I finally review the Reformation Study Bible!

In this episode we're taking a look at the Reformation Study Bible by Ligonier Ministries, which a viewer sent and asked for my thoughts on.

Other videos mentioned:

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[danielsell]

Reformation Study Bible is my favorite study Bible. The notes and commentary are biblically solid. I have been reading through the entire study Bible and have found it to be extremely helpful illuminating Scripture. It is theologically conservative, which I appreciate.

[dreamscapes]

I'm Reformed/Calvinist and really enjoyed your fair review. Good job, brother!
P.S. If you can get a hold of the newer edition, it's really built out and impressive.

[Dave_Parrott]

Hot dang, dude. This is a smashingly in-depth review and I appreciate it EXTREMELY!

[blazers]

Great review, I do lean reformed myself but I can and I think we should be able to see why different folks land in different camps while agreeing to disagree respectfully. We’re brothers and sisters in the body of Christ first. I appreciate you taking the time for the in depth review with the bias stated upfront.

[thegothamite]

I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for shag carpet (I’m reformed Baptist). 😎. I have seen this Bible in stores before but have not yet purchased it. I must say, your review of this Bible was utterly outstanding! Thank you for your in-depth review. I’m currently in seminary and I was excited that I was familiar with most everything you touched on. Keep up the good work!

[sethhale]

As a reformed guy, I really appreciate your fair review. Great to see.

[dreamscapes]

Regarding blank pages at the end of the book: Books are printed in a succession of bound "signatures, " the folded sheet that yields 16 final trimmed pages. When the end content doesn't fill the final signature of 16 trimmed pages, we end up with blank pages at the end.

[PastorKThroop]

I'm a Reformed Baptist (of the “uncaged” sort you spoke about, LOL), and I have been using a New Geneva Study Bible NKJV (the precursor to the Reformation Study Bible) since it came out back in 1995. However, after using the Faithlife Study Bible via Logos, and after having watched your excellent review of the FSB, I intend to get a paper copy in the NKJV for future use. Of course, I typically carry with me a smaller NKJV Bible, but I often use a study Bible as well. Anyway, thanks for your helpful reviews.

[robertshirley]

I, like you, am not Reformed (with a upper-case ‘R’), but I am reformed (with a lower-case ‘r’). Great review. It is one of the Bibles I use for reference on my Olive Tree app. (hence, it sits on my digital ‘shelf’).
It is always good to be familiar with different perspectives.

[ForTheChristians]

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but the edge-lined, smyth sewn, goatskin version of this study Bible is selling for $58 and free shipping right now at the reformation heritage books website.
Screaming deal!

[ArleneAdkinsZell]

Great review, thank you for not only pointing out biases but explaining them.

[genejoy]

I have the NKJV edition of the Reformation Study Bible. When I still use a physical Bible (I more frequently use Bible apps on my phone these days), the Reformation Study Bible is the one I use. I must admit more of a Calvinistic bias as not only is this my primary study Bible, but I have been attending churches in the Presbyterian Church in America for over 20 years and many of my favorite authors share that same bias as well. All the same, I appreciate your review of the ESV edition and I found it to be careful, thoughtful, and helpful.

[flowerlass]

Terrific and fair review! I grew up in the Reformed tradition. I have the older and newer editions of this study Bible. It was the only Bible I ever used until I started watching your Bible reviews. I have quite a few in ebook format now, so I can read the notes from different perspectives. I still belong to a Reformed church because I like the expository preaching, the importance of every member knowing what their Bible says, and the seriousness of worship. But you are right; some Reformed churches believe they are the ones with the real truth.

But after listening to your channel, I admit that some things within some Reformed circles have always made me sad. Complementarianism is one. Election is another. But what bothers me the most is that I don't feel that I can invite "anyone" to church because some won't be warmly welcomed. Not many Reformed churches reach out to people who live on the margins of our society either. I always had to take my children to Catholic outreach ministries so they would learn to have a heart to minister to anyone in need.

In my personal experience, I have witnessed male church elders dismiss the capabilities of women on several occasions. A woman interested in ministry can work in the nursery, teach Sunday School or a women's Bible study, or work in the kitchen on Wednesday nights. Reformed churches are not all the same, but there are only two Reformed denominations in my area - PCA and ARP. They are similar. Churches in my area seem to be ultra-liberal/nonBiblical or ultra-conservative/legalistic at times. Thanks for making these videos. I appreciate your videos and the youth work that you do in Charlotte.

[Mackham]

I really enjoy this study Bible. Although mine includes much more than the one you reviewed. For some reason I come to it most often. I love it has the creeds and confessions included. I find it really great to go through these and ask, “why did they include this” and it provides a great prompt for study. I also love the short articles throughout. It’s fun as you’re reading through to come across one of these. I’ll agree that the marketing section is off putting though.

[TheTruthIsDeeper]

I myself might be Orthodox but I still really like all your reviews and how you really explain all the things and give different opinions. Overall just great channel bro :). Also will you improve the camera resolution in the future its a bit hard to see the text and the type of notes. Anyway Godbless!

[haydenyuan]

I am a Reformed Presbyterian (aligning myself with PCA) and I really appreciate your fair and unbiased view of this study Bible! Thanks for a thorough review of my favorite study Bible! I would say the 2015 edition is a lot better than this one since they expanded the notes and all that.

[AABlann]

Brother, thank you for this review. I am decidedly reformed after much resistance from my flesh and yes went through a bit of a caged stage. Overall it was interesting and elucidating to hear your perspective on this study bible.
The comment you made ~40:10 about the snarky attitude you expected was ironic in that you made more than a few snide quips against the reformed tradition. Not to tear you down but thought you would take the comment for what it is worth.

May we each abide in our Lord as His Spirit calls us to and enjoy His shalom all to His glory!

[tomlavelle]

I am fascinated by the history of Christianity. I definitely will be looking for this wonderful study Bible.

[karendash]

As a Christian, I don’t know what flavour I am and I don’t understand why we have to categorize ourselves… I think that it’s Satan’s way of having us take our eyes off the prize..of doing what we’re supposed to be doing…that is shining His light into a dark world instead of arguing amongst ourselves
I liken it to God looking down on His squabbling children arguing that “I know God more than you do!”
As long as you believe that Jesus died for you, that He was God incarnate..you are my brother/sister in Christ

[MM-jfme]

My religious background and views are very close to your own. I'm not fond of the ESV and I really expected to dislike the tenor of this particular study Bible, but after viewing your review I'm pleasantly surprised: it looks like a solid resource. I might pick it up sometime if I run across it in the wild.