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I bought a Thompson Chain Ref way back in 1980. I found it very helpful at that period of my Christian life. I lived in the highlands of Scotland at the time on the slopes of the Monaghleagh Mountains on the west side of the Spey Valley. The church I attended was liberal and had no evening service so after Sunday lunch I would take my flask of tea, Psalter and Thompson Chain ref and go hill walking. I would pick a chain and follow it through the bible praying and meditating as I went. I learned so much about the scriptures at that time and added to the various experiences I was going through consider that period to have been one of great growth and maturity as a Christian.
At that time I think it was only available in the AV and as much as I'd have liked the leather bound edition could not afford anything more than the hardback edition. It really suited me at the time and consider it the best investment I had made up till that point. I found the graphs, charts etc very useful (but now they look so dated) and as a young Christian beginning to lead home bible studies found it a great help.
After a couple of years however I let the Thompson Chain ref go as as I found that one started to think like the Thomson publishers in that some passages may relate to a chain you are following, but because the actual word does not appear (although the concept may be present). Now I would seldom use it although I have on odd occasions gone back to John's Portrait of Christ and Isaiah's portrait of the Messiah that are contained in its pages.
I would find a good concordance is better as it is easier to scan down the list rather than go through each link of the chain. Sometimes in the Thompson chains are incomplete and it it can be hard if you want in a verse in the middle of the chain. Also there are plenty of on-line resources that were obviously unavailable back in 1980.
Like everything else, each person has their own particular needs and preferences, likes and dislikes and if the Thomson Chain Ref suits you then fine or if you find another study bible more useful then go for that one.
I have one and really like it. When I want to use a straight KJV text, it's the one that I use. The binding is excellent. I can't say enough good things about it.
I'm not sure. I've been to the Thompson web site and I can't tell. It's the fifth edition, printed in 97. I bought it at half price books years ago. Oh yeah, its leather too!
DMcFadden, You know it. A hard back just don't cut it. It's got to be genuine leather!!!
This actually is because I bought 'bonded leather' during my early years as a Christian, and they would fall apart after a year or two. Now that I get Genuine Leather, they don't fall apart.
The Thompson's genuine leather is great. It's not the thin kind that passes off as genuine leather, but is thick and luxurious.
A regal binding for a regal translation.
DMcFadden, You know it. A hard back just don't cut it. It's got to be genuine leather!!!
This actually is because I bought 'bonded leather' during my early years as a Christian, and they would fall apart after a year or two. Now that I get Genuine Leather, they don't fall apart.
The Thompson's genuine leather is great. It's not the thin kind that passes off as genuine leather, but is thick and luxurious.
A regal binding for a regal translation.
I have a few Thompson's. Get the NKJV if you want the one with all the chains completed.
I have used the same Thompson Chain Reference Bible for 21 years.
They are excellent, overall.
My genuine leather edition lasted 20 years before I re-bound it (with genuine leather) at probably more than the cost of a new one. At that time, I was disappointed it did not last more than 20 years, being genuine leather. However, it has gotten regular use.
I have been told the imitation (bonded) leather lasts as long but do not believe it. I would recommend making sure you get the genuine leather ($10-$20 more), not bonded leather. There is even a Moroccan Leather version which costs more and looks nice but am not sure if that would last longer than "regular" leather.
The print size is readable and there is sufficient room to add short notes in the margins.
The handy size is a perfect size and thickness but the print is too small and there is virtually no room to add your own notes. If the publishers could find a way to efficiently do the edition in handy size with the same size print, it would be perfect. The regular size is slightly large, but not too large. My edition's paper quality is very good.
The Thompson chain system is only one of several study aids in this Bible. I use the chain system infrequently, but when I do it is very helpful.
The "Thompson" is relatively influence free- you can read the text without commentary mixed in and around. It's probably best we approach God's Word that way- learn the discipline to read it alone and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate our understanding. Use commentary as a supplement to that, if unclear or for topical study. The Thompson system is a word study, not based on the mind of the commentator.
While there are some good study aids in the back, they seem minimal (and I like that) with the exception of an extended section on biblical archaeology. The section is well written and helpful in sharing with nonbelievers.
In a year or so, I understand an ESV will be released. If I was equipping myself today I would probably get:
1)Thompson NIV or ESV when it comes out for personal, family, and public worship
2)Pitt Minion KJV without much commentary,
3)Strong's Concordance.
With that, by God's grace, you are set for a generation.
Is the size of the lettertype the same in the handy size as in the regulare size, but that you only have more place for notes, or is the lettertype also smaller because it is a smaller size Bible ?
I hope to hear from you.
I have a few Thompson's. Get the NKJV if you want the one with all the chains completed.
Dear brother, do you mean that the KJV not completed with all the chains references ?
Which size do you have; Regular-size, Handy-size, or Large Print ? Any size you would suggest ?
I love mine and used it much in the States.
However, here, with high humidity, those razor-thin pages just don't cut it and the dripping sweat almost ruins the pages when I use it.
I love mine and used it much in the States.
However, here, with high humidity, those razor-thin pages just don't cut it and the dripping sweat almost ruins the pages when I use it.
Out of curiosity what bible/edition do you use then? I have the same problem when I am in humid conditions...which is rarely