Logos is giving away the NIV Translation with the Faithlife Study Bible until April 8. The Faithlife Study Bible is an online Study Bible with a running commentary and Bible Dictionary, similar to in-print study Bibles such as the ESV Study Bible. The app is available for iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire. I thought that there was a desktop computer app as well, but it is not on this promotional page. I reviewed the Faithlife Study Bible app last June.
The App features include:
- 400 photos, videos, infographics, and maps
- Free built-in Bible dictionary
- Custom highlights and
- note-taking
- Articles from trusted Bible scholars, preachers, and leaders
I have used the Logos app on my iPad since it was released and find it to be the best all-around tool for Bible Reading and study of the original languages. I think that reading books in my Logos Library is a better experience that with the Kindle app, and the fact that Logos includes real page numbers makes the Logos App my first choice for iPad readers. The Logos app has greatly improved the note-taking feature and syncs with notes made on your desktop version of Logos.
The Faithlife Study Bible is a slimmed down version of Logos which defaults to a dual-pane reader. the Bible is on top, running commentary along the bottom. The size of the windows is easy to adjust. In the commentary, links to the Bible Dictionary appear. The Lexham Bible Dictionary is quite impressive, often competitive with the Anchor Bible Dictionary in quality and depth. Within the Dictionary there are links to other articles and all scripture is linked to the Bible. Touch the scripture link and a small, floating window will appear with just the verse and an option to go directly to the context in the Bible pane. This Dictionary alone is worth using the Faithlife Study Bible!
Touching the illustrations in the commentaries opens a image viewer. The illustrations are usually “infographic” style. While they are not as nice as the illustrations in the ESVSB, they are good enough to illustrate the dictionary article. On the iPad you can zoom in on the picture by pinching (the standard iPad gestures).
Since this is a Free App, there is little downside to the Faithlife Study Bible. The Free NIV promotion goes away on April 8, but Study Bible itself works with other (free) translations. Of course, Logos would be glad to sell you hundreds of other useful books for their study system, but the Faithlife system is a great way to get started. If you are interested in Biblical Languages, you will need to get the full Logos App, but for most people the Faithlife Study Bible will be an excellent companion to reading the Bible.