Rating: 
Summary: The best 'Study Bible' available
Review: The five star rating is for the content of the Bible and is in comparison to other current "Study Bibles". This should be sold much more than it is in the Christian Book market, because it combines doctrinally sound notes from renowned authors. Some current Study Bible are quite good and have improved, but all too often they are "hyper-dispensational" in nature or have a tendency toward a pragmatic watering down of the message. As a "victim" of other faulty "application based" exegesis, I always found the Biblical meaning of text to be watered down. At first I was skeptical of this Bible, thinking it would be the same, but found that the notes did not "explain away" the text, rather it seems consistently helpful in a brief commentary fashion, even bringing up interesting historical events in church history. At the same time, they kept the same helpful overviews and outlines at the beginning of each book and have doctrinal notations and other studies elsewhere appropriately distributed. For those interested in the "physical" product details:
One could wish for larger print, so if you have trouble with smaller print you may want to look for a regular large print Bible and purchase a "New Bible Commentary" separately for study.
Considering the amount of notes, this was appropriate, because the Bible would be the size of a large dictionary in larger print. As for the genuine leather edition, Nelson does an good job, though I've found the leather to be a bit "stiffer" than Lockman foundation's genuine leather bound NASB bibles, but the binding is good and the leather appears to be good quality over all. In a nutshell... If you're looking for a Study Bible, want doctrinally sound exegesis and concise commentary, and can be content with the NKJV, this Bible is the one. Side note:
To the disappointed reviewer who mentioned RC Sproul's "Knowing Scripture" I would only ask the question, "what was the intention of the statement RC made? Was it a general rule, or was it an absolute statement?" I too, was concerned because I read "Knowing Scripture", also... but I consider this a great alternative for the person who really wants a Study Bible yet wants doctrinally solid and concise commentary. I felt appropriate to defend Dr. Sproul, as some people try to make absolute rules out of current teachings without thoughtfully considering what is being taught.
Rating:
Summary: The best 'Study Bible' available
Review: The five star rating is for the content of the Bible and is in comparison to other current "Study Bibles". This should be sold much more than it is in the Christian Book market, because it combines doctrinally sound notes from renowned authors. Some current Study Bible are quite good and have improved, but all too often they are "hyper-dispensational" in nature or have a tendency toward a pragmatic watering down of the message. As a "victim" of other faulty "application based" exegesis, I always found the Biblical meaning of text to be watered down. At first I was skeptical of this Bible, thinking it would be the same, but found that the notes did not "explain away" the text, rather it seems consistently helpful in a brief commentary fashion, even bringing up interesting historical events in church history. At the same time, they kept the same helpful overviews and outlines at the beginning of each book and have doctrinal notations and other studies elsewhere appropriately distributed. For those interested in the "physical" product details:
One could wish for larger print, so if you have trouble with smaller print you may want to look for a regular large print Bible and purchase a "New Bible Commentary" separately for study.
Considering the amount of notes, this was appropriate, because the Bible would be the size of a large dictionary in larger print. As for the genuine leather edition, Nelson does an good job, though I've found the leather to be a bit "stiffer" than Lockman foundation's genuine leather bound NASB bibles, but the binding is good and the leather appears to be good quality over all. In a nutshell... If you're looking for a Study Bible, want doctrinally sound exegesis and concise commentary, and can be content with the NKJV, this Bible is the one. Side note:
To the disappointed reviewer who mentioned RC Sproul's "Knowing Scripture" I would only ask the question, "what was the intention of the statement RC made? Was it a general rule, or was it an absolute statement?" I too, was concerned because I read "Knowing Scripture", also... but I consider this a great alternative for the person who really wants a Study Bible yet wants doctrinally solid and concise commentary. I felt appropriate to defend Dr. Sproul, as some people try to make absolute rules out of current teachings without thoughtfully considering what is being taught.
Rating:
Summary: THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE
Review: The full title is THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE: The Word That Changes Lives -- the Faith That Changed The World. 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 THE IDENTITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT TEXT 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. 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. 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 the 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 Theological Notes will bless the soul and delight the purist. 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 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. He will continue to use YOUNG'S LITERAL TRANSLATION OF THE HOLY BIBLE, 2nd revised edition, to check other translations. In general, the larger the database, the more valuable it is to the user. The NGSB 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. Christians who have arrived at a Reformed position will applaud the REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE as the finest study Bible to appear since the GENEVA BIBLE, 1599 edition, and THE WESTMINSTER ANNOTATIONS AND COMMENTARY ON THE WHOLE BIBLE, 6 volumes, by the Westminster Divines and other Puritans (Gouge, Gataker, et al.) in 1657. The 2153 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 at discount prices. It is also available in Logos Library System (LLS) format in the Nelson's Electronic Bible Reference Library. It may be used in combination with THE NEW TREASURY OF SCRIPTURE KNOWLEDGE which is also available in LLS format ...
Rating:
Summary: Reformation -- Alive and Well
Review: The Geneva bible made an incredible impact in the lives of those who valued its clarity and ability to honor God. Today's new version is a breath of fresh air in a world of specialized bibles. This version is not just for women, or men or teenagers. This bible is for all who hunger for a good understanding of the Word. All Christians would be blessed in using this study bible to dig deeper into understanding the holiness of God and their own place in His creation. Footnotes, references, outlines, historical data, theological information . . . I find it more helpful than my Thompson Reference Bible and far better than my Ryrie. An excellent addition to your library for reference, but you'll find that this is the one that you'll end up reading every day.
Rating:
Summary: Same Truth, New Version and New Look
Review: The Reformation Study Bible in the ESV has the same theological notes - all 96 from Packer's Concise Theology (the one on "Salvation" curiously moved from Acts 4:12 to 2Cor. 6:5), and the same study notes as the New Geneva Bible (as far as I can tell). The main difference - besides the translation - is the LOOK. The book introductions and outlines are more aesthetically pleasing than either the Geneva Study Bible (NGSB) or the Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible (SRSB). I was hoping they would not revise the notes - unless they wanted to add to them - because I considered them to be good just the way they were. The dark background of the theological notes in the NGSB has been replaced with white and the words of Christ are in black not red (hardback version). This happens to be the way I prefer it to be and I think it looks better. The hardback edition I have has no maps in the back; it is also missing the articles written by Clowney, Boice, Waltke, Packer, and Whitlock. Also missing is the Index to Annotations (the SRSB doesn't have one either). Maybe these will be in the leather editions. I had hoped they would include one of the confessions or catechisms in this edition - as I wished they did in the NGSB long before the SRSB decided to include some - preferably the Heidelberg Catechism put at the BEGINNING of the Bible as a summary of the Christian Reformed faith. Oh well, you can't have everything you want. Overall, the combination of the ESV with study notes reflecting the light of the truth recovered in the Reformation make this edition well worth your purchase.
Rating: 
Summary: A most useful study Bible!
Review: The Reformation Study Bible, under the general editorship of well respected theologian and popular author R.C. Sproul, presents the reader with extensive study notes and commentary from leading North American Reformed theologians**. Originally, it was published as the "New Geneva Study Bible," in reference and deference to the Geneva Bible, the 1600s translation favored by the English Puritans. The majority of study Bibles in print today advocate dispensational theology, so those of the Calvinistic bent, both Presbyterians and Reformed Baptists, will find the Reformation Study Bible to be a welcome and much needed relief. It is interesting to note that editor R.C.Sproul, in his excellent 1977 book "Knowing Scripture" makes the following comment as part of a well reasoned critique of the Scofield Reference Bible: "Some editions of the Bible contain not only brief marginal notes such as mentioned above, but provide a running commentary. The most famous example of this type of Bible is the Scofield Reference Bible and the New Scofield Reference Bible. I am personally opposed to such editions. My opposition is rooted not so much in the theological posture of the commentary but in the principle of running commentary itself." The learned Dr. Sproul evidently modified his original position over the years, as we find him the editing the study notes of the New Geneva Study Bible in 1995. Those study notes are excellent; well written, well researched, and well reasoned. However, the large amount of study notes and commentary do point up to the one glaring deficiency of this otherwise excellent study Bible: the print of the text of Scripture is far too small! The font size of the text of Scripture is the same small size as that of the study notes, making it very difficult to preach or teach from the Reformation Study Bible. **Ok, OK........I know that J.I Packer is British, and Roger Nicole is French, but they DO live in North America!
Rating:
Summary: A most useful study Bible!
Review: The Reformation Study Bible, under the general editorship of well respected theologian and popular author R.C. Sproul, presents the reader with extensive study notes and commentary from leading North American Reformed theologians**. Originally, it was published as the "New Geneva Study Bible," in reference and deference to the Geneva Bible, the 1600s translation favored by the English Puritans. The majority of study Bibles in print today advocate dispensational theology, so those of the Calvinistic bent, both Presbyterians and Reformed Baptists, will find the Reformation Study Bible to be a welcome and much needed relief. It is interesting to note that editor R.C.Sproul, in his excellent 1977 book "Knowing Scripture" makes the following comment as part of a well reasoned critique of the Scofield Reference Bible: "Some editions of the Bible contain not only brief marginal notes such as mentioned above, but provide a running commentary. The most famous example of this type of Bible is the Scofield Reference Bible and the New Scofield Reference Bible. I am personally opposed to such editions. My opposition is rooted not so much in the theological posture of the commentary but in the principle of running commentary itself." The learned Dr. Sproul evidently modified his original position over the years, as we find him the editing the study notes of the New Geneva Study Bible in 1995. Those study notes are excellent; well written, well researched, and well reasoned. However, the large amount of study notes and commentary do point up to the one glaring deficiency of this otherwise excellent study Bible: the print of the text of Scripture is far too small! The font size of the text of Scripture is the same small size as that of the study notes, making it very difficult to preach or teach from the Reformation Study Bible. **Ok, OK........I know that J.I Packer is British, and Roger Nicole is French, but they DO live in North America!
Rating:
Summary: Well done Study Bible...
Review: This is the first study Bible that I have purchased for myself. I first became familiar with this particular Bible while listening to one of R.C. Sproul's radio broadcasts, which I enjoy. Needless to say, I purchased it and have been reading from it now for a few months. Based on the New King James Version, it is an excellent exercise in reform theology. I actually purchased this specific Bible to get a better grasp on the concepts of reform theology, like free-will. There are several relevant discussion on free-will, as well as a few interrelated side bars on the topic. Although I might not fully agree with all of the opinions throughout the notes, I now understand reform view points, which I previously did not, and I think I am better for it. In all, I think that this was a great study Bible in and of itself, but in total is a study Bible. Eminently we live by the Word of God, which men do not always fully grasp. It is important to note, and I think R.C. Sproul would agree that the Study Notes should be understood as scholarly knowledge and not tightly intertwined with the Biblical text itself. I would certainly recommend this title for some one that is in need of understanding the reform view point on Christianity.
Rating:
Summary: You Need This
Review: This study Bible is the best overall on the market. With excellent study helps (commentary, references, doctrinal topics, theological articles) throughout, it will help students of Scripture from beginner to advanced. Many leading Bible scholars contributed to this excellent work. The biggest difference and advantage this study Bible has over others available is that its commentary and topical helps are explicitly God-centered. Other study Bibles I've used or looked through (NIV study, Life Application) put the cart before the horse, in focusing on man's character, then leaving the door open for the student to subject God's attributes to a greater degree of flawed understanding.
Rating:
Summary: Sola Fide- A worthy heir to the Geneva Bible
Review: Through God's grace and continued study of the Scriptures, I become acquainted with the truth of the sound Reformed doctrine not so long ago. I set out to find a study Bible to replace my various other study Bibles of the dispensationalist Scofield-Arminius theological persuassion. I had originally intended to get a facsimile of an old Geneva Bible for the Reformed notes and commentary of John Calvin. Though, the cost was prohibitive and its archaic English prove impractical for regular consultation and study. I eventually got Calvin Commentaries on CD-ROM- while incredibly valuable- it still left me longing for a practical study Bible. Fortunately, I found out about the Reformation Study Bible. In the tradition of Reformers like Calvin, Luther, Owen and Spurgeon it combines the lucid and clear translation of the New King James version with reference notes and a concordance affirming the tenets of the Reformed Christian faith. I first heard of this study Bible after becoming acquainted with R.C. Sproul's ministry on the Internet. This study Bible has been a godsend for me. It elaborates on the doctrines of grace and possesses an incredibly useful concordance and is complimented by an appendix of articles explaining the five points of the Reformed faith. It makes frequent reference to the Westminister Confession of Faith, which is a nice touch. Perhaps my one qualm I have about this book is that the pages are too thin. It took me some time to find a highlighter/marker that wouldn't bleed through the pages.
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