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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: 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: 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: 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: 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: You Can Go Blind on This Print.
Review: This New King James bible, formerly called the Geneva Study Bible, is a wealth of information. For once a Nelson Bible appears to have sewn binding on the leather editions, so it will hopefully last. The in-text maps are great, the charts informative, and the notes excellent, all in conformity with Reformed doctrine. The print, however, is abominable. Tiny tiny tiny. A detriment to the whole edition. Get out your magnifying glasses, folks. I also wonder why Dr Sproul picked the NKJV text instead of the NASB.
Rating:
Summary: Sola Calvin! Sola Westminster!
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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