Rating: 
Summary: A study Bible that doesn't insult your intelligence
Review: Not only Calvinists, but all Protestant readers will be able to learn much from this well done study Bible.
I have used the previous edition, the "New Geneva Study Bible," for about nine years now, and enjoyed it immensely. My old one is full of scribbled notes. This one seems to have expanded the text of the annotations by at least a third, and likely more. The editors have somewhat improved their clarity and style. There is, unfortunately, little room for scribbling in the margins of this Bible.
The focus on doctrine and teachings is what makes this Bible seem meatier than its competitors, and is the chief reason I would heartily recommend it, even to non-Calvinists. With this study Bible you can be referred easily to the Biblical passages that establish, say, the eternity of God or the concept of the Trinity. Brief essays on key Biblical doctrines abound in the text. Most of them do not refer to specifically Calvinist ideas, and those that do are at least honest enough to acknowledge the existence of contrary opinion.
This honesty is found in other controversial areas as well. They don't endorse young-earth creationism, and allow the readers to make up their own minds about geological history. They do recommend the historical interpretation of Jonah, but allow that it might be a parable. They allow that the texts of the books of Moses may have been compiled by other inspired editors. They aren't going to tell you that Gog is Russia, or that the founding of Israel lit the fuse for Armageddon. They are, in short, conservative about the core truths of worldwide Protestant Christianity without timidly following a U.S. fundamentalist hardline. For that, I give glory and praise to God.
Rating:
Summary: Bible notes vs. McBible Notes
Review: The "Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible" is refreshing in today's market-driven Christian publishing world. The study notes are thought-provoking and grounded. In addition, I find the NIV text much easier to read than the New King James Version. Regardless of your current heroes/leaders in Reformation Theology, this will make an excellent companion to your daily studies of God's Word...1 Corinthians 1:11-13 (NIV)
My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? (Insert the names of your reformed leaders in the passage above...it sounds silly, doesn't it?) If you're looking for a new bible with good notes to help you along in your study, this bible is for you. It would also make a good gift for the bible student who hasn't given much thought to thinking critically about modern day views on prophecy, end-times and more.
Rating:
Summary: Bible notes vs. McBible Notes
Review: The "Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible" is refreshing in today's market-driven Christian publishing world. The study notes are thought-provoking and grounded. In addition, I find the NIV text much easier to read than the New King James Version. Regardless of your current heroes/leaders in Reformation Theology, this will make an excellent companion to your daily studies of God's Word... 1 Corinthians 1:11-13 (NIV)
My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? (Insert the names of your reformed leaders in the passage above...it sounds silly, doesn't it?) If you're looking for a new bible with good notes to help you along in your study, this bible is for you. It would also make a good gift for the bible student who hasn't given much thought to thinking critically about modern day views on prophecy, end-times and more.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Study Bible
Review: The new "Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible" from Zondervan represents a major revision and expansion of the "New Geneva Study Bible" (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995). Many people found the "New Geneva Study Bible" lacking in terms of ease of understanding and clarity. In this Bible the same information has been retained but completely rewritten to be much more approachable by the average person. The study notes and articles are true to the spirit of the Reformation starting and built on the basic doctrine of Sola Scriptura - that the Bible is infallible and inerrant as originally given by divine inspiration. One of the things that is really nice about this version is all the in-text maps, charts and graphs. Instead of turning to the back of the book to look at a set of maps so you can follow along with what is happening the maps are right there as you need them (although there are also map sets in the back of this Bible). The study notes are quite extensive and make this one of the best study Bibles available. It contains over 20,000 detailed study notes, 66 in-text articles on topics significant to Reformed theology, a complete set of Reformed doctrinal standards including, Westminster Confession, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Westminster Larger Catechism, Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dort. Each of the books of the Bible has a detailed introduction including a section on how Christ is represented in the book. The book is designed for the knowledgeable reader. While I found no problems in the New International Version text, the notes are not quite as perfect in the proofing process. For example, I was surprised to see that God "reigns in heave" on page 1549. Because Bibles are generally one of the most carefully checked books such spelling errors are extremely rare. Eventhough not perfect, it is a significant improvement on the earlier "Geneva" Bible and a highly recommended Study Bible that I will be sure to consult and recommend regularly.
Rating:
Summary: Notes get 5 stars; NIV gets 3
Review: This is the best study bible on the market. The NIV study bible is so theologically noncommittal that it is almost useless. This bible, however, has consistently great notes with a reformed perspective. It leans toward Calvinism but Lutherans such as myself will find it much more useful than the NIV study bible and the Concordia study bible which is simply the NIV study bible with a few additions. As for the NIV translation, I think there are few translations in English as clunky and unreadable as it is (go with the NLT or ESV). If you want some theological meat in your study notes get this one.
Rating:
Summary: Best Study Bible in the market today
Review: This Study Bible is the best study bible in the market today! I have several study bibles, including the NIV Study Bible, the Interpreters Study Bible, the Nelson Study Bible but this one is scholarly, thorough, and provides the background information that is so necessary to properly understand the scriptures. The study notes are written by scholars who believe the written Word and when you read the introductory articles, you are left with lots of reasons to study it!!!
Although this study bible is edited by scholars who are largely from the reformed tradition of the Christian faith, the notes do not go beyond that which is allowed by the text itself. They do however provide references for several historic documents of the faith including the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Synod of Dort. I recommend this Study bible for all persons. It is excellent for lay people like me, it does not require knowledge of Greek or Hebrew but opens up the Word for the modern reader. The only problem with this Bible is that it is only available for the NIV.
Rating: 
Summary: NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible
Review: What we have with this "new" study bible appears to be an expanded copy of the reformation Study Bible. The main revision is the use of the NIV text and the addition of a catechisms with minor revisions of the actual notes. This "major revised edition" looses credibility without Dr. Sprouls endorsement which it does not posess!
Rating:
Summary: Second to None
Review: When I first beheld this newest publication (yet another new bible!!), I immediately turned to the preface and discovered that instead of its precursor (the New Geneva Study Bible/Reformation Study Bible---NKJV, Nelson Publishers), R.C. Sproul is no longer the general editor, but Richard Pratt, a professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL. In turn he brought on board fellow RTS prof. and much respected theologian John Frame to be the theological editor (along with a guy named Packer!). So lest you think this recent edition is simply a minor revision, consider the following: 1. The text has shifted from the NKJV to the NIV. While I prefer to see the ESV in its place, the NIV is still a better overall translation than the NKJV. 2. Frame and Packer took all of the original study notes and fully revised them--no small task. Overall, they seem to be a bit more precise. The notes are not regurgitated from the previous editions. Also, the theological articles from the previous editions (written by Packer) are replaced by 66 new theological articles--one for each book of the bible. What? Dost thou lament the ommision of Packer's articles? Weep no more! Purchase his book Concise Theology, which is an outright essential gem for every Christian. 3. The text is still single column, but red letter editions are not available. This is a good thing indeed, lest you begin equating the "red letters" as the ones that really count! 4. The book introductions are at least twice as long as the other editions, with greater breadth, focus and clarity. One of the most laudible additions is a special feature of the OT introductions titled "Christ in ___________" (e.g. Isaiah, Genesis, Malachai, etc). Every OT book is considered in this light, i.e. where is Christ seen in this particular OT book? This is a noteworthy inclusion, for it helps the Christian realize that Christ is not relegated merely to the New Testament. Rather, everything in the OT serves as a pointer to Jesus. 5. At the book's end, between the concordance and maps, is something to behold--all five of the major Reformed confessions, i.e. Belgic, Canons of Dort, Heidelberg, Westminster (Larger and Shorter). Additionally, each of these confessions/catechisms are fully cross referenced with the text. Also, the study notes of the biblical texts cross reference these confessions, providing the reader with a more wholistic Reformed perspective as one studies God's word. In conclusion, if you are looking for a study bible and are of Reformed/Calvinistic persuasion, this one is absolutely tops--bar none--even though it is NIV. Study with the ESV or NAS text if you must, but keep this bible at hand for its many fantastic unparalled features. Again, as a whole, the NIV is still great to read (although not the best from which to preach!). Furthermore, if you are not of Reformed/Calvinist persuasion, give this bible a try! It is not merely heady or intellectual, but warm. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised! Go ahead--take and read!!
Michael L. Johnson
Rating:
Summary: Finally, a NIV study bible from a Reformed perspective!
Review: While I have an NIV Study Bible, and enjoyed it immensly, I was often frustrated because the study notes waffled on controversial theological topics, or tried to give equal billing to several conflicting views. While I don't agree with everything that comes out of the Reformed tradition, I do believe they are closest to the true intent of Scripture; and that comes out of the belief in Sola Scriptura. The addition of the documents of Reformed theology are a special treat! That and the fact that they are keyed to the text. The documents contain Scripture proofs, and the study notes are reverse-keyed to the Reformed documents--this is a great study help. If you are from a Reformed tradition, or lean toward Reformed theology, and prefer the NIV to the NKJV (which I do), then this Bible is for you!
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