Revised and Updated Thompson Chain Reference Bible Comparison (Zondervan vs. Kirkbride)

Available from ‪@TheKJVStore‬
www.thekjvstore.com/kjv-bible...
This is an overview comparison between the Revised and Updated Thompson Chain Reference Bible from Zondervan (Zondervan 2022 Edition) and the Out of Print Kirkbride Edition (Kirkbride 5th Edition / 1988 Edition).
Key Differences:
1. The Two Indexes Renamed
- General Index is now Alphabetical Index
- Condensed Cyclopedia of Topics and Texts is now Numerical Index
2. Completed Chains
3. Complete Listing of References
4. Inclusion of All Topics in the Margins
5. Consistent Names of Topics
6. Book Introductions
- Pilot Number is now Topic Number
- Larger, Darker, Bolder and More Readable Comfort Print Font
- 2 Color Design and Fresh Page Layout
100 Years of the Thompson Chain
Beloved and acclaimed for more than five generations, the Thompson® Chain-Reference® Bible is unparalleled in its ability to enrich personal devotions, topical study, and sermon preparation. This unique reference Bible enables you to search the breadth of Scripture’s teachings on thousands of topics and allows you to follow those topics throughout the entire Bible. With over 100,000 references, covering over 8,000 topics, the chain-reference system is an ideal tool for comprehensive topical study. The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible also offers a library of additional study resources that allows readers to interpret the Bible using related scripture passages rather than consulting a commentary.
The KJV Thompson Chain-Reference Bible is printed in the KJV Comfort Print® typeface for easy reading. Expertly designed specifically to be used for the King James Version (KJV) text, Comfort Print offers an easier reading experience that complements the translation. This Bible also features a fresh, two-color design that preserves the original look of the chain-reference system, while making each page cleaner and easier to read.
"Influence-Free" Study Bible
A Thompson® is considered by some to be the only true "Influence-Free" Study Bible. This is the one very important difference between a Thompson® and most other study Bibles. Most study Bibles fill their margins with another person's commentary. These are notes from a knowledgeable author who tries to explain the text to you. Commentaries can be useful, but every author has his or her own view and biased agenda. Commentaries offer wide and often opposing influence. The Thompson® Bible is "influence-free," because instead of commentary, the margins are filled with thousands of chain-references® that propel you ahead into Scripture. Scholars agree that the Bible is its own best commentary, and the Thompson® Chain-Reference® Study Bible is built on this premise.
Thompson Chain Features:
- Easy-to-understand chain-reference system with over 100,000 references
- Alphabetical and numerical indexes highlight study materials for over 8,000 topics, each with its own topic number, for exhaustive topical study
- An extensive study resource section includes biographical sketches, illustrated studies of the Bible, a concordance, Bible harmonies, and many other helpful study tools
- Topical Sub-Headings
- Fresh, two-color page design
- 66 book introductions
- 16-page full-color map section with map index
- Line-matched text for enhanced readability
- Smyth-Sewn Pages and Edge-Lined construction for flexibility
- Presentation page for gift-giving
- double-sided satin ribbon markers, each 3/8-inch wide
- Exclusive Thomas Nelson KJV Comfort Print® typeface

[@alanl56305]

What a wonderful review! You should be compensated by Zondervan if you are not,and given some kind of compensation of you are not. Great detai;!

[@TheKJVStore]

Ha! Well we appreciate your kind comment and idea! Our earthly compensation comes when viewers or customers choose to click through and purchase KJV Thompson Chain Reference Bibles from our website: www.thekjvstore.com/kjv-bibles/study-bibles/thompson-chain-reference-bibles/ And our Spiritual Compensation comes in trying to help all believers, regardless of the Thompson Chain translation they are reading, to get more out of their bibles, become bolder Christians, and get closer in their walks with the Lord. That should be our higher calling here at The KJV Store that we hope and pray God will honor and use in spite of ourselves. God Bless You!

[@Rodney-vp4vk]

Great video but I still prefer the classic format. The kirkbride had so much more character.

[@TheKJVStore]

Thanks for sharing.

[@JGoodard1]

Agreed, the classic Thompson has a certain charm to its presentation of information that draws the viewers attention whereas the update is sanitized to the point of obscurity. Otoh, a lot of errata has been corrected or addressed where needed. Too bad the original style wasn’t kept where possible.

[@akcenat]

People, sometimes, might be torn between choosing an updated version of something versus sticking with the old one. Personally, I tend to lean towards trying out new versions. I also know that for someone, it can be hard to let go of the old and familiar. In short, now, I prefer an updated version and font much more.

[@TheKJVStore]

We appreciate your comment and insight very much.

[@kersi-sandiego6036]

@@akcenat Agreed! I can't wait to get the updated version.

[@PrinceDarius777]

I’ve got a handy size Thompson updated edition and compared to the kirkbride handy size it’s night and day difference in the print. I can actually use it as a daily Bible because of how readable the comfort print is. Really nice font easy on the eyes. And the use of the red highlights really brings out those chain references. I love it!

[@TheKJVStore]

Excellent comment and observation. We're glad that your Updated Zondervan Edition in Handy Size has been so readable and enjoyable! Blessings.

[@justinhenshaw1550]

Good review enjoyed this. I am still partial to my kirkbride Thompson but this is a beautiful bible and Zondervan did a good job in quality and print upgrades.

[@TheKJVStore]

We appreciate you sharing. Nothing wrong with still loving the old Thompson. God Bless.

[@Agben35]

good info, thanks!

[@TheKJVStore]

We're glad it was helpful.

[@brianbota3265]

I would prefer that they kept the Glossary of Old English. I refer back to that frequently for clarification.

[@TheKJVStore]

We do agree, as does Randy Brown of Bible Buying Guide.

[@fnjesusfreak]

I think the 5th edition was a major step down typographically over previous versions and the 6th edition with 2K Denmark is an improvement over every version. It's weird to think that what was once considered the "large print" format is now the standard...but it's absolutely much easier on my eyes, something 2K has excelled at. It's no wonder the majors have been turning to 2K. I have a 3ED TCR that a lady from church gave me, a 5ED TCR from when Zondy reprinted Kirkbride's version unmodified, and a 6ED TCR that I bought when it came out.

[@TheKJVStore]

Thanks for your honest and helpful feedback which we admittedly do agree with. God Bless.

[@k2bny]

This is great. I might have to get an NASB version. I have the previous version in the KJV and it's pretty good but this update looks much better

[@TheKJVStore]

Awesome.

[@REBORNBYTHEBLOODOFCHRIST]

Thanks. I have a Question: does the Zondervan Version have the right KJV Text? For example Genesis 1:2 Spirit with capital "S"?

[@TheKJVStore]

Yes, if you watch our Full Video on the KJV Thompson Chain Reference Bible - Premier Collection, starting at the 1:31:51 mark, section "Pure, Trustworthy, KJV Cambridge Text" you can see all pertinent examples of this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4rNfpeHm8d0htUsi=q7DN1yjedsgTqqZM&t=5511

[@mrmainzer1]

Not a thorough comparison, as many illustrations in the back matter have been left out of the new zondervan updated version. Also, the kirkbride concordance has important words linked to pilot numbers, so another way to furtheryour study. It is also too bad they removed the glossary of old English words. Also, I used the Archeological supplement and enjoyedBible. I have to conclude that this zondervan revision is not a thompson bible. They should have done the comfort print and left everything else alone.

[@TheKJVStore]

Not a thorough comparison? To each their own we guess, and thanks for sharing. FYI, this original video covering the KJV Thompson Chain Premier is over 1 Hour 30 Minutes long: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4rNfpeHm8d0htU But even it does not cover "every single page" or "every single back of the bible feature" so it may not be thorough enough for you (though we would ask you to find us a more thorough or complete overview of the updated Thompson anywhere else). The reality is, as The "KJV" Store and selling exclusively King James Bibles for 20 years, we are more aware than most that some people are just not open to change, and KJV believers are notorious for viewing "any" change as "bad or negative". It seems you're focusing on very small negatives, and not the overwhelming positives of the update (completed chains, completed marginal references, removal of "N.M." "Not in Margin" marking.) Please answer truthfully and honestly, you're saying you would rather have an "incomplete" and "unfinished" Thompson Chain? Over one that was completed, and perhaps fulfilled and finished Dr. Thompsons own vision for his work? To be fair, we realize you're not alone in these thoughts or comments, and we certainly love the old Thompson as well. But there are Pros and Cons to everything, and in our contrasting opinion, the Pros outweigh the Cons on this update. We'd rather have more readable text, completed chain references, completed marginal study system, and updated illustrations over glossaries and archeological supplements. We do still appreciate your comment and God Bless.

[@Rodney-vp4vk]

Agreed.

[@loveisall5520]

I own a 1982 Kirkbride 4th that I purchased new in college. Fortunately I never marked it up and it's like new. No thanks, I don't want a Chinese Thompson. I just ordered one of the last TCR's from Church Bible Publishers, a mid size, that is bound and printed in the USA. Zondervan, in their corporate greed, has forced CBP to stop making new copies. Vote with your pocketbooks, Christians!

[@TheKJVStore]

We also sold a U.S. Print and Manufactured Thompson from The KJV Store: www.thekjvstore.com/kjv-large-print-thompson-chain-reference-bible-lambskin-edition/ We appreciate the sentiment, but people will not be able to purchase what is no longer legally available. Aside from where it's printed (that you and others clearly don't 100% care for) the Updated Thompson does have some welcome improvements as shown in detail in this video. God Bless.

[@Imsaved777]

They had better update Revelation. In Revelation 6:2 in the references they are way out in left field on that one! That rider on the white horse is NOT Christ but the Antichrist.

[@TheKJVStore]

With respect, while we do agree with your interpretation of Scripture here in Revelation 6:2, we disagree with your comment, in that the Thompson is somehow "wrong" in it's references. The Topic "The Conqueror upon the White Horse" does not explicitly say or interpret that they are meaning "Christ" is who is on the White Horse in Revelation 6:2... Rather, it lists p.p. (Parallel Passage) as Revelation 19:11. Which means "compare Revelation 6:2" (person riding on the White Horse here is clearly Anti-Christ) "to Revelation 19:11" (person riding on the White Horse here is clearly Christ). The only Topic Numbers in Revelation 6:2 are White 3826, Bows 531, Crowns 894, Christ, the Victor 372, and a very important forward reference of Revelation 17:14. Revelation 17:14 is "These shall make ware with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them." So we think you're perhaps missing the point, or at least misinterpreting the Thompson Chain references in Revelation 6:2, as in our opinion, it is leading you to references to do your own study, and draw your own clear conclusion that the "Conqueror on the White Horse" in Revelation 6:2 is definitely the Anti-Christ, and Christ will conquer them in Revelation 17:14 and Revelation 19:11. That's the point of the Thompson, follow the references, study the topics, draw your own conclusions. (Where commentators such as Scofield or David Sorenson are very direct in stating 6:2 is Anti-Christ, 19:11 is Christ).

[@fnjesusfreak]

@@TheKJVStore And this is the chief advantage of the TCR over other study bibles.