Ok. I found it. My dream Bible.
Seems like a strange thing to dream about, I know. And I will say that it lacks just one thing- generous space in the margins for me to write my thoughts. I’ll forgive it because the margins are packed FULL of references, hence the name; Thompson Chain-Reference Bible. I received a free copy as a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid for my honest review. You can find your own at the Faith Gateway Store.
I did hesitate on this one, I promise. I mean, I really have so many Bibles. But if you have been following along you know that my last review of the Verse Mapping Bible left me wanting a little something more. Something the chain-reference Bible offers. References.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Revelation 22:21
Behind those final words in the NASB is a hefty reference guide chock full of things like outline studies, Bible character studies, Bible harmonies, maps, calendars and an NASB concordance. It’s enough to keep one studying for years. But what I love the most and why I couldn’t resist the invitation to review this one is the Index of Chain Topics.
The Bible is one big book with lots of little books, but it’s one enormously beautiful redemption story. The chain references help tie it all together and make reading your Bible an immersive experience. It’s exactly what I thought verse mapping would be. Exactly what I was looking for. It has taken me a good while to figure out how the pilot numbers work, but it has been worth it. Especially as I have just started reading the Harmony of the Gospels. It has taken me through other parts of the Bible to help it all come together.
It has the words of Christ in red, a big bonus on my scorecard. And the personal pronouns when pertaining to Deity are capitalized-something I really appreciate in my own writing. I also love that small caps are used in the New Testament to indicate quotes from the Old Testament. Yet, another tool to tie the whole story together.
If I were choosing this on my own, I’d want a leather bound copy, especially since I know I will be flipping back and forth a lot and I am sure I will wear out the binding. It’s a very large and cumbersome book, so it’s not one you can easily tote back and forth to church on Sunday mornings. That’s not really it’s purpose though. It’s meant to stay in your study area and be an anchor for you to be able to really ground yourself in the Word. It would make a great gift (my daughter wants one), and I am really glad I decided there is no such thing as having too many Bibles!
Do you have a favorite Bible? Tell me about it in the comments.
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