Rice Reference Bible

[labaptist]

I know that this bible is out of print and very hard to find nowadays. I once had one with water damage that I sold on eBay for $50 in around 2 hours. I miss it I know it was orginally published by Thomas Nelson, but was reprinted by a company called Anchor Bible Concepts, and may also have been reprinted by Sword of the Lord. I know in the past one of Dr. Rice's grandson's has posted on BB, as has an employee of The Sword. Does anyone know the reason it is out of print? I think there is a large demand for it should it be reprinted.

 

[go2church]

The Scofield-ish study bible was somewhat popular in fundamentalist circles, but never touched the strength of the Scofield. It was never updated, like the Scofield and the KJV only stand of the Sword of the Lord, though I don't think Rice ever stumbled to the level we have seen this nonsense go, sent many potential buyers away, not wanting to be associated with the likes of "If the KJV was good enough for Paul it is good enough for me" type mentality.

I remember it having ok notes, nothing spectacular and a bit weak in the area of the local church which makes sense considering the point of view he was writing from. But that was many moons ago since I gave my copy away.

I would disagree, I don't think there would be a market for a reprint.

 

[HankD]

I know that this bible is out of print and very hard to find nowadays. I once had one with water damage that I sold on eBay for $50 in around 2 hours. I miss it I know it was orginally published by Thomas Nelson, but was reprinted by a company called Anchor Bible Concepts, and may also have been reprinted by Sword of the Lord. I know in the past one of Dr. Rice's grandson's has posted on BB, as has an employee of The Sword. Does anyone know the reason it is out of print? I think there is a large demand for it should it be reprinted.

John of Japan is his grandson, send John a private post he may be able to tell you where to get one.

HankD

 

[Amy.G]

You can find it HERE.

Hardback - $20

 

[labaptist]

Yeah I saw that. I would want a brand new copy though.

 

[Harold Garvey]

The Scofield-ish study bible was somewhat popular in fundamentalist circles, but never touched the strength of the Scofield. It was never updated, like the Scofield and the KJV only stand of the Sword of the Lord, though I don't think Rice ever stumbled to the level we have seen this nonsense go, sent many potential buyers away, not wanting to be associated with the likes of "If the KJV was good enough for Paul it is good enough for me" type mentality.

I remember it having ok notes, nothing spectacular and a bit weak in the area of the local church which makes sense considering the point of view he was writing from. But that was many moons ago since I gave my copy away.

I would disagree, I don't think there would be a market for a reprint.

It never fails: ask a question about a favorite Bible and the longing expressed to obtain it and the same old dribble begins!:sleep:

 

[go2church]

Hey, read the original post - He asked the reason it is out of print, I answered that question, clearly my opinion, though somewhat informed since I used to own a Rice Reference Bible.

He also made a statement that he thought there would be a market for a reprint, I disagreed and stated why.

The only "dribble" is coming from your post

 

[Bayouparson]

I know that this bible is out of print and very hard to find nowadays. I once had one with water damage that I sold on eBay for $50 in around 2 hours. I miss it I know it was orginally published by Thomas Nelson, but was reprinted by a company called Anchor Bible Concepts, and may also have been reprinted by Sword of the Lord. I know in the past one of Dr. Rice's grandson's has posted on BB, as has an employee of The Sword. Does anyone know the reason it is out of print? I think there is a large demand for it should it be reprinted.

This is in the category of FYI. The Rice Reference Bible copyright is owned by Thomas Nelson in Nashville. They will reprint it only for someone who wants to pay the bill. They have no desire to market the Rice Ref. Bible. The Sword of the Lord has held a gentleman's agreement exclusive on the Rice Ref. Bible because of the relationship between John R. Rice and the Sword of the Lord although Thomas Nelson would print it if you had the money [last account was $20,000. for 5,000 copies] You could get yourself a brand new Rice Reference Bible if you have the money (a little higher than Ebay). Probably the only place that would have a market for this Ref. Bible would be the Sword of the Lord Publishers.

 

[John of Japan]

This is in the category of FYI. The Rice Reference Bible copyright is owned by Thomas Nelson in Nashville. They will reprint it only for someone who wants to pay the bill. They have no desire to market the Rice Ref. Bible. The Sword of the Lord has held a gentleman's agreement exclusive on the Rice Ref. Bible because of the relationship between John R. Rice and the Sword of the Lord although Thomas Nelson would print it if you had the money [last account was $20,000. for 5,000 copies] You could get yourself a brand new Rice Reference Bible if you have the money (a little higher than Ebay). Probably the only place that would have a market for this Ref. Bible would be the Sword of the Lord Publishers.

This is all correct I'm sure, and you actually know more about this aspect than I do! I would add that though the copyright is held by Thomas Nelson, Inc., and some of the aids ("People of the Bible," maps, etc.) are the property of Nelson, distribution was originally done by Anchor Bible Concepts, which has their name on the spine. This was run by Johnny Stancil at one time, I believe. I haven't seen him in years and don't know what happened to the company. They also produced the excellent Classic Note Bible. I don't believe the SOTL itself had any direct connection with the original publishing.

What makes it the Rice Reference Bible is the notes. I was privileged to help a little in the preparation of the notes when I worked at the Sword in 1976-1977. Granddad would hand me his handwritten notes on the historical books of the OT and I would type them up for him. He typed by the hunt and peck system, and what is amazing is that he would actually write books this way, though many of his books were dictated. For a sample of his handwriting, see the sermon notes on my website.

 

[John of Japan]

John of Japan is his grandson, send John a private post he may be able to tell you where to get one.

HankD

Alas, I wish I could but I can't. I'm not letting go of my two copies, one from my Grandma and the other from my wife. :type:

 

[Rippon]

It makes one wonder how he treats Romans 8 and 9,Ephesians 1, and related passages with his "Study Notes" style.

 

[Bayouparson]

This is all correct I'm sure, and you actually know more about this aspect than I do! I would add that though the copyright is held by Thomas Nelson, Inc., and some of the aids ("People of the Bible," maps, etc.) are the property of Nelson, distribution was originally done by Anchor Bible Concepts, which has their name on the spine. This was run by Johnny Stancil at one time, I believe. I haven't seen him in years and don't know what happened to the company. They also produced the excellent Classic Note Bible. I don't believe the SOTL itself had any direct connection with the original publishing.

What makes it the Rice Reference Bible is the notes. I was privileged to help a little in the preparation of the notes when I worked at the Sword in 1976-1977. Granddad would hand me his handwritten notes on the historical books of the OT and I would type them up for him. He typed by the hunt and peck system, and what is amazing is that he would actually write books this way, though many of his books were dictated. For a sample of his handwriting, see the sermon notes on my website.

I don't know what you know about the Rice Ref.Bible and the Sword of the Lord, but the initial publication of the Bible was done with SOTL as the sole distributor. John Stancil at one point joined with SOTL to print the Rice Ref. Bible and may have done so on two printings. The last publication of the Rice Ref. Bible was done without John's participation. They both distributed the Bible although there was a brief time when John had copies of the Rice Ref. Bible and the SOTL did not. I know from which I speak because I was with the SOTL during the last two printings of the Rice Ref. Bible. John only publishes the Classic Note Bible (which he and Jack Hyles developed initially) and the Classic Soul Winner's New Testament. The Rice Ref. Bible has not been printed since about 2000.

 

[labaptist]

Thanks for the info. I was the fool who sold my copy. I didn't like how Thomas Nelson had changed the KJV text in some places. I would say it's better then the Scofield whos popularity I can't understand, especially compared with bibles such as the Ryrie and King James Study Bible.

 

[John of Japan]

I don't know what you know about the Rice Ref.Bible and the Sword of the Lord, but the initial publication of the Bible was done with SOTL as the sole distributor. John Stancil at one point joined with SOTL to print the Rice Ref. Bible and may have done so on two printings. The last publication of the Rice Ref. Bible was done without John's participation. They both distributed the Bible although there was a brief time when John had copies of the Rice Ref. Bible and the SOTL did not. I know from which I speak because I was with the SOTL during the last two printings of the Rice Ref. Bible. John only publishes the Classic Note Bible (which he and Jack Hyles developed initially) and the Classic Soul Winner's New Testament. The Rice Ref. Bible has not been printed since about 2000.

Thanks for this information. I was on deputation from 1977 to 1981, and was about to leave for Japan in 1981 when the RRB first came out, so I was out of the loop. The RRB I have at home is leather-bound, and says inside under the intro by Mrs. Rice that it was published by Anchor. The one I have at the church is a first edition given to me by Mrs. Rice. I'm at home now, but now that you mention it, it seems to me that it has a Sword logo on the spine, so I'm sure you're right about this. It's been a long time since I thought about all this!

Do we know each other? Please PM me if we do and we'll talk over old times.

 

[John of Japan]

Thanks for the info. I was the fool who sold my copy. I didn't like how Thomas Nelson had changed the KJV text in some places. I would say it's better then the Scofield whos popularity I can't understand, especially compared with bibles such as the Ryrie and King James Study Bible.

John R. Rice had his own perspective, with Christology as the center of his theology, and the proclamation of the Gospel as the chief duty of Christians. He was neither covenant nor dispensational in his theology, though his hermeneutic was literal.

 

[Bayouparson]

Thanks for this information. I was on deputation from 1977 to 1981, and was about to leave for Japan in 1981 when the RRB first came out, so I was out of the loop. The RRB I have at home is leather-bound, and says inside under the intro by Mrs. Rice that it was published by Anchor. The one I have at the church is a first edition given to me by Mrs. Rice. I'm at home now, but now that you mention it, it seems to me that it has a Sword logo on the spine, so I'm sure you're right about this. It's been a long time since I thought about all this!

Do we know each other? Please PM me if we do and we'll talk over old times.

We may have met briefly at the Sword but I am not sure. As best as I know we do not know each other. I was told by Shelton Smith that the Rice sisters were trying to obtain the copyright from Thomas Nelson but my conversation with Thomas Nelson was that they were not interested in selling it. One of the unique features of the Rice Ref. Bible is that it is designed after the NASB (not the text). If you check you will find that where there is a quotation from the OT in the NT the quote from the OT is in all capital letters. This is indicative of Dr. Rice's love for the NASB. There is not another KJV Bible in captivity that has that unique feature.

 

[labaptist]

I thought that the reason it wasn't being published anymore might have something to do with the less then warm relations I've heard about between the Rice family and Sword of the Lord. I guess I thought the Rice family owned the copyright. I am surprised that Thomas Nelson isn't willing to sell it. I very seriously doubt they will reprint it.

 

[John of Japan]

We may have met briefly at the Sword but I am not sure. As best as I know we do not know each other. I was told by Shelton Smith that the Rice sisters were trying to obtain the copyright from Thomas Nelson but my conversation with Thomas Nelson was that they were not interested in selling it. One of the unique features of the Rice Ref. Bible is that it is designed after the NASB (not the text). If you check you will find that where there is a quotation from the OT in the NT the quote from the OT is in all capital letters. This is indicative of Dr. Rice's love for the NASB. There is not another KJV Bible in captivity that has that unique feature.

More information! Thanks. I don't hear much about such things over here in Japan. I only get to be with the family every 5 or 6 years on furlough. It is nice, though, that one supporting church has three of my aunts in it, so I get to see them all at once.

 

[John of Japan]

I thought that the reason it wasn't being published anymore might have something to do with the less then warm relations I've heard about between the Rice family and Sword of the Lord. I guess I thought the Rice family owned the copyright. I am surprised that Thomas Nelson isn't willing to sell it. I very seriously doubt they will reprint it.

With you, I doubt that Nelson will ever reprint it, though there might be a market for one printing of 20,000. Time has moved on, and John R. Rice is now a historical figure to most, since he went to Heaven 30 years ago. And the evangelical-fundamental scene has changed considerably.

 

[Rippon]

John R. Rice had his own perspective, with Christology as the center of his theology, and the proclamation of the Gospel as the chief duty of Christians.

Do you disagree with the answer to the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism?

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy him forever.

That would trump soul-winning Gospel-preaching.