Love it? Hate it? Pros/Cons? I'm thinking of having dh get me one for Christmas. It does look a bit bulky, but I like the fact that it has soooo many notes and articles. The ESV translation seems to be close enough to the KJV, but more readable if that make sense. I noticed that the notes were compiled by a huge team of people from all around the world, and it is endorsed by some popular Christian leaders. Just wondering what you think if you have experience with this particular study bible. Do you feel the notes are doctrinally faithful to the text? I am a little leary of straying from my MacArthur study bible, but it is falling apart, and I am leaning towards the ESV version this time around. Thanks for any feedback you can offer.

I love it! I got it as a Christmas present last year. It definitely is bulky. The pages are very thin because they tried to make it lighter (I'm sure). I can't use a highligher. I use a yellow crayon instead to highlight. It is bulky enough that it is my "at home" study Bible and not the one I take to church.

It is theologically sound. The only different doctrinally from your MacArthur study Bible would probably be their interpretation of end time events as I believe he is a dispensationalist. MacArthur is a 5 pt. Calvinist so I think you'll find most of the commentary is familiar to you.

BTW, when you buy the Bible you get access to the online version. As cool as the stuff is in the physical Bible, the maps and commentary are INCREDIBLE online. Very cool. I use it all the time.

This post was edited on Nov 03, 2009 08:05 PM

I'm not sure which book you are referring to. I have an ESV Bible and I'm not seeing a lot of drastic differences between that and my NIV or my NKJV. If you are needing another Bible, then it would be a good one to go w/ but I don't know as I would just go out to get it at this point just to have. There are differences, though, enough that it's nice to have the other version. Other than that, I can't offer much. I know this wasn't too helpful but wanted to share what I did know.

K

It must be pretty good, considering the Reformed Baptist church we are currently attending has officially announced that we will be switching over to this version beginning in January. They have the church book store stocked full of these Bibles at discounted prices, and they are going like hot cakes! I just bought the study one for DH's birthday this Thursday. I bought myself a smaller one too, but I have a feeling DH will have to go searching for his study Bible once in a while as I pour over it! LOL! I haven't signed up for the internet thing yet, as our Bibles are so new. I didn't realize it had all of that stuff Daisy mentioned. This Bible must be pretty accurate, doctrinally speaking, as our Pastor is pretty picky.

Daisy,

Are you saying that the ESV or John MacArthur teaches dispensationalism? In a nut shell, could you explain to me (or give me good link) explaining the difference between dispensationalism and covenant theology? I'm assuming that the A/G leans toward dispensationalism? Calvin toward Covenant? Is this only a matter of eschatology? I know our church believes in the rapture, but is also very Calvin. Does that make it dispensationalist? Is there a happy medium?

Sorry for all of the questions, but I KNOW you have studied this stuff a lot, and I'm still sort of new at figuring out all of these big theological words. Doctrine and theology were not biggies in my upbringing...unless you were to hyper focus on the gift of tongues! I guess that's another topic! LOL! Where do you fit on the spectrum of things concerning dispensationalism, if you don't mind me asking? Thanks for whatever you can give me. :) I really respect your thoughts in these matters.

If you'd rather email me: b w m ar sa ck 0 0 9 at c om c a st dot n e t (spaces removed).

Thanks,

Nancy

Thanks for the endorsement, Pottersclay. It means a lot coming from you. ;-) I am glad to hear it has a Calvinist bent to it. To me that is a pretty important consideration as it deals with big issue of the sovereignty of God. While I would definitely classify myself as a dispensationalist, I do enjoy reading many Covenant theology authors and don't mind being challenged by the "other side," so to speak. ;-) Some of the greatest Christian theologians of our time would be considered covenant theologians after all. ;-)

Nancy,

If you'd like to learn more about dispensationalism v. covenant theology you could google some of the more well known dispensationalists: C.I.Scoffield and Lewis Sperry Chaffer to name a couple.

Are you saying that the ESV or John MacArthur teaches dispensationalism? MacArthur is a dispensationalist. I think the ESV STUDY BIBLE (not the ESV translation) does a pretty good job of presenting all the major viewpoints. There are three pages worth of commentary on just the various millenial viewpoints. Here's their summary of that particular section..."Each of these three primary millennial views falls within the framework of historic Christian orthodoxy. Though they differ in significant ways with regard to the interpretation of the book of Revelation and other passages related to eschatology, each view is well represented among Bible-believing orthodox Christians."

In a nut shell, could you explain to me (or give me good link) explaining the difference between dispensationalism and covenant theology? See below.

I'm assuming that the A/G leans toward dispensationalism? Uh, yep, but they are arminianists also.

Calvin toward Covenant? I would say Calvinists tend to lean towards Covenant theology. MacArthur is a Dispe. Sproul, is CT. Here's a link to John Piper's explanation of the three major camps (Dispensationalism, Covenant Theology, New Covenant). http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/2006/1439_What_does_John_Piper_believe_about_dispensationalism_covenant_theology_and_new_covenant_theology/

Is this only a matter of eschatology? I personally don't see it as only an issue of eschatology although that will be where it is most visible. It forms ones viewpoint of literal Israel, it answers the question regarding "Are we still under the Law.", etc. http://www.gospelpedlar.com/articles/Bible/Cov_Dis_Comparison/ch3.html

I know our church believes in the rapture, but is also very Calvin. Does that make it dispensationalist? Most likely. If they believe in the rapture of the church prior to the second coming of Christ they probably embrace dispensationalism. Not a huge big deal. Sproul is a Covenant Theology. MacArthur is a dispie. Piper is somewhere in between but leans more towards CT. ALL are 5pt Calvinists.

Is there a happy medium? Probably, although I'm sure there is always someone willing to argue their cause. ;-)

If you scroll down with this chart you'll see a list of ministers who fall under each category. http://fide-o.com/2009/05/comparing-dispensational-theology-and-covenant-theology/

This post was edited on Nov 03, 2009 10:19 PM

Oh goody! LINKS! Lots of links!! Thanks, Daisy, I knew you would have these handy! :) I've googled this stuff before, but there's SO. MUCH. to wade through, and they all have really good points to their arguments. Makes my head spin sometimes! Yet, it's intriguing to me at the same time. I can find all of those men you mentioned as popular authors in our church book store/library.

Also, as for the ESV, it is supposed to be a very literal, word for word translation of the Bible, similar to NASB, but it is also supposed to be an easier read. One of the reasons so many like and use the NIV is because it reads well, but it is more of an idea by idea translation, rather than word for word, thus leaving more room for man's interpretation. The ESV is supposed to be the "best of both worlds", so to speak...a literal translation that's easy to read. Sounds good to me!!

OK, I'm off to check out some of those links and bookmark them for further study! THANK YOU!!

Daisy,

One more question, did you mention where you fall on that dispe. or CT scale? I'm curious, but understand if you'd rather not say here. :) Maybe you said, but I missed it?

Nancy