Modern readers of the Bible are time travelers visiting a society and culture very different from their own. Strange customs, unfamiliar words and novel concepts encountered in the Bible's pages can make understanding it a real challenge.

People sometimes wonder, when they first start to study the Bible, why they need to deal with all the footnotes, introductions, commentaries and dictionaries that go along with Bible study nowadays. "Why does the Bible need all these footnotes?" they ask. And, it's true that the footnotes can sometimes seem to obscure the Bible's basic message. But, think about it for a minute. If an ancient Hebrew, or an early Christian, could suddenly be transported to the U.S. on the verge of the new millennium, imagine how much explaining would be necessary for them to understand our culture and beliefs. How many footnotes would he or she need just to read today's newspaper?

When we turn to the Bible, we're in the same position. We are like time travelers—going backward instead of forward. We don't live in the same society as the ancients, nor make our living or inhabit the same climate as they did. We can still read and study the Bible without footnotes, introductions and the like, and still find it meaningful and inspiring. People have been doing just that for hundreds and hundreds of years.

But, if the Bible is really important to our lives, sooner or later, we'll want to delve more deeply into its history and background. When we reach that decision, the best resource we can have at our fingertips is a good study Bible. The Access Bible is designed for people who've studied the Bible before, or those who never really studied it before. The Access Bible has been carefully written and edited so that those new to the world of Bible study can just pick it up and read with understanding.

Designed for beginning and intermediate students of the Bible in mainline Protestant and Catholic churches, The Access Bible will provide valuable background information that readers need to understand the text without being overwhelmed or talked-down to in any fashion. The Access Bible is aptly named: it will give general readers access to the authoritative NRSV translation and top-notch biblical scholarship. The Access Bible sets a new standard for ease of understanding. It's truly a companion for your life's spiritual journey!