Reformed Study Bibles

Well - I thought this thread was specifically about "Study Bibles" of the reformed persuasion. I wasn't really referring to the text of the NIV itself but the study notes, articles, and confessions/cathecisms which are in the "Spirit of the Reformation STUDY Bible."

Although I do not think the NIV is the worst translation out there - I agree it isn't the greatest either. I do agree that the NASV is a better version (as pointed out by that excellent article linked above). But wouldn't go so far as to say that the NIV is "bad" translation - as the article unfortunately does. The NIV is an excellent Bible for kids and "new" Christians however. I would definately recommend that one over the NLT for this group.

One version I am concerned about is the TNIV (Today's New International Version) - which is an offshoot of the NIV - I have heard that it isn't very gender specific in areas that it should be - and I have a problem with that...

Behe's Boy said:

I wasn't really referring to the text of the NIV itself but the study notes, articles, and confessions/cathecisms which are in the "Spirit of the Reformation STUDY Bible."

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The study Bible I am most familure with is the Matthew Henry. The translation is KJV, but most importantly for your purposes, the notes are Matthew Henry's who lived and wrote during the late 1600s and early 1700s. The notes have stood the test of time and are conservative. I have been trying to find a Reformation study Bible in our are to see how it is layed out and what notes are in it. Many of the verses in the Matthew Henry do not have a note, many not needing any but many that should.

Although there are probably many commentaries on the Internet I prefer reading a book rather than from a computer screen, thus I have the 6 volume set of Matthew Henry's complete Bible commentary. He can be long winded at times and his english takes some getting use to, however , a good commentary will most probably be needed to fill in the blanks left by the notes in most study Bibles. There are times when the Henry set are on sale for $30.00, hardbound, which is an excellent buy.

Although prefering a book to screen, I have John Calvin on the computer which I would not give up.

I'm anxious for more information of the new ESV study Bible. I do have the NIV SotR and would like to know if the notes on the ESV are more comprehensive than what I already have.

CoffeeSwirls said:

I'm anxious for more information of the new ESV study Bible. I do have the NIV SotR and would like to know if the notes on the ESV are more comprehensive than what I already have.

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That is one of the reasons I am interested in it also. Let us know what you find out and I will do the same, if one shows up in our small town location.

theFijian said:

Hi all!

I was wondering if anybody has used the NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible published by Zondervan and Ligonier's ESV Reformation Study Bible? How have you found these compare to other study bibles?

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I have the NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study and the older New Geneva Study Bible (the Reformation Study Bible in NKJV)

Both have advantages and disadvantages. The "Spirit" Bible gives some mention to the distintives of our Reformed Baptist brothers and sisters and has the great creeds in the back. The Reformation Bible has better articles (IMHO.)

I will be buying the ESV Reformation Bible in a few days when the leather version is available.

If you can afford both, I'd say get them. If you can only afford one start with the ESV and save your change and get the other later in the year...

I tried to get the New Geneva Study Bible (the Reformation Study Bible in NKJV)
but found that they were no longer being published.

I have the Spirit of the reformation study bible and I got it from the editor himself. Saved myself a ton of money. Richard Pratt General editor, and RA McLaughlin Associate Editor. $27 delivered for the Hard cover, $40 bonded delivered, and $45 for the top grain leather delivered.

http://thirdmill.org/estore/default.asp/category/estore

Just a heads up.

I just ordered the ESV Reformed Study Bible. I can't wait for it to arrive!

caitlincares said:

I tried to get the New Geneva Study Bible (the Reformation Study Bible in NKJV)
but found that they were no longer being published.

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That's correct, the NGSB in the NKJV is out of print now. The NGSB was developed for Thomas Nelson publishers by R. C. Sproul. Nelson holds the copyright on the New King James version. The NGSB was later renamed the Reformation Study Bible, still in the NKJV. When the English Standard Version was developed (partly as a response to NIV tampering troubles) with conservative Christians and those preferring a more literal translation in mind, Sproul used his copyrighted notes for the Reformed Study Bible in the ESV.
The Reformation Study Bible is published by Ligonier Ministries and distributed to the trade by P&R Publishing (who prints them for Sproul's Ligonier Ministries). P&R Publishing is unable to sell this title directly to individuals. All editions will be available at your local bookstore or at many online booksellers, including:

Ligonier Ministries
CVBBS
Westminster Bookstore
CBD
Amazon.com
Christian Education and Publications (PCA)
Fortress Book Service

hopper said:

That's correct, the NGSB in the NKJV is out of print now. The NGSB was developed for Thomas Nelson publishers by R. C. Sproul. Nelson holds the copyright on the New King James version. The NGSB was later renamed the Reformation Study Bible, still in the NKJV. When the English Standard Version was developed (partly as a response to NIV tampering troubles) with conservative Christians and those preferring a more literal translation in mind, Sproul used his copyrighted notes for the Reformed Study Bible in the ESV.
The Reformation Study Bible is published by Ligonier Ministries and distributed to the trade by P&R Publishing (who prints them for Sproul's Ligonier Ministries). P&R Publishing is unable to sell this title directly to individuals. All editions will be available at your local bookstore or at many online booksellers, including:

Ligonier Ministries
CVBBS
Westminster Bookstore
CBD
Amazon.com
Christian Education and Publications (PCA)
Fortress Book Service

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Or by our friends at Monergism ( http://www.monergismbooks.com/)
Leather bound only $43.99 with imprinting of your name.


I found this after I ordered from the PCA bookstore.

Oh well......

so i wasn't going to get it...but for 42 dollars...i am starting to giggle like a school girl in anticipation

Gabriel said:

The Spirit of the Reformation Bible has only one drawback if you ask me, it's not in NASB. I use my New Geneva more than anything just because it's not worn out yet, but the Spirit will be my next bible I think.

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If this is the case, might I suggest buying one from Third Millineum Ministries (www.thirdmill.org) The price is reasonable and the proceeds go to benefit the ministry.

Knight said:

If this is the case, might I suggest buying one from Third Millineum Ministries (www.thirdmill.org) The price is reasonable and the proceeds go to benefit the ministry.

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But, of course. You see I have a wonderful advantage over you folks. I am an Elder in the same Presbytery as many Reformed authors and teachers. Steve Brown, Richard Pratt, RC Sproul, etc. I have it good here in Central Florida.

Gabriel said:

But, of course. You see I have a wonderful advantage over you folks. I am an Elder in the same Presbytery as many Reformed authors and teachers. Steve Brown, Richard Pratt, RC Sproul, etc. I have it good here in Central Florida.

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Why don't you just rub it in!

It is funny...Sproul is currently going through a Series on the New Geneva Bible and how it came to be on his radio broadcasts this week.

http://www.ligonier.org/radio/index.php

I actually own the tape series on the NGSB. It's interesting to hear how that all came together.

Gabe, no fair!

I had an acquaintance on another site that supposedly had ties to Sproul (I believe he was a member of his church possibly). He said he might see if he could get some of my creative Photoshop work into his hands. I'd love to see his reaction



http://home.earthlink.net/~frumanchu/images/rcyoda.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~frumanchu/images/yodasproul.jpg

frumanchu said:

I actually own the tape series on the NGSB. It's interesting to hear how that all came together.

Gabe, no fair!

I had an acquaintance on another site that supposedly had ties to Sproul (I believe he was a member of his church possibly). He said he might see if he could get some of my creative Photoshop work into his hands. I'd love to see his reaction



http://home.earthlink.net/~frumanchu/images/rcyoda.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~frumanchu/images/yodasproul.jpg

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It will take me about a week or so, but I believe I can get them in his hands.

Gabriel said:

But, of course. You see I have a wonderful advantage over you folks. I am an Elder in the same Presbytery as many Reformed authors and teachers. Steve Brown, Richard Pratt, RC Sproul, etc. I have it good here in Central Florida.

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I was not aware of this. Good for you.

(You don't by any chance know Larry Gwaltney do you? He works with Third Millenium.)

Knight said:

I was not aware of this. Good for you.

(You don't by any chance know Larry Gwaltney do you? He works with Third Millenium.)

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No, I don't. I should also state that I am in the same Presbytery as these folks, but I can't say that they know me or visa versa. I have met some of them, but meeting and knowing are different. I don't want to mislead anyone.

Gabriel said:

No, I don't. I should also state that I am in the same Presbytery as these folks, but I can't say that they know me or visa versa. I have met some of them, but meeting and knowing are different. I don't want to mislead anyone.

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That's still an awesome connection. A person's influence is felt throughout the presbytery. I hope that "connection" is inspiring for your church and presbytery.