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Summary: My Favorite Study Bible so Far!
Review: This Bible has been an excellent resource. First, it uses my favorite translation, the New King James Version (NKJV). The NKJV is one of the most accurate translation and at the same time keeps much of the peotic beauty of the KJV. It also notes where different manuscripts are in disagreement.As far as the commentary, it is excellent. Each Book has an excellent introduction which discusses among other things authorship, historical background and theological themes of each book. Throughout the text there are also several timelines and charts which are helpful. The best part though is the commentary on each page which is tipically more than the biblical text, especially in the New Testament. It is true that MacArthur only gives his point of view in the commentary. But, to me that is a plus. I would personally have an author passionately argue their point of view than have an author water down a variety of points of view. The commentary is not inspired as the Biblical text is and should always be looked at critically, no matter who or howmany authors. That said, MacArthur does a masterful job in the commentary and while I do not always agree with him I can always count on him for additional insight.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best study bibles I have ever used
Review: The MacArthur Study Bible is one of the best study bibles I have used. I have used a lot of study bibles and this one is far superior if you are looking for one with lots of theological type commentary notes. The only other study bible that comes close as far as commentary notes is the Life Application Bible whose notes are not as in depth into doctrine and theology as MacArthur's notes. I really like the New King James Version that it's is printed in also. I think it a very accurate word for word translation compared to the NIV which is a thought for thought translation. The New King James Version also notes the textual variants between the different original manuscripts better than the NASB. I do feel that the MacArthur's study bible 2 weaknesses are the lack of more detailed maps and the subject index instead of a concordance in the back.
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Summary: My favorite Bible
Review: This is a great study Bible. MacArthur presents a great deal of intelligent insights and background information, as well as outlining every chapter in the Bible. The outlines alone are worth the price of the Bible. His beginning-of-book summaries are the best I've seen, covering each book's author and date of writing, historical context, and even exegetical problems and theological issues. About the New King James Version of the Bible: I started off as an NIV user (since that's the first Bible I ever really used). I always felt the NKJV was sort of a crutch for people who couldn't give up their King James words. But when I saw that MacArthur's study Bible was only available in the NKJV, that made me think again. Now I love this translation: it's both accurate and easy to read. I've read King James Only advocates and am unconvinced that the NKJV is the Enemy's work. For the reviewers who said that MacArthur only presents one point of view: isn't this what's expected? The whole purpose of a study Bible is that the author of that Bible's notes presents his understanding of Biblical passages, which you are then free to accept or reject (obviously, under wise council of other godly people and the control of the Holy Spirit). I have looked at many study Bibles, and they all do exactly that - Ryrie, Scofield, whoever. I am afraid that when other reviews say "he only presents one point of view" they really mean "he doesn't present MY point of view." Besides, in the beginning-of-book "theological issues" sections MacArthur at least deals with other points of view, something that most others don't do. A perfect example is the reviewer who mentioned 1 Corinthians 14. Obviously this fellow doesn't agree with MacArthur. Might I hazard a guess that the reviewer is charismatic? MacArthur appears to be a cessationist. But a study Bible is not the place to cover the issues in detail: if the commentary is not to overwhelm the Biblical text in quantity, probably the best that can be accomplished is to give one point of view. My advice would be to get a good book that covers those types of issues in detail: Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology does a good job of that (while also taking a particular point of view, somewhat different from MacArthur's). Anyway, if you're looking for a new Bible that you'll love for years to come, get MacArthur's Bible.
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Summary: Destined to be a Classic!!!
Review: Using the word for word accuracy of the NKJV Version of the Bible, this scholarly work of popular Bible expositor and pastor, John MacArthur, is destined to be a classic in its genre. As a study Bible, it aids the reader to understand the biblical text better with its unique feature that sets it apart from most Study Bibles - the over 20,000 study notes along side the text that explains and expound on almost every verse of the Bible! This is the diligent work of over 28 years of faithful expository preaching of the Bible at Grace Community Church - the home church of John MacArthur. This reveals the passionate devotion of the author in faithful exposition of the Word, verse by verse. Though unashamedly biased towards the Reformed tradition, (as compared to more objectively-oriented Bibles like the NIV Study Bible and Nelson Study Bible), this work is among the best in its ability to aid people in understanding God's Word better. Its cross-references are useful in supporting the interpretation of passages, using Scripture to interpret Scripture. It has thorough outlines of each book of the Bible (each outline is very thorough in its treatment of the authorship, date and setting, background and interpretative challenges)which are indefinitely more elaborate than most study Bibles like Ryrie, Scofield, Thompson Chain Reference, Spirit Filled Life, New Geneva, etc. It also includes an introduction to the Bible, an article on how to study the Bible, harmony of the Gospels as well as the books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles, chronological outline of the progression of Scripture, 12-page outline of systematic theology, a 200-page topical index, and over 20 bible maps, etc..all organized into a huge 2150 ++ over pages! Truly an outstanding work that will set standards for ages to come. One of the most comprehensive Study Bibles so far in my collection! If you are a zealous student of the Word, this Bible is for you!
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Summary: A resource for YEARS to come....
Review: Johnny Mac has put his life into getting this volume together and it shows. Filled with copious amounts of notes, maps, explanations and much more on virtually every verse of scripture, this is probably the BEST study bible on the market, bar none. My only caveats - there's a few small points here and there that I don't agree with, but they're open to discussion (i.e.- 2 Cor. 13 - Paul's thorn in the flesh).... but otherwise this is a pretty solid resource. He should've included a topical index like the New Open Bible does. Lastly, he needs to make this available in the ESV translation as soon as possible. Other than that- GREAT! I say get one right now.
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Summary: Immensely Superior To NIV Study Bible
Review: For those of you who cant decide between NIV and Macarthur study Bibles, I'll give you sufficient reasons as to why you should buy the Macarthur Study instead of the NIV Study Bible.
1. The notes are much more explanatory than that of the NIV study.
2. There are more useful essays than the NIV study. Plus, theres even a section on the Intertestamental Period in which the NIV study does not include.
3. Uses a more word for word translation, that is the NKJV.
Drawbacks:
Christ's sayings are not in red-letter, but don't get discouraged, the superiority of the notes alone should persuade you to buy a Macarthur instead of the NIV Study.
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Summary: Great Bible StudtyTool
Review: this book is a great help for Bible study. It uses the Bible to understand the Bible, by referring to different passages.
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Summary: Macarthur Study Bible
Review: John Macarthur's notes are worth every penny in this New King James translation.
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Summary: Special Thanks To My Wife
Review: This is the best and easiest to read study Bible I've ever seen. One does not have to agree with the textual notes to have a good Bible or enjoy using this one. It is, of course, typical MacArthur. It favors a limited kind of dispensationalism and endorses cessationism. But don't let this keep you from getting one. I have two hardback copies (one that MacArthur signed for my son) and one leather-bound. Both are good although I recommend the leather bound if you are going to use it a lot; my hardback is falling to pieces. Very good and worth the cash.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! And I am not even a Dispensationalist!
Review: I have been admiring MacArthur for sometime. His passion for the Biblical truth still burns in him. His Study Bible is far better than all the other Study Bibles to date (including NIV Zondervan Study Bible and New Geneva Study Bible). Here are few reasons:
1. It has extensive study notes. This Study Bible has wealth of spiritual and Biblical information. It is practically a verse by verse expostional Study Bible. This alone merits high praise.
2. It has practical and devotional challenges. The study notes seem to have a goal in mind: holiness through knowledge of God. This particular element is clearly emphasized throughout the study notes.
3. It has useful addtional materials. Aside from maps, introduction and outline to each book of the Bible, it also contains very useful materials, such as: Topical Index, The Character of Genuine Saving Faith, etc.. They are very useful for both personal edification and teaching. NOTE: This Study Bible teaches premillennialism, pre-tribulational rapture, cessasionism and Reformed (in Soteriology). I am Pre-mill, post-trib, non-cessasionist, and Reformed. Despite these differences, I have found this Study Bible better than all others. I liked it so much, I bought it two more and gave them to my friends!
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