By Aaron Wilson
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The first study Bible and one-volume commentary published by an African American individual has hit yet another milestone. “The CSB Tony Evans Study Bible” and “The Tony Evans Bible Commentary” recently won a pair of Bronze Awards from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) for each selling more than 100,000 copies.
“The success of these resources is confirmatory of both the significance and faithfulness of Dr. Evans’ ministry over the last 40-plus years,” said Andy McLean, director of Bibles and Reference for B&H Publishing Group, the trade publishing arm of Lifeway Christian Resources. “The message and ministry of God’s missional kingdom is not only one that Dr. Evans has so clearly articulated and advanced, but also one he has faithfully lived out in his pastoral ministry, resulting in changed minds and hearts across the globe.”
The achievement coincides with the 40th anniversary of The Urban Alternative, a Christian Bible teaching and resource ministry founded by Evans to spread the teaching of God’s Word through Christian media with the goal of transforming lives. Evans is the senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, and has served as the chaplain of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks for more than three decades and counting, the longest standing NBA chaplaincy. He is also a former chaplain of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
“I’m humbled. I’m from urban Baltimore. I would never have thought I would be in this place,” said Evans when the study Bible and commentary first launched in the fall of 2019, which have since sold around 148,000 copies and 123,000 copies, respectively. “I know God could have used someone else. The fact that He’s allowed me the opportunity to do this with my weaknesses and with my flaws, it shows me grace, it shows me mercy, it shows me gratitude.”
Evans said he wanted to create “The Tony Evans Study Bible” and “The Tony Evans Bible Commentary” to “show the kingdom thread throughout all the books of the Bible and to help readers see how eternity and history are connected by this unifying theme of the glory of God through the advancement of His kingdom.”
McLean described the partnership between Evans and Lifeway as “deep and fruitful” with Lifeway stewarding many books, Bible studies and reference tools authored by Evans over the years.
In addition to the study Bible and commentary, Evans has authored more than 100 books, Bible studies and devotionals, including “The Kingdom Agenda,” “Pathways,” “Detours” and “No More Excuses.” B&H Publishing has two book releases by Evans scheduled for release in 2022: “Hope for the Hurting,” available January 11 alongside a Bible study by the same name, and “Kingdom Authority,” slated for the fall.
“Being offered the chance to undergo a Bible project with Dr. Evans was, and continues to be, a major highlight,” said McLean. “It is a rare opportunity to not only come alongside someone with 40+ years of faithful ministry experience, but also someone with his theological and pastoral caliber and whose study-note commentary inside of a Bible would benefit so many throughout the church.
“As the only African American theologian to publish both a full one-volume commentary and a study Bible, these resources also break new ground in Christian publishing, continuing a pattern set by Dr. Evans in leading the way in so many other areas over the course of his ministry,” said McLean. “It has been our deep honor to partner with Dr. Evans to reach this important milestone.”
Evans has been breaking racial barriers for much of his ministry. In 1982, he became the first African American to graduate with a doctoral degree from Dallas Theological Seminary.
“The Tony Evans Study Bible” from the Christian Standard Bible includes extensive notes and resources crafted and curated by Evans from his sermons, teachings and writings; 40 articles, 50 “Lessons of Kingdom Living,” and additional online resources that feature 170 videos from Evans.
More information about the “CSB Tony Evans Study Bible” and “The Tony Evans Commentary” can be found at CSBTonyEvansStudyBible.com.
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Aaron Wilson is a writer for Lifeway Christian Resources.
About Lifeway Christian Resources
In operation since 1891, Lifeway Christian Resources is one of the leading providers of Christian resources, including Bibles, books, Bible studies, Christian music and movies, VBS, and church supplies, as well as camps and events for all ages. Lifeway is the world’s largest provider of Spanish Bibles. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Lifeway receives no denominational funding and operates as a self-supporting nonprofit.
