Customer Reviews

The Reformation Study Bible: The Word That Changes Lives - The Faith That Changed the World (NKJV)

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Through God's grace and continued study of the Scriptures, I become acquainted with the truth of the sound Reformed doctrine not so long ago. I set out to find a study Bible to replace my various other study Bibles of the Arminian theological persuassion. I had originally intended to get a facsimile of an old Geneva Bible for the Reformed notes and commentary of John Calvin. Though, the cost was prohibitive and its archaic English prove impractical for regular consultation and study. I eventually got Calvin Commentaries on CD-ROM- while incredibly valuable-it still left me longing for a practical study Bible. Fortunately, I found out about the Reformation Study Bible. In the tradition of Reformers like Calvin, Luther, Owen and Spurgeon it combines the lucid and clear translation of the New King James version with reference notes and a concordance affirming the tenets of the Reformed Christian faith. I first heard of this study Bible after becoming acquainted with R.C. Sproul's ministry on the Internet. This study Bible has been a godsend for me. It elaborates on the doctrines of grace and possesses an incredibly useful concordance and is complimented by an appendix of articles explaining the five points of the Reformed faith. It makes frequent reference to the Westminister Confession of Faith, which is a nice touch. Perhaps my one qualm I have about this book is that the pages are too thin. It took me some time to find a highlighter/marker that wouldn't bleed through the pages.

The Geneva bible made an incredible impact in the lives of those who valued its clarity and ability to honor God. Today's new version is a breath of fresh air in a world of specialized bibles. This version is not just for women, or men or teenagers. This bible is for all who hunger for a good understanding of the Word. All Christians would be blessed in using this study bible to dig deeper into understanding the holiness of God and their own place in His creation.

Footnotes, references, outlines, historical data, theological information . . . I find it more helpful than my Thompson Reference Bible and far better than my Ryrie. An excellent addition to your library for reference, but you'll find that this is the one that you'll end up reading every day.

This is the first study Bible that I have purchased for myself. I first became familiar with this particular Bible while listening to one of R.C. Sproul's radio broadcasts, which I enjoy. Needless to say, I purchased it and have been reading from it now for a few months. Based on the New King James Version, it is an excellent exercise in reform theology.

I actually purchased this specific Bible to get a better grasp on the concepts of reform theology, like free-will. There are several relevant discussion on free-will, as well as a few interrelated side bars on the topic. Although I might not fully agree with all of the opinions throughout the notes, I now understand reform view points, which I previously did not, and I think I am better for it.

In all, I think that this was a great study Bible in and of itself, but in total is a study Bible. Eminently we live by the Word of God, which men do not always fully grasp. It is important to note, and I think R.C. Sproul would agree that the Study Notes should be understood as scholarly knowledge and not tightly intertwined with the Biblical text itself.

I would certainly recommend this title for some one that is in need of understanding the reform view point on Christianity.

For people with a reformed or Calvinistic view, the Reformation Bible is the best Bible there is. Many Bibles today provide extensive notes that tell generic Christians how they are suppose to live, gives them some general Biblical history or provides them with general cross-references. This Bible tells reformed Christians why they believe what they believe and where in the Bible their beliefs are supported. In short, no other Bible I know of is like it for reformed Protestants. It helps you to distinguish yourself from non-reformed Christians.
As to the Bible's contruction, the paper is very good and the leather is pretty good.
Thomas Nelson, the publisher, is doing an inadequate job in publicizing the value of this Bible.
It's the Bible some people are sure to believe they have been missing all their lives...

Out of the 5 study bibles I own this is the one I refer to the most. Outstanding articles on the foundations of the Reformed Protestant Faith. The notes are insightfull and devotional in nature.
Regardless of your theological persuasion you will find this Bible helpfull in your clear understanting of Reformed Protestantism.

Print is slightly small. The yellow cover is removable, with red hardcover underneath. "Words of Christ" in red, not mentioned in description. This is not the most recent publication of the Reformation Study Bible.

I've used this study Bible since its publication and have experienced a bit of the "now and not yet." To clarify, I've not been disappointed with my purchase, and indeed I've often found it helpful. But, I've also found the notes somewhat lacking at points, and I've never really liked the New King James text, both for textual reliability and readability.

Thankfully, a revised version of this study Bible has recently been published by Zondervan titled The Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible. The notes, which were originally tailored for the NIV, have been re-edited and updated, much to the benefit of the students of Scripture. In addition, the supplementary material (theological articles, introductions, etc.) have been expanded and improved, and with the use of the NIV text (with plenty of notes of explanation when their translation could be misleading), I'd urge readers to consider that Study Bible instead.

The notes of this Bible were again re-edited and updated for the The Reformation Study Bible, which uses the English Standard Version. I have not used this work (though I understand it to be an improvement on this one), but I list it here for completeness.