Review of the Crossway Pocket New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs

By Matthew Everhard

            I should thank the recent uptick in pregnancies in my congregation for discovering the new ESV Pocket New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs by Crossway. If it wasn’t for the inordinate number of “Baby Bibles” that I have been buying and giving away lately, I might not have ever discovered this little gem.

The background to this story is that our church always gives away a small New Testament to each couple that gives birth to a child as a way of saying thank you for growing the church the “old fashioned way.” Since our church is now filled with expecting mothers (there must be something in the water) I have purchased quite of bit of them lately. I am not sure how many of our babies come out of the womb ready to read the 6-7 point font on most tiny Baby Bibles, but it’s a nice token by which to remember the occasion anyways.

Well, as fate would have it, the normal KJV Baby Bible with the adorable pink and blue covers were not available. So by necessity, I went another direction – Crossway’s “Coffee” TruTone. (Symbolic of the extra caffeine young parents need, I guess).

Here are the stats.

Vital Statistics:

• Publisher: Crossway
• Printing: China
• Translation: ESV (New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs only)
• Binding: Smyth sewn with cardstock pastedown interior
• Cover: TruTone, Coffee
• Columns: Single
• Text: Red letter
• Font: 7 point font
• References: None
• Study Notes: None
• Size: 5.5’ X 4’ X 0.75’
• Yapp: 0.2’
• Ribbons: (1) dark brown
• Gilt edges: gold
• Head and tail bands: dark brown
• Features: Line matching; presentation page; weights and measures
• Cost: approximately $15.00 USD

Please don’t think this Bible is only for babies. It’s not. Actually, it may have a very mature function for the rest of us. Its tiny stature (just over five inches lengthwise) may fit into the hands of the smallest children among us, but this could make a great witnessing tool or give-away Bible for your church.

Type, Font, & Print

One of the ways that this Bible blows away the competitors is that it actually features line matching. I have no idea how the technical wizards over at Crossway got this to synch up so nicely on the paper, but they did it. That makes the smaller type extremely legible.

The paper itself is rather nice. Honestly, I think it might even be a bit thicker than my Pitt Minion’s paper which I love and treasure. China versus Jongbloed? I know, it’s no match. But believe me, this is pretty good stuff.

I don’t think anyone will struggle to read the modern font, except those with really bad eyes (you know who you are). The rest of us can just pick up our “cheaters” and read it just fine. Or if you are a near-sighted Bible nerd like me, with your naked eye. The print is crisp, dark, and consistent throughout. The red letters in the words of Christ are well done, although they look a bit violet to me.

Binding & Aesthetics

This Bible looks and feels great. Does it fit into your pocket as the title suggests? Yes. It has no problem sneaking down into both the back pocket of my jeans and the inside pocket of a sports jacket or suit coat. Truth in advertising! How do you like that?

The Coffee TruTone is really nice. Here’s my take on TruTone covers: If you know what you are buying, they are a great value. Some of them are so visually convincing that many people might not even be aware they are buying something cooked up in a lab and not shorn from an animal’s hide. This one looks pretty convincing. I think Crossway should do more with the Coffee look.

If I am going to go with a TruTone (no shame in that by the way) I at least want something that looks noble and respectable. I’m not a fan of the brighter or fancier designed TruTones that Crossway sometimes uses.  They even threw on some perimeter stitching to give this little Bible a gentlemanly look. The only thing that Crossway and TruTone hasn’t perfected yet is the smell. No leather smell here. Just good old polymer science at its best.

A couple of minor critiques can be made. The first has to do with the paste-down binding. This one uses mere cardstock to adhere to the cover. I don’t think that’s a good idea. Leatherette will be much more resistant to damage or moisture than this. With the on-the-go abuse this little dynamo may absorb, I could foresee that becoming a “big problem in little China.” Tag on an extra 70 cents to the cost; I think it’s worth it to upgrade that paper liner.

This ESV Pocket NT is even Smyth-sewn! I’m not sure that’s ever been attempted before on a Bible this small, but I suppose someone, somewhere has done it. The good news is that the book block will last. The bad news is that it doesn’t come anywhere near being able to stay opened flat by itself. Mine has sort of a “venus flytrap” affect. Keep fingers away – they may get bitten clean off! Maybe it will loosen up after being worked over for a few months. Pitt Minion is still the undefeated champion in this category.

Uses

            Here’s the bottom line: whenever we grade a Bible we should evaluate it according to what it bills itself to be. This one does what it was designed to do with excellence: stand by with alacrity as your glove-compartment or backpack Bible ready to share the Gospel with a friend at school or coworker on the job. For a mere $15, you can have a great, readable edition of the Word of God standing at the post like an obedient sentry ready for service.

Good job Crossway!