The King James Open Bible : Expanded Edition

Rating:
Summary: Lacking in features.
Review: I really looked forward to the Open Bible being released in the KJV. I have friends with the NKJV Open Bible, and it's full of study notes, charts and maps. I wrongly assumed the only difference between this one and theirs would be the actual translation; I was wrong. The maps and charts are meager, there are ZERO study notes, and barely any cross references. There are perhaps 2-4 per each page. The only redeeming features are the book outlines, the topic index, and the visual survey of the Bible.
I gave it 3 stars because the leather, binding and print are of good quality, but you'd be much better off buying the Matthew Henry Study Bible. The KJV Open Bible does not aid in Bible study; as a matter of fact, it hinders it.

Rating:
Summary: Lacking in features.
Review: I really looked forward to the Open Bible being released in the KJV. I have friends with the NKJV Open Bible, and it's full of study notes, charts and maps. I wrongly assumed the only difference between this one and theirs would be the actual translation; I was wrong. The maps and charts are meager, there are ZERO study notes, and barely any cross references. There are perhaps 2-4 per each page. The only redeeming features are the book outlines, the topic index, and the visual survey of the Bible.
I gave it 3 stars because the leather, binding and print are of good quality, but you'd be much better off buying the Matthew Henry Study Bible. The KJV Open Bible does not aid in Bible study; as a matter of fact, it hinders it.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Study Edition of the KJV
Review: There are many study editions of the KJV bible out there. Some clearly reflect a particular theological perspective (i.e., MaCarthur, Ryrie, Scofield, etc.), others are simple rehashes of study bibles intended for other translations (i.e., Zondervan's NIV Study Bible), and others are merely reference bibles with a few extra study aids (i.e., the Master Study Bible). While this bible clearly reflects a general evangelical protestant perspective on Christianity, it is not so narrowly focused that non-evangelicals could not benefit from it. Moreover, while the Open Bible had been available in other transaltions in the past (i.e., NASB, NKJV, NLT), it was originally designed around the KJV, so one could argue that this is the grand-daddy of all KJV study bibles. Also, this bible has all the essential helps and aids of many other decent study bibles, but without the overly-intrusive notes and annotations which render some so-called "study bibles" as little more than running commentaries.

No, it does not have the annotations of the NKJV Open Bible, as one disappointed reviewer noted below. If you want a great study bible in that translation with great notes, check out the Nelson Study Bible (NKJV) --perhaps the best annotated evangelical study bible in any translation on the market. However, if you want a KJV study edition of the scriptures with all the helps but few intrusive study notes, than this is it.

Not only does this bible have cross-references, extensive book introductions & outlines, numerous articles on bible topics, the now famous cyclopedic index, the visual survey of the bible, concordance, the words of Christ in red, and full color maps with an index, it also has the Christian's Guide to the New Life Study Outlines. It is this last item (a guided reading of the most important passages of scripture) which really sets this bible apart from all other KJV study editions, and makes it most suitable not just for study from an academic perspective, but also from a devotional perspective.

These 28 New Life Study Outlines (increased from 15 in this "expanded" edition) are found between the Old and New testaments and provide the bible student with an excellent study covering the most important themes of the bible which should be known by all believers. Plus, this study is not limited to the 25 or so pages between the testaments, it is presented in more depth thru-out the bible, guiding the reader from one part of the study to the next. Thus, on the pages of those passages which are the subject of a given part of the New Life study, you'll find in-depth commentary on that particular passage --on that very page.

The fact that the notes to this study are "chained" thru-out the bible provides no small convenience for the reader. Keyed to the Christian's Guide to the New Life Study Outlines, these notes are bound by a common theme (the New Life Study itself) without being too intrusive or verbose. Other than these few but essential annotations, the reader is left free to come to his or her own conclusions. In this case, the scarcity of study notes does not hinder study at all. Rather, it guides our study while leaving more room for the Spirit of God. Unless you plan a more academic study of scripture, this bible and a solid commentary might be all you need. Highly recommended, esp. for new believers.

I awarded this bible 4 stars because Amazon's rating system would not let me award it 4 1/2. The only thing coming between this bible and 5 stars for me was its lack of the deutero-canonical books (which were an original part of the earliest editions of the KJV). When Nelson decides to produce and Open Bible with the deutero-canonicals, I'd award it 5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Simply Teriffic!
Review: This Bible is GREAT! With its Biblical Cyclopedic Index, Cross References, Comprehensive Book Introductions and Outlines, In-Text Subheadings, Read-Along References and Translation Notes, and many other WONDERFUL study helps, you are sure to love this Bible!!! The unique thing about this Bible is that it's not just for hardcore studiers as many of the Study Bible's tend to be, but it is for novices as well! This Bible has information for everyone! This is a Teriffic Bible! Get it today! You won't be sorry!!!