Featured Which Study Bible Should I Get?

I have about 35 study Bibles in my collection. Many times I have said that if my house were on fire and I only had time to save 1 of my study Bibles, I would grab MacArthur.

Most likely a few will recommend the ESV or Reformation SB. This is of course due to a particular doctrinal bent and MacArtuhur is no exception here. However, the ESV SB in particular in trying to cover all theological bases leaves one in my opinion with more questions than answers. I solve this problem by trying to have as many study Bibles as possible.

While not a study Bible per se, the first edition NET Bible with +60K translators (and study) notes is nice to have but there are no graphs, tables, illustrations or charts, for that matter there are no references. And I still use the old NIV SB alot.

 

I like MacArthur better than Ryrie, but have both. I also have the KJV study bible,the new NIV study bible, NLT study bible, ESV study bible, NET bible, HCSB study bible and the NRSV study bible, all in print. But I have wordsearch bible software that has those and many more, which is my preferred method of study. You can take one verse and do an instant verse study and it will give you what is said about that verse in every study bible and commentary in the collection, or you can edit it to give you just the ones you choose. Blessings in your study and Happy New Year as well!

 

If you like the KJV, the new Holman KJV Study Bible is excellent (IMO). It has color pictures, good clear print, lots of study notes, an archaic word dictionary in back, good concordance, and nice maps. I enjoy it.

 

I was going to get it, but I found out the notes are the same as the HCSB study bible, which I already had. The archaic words is an added feature though, so I still might get it. I like the pics and notes.

 

Ryrie's theology is terrible. I used a Ryrie Study Bible from about 1979 to 1986 before I finally realized that his notes were more of a hindrance than a help.

MacArthur's theology is better, but I would pass.

I'm actually not a fan of study Bibles, but if you are going to get one, I'd recommend the Life With God Study Bible.

 

What is your theological persuasion? That will help in determining the right study bible.

The MacArthur Study Bible and the Reformation Study Bible are from the Doctrines of Grace perspective (although MacArthur's bible is dispensational in nature).

The Ryrie Study Bible, and The Life Application Study Bible are more in line with the various free will positions.

An excellent study Bible is the Thompson Chain Reference. It is a very good resource tool, especially if you do not have Logos, Bibleworks, e-Sword et. al.

 

The new NIV Study Bible, best middle of the road option

 

You are not the only one recommending this work:

“This Bible is greatly needed.” (Tony Campolo, author of It's Friday but Sunday's Coming )

 

Thompson Chain is the best in my opinion. Next I would put the Reformation Bible.

 

A friend gave me a New American Standard Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible.

He said he wouldn't give a pearl to a swine after he gave it to me.

I have been using it ever since. I like to try to read Scripture without a pre-existing agenda as I am ready it as best as me and my war against my nature can.

I do love referencing words in Hebrew-Greek in the dictionary as i am studying it, the index is very useful to. It gives like a background on each book.

 

Like what you like, but so very different theologically speaking.

 

If forced I would probably say the same.

 

Bio of Dr. Thompson. He served under Sister Aimee Semple McPherson at her L.I.F.E. Bible College:

 

I've been using Nelson's KJV Study Bible for almost 20 years, and haven't found anything I like better. Most in-depth study Bible I know of.

 

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Chr...-Hijacked-An-Interview-With-Tony-Campolo.aspx

 

I also like the Believer's Study Bible.

 

As with bible translations, a collection is better than any single translation, so with study notes. My first version was the Life Application NIV Study Bible, conservative, but does not tackle doctrine. Next, I bought an NASB Ryrie Study Bible. Then a Scofield ESV Study Bible. Then I bought a Zondervan NASB95 Study Bible, apparently the much liked NIV study bible notes.

All of these must be supplemented with Bible dictionaries, Exhaustive Concordances, College level dictionaries, and other study aid.

If I was consigned by the government to only use one, it would be the Zondervan NASB95.

 

I love all the comments about how you need 15 different translations,

Makes you wonder how people even 100 years ago got by with just one copy of a Bible, and nothing else. However, IMHO, they were stronger Christians than believers today. Perhaps a good Bible translation PLUS the Holy Spirit is really ALL you need. :thumbs:

 

If you believe the folks 100 years ago who were serious about bible study used on one source of information, you need to start reading the footnotes.