Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Study Bible combined with excellent translation
Review: First, the really fantastic thing for me about this study bible is that it represents orthodox reformation faith, it is an wonderful alternative to both liberal study bibles and the typical, conservative evangelical study bibles. The liberal study Bibles, such as the New Oxford Annotated and the HarperCollins Study Bible provide good academic and historical information, but often do not approach the text from a perspective of traditional Christian faith. On the other hand, most of the evangelical conservative study Bibles approach the text from a dispensationalist perspective, which is an aberration that has sadly become part of the evangelical orthodoxy in this country. Also, with no slight to Baptist brothers and sisters intended, they are almost all written from a baptist perspective, and teach a low view of the sacraments in their study notes. This study bible is based squarely on the faith of the Reformers, and does not get carried away with end times speculations. It talks about Baptism and the Lord's Supper as Sacraments, and unashamedly teaches the reformed doctrine of predestination. It is also important to know that there are two versions of this study bible available. This one, the Reformation Study Bible, released in February 2005 in the English Standard Version, and the Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible, released by Zondervan with the New International Version text in 2001. Both of these study bibles have their origin in the New Geneva Study Bible, published by Thomas Nelson in 1995 with the New King James Version text. That edition is no longer available. So does one choose the NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible or the ESV Reformation Study Bible? Here are the differences: The ESV text is a better, more accurate, literal text, which follows in the KJV-RSV tradition (it is an evangelical revision of the RSV). The print is also larger and easier to read. The NIV version on the other hand, has an attractive single column format, and has revised and greatly expanded commentary notes. The ESV Reformation bible is actually almost the same as the original Thomas Nelson/NKJV edition- it represents the older edition of the notes. The NIV version has as an appendix in their entirety historic reformed confessions of faith, including the Westminster confession of faith, and Larger and Shorter catechisms, the Canons of Dort, the Belgic Confession and the Heidelberg confession. I myself prefer the ESV text over the NIV text, but there is no question that the NIV Reformation bible is superior as a study bible. IT may behoove one to buy both. I rated four stars instead of five, because the older version of the study notes are represented here. I rate the NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible four stars also, because NIV text is not as excellent as the ESV text. The ideal bible would be to have the Spirit of the Reformation Study edition with the ESV text. Both bibles are highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Best Bible for the Reformed Point of View
Review: For people with a reformed or Calvinistic view, the Reformation Bible is the best Bible there is. Many Bibles today provide extensive notes that tell generic Christians how they are suppose to live, gives them some general Biblical history or provides them with general cross-references. This Bible tells reformed Christians why they believe what they believe and where in the Bible their beliefs are supported. In short, no other Bible I know of is like it for reformed Protestants. It helps you to distinguish yourself from non-reformed Christians.
As to the Bible's contruction, the paper is very good and the leather is pretty good.
Thomas Nelson, the publisher, is doing an inadequate job in publicizing the value of this Bible.
It's the Bible some people are sure to believe they have been missing all their lives...
Rating:
Summary: Best Bible for the Reformed Point of View
Review: For people with a reformed or Calvinistic view, the Reformation Bible is the best Bible there is. Many Bibles today provide extensive notes that tell generic Christians how they are suppose to live, gives them some general Biblical history or provides them with general cross-references. This Bible tells reformed Christians why they believe what they believe and where in the Bible their beliefs are supported. In short, no other Bible I know of is like it for reformed Protestants. It helps you to distinguish yourself from non-reformed Christians.
As to the Bible's contruction, the paper is very good and the leather is pretty good.
Thomas Nelson, the publisher, is doing an inadequate job in publicizing the value of this Bible.
It's the Bible some people are sure to believe they have been missing all their lives...
Rating:
Summary: The Bible I think any serious Christian should own and use
Review: I asked for this and received it as a gift. It is important to me to know what texts early sages, and religious leaders and peoples used, because they were what they read. And because early Anglo as well as American settlers in the colonies relied upon the Geneva Bible and this is basically the Geneva Bible with notes added. As the introduction notes "The light of the Reformation was the light of the Bible. Luther translated the Latin Bible that could be read only by professionals into everyday German that could be read by the people. In England Wycliffe and then William Tyndale had translated the Bible into English. Yet there was substantial opposition to these efforts. Tyndale was burned at the stake in 1536. During the reign of Mary Tudor (1553-1558) the Reformation was surpressed. The Roman Catholic had to be celebrated, services could not be conducted in English, and priests were forbidden to marry. Two hundred eighty-eight persons were burned, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranner. These persecutions drove exciles from Britain to Europe. The most capable scholars among them came to Geneva, Switzerland. The Geneva Bible is the Bible Shakespeare used. The Pilgrims and Puritans used the Geneva Bible. The citizens of the early colonies of New England were reared on the Geneva Bible. Since it was the most used and most respected Bible during the settling of this country the United States of America I wanted to own a copy. And I wanted to read it daily and reflect upon what it said in hopes that it would enrich both my walk with God but also my prayer life. This is a Bible I think any serious Christian should own and use. Not the King James Bible or any of the modern language Bibles that are geared to pleasing the reader rather than challenging the reader.
Rating:
Summary: Still Awesome and Educational but Better
Review: I did not order this hardcovered edition. However, I am getting myself a Leather Copy of this awesome and educational study Bible. I still consider this Study Bible to be awesome and educational but better. I say that because two of my favirote resources have joined forces and are now featured in a Study Bible. The English Standard Version is a beautiful translation of God's Word. When I first introduced to it, in 2003, I just fell in love with it. This Translation is the best one to come out so far. The Reformation Study Bible is a beatiful study Bible. When I first read from it, a few years back, I wasn't too sure about it. Once I started studying and reading from it, I just fell in love with it. It took me time to get use to this Bible and to R.C. Sproul. I was raised a Presbyterian but I didn't read from R.C., until a friend introduced me to him in the late 90s. Glad my friend did this. I am now hooked on Mr. Sproul and his various books and other resources. Glad to see this Bible back on the market. Also, I am glad to see the ESV, released in its first Study Bible. To put these two resources together was awesome and wonderful. Thanks for doing this Mr. R.C. Sproul. You are the finest communicator of the Gospel, I have ever heard. Believe me, I have heard many. R.C. is my all time favorite. Yes, I still have my other copy, I purchased a few years ago. I will give that copy to a friend, once I get this new one.
Rating: 
Summary: Basic quality issues still plague the ESV
Review: I had looked forward to this edition for months as I have been dissatisfied with Crossway's now legendary poor quality editions of the ESV.
On the plus side P&R did a nice job with the layout and general typography. The font chosen is legible and of a sufficient size for easy reading, much nicer than the small, thin one chosen for the previous RSB (NKJV). Also, the binding appears to be Smyth-sewn, a definite improvement on Crossway's processes.
On the downside the choice of paper was unfortunate. It is a common paper used these days and must represent significant savings to Bible publishers. It has a glossy sheen and as I read under a strong light, I find it necessary to continually work to angle the book so as to avoid glare off the page. Perhaps the paper chosen also contributes to a second problem with this particular Bible: several pages were creased in binding and when smoothed out, the pages now extend beyond the others, thus making it difficult to readily turn to passages in their vicinity. The problems with the page/binding exist both in the OT and NT.
What is it with the ESV translation that precludes basic quality in production? Here we have, arguably, the finest translation wedded to the very best notes, and yet it is presented in a shoddy unusable format. I have returned my copy and will continue to use the NASB as my primary Bible until such time that the ESV is presented in a usable format.
Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Marriage - ESV & RSB
Review: I received a copy of the New Geneva Study Bible (the original name of the Reformation Study Bible) when it was first released, and for years I found it to be immensely useful. However, the NKJV was never my translation of choice. A few years later the NGSB/RSB was retooled, expanded, and republished using the NIV and called the Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible. From a translation standpoint, this was at best a lateral move - and I knew more than one person who lamented that the new edition had not incorporated a better translation such as the NASB.
Fast forward several years. In 2001 Crossway released the English Standard Version translation of the Bible. Like many folk, I had been waiting for this translation - literal, literary, and readable. As the ESV gained currency, many folk began to speculate along the lines of, "Say, wouldn't it be nice if one could have the ESV translation with the Reformation Study Bible notes?"
Well, somebody at Ligonier ministries heard, and this new ESV edition of the Reformation Study Bible is the result. In my opinion, it is the best study Bible available - in the best translation.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but now there's one better
Review: I've used this study Bible since its publication and have experienced a bit of the "now and not yet." To clarify, I've not been disappointed with my purchase, and indeed I've often found it helpful. But, I've also found the notes somewhat lacking at points, and I've never really liked the New King James text, both for textual reliability and readability. Thankfully, a revised version of this study Bible has recently been published by Zondervan titled _The Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible_. The notes, which were originally tailored for the NIV anyway, have been re-edited and updated, much to the benefit of the students of Scripture. In addition, the supplementary material (theological articles, introductions, etc.) have been expanded and improved, and with the use of the NIV text (with plenty of notes of explanation when their translation could be misleading), I'd urge readers to consider that Study Bible instead.
Rating:
Summary: Sola Calvin! Sola Westminster!
Review: In RC Sprouls very helpful book "Knowing Scripture" he recommends that the student of the Word not use a Bible with more notes then scripture because of the danger the two will become inseperable in the readers memory. Obviously this warning applied to Mr. Scofield but was forgotten when the chance to edit this monument to Reformed/Covenant Theology was presented to him. For the record I am a recovering TULIPer and owned this Bible. Even when I was a Calvinist I rarely used it. I personally found the text too small and the notes too numerous to use on a daily basis. This should only be used like an encylcopedia. When a question about Reformed theology comes up take it off the shelf and look up the passage in question. But for those who are already convinced that Calvin and Reformed theology equals Christianity then you might want to use it everyday, but I would stick with Mr. Sprouls earlier recommendation. Read a Bible without notes. If your battle cry is truly Sola Scriptura then trust the Holy Ghost working through the text of scripture and not filtered through the many notes that will guide your thoughts. He worked through my Bible and brought me back to the historic church of Apostolic Succession and the Real Presence in the Sacraments. But that is another story all together.
Rating:
Summary: ESV Reformation Study Bible.
Review: The brand new ESV Reformation Study Bible is fantastic. Why do I say that? For one reason, the print is 10.5 and readable! Thank you, Ligonier and P&R!!! The second paen of gratitude is that this Bible does NOT come from Crossway, who have pretty well established themselves as producers of---and may I be genteel about it--- 'junque' Bibles. This edition, in hardback, appears to have a sewn binding, and I eagerly await the leather editions! The charts and in-text helps are excellent and succinct. This is a good scholar's Bible, and combining these notes and this translation will surely be a winner. The RSB also is available by Nelson in the NKJV. The print is tiny, tiny, tiny. They should provide a magnifying glass with each Bible sold. The bindings here on the leather editions are sewn, a surprise from Nelson. Either edition will give you God's Word with balanced annotations.
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