Christian Retailing

ICRS: Crossway marks anniversary with launch of 'great resource' Print Email
Tuesday, 15 July 2008 08:00 PM America/New_York

Crossway Books & Bibles celebrated its 70th anniversary last night with a banquet that launched a new comprehensive study Bible, which a leading theologian called "an outstanding piece of work."

More than 250 International Christian Retail Show conventioneers, including CBA President Bill Anderson, attended the event at The Rosen Centre Hotel's Grand Ballroom, which featured a sneak peek of The ESV (English Standard Version) Study Bible, to be released Oct. 15.

Publisher Lane Dennis said the 2,750-page project was created by a team of 95 scholars and teachers from nine countries, representing 20 denominations and more than 50 seminaries, colleges and universities. He noted that the study Bible features more than 1.3 million words, hundreds of colored maps, illustrations, diagrams and charts.

"It's the first study Bible to have an online version published at the same time," said Dennis, noting that the Internet version will feature audio readings and additional material not found in the print version. "This unprecedented online tool is free with any purchase of The ESV Study Bible," he said.

Respected theologian and the project's theological editor J.I. Packer called the study Bible "an outstanding piece of work." "It's a great privilege to bring this Bible to people so they can live the Bible and love the Bible," said Packer, who spoke at the celebration along with fellow authors Jerry Bridges, Wayne Grudem and Mark Driscoll.

The event also featured Tullian Tchividjian, Billy Graham's grandson who is a pastor and author, narrating a 12-minute video of the study Bible, which featured endorsements from noted ministry leaders, including John Piper, Albert Mohler and Joni Eareckson Tada.

Becky Gorczyca, executive director of the Association of Logos Bookstores, called the online component of The ESV Study Bible "a nice addition," adding, "You can access it online wherever you are."

Dave Tanner, Bible buyer for LifeWay Christian Stores, said he was excited about the study Bible. "It's going to be a great resource for Christian retailers and the church," he told Christian Retailing.

Driscoll, preaching pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle and president of the Acts 29 Network for church planting, thanked Crossway for providing 140 copies of The ESV Bible to his organization's church planters. "Thank you, Crossway, for giving us resources to be fruitful," he said.