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Reformation Study Bible ESV
The English Standard Version (ESV) stands in the classic mainstream of English Bible translations over the past half-millennium. The fountainhead of that stream was William Tyndale's New Testament of 1526; marking its course King James Version of 1611 (KJV), the English Revised Version of 1885 (RV), the American Standard Version of 1901 (ASV), and the Revised Standard Version of 1952 and 1971 (RSV). In that stream, faithfulness to the text and vigorous pursuit of accuracy were combined with simplicity, beauty, and dignity of expression. Our goal has been to carry forward this legacy for a new century.
During the Reformation, a renewed interest in Scripture brought great light to the church and the world. In The Reformation Study Bible, general editor R. C. Sproul aims to present the light of the Reformation anew by combining an accessible translation with study notes that stand firmly in the theological tradition of the Reformation.
No other study Bible gives the reader more assistance in understanding the great doctrines and themes of the Christian faith as found in the Scriptures. Extensive notes have been researched and written by a team of more than fifty scholars, including J. I. Packer, James Boice, and Wayne Grudem.
All Christians that want to dig deeper in their study of Scripture will appreciate the Bible’s many features, including section introductions, book introductions and outlines, comments on the biblical text, theological notes, charts, in-text maps, and cross-references.
The first study bible based on the English Standard Version, The Reformation Study Bible is the perfect choice for men and women that want to study God’s word in a language they can understand.
During the Reformation, a renewed interest in Scripture brought great light to the church and the world. In The Reformation Study Bible, general editor R. C. Sproul aims to present the light of the Reformation anew by combining an accessible translation with study notes that stand firmly in the theological tradition of the Reformation.
No other study Bible gives the reader more assistance in understanding the great doctrines and themes of the Christian faith as found in the Scriptures. Extensive notes have been researched and written by a team of more than fifty scholars, including J. I. Packer, James Boice, and Wayne Grudem.
All Christians that want to dig deeper in their study of Scripture will appreciate the Bible’s many features, including section introductions, book introductions and outlines, comments on the biblical text, theological notes, charts, in-text maps, and cross-references.
The first study bible based on the English Standard Version, The Reformation Study Bible is the perfect choice for men and women that want to study God’s word in a language they can understand.
2538 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2005
596 people are currently reading
622 people want to read
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* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author
Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.
See also: Anonymous
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
January 1, 2016
I can't believe I just rated the Bible on Goodreads... I think I gave five stars to Harry Potter too. It's not like I can go higher though... Anyway I read my Bible through in a year so I had to add it to my list!
April 19, 2025
Lenten Reflection: Reading the Bible in 40 Day
Obviously, I am not about to write a review for the entire Bible. But I did want to offer some insights into my Lenten journey of reading the Bible in 40 days.
This Lent, I set out to read the entire ESV Reformation Study Bible in forty days. It was a big undertaking and required more time and focus than I originally expected. It also meant cutting out a lot of my usual reading. That change alone reshaped my daily rhythm and made this Lent feel incredibly set apart.
Honestly, the experience ended up feeling more like a literary marathon than a deeply spiritual journey. The pace made it hard to slow down and reflect or pray through passages. Instead, I got caught up in the flow of the story; the language, structure, and movement across books and genres. It wasn’t bad, just different than what I had anticipated. Rather than going deep, I went broad, and that shift gave me a fresh perspective on the Bible as a whole.
One of the more unexpected takeaways was how much more I enjoyed reading the books I wasn’t super familiar with. Without my usual expectations or theological “hot takes” getting in the way, I could just read them for what they were. Leviticus, Mark, and 1 Peter stood out in ways I didn’t expect.
Leviticus, of all books, really surprised me. Usually, I think of it as a long list of rules, hard to get through and not super engaging. But reading it in a single sitting made me realize it has its own story arc and even some character development. There’s real plot under the surface, more than just its role in the broader story of redemption. It’s about how God is shaping a people to live in His presence, and that clicked with me in a new way. You see Moses going from not knowing about the tabernacle, to building it but not being able to enter it, to finally in the book of Numbers being able to enter and experience the full presence of God.
Mark was just plain fun to read. It moves fast and doesn’t waste words. What stood out most was how Jesus constantly flips expectations. The people who should have recognized Him, like T he Pharisees, the disciples, and the religious folks just don’t get it. And yet people on the margins, like foreigners, Gentiles, a Roman centurion, and even demons do recognize Him. Mark makes you wrestle with that. The irony isn’t just literary; it’s theological. Jesus is the Son of God, but He reveals Himself in a way that’s easy to miss unless you’re really paying attention.
1 Peter also hit home for me. I hadn’t spent much time in it before, but this time around it felt incredibly relevant to where I am in life. The themes of suffering, holiness, identity, and perseverance felt practical and encouraging. It reminded me that Scripture doesn’t just teach us theology it speaks directly into our real, lived experience. I’ll definitely be spending more time with that book going forward.
On the flip side, the books I knew well were surprisingly tough. It was hard not to theologize every verse or analyze passages through the lens of my own theological and hermeneutical frameworks. I found myself picking things apart instead of just receiving the text. That made me realize how easy it is to read Scripture more like a textbook than the living Word. Familiarity can be a blessing, but it can also make it harder to really listen.
All in all, reading the Bible in 40 days was intense, time consuming, and not always easy, but it was worth it. I didn’t walk away with a bunch of spiritual highs, but I gained a broader view of Scripture and a deeper appreciation for parts I’ve usually ignored or avoided. Several nights I fell asleep in the middle of a passage. But, It reminded me that the Bible is rich, complex, and always capable of surprising us. And maybe most importantly, it showed me where I need to slow down and reengage, not just with my mind, but with my heart.
Obviously, I am not about to write a review for the entire Bible. But I did want to offer some insights into my Lenten journey of reading the Bible in 40 days.
This Lent, I set out to read the entire ESV Reformation Study Bible in forty days. It was a big undertaking and required more time and focus than I originally expected. It also meant cutting out a lot of my usual reading. That change alone reshaped my daily rhythm and made this Lent feel incredibly set apart.
Honestly, the experience ended up feeling more like a literary marathon than a deeply spiritual journey. The pace made it hard to slow down and reflect or pray through passages. Instead, I got caught up in the flow of the story; the language, structure, and movement across books and genres. It wasn’t bad, just different than what I had anticipated. Rather than going deep, I went broad, and that shift gave me a fresh perspective on the Bible as a whole.
One of the more unexpected takeaways was how much more I enjoyed reading the books I wasn’t super familiar with. Without my usual expectations or theological “hot takes” getting in the way, I could just read them for what they were. Leviticus, Mark, and 1 Peter stood out in ways I didn’t expect.
Leviticus, of all books, really surprised me. Usually, I think of it as a long list of rules, hard to get through and not super engaging. But reading it in a single sitting made me realize it has its own story arc and even some character development. There’s real plot under the surface, more than just its role in the broader story of redemption. It’s about how God is shaping a people to live in His presence, and that clicked with me in a new way. You see Moses going from not knowing about the tabernacle, to building it but not being able to enter it, to finally in the book of Numbers being able to enter and experience the full presence of God.
Mark was just plain fun to read. It moves fast and doesn’t waste words. What stood out most was how Jesus constantly flips expectations. The people who should have recognized Him, like T he Pharisees, the disciples, and the religious folks just don’t get it. And yet people on the margins, like foreigners, Gentiles, a Roman centurion, and even demons do recognize Him. Mark makes you wrestle with that. The irony isn’t just literary; it’s theological. Jesus is the Son of God, but He reveals Himself in a way that’s easy to miss unless you’re really paying attention.
1 Peter also hit home for me. I hadn’t spent much time in it before, but this time around it felt incredibly relevant to where I am in life. The themes of suffering, holiness, identity, and perseverance felt practical and encouraging. It reminded me that Scripture doesn’t just teach us theology it speaks directly into our real, lived experience. I’ll definitely be spending more time with that book going forward.
On the flip side, the books I knew well were surprisingly tough. It was hard not to theologize every verse or analyze passages through the lens of my own theological and hermeneutical frameworks. I found myself picking things apart instead of just receiving the text. That made me realize how easy it is to read Scripture more like a textbook than the living Word. Familiarity can be a blessing, but it can also make it harder to really listen.
All in all, reading the Bible in 40 days was intense, time consuming, and not always easy, but it was worth it. I didn’t walk away with a bunch of spiritual highs, but I gained a broader view of Scripture and a deeper appreciation for parts I’ve usually ignored or avoided. Several nights I fell asleep in the middle of a passage. But, It reminded me that the Bible is rich, complex, and always capable of surprising us. And maybe most importantly, it showed me where I need to slow down and reengage, not just with my mind, but with my heart.
March 2, 2017
I got this study bible in 2006 after switching to the ESV translation a year or so prior. I have found the notes especially helpful, relevant to the text, and decidedly Reformed- without apology. I would recommend this study bible to any Christian whether they are new converts or have been walking with the Lord for many years. My only complaint is that the chapter and verse headings for each page (starting verses for each) are in the center of the top of the page and not on the edge, making thumbing through the Bible to quickly find the desired text a lot more difficult. I've never had a bible laid out this way, and had I known how irritating it would be during worship I'd have sprung for the tabbed edition.
March 23, 2020
J'ai cette Bible d'étude depuis un moment mais je l'a consulte de façon systématique seulement depuis peu, lorsque j'ai commencé à étudier avec mon épouse l'épitre aux Philippiens.
Les textes-renvois en marge de l'ESV sont très utile. Le design une unique colonne pour le texte et 3 colonnes pour les notes est particulièrement agréable. Les encarts théologiques sont fantastiques, les dizaines de cartes (+100 il me semble) sont utiles.
Mais il faut commenter ces fameuses notes, rédigées par plus de 70 spécialistes. Elles sont précises, synthétiques, n'abordent pas toutes les difficultés mais éclairent de manière utile et rapide sur le texte. Hâte de voir une traduction française envahir nos Églises !
Les textes-renvois en marge de l'ESV sont très utile. Le design une unique colonne pour le texte et 3 colonnes pour les notes est particulièrement agréable. Les encarts théologiques sont fantastiques, les dizaines de cartes (+100 il me semble) sont utiles.
Mais il faut commenter ces fameuses notes, rédigées par plus de 70 spécialistes. Elles sont précises, synthétiques, n'abordent pas toutes les difficultés mais éclairent de manière utile et rapide sur le texte. Hâte de voir une traduction française envahir nos Églises !
October 11, 2023
Finished the whole bible with my small group, and no way did I finish on time. But it humbled me to realize what I am prioritizing over the word time and time again. Abe Cho, who worked closely with the late Tim Keller, came to speak at church this past weekend, and to put his words into view, he told us, "None of us know scripture the way we think we do." Boy was he right. But Gods word showed me my sin, and how He uses it to glorify Himself before a sinful people throughout so many stories, covenants, and people. Would definitely recommend reading it from start to finish at least once, if not more in your life!
July 1, 2018
Eternal life giving!
I got the ESV a couple of years ago for Christmas and it has since become my favorite translation of the Scriptures. This particular edition is formatted nicely and has helpful theological notes.
Finished again in 2018 as part of a Bible reading challenge that started last September.
I got the ESV a couple of years ago for Christmas and it has since become my favorite translation of the Scriptures. This particular edition is formatted nicely and has helpful theological notes.
Finished again in 2018 as part of a Bible reading challenge that started last September.
December 17, 2023
How would a reader rate the Bible with less than 5 stars! Unquestionably the 66 books of the Bible are all 5 star! They all tell one amazing over-arching story of creation, fall, redemption and consummation. But the focus of this review will be of this particular study Bible.
I have used this study Bible for almost a decade but this is the first time I have used it daily in an intentional 52 week study. The theological notes are so helpful. I read these as one would carefully read a solid devotional, realizing that the articles like the notes are all written by mere human beings, they are NOT the Word of God but they are the thoughts of well-studied theologians and highly respected biblical scholars. Theses human beings are errant though, as are we all. But the Word of God IS absolutely inerrant!
The Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms found on page 2388-2478 are such important resources. I can remember, when I first became a Christian, asking my pastor, "What does our denomenation beleive?" He responded, "The Bible is our only source of doctrine and theology."
I remember walking away from that conversation very discouraged as I had already begun to see that there was a multitude of different interpretations of Scripture.
I used a plan to read through the Bible in a year that I found more helpful than any other I have used in the past. It divides the biblical genres into seven categories: epistles, the law, history, psalms, poetry, prophecy and gospels. Each day you read from a different genre. It was so easy to follow. I just used a red pencil to mark on the form as I finished. There are no dates assigned, so if the reader falls behind, he/she can easily catch up. I will include the link below.
https://www.bible-reading.com/bible-p...
The numbers of benefits one gains from reading through the Bible regularly are vast! For myself, the most impacting result of focusing on daily Bible reading has been the re-shaping of my mind, my thinking has changed. The Bible is becoming the lenses through which I see and interpret all of life.
I have used this study Bible for almost a decade but this is the first time I have used it daily in an intentional 52 week study. The theological notes are so helpful. I read these as one would carefully read a solid devotional, realizing that the articles like the notes are all written by mere human beings, they are NOT the Word of God but they are the thoughts of well-studied theologians and highly respected biblical scholars. Theses human beings are errant though, as are we all. But the Word of God IS absolutely inerrant!
The Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms found on page 2388-2478 are such important resources. I can remember, when I first became a Christian, asking my pastor, "What does our denomenation beleive?" He responded, "The Bible is our only source of doctrine and theology."
I remember walking away from that conversation very discouraged as I had already begun to see that there was a multitude of different interpretations of Scripture.
I used a plan to read through the Bible in a year that I found more helpful than any other I have used in the past. It divides the biblical genres into seven categories: epistles, the law, history, psalms, poetry, prophecy and gospels. Each day you read from a different genre. It was so easy to follow. I just used a red pencil to mark on the form as I finished. There are no dates assigned, so if the reader falls behind, he/she can easily catch up. I will include the link below.
https://www.bible-reading.com/bible-p...
The numbers of benefits one gains from reading through the Bible regularly are vast! For myself, the most impacting result of focusing on daily Bible reading has been the re-shaping of my mind, my thinking has changed. The Bible is becoming the lenses through which I see and interpret all of life.
October 29, 2022
I follow this plan every year: http://christkirk.com/biblechallenge
We read the whole Bible from Sept to May, then read the New Testament again throughout the summer.
First time finishing the whole Bible - Sept 2017 to May 2018!
We read the whole Bible from Sept to May, then read the New Testament again throughout the summer.
First time finishing the whole Bible - Sept 2017 to May 2018!
March 30, 2015
I have to mark this one "Currently Reading" because I don't see a day where I'll stop reading the Bible.
More than just a book, God's Word has transformed my life.
More than just a book, God's Word has transformed my life.
October 4, 2022
Great notes
December 31, 2024
“Visit many good books, but live in the Bible”- Charles Spurgeon
December 10, 2017
definitely not unbiased scholarship. However, the scholarship is for the most part sound and you cannot run into any severe doctrinal issues while reading the notes of these men
September 17, 2013
It is difficult to imagine how a Bible can be called a Reformation Bible when it departs from the textual and manuscript evidence of the Reformation. The changes in the underlying Greek of the New Testament, as well as deletions of entire verses of the ESV, ruin what could otherwise be an excellent tool for study. Political correctness is in force, and I believe R.C. Sproul knows better than to resort to this publisher's pressure in associating his name to the ESV, but perhaps the profit motive overrides truth.
December 31, 2023
Rating the Bible is silly. It matters not at all what it is rated.
It’s the food I need daily. It’s the Word every other word I read is held next to for judgment. The last two years I’ve followed the One Year Bible Plan (this is what our church follows) and I’ve enjoyed the layout very much. Happy New Year! Back to the beginning!! 🥳
It’s the food I need daily. It’s the Word every other word I read is held next to for judgment. The last two years I’ve followed the One Year Bible Plan (this is what our church follows) and I’ve enjoyed the layout very much. Happy New Year! Back to the beginning!! 🥳
December 20, 2024
This was my first time reading the ESV. I enjoyed the translation, and this study bible was really nicely put together. There are a ton of theology resources in addition to the study notes: articles on theological topics, introductions to each book, catechisms and confessions, etc. This would be a great resource for a new believer or for anyone who was wanting to learn more theology. Recommend.
January 31, 2018
Finished my read through from Revelation-Genesis!
December 19, 2020
Study notes are not quite as academic as ESV study Bible but it is decidedly more Reformed. Going to try NKJV next year given the concerns about the ESV and the Critical Text (thanks Bryan abs Erik).
September 28, 2013
This will remain on my currently-reading shelf as the foundation of Christianity and a complete and full accounting of the history of the world from creation through ~70 AD and beyond.
Now Reading: Micah - Chronological KJV using YouVersion Bible App.
If you have trouble sticking with something, I highly recommend the YouVersion Bible App for iPod/Phone or Android. Sign up for one of the reading plans and the app will even set a reminder alarm at the time you normally read which helped me to be consistent.
Comparison with earlier translations (KJV and especially Geneva 1560) reveal some important omissions from this one. Note, for instance, the omission of 1 John 5:7 "bear record" as related to v10 (the record from God in heaven) and 1 John 5:11 (the record being from God which makes the earthly three that "agree" the more than a 2 or 3 witness security that those things spoken are True). Also note 1 John 5:8 which "agress in one," the one God who "bears record in heaven."
There are other examples of this translation appearing to spring from previous translations that are more akin to the Vulgate instead of other preserved manuscripts, not that they make the translation unuseful, but that they omit what the Reformers in their zealous task of translating saw in manuscripts that were unadulterated by the Roman Catholic "church".
Now Reading: Micah - Chronological KJV using YouVersion Bible App.
If you have trouble sticking with something, I highly recommend the YouVersion Bible App for iPod/Phone or Android. Sign up for one of the reading plans and the app will even set a reminder alarm at the time you normally read which helped me to be consistent.
Comparison with earlier translations (KJV and especially Geneva 1560) reveal some important omissions from this one. Note, for instance, the omission of 1 John 5:7 "bear record" as related to v10 (the record from God in heaven) and 1 John 5:11 (the record being from God which makes the earthly three that "agree" the more than a 2 or 3 witness security that those things spoken are True). Also note 1 John 5:8 which "agress in one," the one God who "bears record in heaven."
There are other examples of this translation appearing to spring from previous translations that are more akin to the Vulgate instead of other preserved manuscripts, not that they make the translation unuseful, but that they omit what the Reformers in their zealous task of translating saw in manuscripts that were unadulterated by the Roman Catholic "church".
September 27, 2012
I deal in rare and ancient Bibles printed centuries ago, but for a "daily reader" or a personal study Bible... this is the one I recommend. Edited by Dr. R.C. Sproul (whose church I attended for about ten years), this study Bible is in the English Standard Version, which is widely considered by Christian scholars to be the most accurate of the modern English translations, while still retaining a readable flow to the language. The commentary notes in this Bible are in keeping with those of the famous "Geneva Bible" (available on my webiste at www.GREATSITE.com)... in fact the publisher used to call this edition the "New Geneva Study Bible" before changing its name to the "Reformation Study Bible". It offers the best insights and commentary from the most respected of conservative reformed Christian scholars.
In a day where Bible publishers have segmented every customer into "target demographics" to sell them a Bible that "meets their personal felt needs" such as the "Teen Study Bible" or the "Women's Study Bible" or the "Alcoholic's Recovery Study Bible" or the "Charismatic Spirit-Filled Study Bible" or the "Men's Mid-Life Crisis Study Bible" (OK. I made that last one up... but you get the idea)... this Bible is a refreshing change... a change back to agenda-free, good old-fashioned, conservative, Biblical scholarship. It is a must-have for any Christian's bookshelf.
In a day where Bible publishers have segmented every customer into "target demographics" to sell them a Bible that "meets their personal felt needs" such as the "Teen Study Bible" or the "Women's Study Bible" or the "Alcoholic's Recovery Study Bible" or the "Charismatic Spirit-Filled Study Bible" or the "Men's Mid-Life Crisis Study Bible" (OK. I made that last one up... but you get the idea)... this Bible is a refreshing change... a change back to agenda-free, good old-fashioned, conservative, Biblical scholarship. It is a must-have for any Christian's bookshelf.
February 14, 2012
I am humbled by the journey just completed, inasmuch as I appreciate how little of what I've read I truly comprehended. I will do well to be in continuous study of the Bible, prayerfully and practically. God bless.
November 17, 2007
I love this Study Bible! It answers most of the difficult topics in the Bible concisely. My only criticism is I would like a few more notes!
September 29, 2024
A must read.
January 16, 2013
It's good but not great.
March 30, 2016
We are blessed to live in an age and society where we are virtually swimming in a sea of Bible study resources. The amount of quality commentaries, books, lectures, sermons, study guides, courses, journals, and magazines available is staggering. Along with those resources, study Bibles abound. There are plenty of good ones and a few that easily qualify as great. Over the years, one of my favorite study Bibles has been the Reformation Study Bible from Ligonier Ministry’s publishing branch, Reformation Trust. When I heard that an updated edition was coming out, there was no decision to be made. I would be getting one . . . at least. I had given a donation where the incentive was a hardback copy and, due to a great response, I found myself waiting during the back-order process. I also found myself blessed with a little extra money and the overwhelming urge to splurge for a leather-bound copy.
Yay! Wait, let me say it more accurately. YAY!! Not to throw a shoulder out of place with an excessive amount of back patting, but that was one of the greatest impulse decisions I have ever made. And, for the record, the statistics involving my impulse decisions could not be disputed due to a small sample size. Large sample and all, this decision was one of the best.
So, allow me a moment to gush. I received the Bible quickly. So quickly, actually, that when I opened it I thought it was the hardback copy upon which I had been waiting. Slightly disappointed, I began to unwrap. It was my leather copy! I was tricked by those tricksters at Reformation Trust because they had the awesomenacity to send my leather Bible in a beautiful, hard slip case. As far as relationships go, there is much to be said about first impressions. And this relationship began beautifully (on my end at least, I can’t vouch for the RSB’s side of this encounter.) Seriously though, a slipcase for a leather Bible is such a blessing. Books belong on bookshelves (when not being used, of course) and leather Bibles get beat up when stood up. This slip case 1) is gorgeous and 2) protects my gorgeous Bible so that 3) I can enjoy the RSB that much more for that much longer.
That takes me to another point. This Bible is gorgeous. The cover looks great and seems pretty sturdy. I am not going to bend it backwards like an Allan Bible, but it lays flat and seems like it is going to last for a good while. I am a yapp man, and this Bible has no yapp. It is about preferences, for sure, and you have to make choices on issues like these. It is not a big deal by any means but, in case there is polling for the future, I vote “yapp.”
As you open this Bible and lay it flat (love that), you see that the typeset is different from the previous edition. I haven’t set the two side-by-side so I cannot compare directly, but I really like the new typeset. It is pretty and it is easy to read. What more could you want, right? One issue that I have is this. The cross reference is set in the center of the Bible and it is pretty far in the center. Couple that with the small font, and it could be difficult for some with weaker eyes (not a Leah reference) to read the cross references. I wish that the font had been a bit larger or moved slightly out of the center of the Bible.
Back to aesthetics, there is some definite shadowing. I highlight that it is an aesthetic issue because it does not in any way hinder the reading experience. I would love a thicker paper and a larger font on Bible’s like these. However, I understand that in order to provide this, we would all be carrying Bibles around that look like Jonathan Edwards pulpit Bible. So, apart from taking a wheelbarrow to Sunday school or removing some of these tremendous resources, we will all just have to endure some shadowing. And by "we", I mean those of us who have the time, energy, or compulsion to pick that particular nit.
The features of the Bible are tremendous. I have not worked through every article and every note. I cannot speak definitively on the content other than to point to the editors and contributors and say, “Yep.” But you can download a sample ofthese resources here and a copy of Ephesians and judge for yourself. The book introductions are tremendous. I love the section breakdowns. It includes the typical introductory stuff (“typical” in no way implies “unneccesary“ or “boring”), but it also includes sections on the book’s place in the “larger story of the Bible,” how Christ is present in that particular book, and a “history of interpretation” to give some historical context of the book’s place in Church history.
Now, for a quick soapbox followed by a celebration. First off, let me encourage you to treat yourself to a great book and go read Carl Trueman’s The Creedal Imperative the next chance you get. You will be blessed. Now, endure me for a moment. As we have moved away from being unified, confessional believers and moved towards a “what does the Bible mean to you” culture, we have lost a whole lot. We would benefit greatly from grounding ourselves in the confessions and creeds of the Church. As great as study notes are, there is so much to be learned and enjoyed from reading the creeds, confessions, and catechisms of the Church. I have wanted all of my Bibles to include these for a while. As excited as I was to meet the slipcover when I unboxed the RSB, I was exponentially more excited when I flipped to the back and saw “The Heidelberg Cathechism” staring me in the face. The RSB includes the Apostles Creed, Nicene Creed, Chalcedonian Definition of Faith, the Westminster Standards, the Three Forms of Unity, and the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. While the notes, as far as I have seen, do not cross reference the standards like the Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible did, it is still a blessing to have them so readily available. And maybe, just maybe, for the next update we can have the notes linked to the Creeds and Confessions as well!
Outline and Notes
The maps and concordance sections are good. The maps are full page, full color, and quite pretty. The concordance is very basic and, to be honest, I don’t use the concordance in the back of Bibles any more. With software and the internet, if I want to find a verse with a specific word or phrase I feel I am well covered. However, it is still nice to have a basic concordance available to do a quick look-up, and that is what the RSB provides.
As if providing a slip-cased, leather-covered, theologically-rich, study Bible was not enough, Ligonier threw in boocoodles of extra goodies. When you register the Bible online, you get to reap the benefits of $400 worth of extra resources, including a Ligonier Connect membership for three months, a six-month Tabletalk subscription, six e-books, and eight teaching series. I borrowed from the website to show all of the resources at the bottom. In a world where actors messing up lines and giggling/cursing about it is considered an “extra,” it might leave the wrong impression to tag that label on these goodies. Fight the temptation to think that “extra” means “little value,” these blessings are blessings indeed.There is much to like about this new edition of the Reformation Study Bible. From cover to cover, it is a blessing. In style and substance, it is superb. I look forward to using this Bible, recommending this Bible, and giving this Bible as gifts to many. The Bible is God's word and the greatest book ever written. The Reformation Study Bible serves as a beautiful shovel to help the reader mine the depths of God's word. I am so thankful that this resource is in print--for me, for my family, for my church, and for the Kingdom.
January 5, 2018
The most in-depth study Bible available. Well thought out overviews of each book, including history of translation, special issues, historical background, and superb commentary from trusted sources. Resources include creeds, catechisms, and confessions of the church from a reformed tradition. Very useful introduction to biblical interpretation using the grammatical-historical methodology. Good section on the history of O.T. and N.T. Textual criticism, development of the canon of scripture, as well as useful (and well referenced) sections on theology from a reformed school of thought.
And this only scratches the surface...... highly recommended.
And this only scratches the surface...... highly recommended.
July 1, 2019
Last year I set out to read through every verse in the Bible (some books twice) in a year using the M’Cheyne reading plan. 17 months later I finished! The plan included four chapters a day, each from a different book. There was a point when it became just a thing I did to check off my list each day, and when I realized that I took a break for a while and just focused on whatever I was studying in Bible study at the time. I had read most books of the Bible before this, but now I can confidently say I’ve encountered every word. I don’t understand every word (prophetic books mainly...) but God’s grand story of redemption is evident throughout.
December 27, 2020
This is a great version of the ESV. Definitely not for the layman when it comes to theology, but it’s a wonderful resources for those of us planted in the Reformed tradition. This is in many ways similar to the regular study Bible but includes quotations from Reformed thinkers and other leaders with a few essays dedicated to Reformation topics. I also appreciated all of the important confessions of the Reformed faith that were included in the back. Besides the London Baptist Confession. You can’t be Reformed and be Baptist. That’s a fact.
This will be my preferred Bible for some time.
This will be my preferred Bible for some time.
June 12, 2019
Obviously I did not read every single note on every page, but what I read was solid, Reformed, and scholarly work with the intention of drawing the reader to the great doctrines of the Reformation. Sadly, this Study Bible suffers from what all Study Bible's do avoiding the problem texts in the study notes.
All in all its a great work and you will not run into doctrinal issues while reading the study notes.
All in all its a great work and you will not run into doctrinal issues while reading the study notes.
July 16, 2024
Looked through the book. I like the information at the beginning of each book, such as author, date and occasion, genre, literary features, characteristics and primary themes, etc. Plus, there are a number of articles at the end, such as info about the Reformation, creeds, etc. I like knowing where to find information about the Reformation, for example. How many of us know that information? This is very helpful!
my rating: 9
my rating: 9
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