ESV Bible with Creeds & Confessions
Crossway joins the Credo movement with good results.
I am convinced that one of the main reasons the English Standard Version (ESV) is so popular is that ever since it was first released in 2001, Crossway has done an incredible job of offering a wide selection of Bibles in various formats and editions. They currently offer over 400 different printings of the ESV, so whatever your personal preferences are when it comes to Bibles, you can usually find something pretty close to what you’re looking for from Crossway.
Today I’m reviewing two different editions of Crossway’s ESV Bible with Creeds & Confessions, a reference Bible released in early 2020 that features the full text of Scripture along with thirteen historic creeds and confessions. The first is a black goatskin edition, and the second is an exclusive collaboration between Crossway and Westminster Theological Seminary in tan cloth over board.
ESV Bible with Creeds and Confessions – Overview
The concept of adding an index of well-known creeds and confessions to the Bible has increased in popularity in recent years, perhaps best executed by Schuyler with their Credo Quentel editions. This version from Crossway is essentially an expanded edition of the ESV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible, the same Bible that Crossway used as the basis for their extremely popular Omega editions. So this is essentially an Omega (identical page numbers in the scriptural text) with the addition of the creeds and confessions.
The edge-lined goatskin edition features a 6.125” x 9.125” trim size, while the exclusive Westminster edition is 6.0” x 9.25” (a slight difference that can be felt in the margins but does not impact pagination). Both Bibles are 1.5’’ thick. This is a true reference edition with cross-references, a concordance, and maps. The two-column page layout is very comfortable to read with a 10pt type size that is line matched. The only thing I’m not wild about with this Bible is the cross-references, which appear at the bottom of the right column of the text on each page (see photos below). In addition to being small, the placement makes using these cross-references an exercise in visual gymnastics. That said, if you’re not an avid user of cross-references, this format keeps them out of the way for the most part.
FEATURES
• 13 historic creeds and confessions
– Apostles Creed (ca. 200–400)
– Nicene Creed (325)
– Athanasian Creed (381)
– Chalcedonian Definition (451)
– Augsburg Confession (1530)
– Belgic Confession (1561)
– Articles of Religion (1563)
– Canons of Dort (1618–19)
– Westminster Confession (1646)
– London Baptist Confession (1689)
– Heidelberg Catechism (1563)
– Westminster Larger Catechism (1647)
– Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647)
• Smyth-sewn Binding
• Two ribbon markers
• Double-column format
• Black letter text
• Cross-references
• Concordance
• Bible Maps
• 6.125” x 9.125” trim size (goatskin) / 6” x 9.25” trim size (WTS exclusive)
• 1.5” thick
• 10pt type size
Why Creeds & Confessions?
I recognize that while many Christian denominations and individual churches use historic creeds and confessions regularly in their worship services and liturgies, many modern Christians may not be very familiar with them. I appreciate the way Crossway explains why they decided to create this unique edition of the Bible that includes these texts.
“Creeds and confessions have been used throughout Christian history to summarize the Bible's teaching, distilling the key truths of Scripture into concise and succinct propositions. Introductions written by theologian Chad Van Dixhoorn explain the history and original purpose of each—helping modern Christians see how these historic documents were designed to faithfully teach the truths of Scripture—truths aimed at shaping and motivating the lives of all who follow Christ.”
The introductions from Dr. Van Dixhoorn are what stand out to me. I love studying history and theology, and his introductions give us just enough of both to really think through these texts and understand how they have shaped the church across generations and can continue to do so today.
Which One Would You Choose?
The goatskin edition of this Bible retails for $225 but can be purchased new for about half that from some online retailers (likes below). The WTS exclusive retails for $50 but has been on sale for $25 for a while (only available here). Crossway also has two different TruTone editions that are worth checking out. If you’re a fan of the idea of having a Bible that includes creeds and confessions, and you’re looking for a good premium-quality ESV Bible, then this goatskin edition might be the one. I personally like the WTS exclusive edition (perhaps because I already have a goatskin Omega that I love). It looks really great in person, and it feels like a great deal for the price.
Let me know in the comments which one you would choose!
Keep scrolling to watch a video review of these Bibles.
BUYING THIS BIBLE*
• The Goatskin edition of the ESV Bible with Creeds and Confessions is available in various formats directly from Crossway as well as Amazon and EvangelicalBible.com.
• The exclusive edition from Westminster Theological Seminary is available at the WTS Online Bookstore.
*Pricing and Availability subject to change.
