Anticipation
Monday, August 11, 2008 Labels: Bible, John MacArthur 6 commentsI just ordered some items from christianbook.com and Amazon. As for those who know me know my disappointment for so called Christian bookstores (Family Christian Bookstore).
I ordered the Ryrie Study Bible and the Scofield Study Bible. I also ordered 'The Bible Knowledge Commentary' which is a two volume commentary that covers the O.T. and N.T. This commentary is put together by staff members of the Dallas Seminary.
I have a MacArthur Study Bible and a KJV Study Bible. I use to have a NIV Study Bible, but gave it away to someone that liked it. I liked it also, but they needed a Bible so... Plus I prefer the NKJV translation. I use the free software esword and I received computer software as gift that has different Bible translations, commentaries, Bible dictionary, Concordance, Devotionals among other things.
I am old fashion, I prefer books. I have tried computer software, but I don't know why I prefer books. Maybe it is looking at a computer screen.
Questions
What Bible translation do you prefer?
What commentaries or helpful tools do you recommend?
How do you decide which theologian to trust before you study them? Recommendation, organizational ties, denominations affiliation or random?
I prefer to use NIV, but I am not against the KJV or the NKJV.
From what I have read in the MacArthur commentaries, I am not a big fan of them. I use the two of his that come with E-Sword. Speaking of E-sword, I love that program! I use everything in it, and would recommend it to everyone, at any level.
I usually prefer books as well, however I find it much easier to research on a computer. Books are great just because they increase my would-be library.
I am interested in your opinion on the Scofield study Bible, but have not heard of the Ryrie one.
Concerning the theologian that writes it, I dont really know a lot about any of them. I believe that they all have good ideas, but highly doubt I will agree 100% with any of them. That being said, I try not to limit myself to just the like minded ones. I like to read any and all I can get my hands onto, so I can better understand all perspectives.
I'm with layneh. NIV, KJV, and E-sword are the things I use. E-sword is particularly fantastic.
As far as commentaries go, I've read a little bit of Gary North's economic commentaries on the Bible. They're kind of hit or miss.
I use the NASB, however, my church uses the ESV. The NASB attempts to give a literal translation that helps for close study in the English. I am used to the NASB, but find that I am liking the ESV more and more. It tries to give the spirit of the text while keeping to the word-for-word translation. I would say that it is important to have more than one translation available to you so that you can compare and contrast passages. More times than once I have heard a pastor get up and make a point about a certain word in a passage and if you look at a different translation, his point was made totally invalid.
Here is the page for the ESV.
Here is the page for the NASB.
As for commentators, well, I usually trust those recommendations from the ones placed over me (my elders) and former professors. I think I am at an advantage in this as most of my professors from Univeristy have written commentaries or contributed or edited volumes. This means that they have an intimate knowledge (most of the time) with the series and contributors.
Usually though I ask for opinions and if they give it a thumbs down, I may still read it, but I will read it with my guard up.
j razz
My dad's an ordained minister and he's a KJV guy going way back. I still like the NIV because it "reads" a little more relevant but the NASB kicks my butt sometimes too.
By the way, you're going to love your Ryrie. That's all I'll use for my morning devotions and for Sunday School prep when I'm teaching a course. It's FANTASTIC!
Best,
--Nick
www.RightMichigan.com
Right now I'm using the Life Principles Bible with commentary from Charles Stanley. It's revised king james.
Good jobb