How do the Reformation Study Bible (Sproul) and The Reformation Heritage Study Bibles (Beeke) compare?

[JeffR]

I like the functionality of the RHSB better as it has hyperlinks in the kindle edition. At the beginning of April i want to begin a cover to cover reading of the RHSB to get it all down by the end of 2024

April -- The Pentateuch
May -- Historical Books
June/July -- Poetic and Wisdom
August - Major Prophets
September -- Minor Prophets
October -- Gospels and Acts
November -- Pauline Epistles
December -- General (is there an official term besides general?) Epistles and Revelation

Well i did a google search of my query and the Sproul seems like it's for the more advanced, and longer, more creeds at the back, more study notes i imagine, but the scripture citations aren't hyperlinked. I feel i might use all 3 of my study bibles, RSB, RHSB, and The ESVSB, i have MacArthur in the NKJV it crashes my Paperwhite btw, but i should have gotten the NASB translation for that. Sidenote, i also have The Didache SB, and The Orthodox SB. Yeah, all 3 of the Reformed flavored ones that don't crash my device, along with Dordrecht, and maybe some commentaries -- Calvin, Henry, Poole, Gill and Trapp. Is it silly to do it all at once? That is how i tend to feel about it, ALL AT ONCE, a whole year in Genesis alone kind of deal, looking at it that way i see the pitfalls.

Yes, it's more clear to me now how i'm to go about this, to compare the 3, most would agree that this isn't the most necessary thing, but it's how i set out, 1st the text, then the notes from all 3, then the text again.

Going slower with all the commentaries for deeper studies, the SB's are introductory in the supplemental material, but foundational and of utmost importance in the text of holy scripture.

In "My Work" there will be a separate section for commentaries. And that working title might change to Cloud of Witnesses, referring to that verse in Hebrews, and in this case the cloud is all the authors and sources in my list, which i will gradually add both my own thoughts, and quotations along with the details of each thing, estimated about 50 volumes at a 1,000 pages each. My Life's Work.

 

[Stephen L Smith]

I recommend both the RSB and the RHSB. The RHSB tends to have a more devotional focus which I love. I find both study Bibles compliment each other nicely.

 

[JeffR]

I recommend both the RSB and the RHSB. The RHSB tends to have a more devotional focus which I love. I find both study Bibles compliment each other nicely.

Thanks, best of both worlds!! I am reminded we have here a physical copy of The Geneva Bible, i could have that handy when going through the non-hyperlinked notes

 

[Santos]

I have both of these and the ESVSB in physical copies. I love them all. The strength of the RHSB is as Stephen mentioned, it's devotional nature. It is good for family reading also. I would say that its weakness is, please forgive me if I offend, it is only available in KJV.

 

[JeffR]

I have both of these and the ESVSB in physical copies. I love them all. The strength of the RHSB is as Stephen mentioned, it's devotional nature. It is good for family reading also. I would say that its weakness is, please forgive me if I offend, it is only available in KJV.

Maybe other editions will come out, but i recall in a video Dr. Beeke wanted a Reformed Study Bible with the KJV, and that there were none before this was done. I love it too, i am going through each chapter starting in Genesis with the thoughts for personal and family worship, very edifying.

 

[RobertPGH1981]

I like the Beeke's Reformation Study Bible.

I wish they offered it in the NKJV translation.

 

[Pilgrim]

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible is primarily a tool for Family Worship. It is more than that, but that’s how I remember them describing it when it was in development. It turned out to be somewhat more robust than I expected. But it is not as comprehensive as the one edited by Sproul, and it isn’t intended to be. It has a devotional focus and helps with understanding difficult KJV words.

It isn’t the study Bible to consult if you are looking for help with Bible backgrounds or addressing opposing views. It does not even have cross references besides those in the study notes. But it is probably the best choice for devotional use if you prefer the KJV or if you’d like to become more familiar with it.

I agree that the Kindle edition works well. That’s probably because it is less complicated compared to some other study Bibles.

 

[JeffR]

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible is primarily a tool for Family Worship. It is more than that, but that’s how I remember them describing it when it was in development. It turned out to be somewhat more robust than I expected. But it is not as comprehensive as the one edited by Sproul, and it isn’t intended to be. It has a devotional focus and helps with understanding difficult KJV words.

It isn’t the study Bible to consult if you are looking for help with Bible backgrounds or addressing opposing views. It does not even have cross references besides those in the study notes. But it is probably the best choice for devotional use if you prefer the KJV or if you’d like to become more familiar with it.

I agree that the Kindle edition works well. That’s probably because it is less complicated compared to some other study Bibles.

Thank you for an excellent appraisal. There is a beautiful historical dignity in the KJV that is wonderfully preserved in it.

 

[Jake]

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible is primarily a tool for Family Worship. It is more than that, but that’s how I remember them describing it when it was in development. It turned out to be somewhat more robust than I expected. But it is not as comprehensive as the one edited by Sproul, and it isn’t intended to be. It has a devotional focus and helps with understanding difficult KJV words.

If you're primarily using it for family worship, there is also a separate binding that has the reflection notes on each chapter of the Bible that you can use alongside whatever Bible translation you prefer. https://heritagebooks.org/products/family-worship-bible-guide-hardcover.html

 

[Stephen L Smith]

It isn’t the study Bible to consult if you are looking for help with Bible backgrounds or addressing opposing views. It does not even have cross references besides those in the study notes. But it is probably the best choice for devotional use if you prefer the KJV or if you’d like to become more familiar with it.

I partly agree. It is indeed a wonderful study for personal devotions. But is more than that. It has doctrinal text notes right through the study Bible. It also has a section on church history. Further its study notes in many sections of the Bible (especially in the NT) are full and informative. Recently I was reading Matt 7:7-11 to encourage my prayer life. The RHSB has a useful note at v 8 explaining how this verse reads in the original languages. I am leading a Bible study at my church on the book of Revelation. Sometimes I find the study notes in the RHSB more fuller and more helpful than the RSB.

Also the RHSB has an informative doctrinal introduction to each of the Reformed confessions in the study Bible, and some historical background too. I find this feature very helpful.

Certainly the RSB is a bigger study Bible. But as I noted earlier I use BOTH study Bibles. They nicely compliment each other.

 

[Santos]

If you're primarily using it for family worship, there is also a separate binding that has the reflection notes on each chapter of the Bible that you can use alongside whatever Bible translation you prefer. https://heritagebooks.org/products/family-worship-bible-guide-hardcover.html

I highly recommend the Family Worship Bible Guide. Using it alongside your ESVSB or Reformation Study Bible is handier than pockets on a shirt.

 

[Pilgrim]

I partly agree. It is indeed a wonderful study for personal devotions. But is more than that. It has doctrinal text notes right through the study Bible. It also has a section on church history. Further its study notes in many sections of the Bible (especially in the NT) are full and informative. Recently I was reading Matt 7:7-11 to encourage my prayer life. The RHSB has a useful note at v 8 explaining how this verse reads in the original languages. I am leading a Bible study at my church on the book of Revelation. Sometimes I find the study notes in the RHSB more fuller and more helpful than the RSB.

Also the RHSB has an informative doctrinal introduction to each of the Reformed confessions in the study Bible, and some historical background too. I find this feature very helpful.

Certainly the RSB is a bigger study Bible. But as I noted earlier I use BOTH study Bibles. They nicely compliment each other.

That's the kind of thing I meant by it going deeper or more in-depth at times than I expected. I'm glad that it has been such a blessing to you.

 

[Regi Addictissimus]

If you're primarily using it for family worship, there is also a separate binding that has the reflection notes on each chapter of the Bible that you can use alongside whatever Bible translation you prefer. https://heritagebooks.org/products/family-worship-bible-guide-hardcover.html

Yes, I highly recommend our FWBG to compliment your other study Bible or just as a family/personal worship aid:

RHB Publications - Family Worship Bible Guide - Reformation Heritage Books

heritagebooks.org

It is a very precious and unique resource.

 

[RobertPGH1981]

Yes, I highly recommend our FWBG to compliment your other study Bible or just as a family/personal worship aid:

RHB Publications - Family Worship Bible Guide - Reformation Heritage Books

heritagebooks.org

It is a very precious and unique resource.

@Regi Addictissimus I just realized you work at Reformation Heritage books. Do you know if there are plans to make a NKJV version of the study bible?

 

[Regi Addictissimus]

@Regi Addictissimus I just realized you work at Reformation Heritage books. Do you know if there are plans to make a NKJV version of the study bible?

There are no plans at the moment, but that could change in the future.

 

[JeffR]

There are no plans at the moment, but that could change in the future.

Thank you Robert for your labors at RHB! Honored you have responded to my post.

 

[RobertPGH1981]

There are no plans at the moment, but that could change in the future

Thank you, Regi!
It would be awesome if you put that in their enhancement/comments box. Or at least point us in the right direction on how to make such a request.

 

[Santos]

There are no plans at the moment, but that could change in the future.

I currently own one of the Reformation Heritage Study Bibles and the Family Worship Bible Guide. If the Bible were available in NKJV that would be a game changer. I would likely buy one for each of my family members.