How to pick a study Bible notes/Chain Reference Bible notes modules?

[Brian K. Mitchell]

QUESTION ONE: How do you pick Study Bible notes/Chain Reference Bible notes for your Accordance library?

In otherwords what criteria or features do you look for?

 

QUESTION TWO: What are you favorite or most use Study Bible notes/Chain Reference Bible notes modules?

 

 

Thanks in Advance!

 

 

[Dr. Nathan Parker]

I'm not sure if there's particular criteria that I look for, but I've used a lot of study Bibles over the years. Here are some of my favorites in Accordance and why I love them:

 

• Thompson Chain Reference (when we bring it back). I also use this one in print. The references in the margins, plus the wealth of material in the back pretty much gives me all the Bible study material I'd need in a Bible I'd carry anywhere.
• CBL: I do like the Complete Biblical Library in general, so I've used it's study Bible, although I mostly use it for Biblical Languages.
• Charles Stanley Life Principles Bible: I've read this one over the years since I've always loved Charles Stanley. I recently began appreciating it again on my trip. Gained some valuable insights in the Word of God while sitting in a cabin.
• MacArthur Study Bible: I've found MacArthur to be super useful as well.
• Reformation Heritage Study Bible: Since I heavily read the KJV, these notes accompany it well.
• ESV Systematic Theology Study Bible: Good notes on Systematic Theology
• Jewish Study Bible/Annotated NT: I've found good use of these as well.
• NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible: Good articles on Biblical Theology
• Ryrie Study Bible: Also some useful notes
• Scofield Study Bible: Also useful notes, plus he made it into my dissertation

[ukfraser]

Long , long ago, there was a time when we didn't have tablets and smart phones and going to church or home group you would carry a physical bible! and probably just one well worn one, that was probably falling apart!

For me, that was the Jerusalem Bible, standard edition,  as it was the one all my friends in the ecumenical Christian Community @ university were using in the 70s. I have had my copy rebound and its there on the bookshelf along with my original NIV study bible, NRSV Spiritual formation bible and Jewish Study Bible ready for when we run out of chips and electricity!
 

Study bibles are useful first stops to understanding a book or a verse and point you to other verses. But they tend to be very big and heavy, not something you can slip into a pocket!

 

The JB has excellent introductions to bible books and helps with the setting and the authors. The notes are clear and succinct, and it has good links to other passages.

 

I also like the graphical presentation of the Infographic bible so that is in easy reach of my chair along with my common worship and holman bible atlas for easy reference.

 

As a secondary use, I have found it useful to have a study bible that is linked to the translation used in the place of worship I am attending if possible hence the other hard copies I have built up. 
 

But the Jewish study bible and Jewish annotated New Testament study bible bring a completely fresh level of scholarship and insights. I came across the original Jewish study bible by accident in Durham cathederal bookshop and after a quick look at the notes and essays, promptly purchased it and it has been one of my go tos ever since. 

 

fast forward and we now have a plethora of translations and study bibles in various electronic formats (but sadly I never found an e-version of the JB with all the study notes!)

 

For me, I still want something that gives me a quick insight and although I got into Accordance via the original NIV study bible, today the ones I predominantly use are:

 

ESV study bible

JSB and JANT study bibles

 

NOAB for the apocrypha but for the rest of the text I find first three to be more detailed.

 

In addition to book introductions, notes on passages and references to linked passages, they also have excellent essays at the back which give further insights. 
 

I purchased the NIV Biblical theology/Zondervan one but despite the hype, I never came away with a fresh insight from my first three so it is very rarely used. The Holman illustrated was initially useful for maps on the ipad but it lacks proper study bible notes and the images are very variable and is no longer used either as I currently dont use a projector during services. In future I must look at a larger sample of all future resources prior to purchase and that is difficult with the loss of bookshops and everything going on-line!

 

As to my original NIV, I think things have moved on and the ESV is just more useful as the notes are more detailed. Would I get the new NIV one? Following on from the last Zondervan one, probably not. Would I get another study bible? Again, With the exception of JAA, I think I have got enough study bibles for quick initial look ups so will only concentrate on more specific detailed resources. 

 

For me, study bibles are a great resource as a quick first stop and its always useful having one open at church or in a home group on my ipad as I can read the brief notes very quickly and as they are CofE settings, it tends to be the ESV  but the JSB & JANT or even NOAB are only a click away!

Edited August 3 by ukfraser

[Lorinda H. M. Hoover]

1) Criteria/Features:  I haven't had a systematic set of criteria, but reverse engineering overall criteria based on the Study Bibles I've purchased and my reasoning for doing so, here appear to be at least some of my criteria, and example Study Bibles:

• Is written from the perspective of my tradition (So: Wesley Study Bible, as I am United Methodist)
• Is written from the perspective of a tradition very different than mine (So: Jewish Annotated NT, Jewish Study Bible, Orthodox Study Bible)
• Has a scholarly/biblical critical approach (thus, NOAB)
• Has a Life Application approach (thus Life Application Study Bible)
• Is not intensely biblical literalist in perspective

Obviously, with the exception of the last criteria, no one study Bible is going to fit all of the criteria.  I have different study Bibles for different purposes.

 

2) I listed my favorite/most used ones above.  While not a Study Bible, I also make regular use of the "Exhaustive Cross References of the Bible" which looks to no longer be available on the Accordance Website.  I mention this is the closest thing to a "Chain Reference" Bible that I use. 

 

[Rick55]

On 8/3/2024 at 8:03 AM, Brian K. Mitchell said:

QUESTION ONE: How do you pick Study Bible notes/Chain Reference Bible notes for your Accordance library?

In otherwords what criteria or features do you look for?

 

QUESTION TWO: What are you favorite or most use Study Bible notes/Chain Reference Bible notes modules?

 

 

Thanks in Advance!

 

 

Hi Brian! 

 

What appeals to me most when deciding on a study bible is the study helps that are included. The guides, charts, maps, indexes, etc., can be a great aid to your study of the Bible. 

 

Many of the commentaries critically exegete the text, so I enjoy a study bible that provides a more user-friendly read and is directed to a more application-focused interpretation.

 

If you are however looking for a study bible that "does it all" except maybe a few colorful charts, I recommend the Complete Biblical Library of the New and Old Testament. 

 

If you're seeking a study Bible that is less scholarly and more user-friendly, helping you mature as a Christian while providing beautiful, clear-cut maps, charts, and topical guides, consider the Disciple Study Bible.

 

If a study bible without the colorful charts and maps is what you are looking for, yet still focused on aiding your Christian maturity, the Heritage Study Bible is a solid choice.

 

If you're looking for a Study Bible that is user-friendly, scholarly in its conclusions, and conservative in its doctrine, while also providing excellent charts and maps (though in black and white), I recommend the Ryrie Study Bible. 

Edited August 6 by Rick55

[Dr. Nathan Parker]

Another thing I'll throw out there is I originally picked study Bibles back when I did all my studies in print, since I wanted study Bibles that went with me wherever I went and offered enough study helps in a compact printed volume.

 

With Accordance, I can now have all the study Bibles I want in my pocket. :-)

[Brian K. Mitchell]

On 8/7/2024 at 3:22 AM, Dr. Nathan Parker said:

With Accordance, I can now have all the study Bibles I want in my pocket. 🙂

@Dr. Nathan Parker good point! These days we don't have to choose we can carry all the study Bible, commentaries, and other reasources with us in the palm of our hand or in our pocket!

[Randy Cue]

I think it is helpful to use a study Bible that has multiple authors rather than a single author. That gives you a better (broader) perspective.

[Sean Nelson]

Personally, I've yet to find a better option than the ESV Study Bible. They really produced something special with that volume. Between the book introductions, the graphics, the charts, the articles at the end, and the notes, I can't think of a better resource for someone just wanting to get a quick grasp of a portion of Scripture. Yes, there are some biases in the notes and introductions that one may disagree with, but that will occur with any study aid.

[Brian K. Mitchell]

12 hours ago, Sean Nelson said:

I've yet to find a better option than the ESV Study Bible.

@Sean Nelson If you do not mind me asking how does the ESV study Bible notes be similar to the NIV Study Bible: Notes (Fully Revised Edition) and how would the ESV Study Bible compare with The New Oxford Annotated Bible?

 

Edited August 14 by Brian K. Mitchell

[ukfraser]

I partly agree with sean so here is my take.

,

I dont have the niv fully revised.

 

i find the esv study bible notes to be more detailed than noab. 
this is with the actual notes and the cross references. 
 

i use the nrsv so in theory, noab should be a better match but I find esv works with nrsv as the translation philosophy is comparable. Noab is useful for the apocrypha and the parallel versions but like sean, i use the esv but in conjunction with jewish study bible and jewish annotated nt.

 

for me the esv provides better notes than the original 2002 niv study bible and the updated niv zondervan/theological  study bible.

Edited August 14 by ukfraser

[Sean Nelson]

I haven't used the NOAB much, but I'll echo what ukfraser said. Most other "flagship" study bibles from the various publishers (i.e. the study bibles that just have the name of the translation attached with no other qualifiers) are similar-ish in content to the ESV Study Bible, it's just that the ESV often has more of whatever I'm looking for. This isn't always the case, but it is often enough that I just default to the ESV, then go to a commentary if I didn't find what I needed.

 

Here's an example: I've attached the timeline of the prophets from both the ESV and NIV introductions to the prophetic books of the OT. Both give you a general overview of when the editors think each prophet served, but the ESV just gives more detail. That said, the NIV introduction to the prophets has a fun selection of classic artwork depicting the prophets or scenes from the prophetic books, so it's just a decision of what is more desirable to you personally. Since I also have access to our Bible art module, I don't really need that from the NIV SB.

[Sean Nelson]

One point to also consider is the theological "slant" of a Study Bible. Some may find it unhelpful to constantly be reading notes with which they disagree, while others might find that desirable. Some Study Bibles are upfront with their theological positions (think the Reformation SB), while others have to be deduced from the general positions taken in the notes/introductions, and the contributor lists.

 

For example, I think it would be fair to say that the ESV Study Bible often defaults to a broadly Calvinistic evangelical perspective in its positions. It will be traditionally conservative in its views on authorship, dates, and "difficult" passages. It will also, as mentioned, tend to be broadly Calvinistic in theology, without actually being "Reformed," though it will at times offer other perspectives. It also tries to stay somewhat neutral on debatable issues like the age of the earth, the end times, etc.

[ukfraser]

Sean, 'One point to also consider is the theological "slant" of a Study Bible.'

 

I dont want to stray outside the forum guidelines but I tend to look at the translator note for philosophy of a particular version, eg nrsv or esv and then find that the associated study bible, noab or esv, tends to fall in with that philosophy in their notes as the hard copy also includes the introduction from the translator notes.

 

The spiritual formation bible is very upfront, like the reformation sb, in its position but i dont think of them as the official study bibles for the set translation. 
 

personally, i think people tend not to read the translator notes at the beginning of their translation and the introduction actually contains important information. That is why I keep requesting that accordance gets the tev ones added as currently I have to keep looking in my hard copy.

Edited August 14 by ukfraser

[Randy Cue]

Another good choice is the Reformation Study Bible. From the title its theological basis should be obvious.

[Brian K. Mitchell]

 I would like to thank all of those who responded to this thread and shared their suggestions.

Thank you @Dr. Nathan Parker , @ukfraser , @Lorinda H. M. Hoover , @Rick55 , @Randy Cue , and @Sean Nelson !!!!