Customer Reviews

Holy Bible: New Geneva Study Bible, New King James Version, Burgundy Bonded Leather (Style No 2995bg/Burgundy)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As an educated but interested amateur, I have and use several study Bibles. This is the one I use most often. It is the one I most frequently tote to church, Sunday School, and Bible study, and find on my lap.

While I frequently use a Thompson Chain Reference in the New American Standard, and an NIV Study Bible, this review explains why I appreciate two NKJV study Bibles, and the New Geneva (NGSB) in particular.

I am delighted with both the Nelson Study Bible (NSB) and the NGSB. Both use the New King James Version, an accurate, precise, readable, and "complete equivalence" translation, excellent for reading, worship, and personal study. With both study Bibles, each contributor has a high regard for scripture. Therefore, the annotations treat scripture as authoritative. While textual difficulties are recognized and not minimized, the focus is not on critiqing scripture so much as finding how the scripture critiques us.

Both Bibles have all the standard helps. Both have excellent book introductions, cross-references, extended topical notes or articles(often consisting of a whole page), maps, paragraph headings, charts, and annotations, with indexes pointing the reader to the appropriate topic for further study.

The formats of these study Bibles differ. The NGSB has a single column text with side references. The references contain not only cross-references but textual remarks. The NSB has references in a "windows" box below the text, and has a double column format. The NSB has slightly larger text, but my 45 year old eyes have no difficulty with the NGSB text.

In my judgment, the NSB is stronger in two areas. First, it has a superior concordance (approximately 200 pp vs. 130 pp.) Secondly, it has 350 "word focus" notes of approximately 100-150 words each. These notes define and explain a biblical term, and are keyed to Strong's numbering system. A very valuable tool. A relatively minor advantage is that it has parallel passages listed in the paragraph headings, where appropriate.

Still, the NGB is the one I find I use more frequently. This is because I appreciate the very high quality of the study notes and articles. The contributors have not only a high regard for scripture, but, secondarily, a relatively high regard for historic Christian teaching. Therefore the articles and to a lesser degree the annotations are full of references to creeds or other systematic summaries of Christian doctrine. While scripture interprets itself and is, in its essentials, quite clear, an historical perspective is often very helpful. The comments, therefore, will not be "out of date" with the next generation of Christians or scholars. In addition, the articles are very "meaty", being both broad and deep.

This is not a "niche" study Bible emphasizing, e.g., prophecy or worship or the work of the Holy Spirit. While those topics are not neglected, it is a study Bible of great breadth and utility. It is balanced, and seeks to place its emphasis on what the text actually emphasizes.

In conclusion, I would recommend you get both! Get the NSB in hardback (only $21 as of this review), and get the NGSB in the most durable form you can afford. You'll probably find yourself toting it around quite a bit, as I have. If you must limit yourself to one, and your birthday is not coming up, I recommend the NGSB. Get it in any form you can, but get it.

In this postmodern age, any help in dueling with our tendencies to depend on our own knowledge and abilities, i.e., the latest simple solution to our comfort and influence: 'gain-your own-great-power-by-praying-this-special-spirit-led-prayer' book, versus knowing what to pray and to whom we pray as we seek to mature in Christ by doing His good works prepared for us and discerning what is His good for us, requires diligence in studying His love letter to us,2 Tim 3:16,17. Are/is the Trinity in competition, One with the Others as is mankind? What is the true power, purpose and nature of the Holy Spirit of Christ? Should we simply search His word for the only special revelation of His character and rule of our lives? Here is a unique tool for arming ourselves against all the heavenly powers and our own indwelling sin as God does sanctify us.

Having been a Christian for many years, I have, like most, been through several bibles, e.g., the New English version as a babe, KJV,RSV, NIV and studied through the accurate NAS translation. After the intense joy of being graciously led away from legalism and license as a practice (but 1 John 1:8-10 & daily Lord's Prayer)and more richly into covenantal theology with G.I. Williamson's Westminster Confession through its solid scriptural references with challenging exposition and finding definitive support through many classics, e.g., Heidelberg Catechism, Institutes by Calvin, Puritan writings- Edwards & Owen, the magnificent expositor Charles Spurgeon, Knowing God by Packer, I found the NKJV study bible to be a beautiful gift!

The commentaries throughout lead me to an ever deeper understanding of the OT/NT silver thread, His covenant with those whom the self-existent One freely chose to love before the foundation of creation with the only pure, effectual love we creatures can ever know -the love which flows forth from the Trinity's own love for One another. The commentaries, intros and annotations do further, and powerfully, enforce, by the gracious tutelage of Christ's Spirit, the covenantal tender lovingkindness (hesed) of He who crushed His only Son for us so we may share as His adopted -unbelievable!- sons and daughters with all the magnificent, eternal benefits bestowed upon His children as we walk under His diligent, care-full, tender discipleship in Jesus. The notes seem to be always pointing in scripture to the many weaknesses of the famous hero/characters of the scriptures, which reveal a much different perspective than I was taught at a young Sunday School age, to show how our Father demonstrates to all principalities and powers of creation His sovereign character in the fullness of justice and mercy to bring glory to His name. It should, I think, only lead us to a more graceful, forgiving and serving relationship with our 'neighbors', great humility and quiet, sober, but intense, deep joy in praising our Daddy/Yahweh.

The list of contributors and editors is impressive: Sproul, of course, Packer, J. Boice, Bruce Waltke, Moises Silva and many more from RTS, Westminster Seminary, Trinity Evan Divinity Sch, Gordon-Conwell Sem, Regent College, Erskine, Beeson, Wycliffe Hall, etc These guys do challenge and push us to greater study and knowledge with their comments! Many of the same notes and references are found in "Concise Theology" by Packer and "Essential Truths.." by Sproul- both good for a solid basics' library and gifts with numerous scriptural references. Excellent quality paper, good print size and print contrast adds to its value. Note: Peter Hill's review, see above, is excellent.

As to translation: "Where new translation has been necessary in the New King James Version, the most complete representation of the original has been rendered by considering the history of usage and etymology of words in their contexts. This principle of complete equivalence seeks to preserve all of the information in the text, while presenting it in good literary form. Complete equivalence translates fully, in order to provide an English text that is both accurate and readable." ..."Where significant variations occur in the New Testament Greek manuscripts, textual notes are classified.." Alternate translations of specific words or phrases are given in the side margins. I only 'heard' the NIV could have been the first choice for this study bible, but thankfully not 'provided'. The NKJV translations is so beautiful to just sit down and read! A perusal of some favorite texts, e.g., 23rd Psalm, will quickly show you the poetic readability of the NKJV.

I sincerely hope this helps you in making a decision for one of the most important investments for yourself OR a beautiful GIFT for someone you love with His love and want them to share in the peace and assurance of Christ's work. I pray we both, not only gain knowledge of His infinite love for us , but that this knowledge bears fruit in our fleeting lives of pilgrimage.

I've been using study bibles for two decades and I've *never* found a better one. Finally, we have a fully theologically-sound, Grace-centered study bible, with notes and essays from the best scholars (Packer, Sproul, Boice, etc.). Everyone in my church either has one or is getting one.