THE BIBLE

MLA Style

The convention of using italics to indicate titles does not apply to the names of sacred writings, including all books and versions of the Bible (i.e. The Holy Bible, Old Testament, Genesis). Published individual editions of sacred writings are treated like other published books and therefore are italicized (i.e. The New Jerusalem Bible).

The Bible. Today's New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005. Print.

[in text parenthetical reference example (The Bible, Genesis 1:1)]

Life Application Bible: New International Version. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1991. Print.

[in text parenthetical reference examples: (Life Application Bible, notes on Matt. 28.18-20)]

The New Jerusalem Bible. Henry Wansbrough, gen. ed. New York: Doubleday, 1985. Print.

[in text parenthetical reference examples: (New Jerusalem Bible, Ezek. 1.5-10)]

NIV Study Bible. Kenneth L. Barker, gen. ed. 10th anniversary ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1995. Print.

[in text parenthetical reference examples: (NIV Study Bible, notes on Ruth 1.16)]

Peterson, Eugene H. The Message. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2002. Print.

Zondervan NIV Study Bible: New International Version. Kenneth L. Barker, gen. ed. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002. Print.

[in text parenthetical reference example:(Zondervan NIV Study Bible, Matt. 5.24)]

APA Style

According to the APA Publication Manual, reference entries are not needed for the Bible; however, your professor may require full publication information; if you are not sure, ask him/her. If they require the publication information, follow the below examples:

The Bible. (2005). Today's new international version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Life application Bible: New international version. (1991). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale.

[in text parenthetical reference examples: (Matt. 28:18-20 notes from Life Application Bible)]

NIV study Bible. (1995). Barker, K. L. (Ed.). 10th anniversary ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

[in text parenthetical reference examples: (Ruth 1:16 notes from NIV Study Bible)]

The new Jerusalem Bible.(1985). Wansbrough, H. (Ed.). New York: Doubleday.

[in text parenthetical reference example: (Ezek. 1:5-10 New Jerusalem Bible)]

Peterson, E. H. (2002). The message. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.

Zondervan NIV study Bible. (2002). Barker, K. L. (Ed.). Rev. ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

[in text parenthetical reference example: (Matt. 5:24 New International Version)]

BIBLE COMMENTARIES

MLA Style

Barker, Kenneth L., ed. "Matthew: Introduction." Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Rev.ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002. 1463-1465. Print.

Watts, John D. W. "The First Reading From History: The Assyrian's Speech (36:1 - 37:8)." Isaiah 34-66. Rev. ed. World Biblical Commentary. Vol. 25. Nelson Reference & Electronic, 2005. 551-564. Print.

Younger, K. Lawson Jr. Judges and Ruth: The NIV Application Commentary From Biblical Text ... to Contemporary Life. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002. Print.

APA Style

Barker, K. L. (Ed.). (2002). "Matthew: Introduction." Zondervan NIV study Bible. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. pp. 1463-1465.

Watts, J.D.W. (2005). The First reading from history: The Assyrian's speech (36:1 - 37:8). In Metzger, B. M., Hubbard, D.A., & Barker, G. W. (Series Eds.) World biblical commentary: Vol. 25. Isaiah 34-66 (Rev. ed., pp. 551-564). Nelson Reference & Electronic.

Younger, K. L. (2002). Judges and Ruth: The NIV application commentary from biblical text ... to contemporary life. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

ELECTRONIC BIBLE SOURCES

MLA Style

Gerald, John H. "Commitment." SermonCentral.com. Outreach Inc. 7 Nov. 2004. Web. 29 Mar. 2007.

Peterson, Eugene H. The Message. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2002. BibleGateway.com. Web. 28 Mar. 2007.

Rawlinson, G., E. R. Conder, and W. Clarkson. eds. "Psalm 105:1 - 45." The Pulpit Commentary: Psalms (Vol. II). New York: Funk & Wagnalls, n.d. CD-ROM. Logos Bible Software. Ver. 3.0c. Librinox Digital Library System: n.p. 2000-2006.

"Colossians 2 - IVP New Testament Commentaries." BibleGateway.com. BibleGateway.com. n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2007.

Klein, Ralph W. I Chronicles: A Commentary on 1 Chronicles. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2006. CD-ROM. Logos Bible Software. Ver. 3.0c. Librinox Digital Library System: n.p. 2000-2006.

APA Style

"Colossians 2." IVP New Testament Commentaries. (n.d.). Retrieved on March 28, 2007 from http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/

Gerald, J. W. (Nov. 7, 2004). Commitment. Retrieved March 29, 2007 from http://www.sermoncentral.com

Klein, R.W. (2006). 1 Chronicles: A Commentary on 1 Chronicles. Minneapolis: Fortress Press. Retrieved March 29, 2007 from Logos Bible software (Version 3.0c) [CD-ROM].

Peterson, E. H. (2002). The Message. NavPress. Retrieved March 28, 2007 from http://www.biblegateway.com

Psalm 105:1 - 45. (n.d.). In G. Rawlinson, E. R. Conder, & W. Clarkson (Eds.), The Pulpit commentary: Psalms (Vol. II). New York: Funk & Wagnalls. Retrieved March 29, 2007 from Logos Bible software (Version 3.0c) [CD-ROM].

 

[used with permission from Dordt College | John and Louise Hulst Library | Reference and User Services | e-mail: reference@dordt.edu]