Rating: 
Summary: Old NASB but questionable quality control in print
Review: It has become harder and harder to find copies of the old NASB (NASB 1977) vs. the NASB Update as the newer version has largely replaced the older one. I have looked through the NASB Update and actually find it harder to read than NASB 1977. Personally, I feel NASB 1977 has more of a "college level" feel while the NASB Update (much like the NIV) has more of a "high school level" feel in terms of their use of english. NASB Update and NIV are fine translations but I prefer reading something that is at least at the college reading level.The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible is one of the last publications of NASB 1977 that I could find anywhere. I purchased the burgundy genuine leather version with thumb index in April 2004. When you don't have much of a choice, you buy what is available. Here are my impressions of this publication taking into account other reviews:
- no damage in shipping from Amazon using free shipping;
- inconsistent quality control
-- overall, the Bible was in excellent condition. pages were nicely trimmed, ink darkness was consistent throughout (unlike in other reviews) though the red was on the light side, and there was no problem with the binding.
-- closer look revealed flaws in quality control. there was a big gash on the front GENUINE leather cover and it was apparent the inner leather liner was severely folded and creased before someone glued it back in place. this is supposed to be their premium Bible which would hopefully be used for a lifetime. i was surprised this particular print made it to the bookshelf.
-- paper was thinner than my thomas nelson printing and thin enough to allow the letters from the underlying page to show through. i don't mean the print on the opposite side of the same page, i mean two pages before...i.e. the underlying page. whereas my thomas nelson used some special cloth-like paper, the paper in this publication appears like "thin" high quality tracing paper but nothing special.
- i have returned this item to Amazon for a replacement.
- printed in Korea, hopefully by a Christian publication company, otherwise it would be a shame for a Bible publishing company to succumb to bean counting.
Rating: 
Summary: Thompson Chain NASB still one of the best!
Review: My Bibles get used every day, so when I decide to replace one it needs to be something that is going to last. After looking at Bibles for three days at various bookstores, I recently bought a Thompson Chain NASB. I love it.
The page layout is very pleasant to the eye. While I don't agree that the Thompson Chain system is totally free of denominational bias, it is pretty close. If you don't want to use the Thompson study system, it sits unobtrusively off to the side of the page. Chances are though, you'll use it a lot. Other Bibles I've seen give you about one third of each page with some commentator's opinion of what he thinks God's word says, which gets kind of annoying.
About the construction: My last Thompson Chain was a NIV with bonded leather. I bought it in 1985 and it's still holding up. My new one is the genuine leather and should hold up just as well. I've seen other reviews where people complain about shoddy workmanship, cheap paper, or the fact that its printed offshore. My 1985 version was printed in Canada (not US) has similarly thin paper, and has held up just fine. I think that this one will also. Unlike some of my other similarly priced study Bibles, the leather on this Thompson Chain NASB was not shiny. It has kind of somewhere between shiny and satin, but quite attractive. Inside both covers there are plenty of blank pages for notes.
Like I stated earlier, I compared Bibles for 3 days and ended up going back with a Thompson. The only other Bibles in the same league are the old version Scofield (not availible in NASB), and the Open Bible (which I also have). The only things that I would like to see improved are the concordance, and the introduction/background information for each book of the Bible. Don't get me wrong, the concordance is decent, but since everything else about this Bible is excellant it would be nice to have a concordance that is on a par with the rest of this Bible. My guess is that they went light on the concordance to make room for the excellant indexes/helps/archelogical suppplements. Having said that, this is still about as big of a Bible as you would want to carry as it is fairly heavy!
If you like the NASB your choices are somewhat limited when looking for a serious study Bible. When shopping for that new study Bible, try out a Thompson. Chances are, in the NASB the Thompson Chain is your best bet.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Division of Text and Reference System
Review: My experience with the Thompson Chain Reference Bible has been wonderful. It has many scriptural cross references, (The King James Version)is true to the original meaning expressed in the Greek Textus Receptus. As a seminary student, this Bible has been most helpful to me in sermon preparation, illustration, and contextual application. I highly recommend it. By the way, I strongly urge you to use the Authorized King James Version. Though some words are old, the use of a dictionary can bring new meaning to the words. Additionally, some of the newer translations leave out important words, i.e. "Blood" in Col. 1:14. In the Manuscripts, the word Blood (haima) is there but for whatever reason the translators conveniently chose to leave that out. I know what Jesus did for me, and I know that the Blood of God was shed for me so that I could have remittance of sin. I am offended that modern translations leave out references to the divine payment for sin.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST Chain-Reference Bible in print!
Review: My old, marked-up Thompson Bible is the "Olde Reliable" that I keep coming back to. I have been using it for over thirty years and find it invaluable to "quick find" verses on nearly evey imaginable topic. On the plus side, are the MANY chain referrences with marginal "PILOT" numbers and brief word discriptions which also serve as mini-commentary on the verses. While the chains may not contain all the referrences a particular denomination may wish to emphasize, it more than make up for it with an ABUNDANCE of referrences most scholars whould never even think to look up! The handy exhaustive indexes, concordance, cross-references and helps enable the user to find nearly every subject in the Bible. On the minus side, 1.) the text is rather small and 2.) it would be benificial if the bold-face marginal headings were included in the OT as well as the New. Overall rating:FIVE-STAR EXCELLENT!!! It is a lifetime of research and study marvelously condensed into a handy-sized volume for both home study and portibility. I heartily recommend it for new Christians as well as those who "think they know it all". As advertised, it is a Bible that will SURPRISE you. Get it!
Rating: 
Summary: Look before you buy!
Review: My opinion of this tool started dropping when I saw the gold lettering on the spine was shoddily applied. Also, the conversion to "large print" was badly done(even though the book is physically huge). Study Bibles are a tough problem for layout because of the large amount of information which needs to be accomodated. The layout here was poorly chosen and produced very cramped and unattractive pages. I frankly found the "chain references" to be little more than what most reference Bibles contain in their center column references. If you're looking for a study Bible, look elsewhere than here!
Rating:
Summary: Thompson Chain-Reference Bible King James Version/Red Letter
Review: My wife got this bible as a gift from her Pastor\Father in '82 & she has note after note in it. She has every sermon she has heard, scripture, location, date & preacher noted. She used it as her reference bible @ Lee (Bible College). She has truly worn this bible out. The cover fell off 2 yrs ago, but she still uses it. I believe 75% of it is highlighted. She can't get rid of it. I am a Minister & we have roughly 10 different bibles, but she still goes back to the T.C. bible. I love using her bible in my sermon preparation. I just wish they would make a bible that had 2-3" tab for notes on each page. If they had that I would have to rate it better than perfect. I would recommend this bible to the young-old, new-seasoned Christian. I believe it is time to get her a new one.
Rating:
Summary: Get what you pay for
Review: Noticed many are not satisfied with the paper/binding of their Thompson Chain Bible.
I bought the NKJV in black Genuine leather. Very happy with it. In fact I'm thinking about replacing it with the Morocco Leather version. A even softer premium leather.
Many years ago I notated my Bibles with ink. I now use a .7mm mechanical pencil. I can then erase and update much easier.
Spend the extra money and buy the best version. You'll enjoy it for years to come.............
Rating:
Summary: This is a God-Tells-His-Love Story Book of all time.
Review: The Bible consists of the 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament. These are books written by different men from different backgrounds and generations and yet the continuity and consistency of the content and context proved that these men are inspired and instructed by God to put His Words and Revelations in writing. The Old Testament books are consisted of the following:
Five books written by Moses which narrate the beginning of mankind and how they managed to rebel against God. It also describes how God was and is working towards restoring the broken relationship.
Historical books which narrate how the Jewish Nation began and their history as people of God;
Poetries, Songs and Prayers of the people who by no means were all righteous but were favored by God to show God's power and mercy towards men;
Prophetic books that describe how the Son of God ( who is God Himself), the savior will someday come in flesh to dwell among men and die on the cross to take the punishment rebellious men deserved. The New Testament books are about Jesus Christ ministry. It consists of four Gospel books, the life story and teaching of Jesus written by his 4 followers (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). The remaining books tell about the beginning of the church and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. There are letters of Paul, the first missionary, to the different churches he founded and to his fellow followers of Christ. There are also letters from other followers of Christ like Peter and John who wrote the Revelation which describes the last days of mankind on earth and how God will punish those who did not obey His will and reward those who restored relationship with Him by believing and following Christ's teachings. Reading and studying this book is not only very inspiring but also very practical. It has a lot of practical lessons from the lives of the believers who lived before, during and after Jesus Christ. The Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament contains ! thought provoking verses which could easily be related to our everyday approach to life. The Book of Psalms could be our soul's prayers when we are out of words ourselves. Sometimes I test what is written in the Bible by observing my own reactions to life in general. I know that the Bible is true not only because of my faith in God but also of its historical and prophetic content which came true and still unfolding before my very awareness of the present happenings in the world. The book is worth reading if only by the practical advice it offers the readers on how to handle their relationships, possessions and life's worries. I strongly recommend this book to everyone who wants to be really succesful in this lifetime and beyond.
Rating:
Summary: Quality reference Bible--plain cross-references, not agenda
Review: The large print is a great friend to your eyes. The side-column references to the Scriptures point to key other passages for your perusal, allowing you to find for yourself what the Bible teaches on any given topic. I especially appreciate the lack of "author" notes that are found in many reference Bibles--they may clarify the meaning, but they may also obscure the true meaning. Awesome topical references, excellent quality! I have read the Bible through over 15 times now, and I highly recommend the Thompson Chain reference for beginners as well as for the experienced. -A Bible that gives you the help you need to find access to other passages, but you can make up your own mind what it means without forced agendas inserted by the publisher. After all, that is what the Bible was written for...if you study it openly, you will find the life-changing truth in it! Five stars!
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest!
Review: The Thompson Chain bible was recommended to me by a minister at my church. I purchased my first bonded leather one in 1999. Since then I have purchased many other study bibles and was not satisfied. I have concluded that this is the best study bible created. It is so nice to have the option of reading the bible text without a load of commentary being stuffed in your face. If you want a commentary, go buy one! The more I study the Bible, the less of man's opinion I want. This bible allows you to read and research any topic on your own using scripture only. I LOVE MY THOMPSON-CHAIN!
Get the Genuine leather or a Calfskin because as a new Christian, you may not get the full use of the bible right away, however, as your thirst for God's precepts increases, this Bible will not disappoint. Kirkbride bibles are built very sturdy and the genuine leather will ensure that the bible lasts longer outside of a cover. This is the best Bible I own.
| 
