 18 Full-Color Maps

I liked the textual footnotes included throughout the Bible. One helpful resource I would’ve liked to have seen was a concordance in the back—for Biblical topics and for the articles.

The Outside of Fresh Start Bible

The Fresh Start Bible comes with a hardcover or a softcover. The copy I received from the publisher was a softcover.  I like the beautiful, gray linen look of the cover. Also, I like that it weighs just under two pounds. However, the softcover bends easily and tends to curl up after reading only a few times. Since it measures 5.8 x 1.2 x 9 inches, the softcover Bible could easily fit into a Bible cover to protect it.

My Thoughts

Some people are rigid about what version of the Bible they read. Personally, I like the “word for word” translations for my own study. But I have met people who politely declined one of those and asked me for an easier-to-understand Bible.

The God-inspired books of the Fresh Start Bible are easy to comprehend.

But, I’ve not had my copy of the Fresh Start Bible long enough to assess all of the included articles. I have read several that I think will be helpful, especially to new believers. A few articles line up more with charismatic congregations than with other Christian denominations, sucha as the one on speaking in tongues.

The Fresh Start Bible contains hundreds of articles tucked within the books of God’s Holy Word, many of which reference Gateway Church. It’s wonderful when people share about the church where they worship. I’m just not used to seeing the name of one specific, modern-day church mentioned so often within the pages of a Bible.

Who is Fresh Start for?

Based on the Biblical text, Fresh Start will be helpful to anyone wanting to use it as a comparative version when studying alongside a word-for-word version.

Based on the articles I’ve read thus far, the Fresh Start Bible seems most fitting for people attending or considering Gateway Church. There are many helpful articles for all believers, especially new believers, but because of certain presentations, it seems like this particular book is something Gateway Church would offer to people in their ministry area.

As stated earlier, the National Bible Association, encourages folks to read the Bible, no matter what version. Christians come from different backgrounds and worship styles. A spirit of love through our dependency on the saving grace of Jesus Christ and our acknowledgment of the Scriptures as God’s final authority promotes unity, so let’s keep reading and studying His Holy Word.

Giveaway!

Would you like to have a copy of the Fresh Start Bible? I’ll randomly pull a name from this blog’s email list on Dec. 7, 2019. Is your name on the list? All those who leave a comment below will have their name entered in the drawing two times.

Congratulations to Amber J.! Your name was randomly selected from over 700 email subscribers. You’ve won the Fresh Start Bible! I’ll be in touch soon about delivery.

What versions of the Bible do you enjoy reading?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.