Opinions on the MacArthur Study Bible/What is the best NKJV Study Bible?

[CredoBiblicist]

I've been looking for a good study Bible in the NKJV but I've been surprised by how few options there are in this translation of study Bibles.

So far I've narrowed it down to the MacArthur study Bible and the Nelson NKJV study Bible. I already own a Nelson KJV study Bible (formerly Liberty Annotated) so I know this is different from the NKJV study Bible, but how different I'm not sure. So I've been leaning more towards getting the MacArthur which seems to be more detailed, and it's what my Pastor uses. But I have some concerns that the notes are going to be overly Calvinist(I'm not a Calvinist) , especially when it comes to limited atonement and I've heard some complaints about his teaching on the blood of Christ, as well as a lack of notes in the OT. Now I know no study Bible is going to be perfect, but I'm wondering if this MSB is suitable for me being a non-Calvinist? But I can't deny it looks impressive and scholarly.

I really want to make sure I get the best study Bible in NKJV as I can't afford to be wasting money. So your opinion on the MacArthur study Bible and other NKJV study Bibles would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Scottish Monk]

First--I think every home should have a copy of a Life Application Study Bible--it comes in the NKJV translation, as well as many other translations: Life Application Study Bible NKJV.

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Next, if you are concerned about staying away from Calvinism, you may want to consider the New Spirit Filled Life Bible NKJV.

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You may also want to take a look at the NKJV Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible.

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I hope this helps.

...Scottish Monk

 

[Scottish Monk]

Duplicate message

 

[ebedmelech]

I've been looking for a good study Bible in the NKJV but I've been surprised by how few options there are in this translation of study Bibles.

So far I've narrowed it down to the MacArthur study Bible and the Nelson NKJV study Bible. I already own a Nelson KJV study Bible (formerly Liberty Annotated) so I know this is different from the NKJV study Bible, but how different I'm not sure. So I've been leaning more towards getting the MacArthur which seems to be more detailed, and it's what my Pastor uses. But I have some concerns that the notes are going to be overly Calvinist(I'm not a Calvinist) , especially when it comes to limited atonement and I've heard some complaints about his teaching on the blood of Christ, as well as a lack of notes in the OT. Now I know no study Bible is going to be perfect, but I'm wondering if this MSB is suitable for me being a non-Calvinist? But I can't deny it looks impressive and scholarly.

I really want to make sure I get the best study Bible in NKJV as I can't afford to be wasting money. So your opinion on the MacArthur study Bible and other NKJV study Bibles would be greatly appreciated.

It's not NKJV but might I suggest the Inductive Study Bible by Precepts Ministries International? It's NASB.

The reason I suggest it is because it has wide margins for study, and at the end of each book you have an "At A Glance" page that list each chapter allowing you to write in what you think the chapter theme is.

It recommends a color code and symbol system for marking passages or you can create your own.

As you go read your bible over the years, you eventually you will have created your own study bible.

That's what I suggest to you. Study bible are not bad but many represent a certain systematic theology. Having something like the Inductive Study Bible what you are doing is creating your own view of scripture.

Invest in your own bible study resources such as concordance, dictionary, and extra-biblical historical resources, and go with God!!!

Here's a link to it:

Bible Study | Bible Studies | Bible Study Tools | New Inductive Study Bible

Here's a link to a large view of it's wide margins:

http://studiesinscripture.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/IMG_1792.jpg

 

[ebia]

I've been looking for a good study Bible in the NKJV but I've been surprised by how few options there are in this translation of study Bibles.

So far I've narrowed it down to the MacArthur study Bible and the Nelson NKJV study Bible. I already own a Nelson KJV study Bible (formerly Liberty Annotated) so I know this is different from the NKJV study Bible, but how different I'm not sure. So I've been leaning more towards getting the MacArthur which seems to be more detailed, and it's what my Pastor uses. But I have some concerns that the notes are going to be overly Calvinist(I'm not a Calvinist) , especially when it comes to limited atonement and I've heard some complaints about his teaching on the blood of Christ, as well as a lack of notes in the OT. Now I know no study Bible is going to be perfect, but I'm wondering if this MSB is suitable for me being a non-Calvinist? But I can't deny it looks impressive and scholarly.

I really want to make sure I get the best study Bible in NKJV as I can't afford to be wasting money. So your opinion on the MacArthur study Bible and other NKJV study Bibles would be greatly appreciated.

Your pastor uses a study bible?

 

[CredoBiblicist]

Your pastor uses a study bible?

He has lots of Bibles, but the ones he usually brings to Church are Reina Valera KJV parallel and the MacArthur NKJV, though since talking to him he's not totally liking the MacArthur.

 

[Shane R]

The best NKJV study Bible is the Orthodox Study Bible. The OT translation in that is fresh as it was translated from the LXX rather than the typical Masoretic text. This is the main variation between it and other NKJV study Bibles textually. From the perspective of the notes, Orthodox notes are obviously not Calvinist in tone.

 

[JM]

My thoughts...just a plain old KJV reference Bible works the best. If you want commentary use a commentary. TBS has a nice Westminster Reference Bible with a ton of references to use. Before you even consult a study Bible exhaust your cross references.

 

[ebia]

He has lots of Bibles, but the ones he usually brings to Church are Reina Valera KJV parallel and the MacArthur NKJV, though since talking to him he's not totally liking the MacArthur.

Personally I wouldn't trust John MacArthur to tell me the time.

 

[CredoBiblicist]

My thoughts...just a plain old KJV reference Bible works the best. If you want commentary use a commentary. TBS has a nice Westminster Reference Bible with a ton of references to use. Before you even consult a study Bible exhaust your cross references.

Yes I've been impressed with that Bible. I already own a Cambridge KJV personal size concord reference Bible, plus a Thompson and Nelson KJV study Bible. So I feel I'm ok when it comes to using a study Bible. I'll begin preaching soon so can never have too many sources.

 

[CredoBiblicist]

Personally I wouldn't trust John MacArthur to tell me the time.

I would ask what you find wrong with it but seeing you're Anglican I don't think I have too. I'm non denominational and I'm not crazy about it, will probably just end up going with the Nelson NKJV study Bible, they own it and brought about the NKJV so I guess it makes sense.

 

[ebedmelech]

Personally I wouldn't trust John MacArthur to tell me the time.

I'm not in agreement with John MacArthur's eschatology for sure...but I find the man to be excellent at expounding the gospel! For me, that's the FIRST thing that matters.