Musings From a Retired Pastor, a full-time Evangelist for HIM
A number pages are dedicated to a partial listing of different "Study Bibles" as well as carry-to-Church Bibles for everyday use.
Some history and "linage" of different Bibles, publishers as well as editions and editors accompany a number of these works to better help you the student select an "on-point" edition for your needs and edification. Frankly, we feel that you are the most qualified in judging the design or yet "depth of knowledge" you seek in a study Bible you may (or may not) require. Your selection may indeed hinge upon how far or "deep" your seeking of "knowledge of the Word" or the "roots of strength" behind that which you seek wish to go. We, "in-house" stock every Bible we speak about EXCEPT where noted. If we list a certain bible and are temporarily out of stock due to an increase in sales of that Bible we WILL have this back in stock within 5 business days.
We are adding history, verbiage, JPEG's and "how to" information daily as our CPU data-base and "hard-copy" paperwork expands. Primarily we offer a choice of 5-8 fine Authorized King James Versions (AKJV) as well as two or three top New King James Bibles (NKJV) for your journey into scripture. We do our best to be un-biased and point-out the basic differences between true Study Bibles and Bibles for everyday reading (practicing) of the Word as written.
There really is no such term within Bible criteria as "everyday" or" common" when it comes to the Word held Sacred in the book we call the BIBLE or yet "The Book". Study Bibles are just as spoken, Bibles of and for study, for what, gleaning "missed or yet "miss-interpreted" information on a "more personal" in-depth level of understanding whereby each word, phrase or verse is broken down to it's root. Some bibles and there indexes or "analysis" are more easily understood by those who have "time-in" the Word through years of study and prayer seeking a better understanding on a personal note or most importantly, your personal walk with Him.
The "added-to" wealth of information characterized in the writings, addendums, self-helps or yet Topical/Analytical sections within a study Bible are indeed placed upon these pages by mostly men and women of some repute and indeed holding scholarly qualifications, not by the original men of letters so many thousands of years ago. This being said, men are fallible, of the flesh and subject to editing where there "opinions" intertwine with syntax on a "given" person, place, thing or yet phraseology intended to teach. Layered deeply throughout it's self-helps and concordances, all "supplemented" explanations need by definition to be readily self-absorbed and by far intrinsically explainable and teachable to others in a witnessing fashion, (have we not been commanded to spread the (His) Word and minister unto all) thereby helping each individual to better comprehend a "matter of question" to the point of an "ah hah" moment so the evangelist, witness or testimony we utter is of the Word as written with no added opinion?
One of the water-marks of a fine, no excuse study Bible is that of basic simplicity, using the Authorized King James Version as a cornerstone of actual and realized faith. There have been no changes in the basic writings since set to print yet there has been added uncountable"reformations" of explanations concerning the "what" of what has (or is) being said.
This, much like a re-cap or reexamination after a news program or speech of some importance re-explained-back to all by a so-called authority of sorts "formalizing" the gist of just exactly what you heard, (did we not just hear this "speech" with or own ears) or in "today-speak" is there perhaps a "spin" adjustment by interested perhaps opposing parties saying, "this is really what you heard", not what you thought you heard!
By His Grace more information will be added to this site as we receive it. A point of fact concerning the "use" of a study Bible of choice, if circumstances permit, leave your study Bible at home or wherever you tend to do your "study" of the Word/works "in question".
Study Bibles often are quiet large, have extensive concordances and self-helps along with the publishers or editors sometimes opinionated (more often than not due to there nature) notes belief's and/or "explanations" of the "what" of what you just read.
Partake deeply and well of the aforementioned opinion, nay, opinion's, hear them objectively by speaking aloud the verbiage rendered upon the pages questioned. Pray earnestly for discernment, If understanding cometh not, seek counsel of words within a known tome of verbiage explained and justified whether translated English, Hebrew or Greek. Upon this being satisfied yet no answer comes forth, freely seek a person of letters of a most trustworthy manner, one who has no "stake" nor agenda within the knowledge sought, if they be of no service the "opinion" you sought may be very well a path not to be traveled.
Let the Scripture speak!
Thusly a wise man seeks another who before him held of the same question of merit regarding Scripture, proposing the Word of knowledge speaks of another Word.
"let Scripture interpret Scripture", all Scripture as-written, when read will indeed "justify" it's-self.
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The below verbiage is not edited nor finished.
An opinion is a person's ideas and thoughts towards something which it is either impossible to verify the truth of, or the truth of which is thought unimportant to the person. It is an assertion about something especially if that something lies in the future and it's truth or falsity cannot be directly established e.g. induction. An opinion is not a fact, because opinions are either not falsifiable, or the opinion has not been proven or verified. If it later becomes proven or verified, it is no longer an opinion, but a fact.
In economics, philosophy, or other social sciences, analysis based on opinions is referred to as normative analysis (what ought to be), as opposed to positive analysis, which is based on scientific observation (what materially is ).
Historically, the distinction of proven knowledge and opinion was articulated by some Ancient Greek philosophers. Plato's analogy of the divided line is a well-known illustration of the distinction between knowledge and opinion.
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So my friends, be "of the Opinion" that you, the one who is like no other ever brought into this world, study the Scriptural Word with a prayer on your lips, love in your heart and joy for all He has bestowed upon thee, unmerited Grace. Do not embrace all the "opinions" espoused from "credential" fellow travelers on their path be they man nor woman as "Gospel". Be of the opinion" you will do your utmost to derive the meanings, subtleties and nuances of the Word as written before you "take" said opinion of the phraseology used by men of the flesh as "His Word.
We children tend to "go" with what a given teacher / preacher/ evangelist says sometimes because you like they way he preaches or deliveries a sermon, or maybe they way they look or the "sincerity in the message", know well there are many out to deceive and many a Wolf has been or is in sheep clothing. Take the time, actually MAKE the time to Pray for enlightenment and understanding of the Word you study, there are many who interpret, BUT only one truth in the "Meat" of the teaching!
The "general" or "everyday" bible will most likely have the same verbiage as your study bible yet be without the notations, side-bars, center column references or "directions to "see page ??? or compare to vs ???, just straight forward VERSE AS Written. This type of Bible is the one you want to take to Church so you the "listener" can outline or "highlight" verses or wording you hear being spoken of at that moment.
When this is done so, (as spoken of earlier) you are letting "Scripture interpret Scripture" as in saying, "let Scripture justify Scripture" "let Scripture explain itself". After listening and taking notes, really "hearing" the message as it is spoken, (all distractions aside during a "typical service) take a break from learning and "think" within your heart about the Word you have come upon. Take NO analysis of the Word at that moment, (notes yes, therein may lay a pearl) do NOT analyze the sermon where the Word was wrought until your personal "study time" is set!. This learning or yet Analysis my dear Brothers and Sisters In Christ is what a STUDY BIBLE, ANALYTICAL BIBLE with CONCORDANCE or Topical Study Bible with separate Concordance and self-helps is all about!
What is "it" all about? Enlightenment, YES to help edify you in better understanding the whole Word as a book of knowledge, to embrace the concept of what is spoken of within His Word and how to enjoy the riches and rewards of ever bountiful fruits of Love, Faith and Joy as written throughout His children's history. I am not asking you to trust blindly in those past few words written by one among many of those who serve Him, there is nary an idle thought nor misrepresentation held within, read of these truths yourself, ye be the judge.
Saying, what is "It" about is akin to asking of the phrases, "His Word, His Grace, In His Name, By His Blood, By the Blood, Washed in His Blood, Baptized in the Spirit, all these phrases are "points of Grace" wherein "free will" and "choice" be guideposts unto all. Do not "take time to "feel" that which was written within His book, "make time" to read and speak unto others, passing along the Word as written and speak of the lessons passed from one to another by the oral word.
Again
Once embraced by the Holy Spirit [Ghost], when the Spirit of the Word doth truly descend upon thee, the hunger to have this surround thee, the sublimeness of that moment is everlasting, for evermore ye will seek His face, discerning the truth of "it".
Seek His Face Study the Word, seek Him.
