The Reformation Study Bible: The Word That Changes Lives -- the Faith That Changed The World, New King James Version

The Reformation Study Bible: The Word That Changes Lives -- the Faith That Changed The World, New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, March 2001). Previous published under the title New Geneva Study Bible: Bringing the Light of the Reformation to Scripture, New King James Version [a problematic statement -- Scripture, of course, was the light of the Reformation-- sk] (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), 2228 pages, "offers a restatement of Reformation truth for Christians today. The first Geneva Bible was a pivotal force in the Reformation. Using the everyday language of its time, it opened the pages of Scripture to readers and provided helpful notes to assist them in understanding its message. It became the family Bible of the English people, and was the Bible that the Pilgrims brought to the New World. Since that time a multitude of English translations and study Bibles have appeared, but none of these has incorporated a summary of Reformed theology." -- Thomas Nelson Publishers
Nelson Reference, Ultimate Bible Reference Library: CD-ROM (Nelson Reference, October 15, 2002), ISBN: 9780785249955 0785249958.
Includes THE NEW GENEVA STUDY BIBLE, THE NEW TREASURY OF SCRIPTURE KNOWLEDGE, THE NEW NAVE'S TOPICAL BIBLE, MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY (complete and unabridged) and about 55 other works. Logos Library System format.

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Serious Caveat: I humbly apologize for my unreserved praise of THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE in this review from 1996 to 2004.
Both Calvin and Luther named the Pope as the Antichrist in their writings. For modern Reformed editors to omit the 1599 GENEVA BIBLE annotation on the Antichrist is unbelievable. The omission dishonors the blood of the Protestant martyrs, it misleads the reader, it give ground to the Counter-reformation, it weakens the study Bible, and it spoils the testimony of editors. The decline of Reformed theology began in 1661, about 350 years ago. See "A Theological Interpretation of American History," http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9chc.html#stiahis
"R.C. Sproul is a Preterist, a fact which he does not hide. This can be seen in his Revelation commentary, as well as his GENEVA STUDY BIBLE annotations which deliberately omit the original [1599 Geneva Bible-- sk] annotations of the Reformers who taught the Pope was the predicted Antichrist. . . . [a new printing of the 1599 GENEVA BIBLE is cited below-- sk] Thus, Sproul is a traitor to the Protestant Reformation with which he claims kinship.
"J.I. Packer [an Associate Editor of THE NEW GENEVA STUDY BIBLE, who also wrote the 96 "Theological Notes" found in sidebars throughout the text-- sk] was an original signatory of the Evangelicals and Catholics Together treatise, a traitor to the Reformation which he claims to honor.
"Rather than a world converting to true Christianity -- a doctrine believed by post-millennialists -- we see the unfolding, decade by decade, of apostasy from the faith by those who would claim to be Protestant Evangelicals. This apostasy is also seen in the so-called 'Reformed' seminaries. John Robbins of The Trinity Foundation has documented this fact in publications. Truly, the love of many is waxing cold." -- Rand Winburn, Director, Protestant Reformation Publications
Reader's should be aware that Joe Trafton of Western Kentucky University, a contributor to the NGSB/RSB "is pro-Catholic, something entirely foreign to the universe of the original Geneva Bible. A simple Internet check will show that Trafton is a member of the Catholic Biblical Association (with Jerome as the patron saint and the Pope as the official interpreter). Further, Trafton has taken the lead in removing a Reformed pastor from his position for calling Catholics to search the scriptures. The original Reformers of Geneva would turn over in their graves to see . . . their modern standard bearers." -- Reader's Comment
Readers should be aware that another contributor, Allan MacRae, "years earlier had served on the NEW SCOFIELD REFERENCE BIBLE revision committee under the chairmanship of E. Schuyler English."
Thanks to Rand Windburn and others for pointing out serious flaws in the work.
In my experience sharing the Gospel one-on-one, the Counter-reformation has been the most vicious enemy of the Means of Grace.
Nonetheless, THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE is, I feel, one of the best study Bibles compiled in our time. But in using it the reader must be aware of its flaws.
Readers will find that the 1599 Geneva Bible does not "skirt the hard truths" that expose the radically depraved nature of our fallen state -- truths that hurt us so, if we are intellectually honest. Therefore, we recommend that readers first go through the entire 1599 Geneva Bible [June 10, 2010 -- sk] before going through the NEW GENEVA STUDY BIBLE. Select notes from the 1599 Geneva Bible appear below.
Other study Bibles are listed in this review, and we encourage readers to use them to check THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE.
Regarding the newest edition of the REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE, not all textual critics are in agreement that the English Standard Version is an improvement over the New King James Version. However, Thomas Nelson holds copyrights to the New King James Version (August 30, 2004 -- sk).
See the links below for additional information.

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Most of us are suspicious of new Bibles, being familiar with the 200 plus "translations" offered in the marketplace today. Textual criticism is such an obscure, complex, and tedious field. A major block of time is required to get to the bottom of the question of accuracy.

Wilber N. Pickering states in "What Difference Does it Make?" THE IDENTITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT TEXT (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1980) that "until such a time as a good translation of the Majority Text becomes available, the best current English version of the New Testament is the NKJV -- an excellent translation of a good Greek text."

He goes on to point out that all modern translations except the AKJV, NKJV, and MKJV (each modified literal translations), attack the "most basic doctrine of all, divine inspiration of the text," and put at risk or weaken other cardinal Christian doctrine such as Eternal Judgment, The Ascension, and The Deity of Christ. All this has been done contrary to the Word of God found in Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; Jeremiah 26:2, and Galatians 3:15.

For a detailed analysis of other major translations of the Bible see Peter J. Johnston and Jay P. Green (editor) Unholy Hands on the Bible: An Examination of Six Major New Versions, (Volume 2 of UNHOLY HANDS ON THE BIBLE) (Lafayette, IN: Sovereign Grace Trust Fund, 1992).

The publisher states, "the New King James Version follows the historical precedent of the Authorized King James Version in maintaining a literal approach to translation, except were the idiom of the original language cannot be translated directly into our tongue."

The NKJV stays with the traditional text, but modifies it to improved accuracy and understandability. Variations are given as textual notes in the side column, so the reader can make his own comparisons to the Critical Text and to the Majority Text.

The editors state in the preface "the textual notes reflect the scholarship of the past 150 years and will assist the reader to observe the variations between the different manuscript traditions of the New Testament. Such information is generally not available in English translations of the New Testament." The side column also provides alternative translations, equivalent translations, literal translations, explanatory notes, and language notes.

For a discerning critique of the NKJV translation and Revised Authorized Version, as the NKJV is known in Great Britain, see REMARKS ON THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION AND REVISED AUTHORIZED VERSION by D.K. Madden, (Petersburg, OH [Pilgrim Brethren Press, P.O. Box 171, Petersburg 44454]: Pilgrim Brethren Press, 1991). He points out some noteworthy inaccuracies and weaknesses introduced by the NKJV translation, but they seem to be outweighed by the NKJV corrections of inaccuracies and weaknesses of the AKJV.

The Holy Bible is the best commentary on itself, a truth that came out of the Reformation. The focus of these study notes is unreservedly Biblical, and they are full of supporting cross references, making them refreshingly authoritative and transparent.

The study notes combine modern scholarship by J.I. Packer, Moises Silva, Luder Whitlock, Edmund Clowney, Roger Nicole, R. Laird Harris, and many others -- over 50 scholars contributed to this work -- with the insights of Reformers such as John Calvin, Martin Luther, John Knox, and Theodore Beza.

The 96 Theological Notes, written by J.I. Packer, "on central doctrinal teachings of Scripture," with scriptural references, will bless the soul and delight the purist with the caveat noted above. And they are indexed.

God's character and plan of salvation for mankind shine clearly from the Theological Notes, Study Notes, and Chapter Introductions.

The NKJV text reads smoothly. Among other modifications to grammar and wording, the pronouns "thee," "thou," and "ye," and the endings "-eth" and "-est" have been removed. The words of Christ are in read. The words of the Lord quoted by the prophets are placed in quotation marks a feature not found in the Authorized King James Version.

The devotional quality attached to the Elizabethan English of the AKJV can not be matched. This writer, for one, will continue to memorize Scripture from THE 1769 AUTHORIZED VERSION KING JAMES BIBLE, with the amendments of Noah Webster (New York, NY: Cambridge University Press). He will continue to use YOUNG'S LITERAL TRANSLATION OF THE HOLY BIBLE, 2nd revised edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1956, 1898) to check other translations.

In general, the larger the database, the more valuable it is to the user. The REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE provides "the most comprehensive set of helps in study Bible format for Christians interest in the Reformed tradition."

Biblicists recognize that the Bible itself becomes the ultimate index. The REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE is bound to become a notebook and principle index for many who search the Scripture for practical guidance for daily life.

By transferring markings and notes from previous study Bibles, the reader will have the added pleasure of reading Reformed study notes for favorite verses.

Readers who appreciate book design, page style, format, and typography will be pleased with the intelligent and aesthetic composition of this Bible. Features making it easy to read and study are:

• Text is in single columns.
• "Prose is divided into paragraphs to indicate the structure of thought."
• Bold type is used generously to guide the eye.
• "Bold subheadings assist the reader to identify topics and transitions in the Biblical context."
• Large dropped caps and dropped numbers further organized text.
• Oblique type in the New Testament indicates quotes from the Old Testament.
• "Poetry is structured as contemporary verse to reflect the poetic form and beauty of the passage in the original language"
• Maps inserted in the text at relevant places assists the reader's comprehension and memory by association.
• Icons are used tastefully.
• Extra line space between study notes assists the eye in separating the notes.
• Ample use of white space leaving room for reader marks and notes.

We owe a debt of gratitude to the Foundation for Reformation who "established the vision for the NEW GENEVA STUDY BIBLE and who provided the financial support for the project," to R.C. Sproul, general editor, to the editorial staff, and to the contributors.

We are also indebted to Thomas Nelson Publishers for the excellent publication. After millions spent on advertising Bibles, estimates are that the NKJV has sold "only 2 million or so compared to some 150 million of other new versions."

The 2228 pages must be turned carefully. They are large, 6 1/2 X 9 1/4 inches, and on thin paper. The volume is 1 1/2 inches thick.

The REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE is available in a variety of bindings and thumb indexed.

The New Geneva Study Bible (NKJV)
Rights to both Bibles now belong to The Foundation for Reformation. (February 2008)
Ligonier Ministries is now the publisher.
New copies of both THE NEW GENEVA STUDY BIBLE (1995, NKJV) and THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE (2001, NKJV) are available from Ligonier Ministries, leather bound only (February 2008).
THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE
http://www.gospelcom.net/ligonier/ligcat/ngsb.html
Of course, copies of all previous editions are available in the used book trade. See "How to Find a Book"
THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE is also available in Logos Library System (LLS) format in the Ultimate Bible Reference Library by Nelson Reference. It may be used in combination with THE NEW TREASURY OF SCRIPTURE KNOWLEDGE which is included in the ULTIMATE BIBLE REFERENCE LIBRARY.
The electronic edition in (LLS), does not include the margin notes, that is, the side column that provides alternative translations, equivalent translations, literal translations, explanatory notes, and language notes. However, it does contain all the text notes appearing at the foot of the page in the printed edition.
Nelson Reference, Ultimate Bible Reference Library (Nelson Reference, October 15, 2002).
Includes THE NEW GENEVA STUDY BIBLE, THE NEW TREASURY OF SCRIPTURE KNOWLEDGE, THE NEW NAVE'S TOPICAL BIBLE, MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY (complete and unabridged) and about 55 other works. Logos Library System format.

In 2005 R.C. Sproul published a third REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE in the English Standard Version.
Sproul, R.C. (editor) and Keith Mathison (editor), The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (P&R Publishing, February 16, 2005), hardcover, 1948 pages.
A description of this Bible, explaining how it differs from original REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE, alternate title: NEW GENEVA STUDY BIBLE, may be found at the Ligonier Ministries website that follows.
The Reformation Study Bible
http://www.ligonier.org/publishing_studybible.php

For those who want to read the study notes to the 1599 GENEVA BIBLE, Tolle Lege Press released a new edition in 2006. "This new edition contains all the original words and notes, but the type has been enlarged and the font style change for today's reader."
*CALVIN, JOHN (1509-1564), et al. [John Knox, Theodore Beza, Miles Coverdale, William Whittingham, Anthony Gilby, and Martin Luther, and others], GARY DEMAR (foreword), MARSHALL FOSTER (preface) 1599 Geneva Bible [enhanced], hardcover (Tolle Lege Press, 2006, 2007), 1400 pages, ISBN: 0975484699 9780975484692 0975484613 9780975484616 0975484621 9780975484623. Available on the forthcoming SWRB Puritan Hard Drive.
"When the Pilgrims arrived in America in 1620, they brought along supplies, a consuming passion to advance the Kingdom of Christ, a bright hope for the future, and the Word of God. Clearly, their most precious cargo was the Bible. The GENEVA BIBLE, printed over 200 times between 1560 and 1644, was the most widely read and influential English Bible of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. This superb translation was the product of the best Protestant scholars of the day and became the Bible of choice for many of the greatest writers, thinkers, and historical figures of that time. The GENEVA BIBLE is unique among all other Bibles. It was the first Bible to use chapters and numbered verses and became the most popular version of its time because of the extensive marginal notes. These notes, written by Reformation leaders such as John Calvin, John Knox, Miles Coverdale, William Whittingham, Anthony Gilby, and others, were included to explain and interpret the scriptures for the common people. For nearly half a century these notes helped the people of England, Scotland, and Ireland understand the Bible and true liberty. King James despised the GENEVA BIBLE because he considered the notes on key political texts to be seditious and a threat to his authority. Unlike the KING JAMES VERSION, the GENEVA BIBLE was not authorized by the government. It was truly a Bible by the people and for the people. You can see why this remarkable version with its profound marginal notes played a key role in the formation of the American Republic. Until now, the only complete version available was a large, cumbersome, and difficult-to-read facsimile edition. But this new edition contains all the original words and notes, but the type set has been enlarged and the font style change for today's reader." -- Publisher's Annotation
"This is the Bible that eventually put an end to Feudalism in Europe, strengthened Puritans, Quakers, and came to America on the Mayflower. This was the first Bible published in the language of the common people, the first Bible to contain commentary and verse numbers, and the first Bible written in English from Greek and Hebrew texts available from Constantinople, not from the Latin Vulgate. The dynamite in this Bible is the commentary accounting for about one third of its length.
"The Church of England and King James were so upset they determined to create a new translation. They called it the KING JAMES VERSION. They choose to use language so formal and grand, even by the standards of those days, that the common people would find difficult to understand. The GENEVA BIBLE was found seditious by it's insertions of commentary that spoke directly about the priesthood of lay believers, the church as naturally anti-oligarchy, and setting forth some other ideas considered anarchy by the King, but meaning freedom to the masses who read it. . . .
"Important facts to remember about this Bible. The Reformation was strong in England and the Lollards were a lay group of huge influence that had to go underground. English Christian theologians, not Catholics and not Anglicans, fled in huge numbers to Geneva for freedom. Geneva was not part of Switzerland at that time, because Geneva was its own city-state. . . . The GENEVA BIBLE was printed 1560-1644. THE KING JAMES VERSION was published in 1611. The GENEVA BIBLE was against the law to own. . . ." -- Reader's Comment
Available "in printed formats with various binding options from Tolle Lege Press. Tolle Lege Press has given SWRB permission to provide a PDF copy of their retypeset and fully searchable edition of the 1599 GENEVA BIBLE (Copyright 2006-2008, Tolle Lege Press) on the forthcoming SWRB Puritan Hard Drive.
"The GENEVA BIBLE is the Puritan Bible with Reformation promoting marginal notes authored by prominent leaders of the Reformation (during the time of John Calvin and John Knox). The New Testament was translated out of the Greek by Theodore Beza. The GENEVA BIBLE was the predominant English translation during the period in which the English and Scottish Reformations gained great impetus.
"Iain Murray, in his classic work on revival and the interpretation of prophecy, THE PURITAN HOPE, notes,

The two groups in England and Scotland developed along parallel lines, like two streams originating at one fountain. The fountain was not so much Geneva, as the Bible which the exiles newly translated and issued with many marginal notes . . . it was read in every Presbyterian and Puritan home in both realms (p. 7).

The notes of TOMSON'S NEW TESTAMENT of 1576, which took the place of the New Testament of the Bible of 1560 in many editions from 1587 onward, are entirely different from those in the GENEVA BIBLE. They are taken from Beza's Latin Testament, and are controversial and strongly Calvinistic.

The changes adopted in the GENEVA BIBLE and New Testament synchronise with the gradual spread of the Calvinistic heresy and the contemporaneous development of hatred of the whole Papal system of doctrine. The notes attacked the Sacramental teaching of the Church, substituting for it the Calvinistic doctrines of election and reprobation. They taught that Sacraments are nothing more than signs and seals of grace previously given to the elect. All passages about the Sacraments are explained away.