Rearranging the Bible is, of course, a fallible human effort. Even those who have earned advanced degrees in the various fields of biblical studies would disagree on any particular rearrangement. The editors of The Chronological Study Bible have been forced at times to make hard decisions, to choose one location at the neglect of another that is equally plausible. In such instances, an honest effort has been made to acknowledge another possible arrangement and to present its case fairly. This allows readers to decide the issues for themselves (page ix).That's because I'm not entirely sure that scholars -- even those with really strong reasons -- might ever agree with which texts are ordered chronologically. For example, I wondered what the editors might do with the Book of Job. After flipping through the book, I discover the text where most other Protestant editions place the book, right after Proverbs.
Keeping in mind the difficulty of placing texts in chronological order from a library of biblical books that span thousands of years, this study Bible does offer a unique perspective for reading through the Bible in a year (there's even plans in the back for a one year or two year plan). And other study helps are found throughout -- study helps that highlight history or economics.
The Chronological Study Bible is divided into 8 epochs, or time periods. Epochs 8 and 9 cover the New Testament, 8 being the life and ministry of Jesus, and 9 being the "Church Age" and Revelation. Epochs 1-7 cover the Old Testament. Time Charts and Time Panels are included throughout the study Bible in relevant sections. Maps are also included throughout when they will be helpful. Also included are transition points which appear whenever the order changes (such as 2 Samuel 12 transitioning to Psalm 51) or when the narrative within a book changes, such as the end of Genesis 20 transitioning to the birth of Isaac in Genesis 21. Also included are some translator's notes.
The concordance at the end is fairly inclusive, for a study Bible.
All in all, The Chronological Study Bible is a good resource for any pastor's shelves.
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