Customer Reviews

Thompson Chain Reference Bible (Style 313) - Regular Size NKJV - Hardcover

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have owned one version or another of the Chain Reference Bible since I was a teenager in the seventies. My 'standard' Bible has been the large print KJV for many, many years and it remains the first Bible I pick up. I purchased the NIV Chain Reference, but just didn't like the translation, it just didn't 'read' right for me. I've enjoyed the NAS translation, but it is awfully dry reading when the heart desires poetry. So, I ended up purchasing the NKJV. It has been a real pleasure to read, combining the elegance of the KJV with a modern and accurate adaptation.

As for the chain reference system used by Thompson, it's such a part of my Bible reading and study that I'd have a really hard time switching to another system. Some of the illustrations and charts have been revised from my older KJV, but not to an extreme. The Thompson system remains, for me, the quickest and easiest way to study a topic through the Bible, or just through either the New or Old Testament. The Bible also includes an excellent concordance; for someone new to chain reference study they can start with the traditional concordance and work their way into the Thompson system. Also included are excellent maps, revised from the earlier versions, and a historical dictionary with photos of significant Biblical locations, with explanations.

I agree with another reviewer that Nelson Bibles are, in general, not made for people with serious intentions on daily Bible use. They are constructed down to a price, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, as these can provide a very inexpensive introduction to the Bible. However, when one is ready to use a Bible in a serious, daily way, a better Bible will easily pay for its higher price.

Though this Bible is well-made, it is NOT as well made as my older, large print KJV. My older Bible has whipstitching clearly seen in front and back, with pages secured as well today as when I bought it. This newer Bible appears to have pages that are glued in like cheaper ones. Additionally, the paper is comletely different than my older edition, and thinner. The older paper had almost an eggshell texture, whereas the newer paper is much slicker and thinner. In first use it's really quite difficult to get the pages apart. However, it's still a very well-made Bible, just not up to the standard of the older ones. That should in no way deter someone from buying it, though.

As a one-volume Biblical library, I haven't seen anything to beat the Thompson's. As another reviewer noted, it's also refreshingly free of editorial bias, which certainly can't be said of all its competitors. Most of all, each of us needs to find a Bible they can live with daily, and any Bible available is better than none at all! Thompson Bibles aren't inexpensive but they will last twice as long as cheaper Bibles, particularly if kept in a cover. Also, the supplemental atlases and historical additions might well save purchase of other books to accompany Biblical study. Highly recommended!

For many years, I searched for the "ultimate" Bible. Being an avid New King James Version reader, we don't always have as many resources available as the King James or NIV people. My most useful Bible study tool is many, many cross-references, which I always looked for in NKJV Bibles that had the most. The Thompson Chain has much more than the standard cross-references. The chain references are just that: you go to the alphabetical index to find your subject, (which there are listed around 4,400 different topics) and you go to the first reference, and simply chain through the scripture references. In other words, they are cross-referenced in sequence order! The topics are as detailed as "blue" and as extensive as "God"; these more extensive subjects are then broken down into various sub- topics. Also, in the back of the Bible, the subjects are listed by title, then all the references are given, and the more main ones are chained throughout the scriptures, and some topics' scriptures are written out in the back also! There are also absolutely no commentaries, nor any conclusions drawn in this Bible! I would 100% recommend this Bible (in any version you use) for those of us who love many, many cross references, and believe first and foremost to compare scripture with scripture (1Cor. 2:13) in Bible studies. For those who like this, this Bible has everything!

I must warn you all that Kirkbride is producing very low quality Bibles these days. I bought a Thompson KJV Genuine Leather about 6 years ago. It was printed on very nice quality Bible paper, creamy white with the words in Christ in a very beautiful RED. The paper held up to lots of wear and tear and still was in good shape. It was a pleasure to own
But what happened? The new Thompson Bibles are printed on very very cheap paper that is of such poor quality that the letters and words on the other side of the page shows through. I can feel the paper of the new Thompsons and compare it with my older edition Thompson and I was very unhappy to learn I was scammed. Also the words of Christ in red are in such a light shade that I found it hard to read - gone are the deep red print of yesteryear.
I do not know what prompted the Kirkbride people to this. Maybe they want to get the more profit from thier Bibles and cut corners on paper quality. They are cheating the public by selling very shoddy Bibles and still charging thier high prices.
Dont make the mistake I did and pay 90 dollars for a lousy version of a former great study Bible. I am sorry a classic Study Bible fell victim to corporate GREED.

I am a Pastor and I use several study bibles. All of them have a lot to offer in their own right, but the Thompson Chain Bible became my jewel of them all. It is very unique. There are no notes but just references that lead you in a thourough research of a topic. You come to your own conclusions.

I was greatly helped when my wife gave me the Large Print KJV version. I had a NKJV version already that I loved. The KJV has better instructions on how to use the Thompson Chain Ref. Bible. I began to notice the different types of Chains, Topical, Historical, Biographical, Present Day Facts, and Ancient findings. (THBPA Chains in short!) I found out that a lot of the information in the annotated bibles could also be found in the helps in the back of the Thompson Chain Bible if I wanted to look them up. Also beside the verses are pilot numbers that may refer you to Topics or Analytical information in the Helps that give a lot of facts. The archeological section is keyed to certain text in the scriptures also. You can find a lot of data by knowing what chain numbers cover what information in the back. By following the chains that refer to the trees of the life of Jesus, Moses, and Paul, you can trace the gradual progression of their lives. The Charts in the Helps section are better that the snap-shot maps in the newer study bibles because they cover the entire life of a persons journeys and travels in sequential order.

This bible if understood and used fully can be an effective stand alone bible. The Atlas and Maps are the best layout I have ever seen. The KJV Concordance is great because it also links words to the Index numbers. (I did not see this integration in the NKJV TCRB, to my dismay.)

The book outlines are great, espcially in the NKJV. The format is more detailed and precise.

There are many more references in the NKJV format also. No incomplete chains!

The NKJV also has better print of Old Testament Passages quoted in the New Testament. The NKJV list every verse and where it is found in the Old Testament.

I put together my own Theological Chain Section in the back of my NKJV TCRB. All of the Chains about God, Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, The Inspiration of the Bible, Salvation,.....I put in my own Theological Index Page. What a study! I will email it to those who email me for it.

In Summary, A Great Bible! 5 Stars

Pastoryh@yahoo.com

My wife got this bible as a gift from her Pastor\Father in '82 & she has note after note in it. She has every sermon she has heard, scripture, location, date & preacher noted. She used it as her reference bible @ Lee (Bible College). She has truly worn this bible out. The cover fell off 2 yrs ago, but she still uses it. I believe 75% of it is highlighted. She can't get rid of it. I am a Minister & we have roughly 10 different bibles, but she still goes back to the T.C. bible. I love using her bible in my sermon preparation. I just wish they would make a bible that had 2-3" tab for notes on each page. If they had that I would have to rate it better than perfect. I would recommend this bible to the young-old, new-seasoned Christian. I believe it is time to get her a new one.

I just purchased the NKJV Signature Series & the calf-skin cover is a sheer work of art. The purchase of this Bible is highly recommended and will have eternal benefits.
The Thompson incorporates over 70 features giving the reader an in-depth look at the Word of God.
Although study Bibles do offer value & I'm not about to knock any of them as I do enjoy my Life Application NLT bible but perfer the NKJV better. Sure the NLT is somewhat easier to read but when read Psalms 5:12 the NLT omits the word favor & That to mean is what I trying to discover, & that is Gods favor. I have a Dakes also & well lets say its very easy to get caught up with a persons personal opinion on what he thinks the Word of God is saying.I think that sometimes there is too much of man's option for me to use these as my every day primary usage Bible. So I also like that there's no "study notes" written by someone who could lead you away from what God might be trying to say to you. Many Bibles with same page study notes are very helpful, but they can be distracting as well. The Thompson Chain simply guides you through the chain of scriptures and you come to your own understanding
In today's multitude of Study Bibles, the Thompson Chain stands out as a classic. The New Thompson-Chain offers something truly different from other study Bibles... it fully uses God's Word to explain itself without the help of man's opinions. It is an incredible tool to dig deep into the Word of God easily. I would encourage using a good commentary by itself but you will find that the Thompson provides a wealth of additional helps and information and because its basic feature is letting Scripture interpret Scripture, well you just seem to get more understanding out of reading Gods Word as this unique chain reference system is what helps a person to read more of what is being said.
This truly is the best study Bible ever published as I own a personal size NKJV & my most recent purchase the NKJV Calfskin Signature Series

Everything said about the Thompson Chain Reference Bible in the other reviews is true. BUT...the New King James appears to be the first version which includes several important updates to the bestseller.

These include: All chains are finished. Even if there is no forward reference number in the margin, the verse will appear in the chain in the numerical index.

Chain topic titles have been renamed for consistency. Also, ALL chain verses are labeled in the margin. (The N.M.=Not in margin symbol has been completely done away with.)

The layout of the chain (numerical) index is much better. All verses in the chain are listed. Verses which have the forward-reference in the margin are BOLD so that you can distinguish between the key verses in the actual chain and all the verses which are listed for a given topic.

The BOOK OUTLINES have all been enhanced by making each one carry certain consistent headers such as MAIN THEME and KEY WORDS.

For those interested, the NKJV Thompson is Red Letter. Also, this version DOES have the textual notes in the New Testament that distinguish readings from Nestle/UBS (NU)and Majority (M) texts if they differ from the Textus Receptus (upon which the KJV is based and thus also the NKJV; this feature is the only one of its kind in any current English Bible and is a great and quick way for textual scholars to compare text families.)

Many of the charts and diagrams have been updated and look much better. Several of the sketches (such as the character portraits in John's Gospel) have been replaced with actual pictures, little paintings, actually in grayscale.

All in all, because it provides a wealth of additional helps and information and because its basic feature is letting Scripture interpret Scripture, there is no better choice for a study Bible in a reliable and yet beautiful modern translation.

The New King James Version of the Thompson Chain Reference Bible is superior to the other versions available (i.e. the New International Version, the New American Standard Bible, and the Authorized King James Version)!

The NKJV edition is the only one (so far) that has been updated and revised. It is better organized that the other Bibles, and contains many additional features.

I like all four of the aforementioned translations, so I had a hard time deciding which version to get. After examining all four editions at length (at the Christian Bookstore) I decided to purchase the NKJV.

The NKJV, it should be noted, has approximately five hundred pages more than the NIV. Part of the reason is that the actual text of the Bible requires additional pages (the NIV is known for its "economy of words," one might say).

However, even taking that factor into account, the primary reason the NKJV is quite a bit longer is that it includes many more helpful resources than the NIV edition does.

Therefore, unless you simply WILL NOT USE this particular translation, I'd advise you to purchase the NKJV Thompson.

I love the chain reference, so I guess I'll need to find one of these made in the 80s/90s to get the quality they used to have.

I bought a geniune leather, large print Thompson and after 3 weeks of owning it, the pages are popping out of the 'sewn-in' binding (if you want to call it sewn--it's not, it just appears so)all throughout my Bible--even areas that I haven't spent any time in! My husband bought his yesterday and he's already starting having the problems I had after I bought mine.

So, in summary, if you are thinking of buying a Thompson new, save your money, because it was truly a waste of ours!

I love the New King James Version, put out by Thomas Nelson, but I loath Thomas Nelson Bibles. This is how I happened upon the Thompson a few years ago as I was relieved to find a NKJV not made by T.N. I first bought an NKJV in bonded leather. After 2 years of very heavy use, I bought an NKJV in genuine leather, and later a handy size KJV in genuine. All three of these Bibles are wonderful in every way.

The Thompson Study system is very helpful and they've graciously spared us from a myriad of religious cliche and personal opinion. The page layout is smart. The Bible text actually fills the page and all study helps and references are relegated to the side margins. There are so many ways to use the studies and references, I am unable to number them here. The concordance is as extensive as any I've seen. The 14 maps are colorful and very well done. Simply put, it's a complete, Jesus-exalting study Bible designed with excellence.

The construction of these Bibles is equally impressive. The paper is just right--not too thick, not too thin. The print is dark and sharp. Their font is subtil and very appropriate for the Bible, if you ask me. The red words of Jesus are RED. They're not muddy brown; they're not pink; they're bright, deep, beautiful red. They are printed consistantly page to page, not some pages lighter or misprinted, as the Thomas Nelson folks are plagued by.

Now that I own three Thompsons, I feel about them the way a good ol' boy down in the South feels about shotguns. "I have more than I need, but not as many as I want!"