World Famous Comics: The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version
The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version
From: P & R Publishing Publisher: P & R Publishing Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: P & R Publishing Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 1948 Publication Date: February 16, 2005
Book Description: During the Reformation, a renewed interest in Scripture brought great light to the church and the world. In The Reformation Study Bible, general editor R. C. Sproul aims to present the light of the Reformation anew by combining an accessible translation with study notes that stand firmly in the theological tradition of the Reformation.
No other study Bible gives the reader more assistance in understanding the great doctrines and themes of the Christian faith as found in the Scriptures. Extensive notes have been researched and written by a team of more than fifty scholars, including J. I. Packer, James Boice, and Wayne Grudem.
All Christians that want to dig deeper in their study of Scripture will appreciate the bible’s many features, including section introductions, book introductions and outlines, comments on the biblical text, theological notes, charts, in-text maps, and cross-references.
The first study bible based on the English Standard Version, The Reformation Study Bible is the perfect choice for men and women that want to study God’s word in a language they can understand.
Features
- Thousands of study notes crucial to an in-depth study of biblical passages, verses, and words - 96 notes on central doctrinal teachings of Scripture - Introductions to the seven groups of biblical books, an introduction to the intertestamental period, and book introductions and outlines that detail the background, structure, and meaning of the biblical text - Written by 48 scholars, including Sinclair Ferguson, Dennis Johnson, Simon Kistemaker, Willem VanGemeren, and Gordon Wenham. - Edited by R. C. Sproul, assisted by Bruce Waltke (OT editor), Moises Silva (NT editor), James Boice, Edmund Clowney, and others. - 19 in-text maps help readers follow Bible geography - 12 charts aid visually oriented readers - Center-column cross-references - Concordance to the ESV
A second study bible I think this bible is a really good second study bible. First off the typesetting is fantastic, I can read it easily without reading glasses or strain. The second thing that is excellent is that the notes are almost always correct, which is something that is generally not true of most study bibles. The notes are also generally useful for someone who is familiar with the text. I personally don't like the ESV but it fits the conservative mood of the notes; the translation and the notes work well together and share a common viewpoint (which is odd given that the notes came from another text).
However, I would never recommend this bible as someone's first study bible. As others have mentioned the concordance is much smaller than in the NIV/TNIV. It lacks an index of subjects. It doesn't have color maps using simply black and white maps. It lacks the kinds of charts one would expect. It probably has only about a 1/3rd of the number of notes that most translations have. Having cut my teeth on the NIV study bible I'd have to say for a first I'd go with Zondervan TNIV Study Bible. Their balanced translation philosophy is a better choice for a first study bible, since the ESV frequently obscures meaning. If you want reformed theology for a first study bible, NASB MacArthur Study Bible. And if you are looking for an ESV study bible ESV, The ESV Study Bible (Hardcover).
Also I notice a lot of focus in the other comments on "accuracy" something that in general the ESV is not particularly good at. If you are picking this because you like the ESV (i.e. for translational issues) a better translation with far more emphasis on translational issues is: The Net Bible, First Edition: A New Approach to Translation, Thoroughly Documented with 60,932 Notes By The Translators and Editors
So if you: 1) already own a study bible, and have read it and understood 2) are starting to have trouble with small print and/or just want less noice on the page 3) are looking for a reformed theology study bible
this is a great choice. If you are missing any of those 3 criteria I'd search elsewhere. And that's why I'm giving it a mixed review. I think its a very narrow group that would like it.
Good Study Bible but not the Best R.C. Sproul does a good job putting together this study bible. The Bible itself (hardcover) looks beautiful. I was amazed when It came in. The print is somewhat larger than most and so it is easier on the eyes when laboring over scripture for hours. The ESV may be easier to read than the NASB but the NASB in some respects is clearly the more accurate translation. Also, I have to say...I honestly prefer R.C. Sproul's books over John Macarthur's. However John Macarthur's Study Bible far surpasses R.C's Reformation Study Bible. The Notes from John's are much more in depth. R.C.'s study notes cover some topics and verses that John's doesn't and so the Bibles accommodate eachother very well. But if you don't own a study bible, your budget is tight and you are looking for just 1 study Bible, no question, hands down you should go with Macarthur. If you are going with just physical appearance than you should go with Sproul (of course your vanity would be another issue) If you desire to add another sudy bible to your library, you already have Macarthur's, than the Reformation Study Bible is far ahead of all other study bibles for second place.
Good information I like the fact that alot of the notes in this Bible express the many different views that Christians hold on what the interpretation of certain verses is. Usually several viewpoints are explained to let you draw a conclusion on which one you agree with. That seems consistent with the sermons and lectures that I have heard Dr. Sproul give, which are presented very well and make you think deeply about things that you would'nt think impacted Christianity.
Faithful to the text but lacking a few features.. I am currently reading through the NT in this Bible. I appreciate that the ESV is more faithful to the original languages than the NIV, however this ESV Study Bible seems to pale in comparison to Zondervan's NIV Study Bible. I have noticed that there have been a number of verses in the NT that this ESV Study Bible ignores, or gives virtually no attention. The NIV Study Bible addresses virtually every verse in the Bible. Also this ESV Bible seems to lack the depth of maps, charts, tables and other features found in the NIV Study Bible. Its just so annoying having a question about a verse, and not being able to rely on the limited study bible notes found in this bible.
Other than this, this is a good bible and more faithful to the original authors than the NIV.
ESV and RC Sproul! Some say ESV is the best! Personally I find the ESV a little hard to read, but some say it's a very accurate (perhaps the best?) translation available. Also, RC Sproul is a great teacher and the notes and study helps are very good. If you want the ESV, get this one. Conservative & comprehensive.
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