Often when I’m studying the Bible, I look at the study notes for more information about the meaning of the text. I’ve been finding that my old NIV study Bible doesn’t always give me the depth of insight that I’m hoping for. Often, I go to Classic Bible Commentaries, which allows me to click on any chapter in the Bible. I can then click on the chapter title (such as Genesis 3) to be taken to the passage online at Bible Gateway(in several different versions of the Bible) or I can click on the name of a commentator, such as Calvin or Matthew Henry, to be taken to their commentary on the passage. I find I often flip back and forth between the passage and some of the commentaries. This has been an invaluable tool for me.
I recently purchased a Geneva Bible, which was the most widely used English translation of the Bible in the 16th and 17th centuries. This is the Bible the pilgrim’s brought with them when they came to America, and the Bible which John Bunyan used when he wrote Pilgrim’s Progress. It contains extensive marginal study notes, written by Reformation leaders such as John Calvin and John Knox. Understanding a bit about the history of this Bible is so encouraging as one begins to appreciate all that the Reformers went through to see the Bible translated into English for the common people.
Tolle Lege Press recently re-published this historic Bible for a new generation of Christians. I was worried that it would be difficult to use this Bible, since I am so used to the NIV. Before I purchased it, I downloaded the book of Romans for free, as a “trial run”. You can also listen to the book of Romans for free on MP3. If you are only interested in the study notes, you can access the Geneva Bible commentary online.
We also like the ESV Reformation Study Bible. The review for this Bible at Christian Book Distributors begins, “Widely considered one of the best tools available for Bible study and previously only available in the New King James Version, the Reformation Study Bible (RSB) has been updated to the readable and accurate English Standard Version (ESV).”
We’ve enjoyed Ligonier’s Tabletalk devotional magazine for many years. The daily devotionals are challenging and encouraging, and the topical monthly articles are always thought provoking.
My oldest son and I have been using Ligonier’s audio series, From Dust to Glory (by R. C. Sproul) to enhance our understanding as we read through the entire Bible this year. Many tracks from this excellent series are available as free live-streaming videos on the Renewing Your Mind website, or you can purchase the entire series on CD or individual MP3 tracks.
If you are interested in studying the Reformation, there are many free MP3 audio downloads on the same site relating specifically to the Reformation. For a brief overview, R. C. Sproul has produced a You-tube video about the history of the English translation of the Bible and the impact of the Reformers. We celebrate the Reformation every year at home and at church, remembering those who gave everything for the purity of the church and to make the Bible accessible to the common man.
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