Review: NKJV Open Bible

[@BJHewitt]

I have this particular NKJV Open Bible and an older KJV Open BIble. I also have 3 TCR Bibles. I go back and forth to which one I like best. In the end I would say I still use my TCRs a little more. But as for this NKJV Open Bible, I have to say Thomas Nelson did a good job with this one. Very affordable, the leathersoft is great, it's verse by verse which is important to me, and the comfort print is great. Good review. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@johnallen2132]

Wallie Criswell was not a scholar per se, but was a widely respected expository preacher. Pastored First Baptist church in Dallas for 40 years. 2x president of the SBC. A giant among Southern Baptists. Influenced John MacArthur’s preaching style and many others. He led the fight against liberalism that was infecting the Southern Baptist Convention in the 70’s. The biggest con against him is he evidently was a segregationist early in his life, but thankfully he later changed

[@johnallen2132]

I think his only contribution to the Open Bible is his article the Scarlet Thread of Redemption

[@johnallen2132]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn7SaGNsfZZ_jKM

[@robertshirley624]

This is a great study Bible. I have a large print edition from around 1990. The Open Bible is a currently available in the KJV, the NKJV, and the NIV. At one time, it was also available in the NASB. I have just a couple of comments to add to your review. 1. The Topical Index (used to be called the Cyclopedic Index) lists virtually every person (both individuals and peoples), place (towns, rivers, mountains, etc.), topics (ie angels, apostles, work, zeal, and everything in between), concepts, positive & negative character traits and actions, and much more. 2. The Christian’s Guide to the New Life: Outlines and Notes - These outlines are connected to the (approximately) 100-120 notes which are interspersed throughout the text at key places. These notes are the ONLY notes. There are no notes to help explain the text (as in most study Bibles). 3. The book introductions were written by Kenneth Boa and Bruce Wilkinson (of Walk Thru the Bible Ministries). These are taken almost word for word from their Bible survey book ‘Talk Thru the Bible’. Each introduction contains: The Book of….. , The Author of….. , The Time of….. (both when it was written and when the events happened) , The Christ of….. , Keys to….. , and Survey of….. This is followed by a chart showing the flow and structure of the book, the geographical locations of the events, and the time period of the events of the book. 4. Then there is an extensive outline of the book which corresponds to both the previous survey and the chart. In fact, the outline even corresponds to the in-text subject headings found throughout the book. (In most Study Bibles, the outline in the introduction does not correspond with them.) 5. Under the in-text subject headings, any parallel passages are also noted. This is seen in the four Gospels, as well as Samuel, Kings, & Chronicles.

[@weeb9332]

I have used the Open Bible for over 40 years. It is by far my favorite study bible

[@charlesratcliff2016]

I wore out my fist one and bought me the new version in Nkjv. I love it. I got the same one. This my ready bible.

[@carmennooner2027]

I love verse by verse, center column references too. It is always an advantage, to me, when the verse numbers are highlighted by the use of either a different color, or a very bold black. My eyes don't easily travel across a single column text so I tend to stay away from that format whenever possible. Thank you for calling out the "scholars" too. I used to treat all contributors to the various Bibles as non existent or unimportant. Once I became more serious about actually studying God's Word, they became important to me. And you are one of the few who mentions them! Wonderful review, as always. And, I enjoyed your conversation with Beau Tate. :)

[@markdelissio6609]

If you haven't done it yet. Please do a review on the Thomas Nelson NKJV Classic Reference Verse by Verse Bible. They did an excellent job with that one.

[@PhinAI]

I have been viewing the reviews of the new Open Bibles for a large part of the day. These are very good, and the videos have inspired me to do some serious study pertaining to the Word along the way. I'm just scratching some issues superficially, but thank you for your part in sparking interest to dig deeper! (As an aside, what degree did Paul, Peter, Moses, Isaiah, or Jesus hold? In fact, Adam and Eve's pursuit of a "degree" from the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" was promised to bring death -- as it surely did. God is not a respecter of persons. It's better to adhere to the heart of God as revealed in His Word and by His Spirit, with the prayer of Psalm 19:14 on one's lips than to adhere to a human who requires respect by virtue of power, title, or education. The Pharisees had pedigree, power, and education, but they severely lacked what Jesus insisted was most important.)

[@69telecasterplayer]

Another well done review. And I agree with you about the scholars list. But Oh, Brother! You just picked on one of the most beloved Assemblies of God preachers in history! C.M. Ward had one of the finest radio voices to grace the air waves and he was the AoG voice of the flagship program, Revival Time, for many years. I heard him myself many years ago. He was a very vibrant preacher and preached with much ability. I suspect that his contribution was basically an article or two that had gained some broad based admiration. You have touched upon one of the weaknesses in the AoG and many like them. There is not sufficient emphasis upon scholarly work. And it does indeed show up. We do not have to look far to see the train wrecks associtated with shallow teachings such as the prosperity doctrines. I continue to pray for revival and conintue to be blessed by my pastor that preaches the Word, verse by verse. He says that that is one of the things that keeps him clear of many of those foolish traps. God bless you, Brother Matt.

[@MatthewEverhard]

Really? Okay wow, I did not know that! Thanks for the update!

[@maninthewilderness5795]

In brother Everhard's defense he is Presbyterian and Presbyterians are highly into Scholarship. Your average Presbyterian minister usually has more higher theological training than your average Baptist. However like someone else pointed out the best Scholarship in the world is NO substitute for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Peace.

[@RUT812]

I was a member of the A/G for a few decades, & agree that they don’t emphasize scholarship like they should. They weren’t that appreciative of my classical piano training & skill, either, even though I also play by ear & was extremely active in all aspects of music ministry at the church. I left when someone on our worship team decided she wanted everyone with musical skill to step down. I & several other people-our choir director, & some talented singers & musicians-all left at the same time. I have never gone back to the A/G. I’m Southern Baptist now, & call myself a Bapticostal.

[@BenjaminBradleycom]

Wow... talking smack about people YOU don't know about. If you don't know anything about some of these contributors, you probably should educate yourself. If you are so caught in your Presbyterian bubble you are just throwing shade at those not "in your circle". I was enjoying your review UP TO the point you just got petty and rude.

[@claudiabailey5302]

He’s not really he has a point although I don’t agree with everything the ESV states in notes. You do have Grudem, Packer and Piper every one of the people has a PHD. Which to be honest is not necessarily the test but if you are saying scholar it helps. Which makes the study bible excellent if sometimes I feel a little cold.

[@AmericanShia786]

Excellent review, pastor. I'm not Dispensational, so those notes don't excite me either. I have an old hardcover Open Bible from the late 1970s, the Old Time Gospel Hour Edition. It's KJV and still in good shape. I could use another NKJV bible, but I don't know if the new Open Bible is it. What I would love is a Reformed Open Bible NKJV with a topical index, references and comfort print. However, I'd strip out the articles and instead add the Heidelberg Catechism and the Westminster Standards. However, I do believe Thomas Nelson is making better quality bibles. Love your videos. God bless you and your family.

[@sylviafriessen9124]

I just bought the old time gospel hour kjv open bible and like it but haven't used it a lot yet.. Would you say that one is dispensationalist as well??

[@deeman524]

My very first study bible: I've had three of them in King James and new king james

[@christiancurcio2576]

I’ve heard ppl complain that the print is too small. Would you agree?

[@RUT812]

I just ordered the leather soft comfort edition, which is 9 pt. That’s not large print, but I wear my reading glasses & have a magnifying glass.

[@Giancarlo_1997]

They are small but I guess for all the study content it’s worth having though I really love the NKJV premier collection NKJV VBV Center column reference Bible which is definitely a larger print.

[@mikemanners1069]

Is the binding Sewn or Glued?

[@golfern58]

Sewn

[@Solomonsaysno]

Whoa, nice!!! The whole table is nice. This Open Bible is calling my name, reminds me of an old Scofield.

[@stevezane68]

Far more useful than a Scofield 😀

[@RUT812]

@Celtic Orthodox Prayer Aren’t you ever the polite one.

[@donsilva4441]

Good review, but a bit difficult to listen to this particular one because of the " I am " statements like I'm a scholar and I'm a reformed Presbyterian. Most modern day Scholars and The Scribes mentioned in the NT usually have this in common: they subscribe to doctrines that they or others have made up. Trinitarianism is one. Another is 'the sinners prayer'. We have in Acts actual accounts of conversions, and I'm so thankful for that. People were told to repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins, and they would receive the Holy Ghost... Not bow your head and repeat this canned and loaded 'prayer'. Thank God for His written word to us.

[@RUT812]

I’m not reformed. I’m a Bapticostal. 😊

[@stevebriner3362]

You mean I can't take a Bible correspondence class and be considered a world class scholar? :-)

[@RUT812]

😂

[@danielsell7598]

"Now as a scholar myself..." smh

[@jonasgrumby3378]

Print looks SMALL.

[@RUT812]

It’s 9 pt.

[@michaelbradley6004]

Yes, the sadducees and pharicees were way more scholarly than the apoatols. So, dont listen to them, only listen to those with highly accepted degrees.

[@jimamber3405]

Your comments on scholardhip are uninformed n petty and ruined a good review as silly denominational bias really came out..... But of course you are a self proclaimed " scholar "

[@RUT812]

You seem to have trouble with people who aren’t scholars, and who aren’t part of your denomination. I won’t be following your channel, sir.

[@MatthewEverhard]

No prob. Blessings!

[@RUT812]

@@MatthewEverhard My father was a great Sunday school teacher, and he was no scholar. My sister wrote a beautiful, well-researched book on the Holy Spirit, published by Harper-Collins. My uncle was a minister who went to Bible college but wasn’t a scholar. I could cite many other examples. I’m all for education. My husband has a Ph.D. in Economics, & all 3 of our daughters have advanced degrees. I am an accomplished pianist, teacher & vocalist. My point is that while advanced education is valuable, it doesn’t take a degree to understand the Word of God & be able to teach & preach it. It takes people who are willing to put in the time necessary to delve deeply into it & allow the Holy Spirit to help them understand what it means. Our adult Bible study group lesson this morning was how God qualifies those He chooses to use. God bless you, too.

[@ХватитШуметь]

Спасибо. Православие - единственное истинное христианство.

[@michaelboucher4544]

Great review. IMO, we should treat dispensationalism as the heresy it is. There is only one people of God.