NEW NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible by D.A. Carson & Zondervan 4K 

Caleb Bass Thanks! I just wish I could find the BTSB with a nicer leather. I prefer the blue for the notes over the ZSB brown. That 300 pages is a mystery, though!

This is a quote from a review from PL of New York in Amazon comparing the 2015 and 2018 version: "How does the new NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (NBTSB) compared to the Zondervan NIV Study Bible? The contents (text and figures) are identical. However, the new version is much improved in terms of presentation. (see photos below.) I loved the older version's content but it was too hard on my eyes and too hard to carry around. The font for the new version is bigger and much more readable: the new Comfort Print font is pleasing to look at. They have decreased the wasted white space in the older version. In addition, the new Study Bible is not as big or as heavy (4.6 vs 4.2 pounds): it is easier to carry. The paper is not thin, with great printing quality. They have also condensed the space given to the study note, making the text of the Bible more prominent: this is important for me. Comparing the NIV Study Bible to NBTSB study notes: my general impression is that NBTSB is more conservative and more directly relevant to me as an evangelical Christian. I have been studying Ephesians using thick commentaries, and I found that NBTB nicely summarizes the key points from the thick commentaries that I have been reading. Don Carson is the editor: he is probably one of the most respected conservative commentators currently, and I am comfortable that I am in good hands with him and his team as my guide to God's words Overall I am pleased with my purchase. I have a lot of Study Bibles (ESV, NIV, NLT, Life Application, Harper Collins, etc): each has its pros and cons; each has its target audience. But if you need a trustworthy Study Bible that is faithful to the text, deep in its insight, reliable in its theology, fair to different viewpoints written with a gentle voice: NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible would be my choice. (I did not receive this as a free book: just my way to say Thank You to the editors and Zondervan team.)"

Caleb Bass yw bro! You making me want this one too

No. It is exactly the same. There are approximately 300 more pages in the NIV Zondervan.

"Calvinist study Bible"? I guess that means it doesn't twist scripture to support a man centered tradition. 🤷‍♂️

Not sure why you deleted your reply but faith alone is what makes the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian. If you deny faith alone in Christ alone you're not even a Christian. I recommend you repent and Trust In Christ Alone. Your Works cannot save you. The discussion between Calvinism and arminianism is not a Salvation issue but denying faith alone is. You cannot bribe your way into heaven with your good works. Your works are nothing but dirty rags.

@@CalebBass thank you Brother for the review of that bible and for responding to my comments.

Caleb Bass i know that's troubling. As a Calvinist i became convinced of the same thing. Then the Holy Spirit humbled and corrected me. There is only one Gospel and it has nothing to do with calvinism. As much as i love some of spurgeon's stuff, pushing Calvinism as the gospel is pushing a false gospel. The gospel clearly laid out is that Jesus willingly took off his divinity like a cloak and died to satisfy the law and wrath and justice of God. So the record of debt against the world is nailed to the cross. Then he was raised from the dead after 3 days to show it was accepted. That anyone who believes and follows Jesus is given life freely. He made the new living way of righteousness from the inside out instead of outside in. Basically summarised in 1 cor 15. What the law was powerless to do weakened as it was by sinful flesh, God did by sending his only son in the likeness of sinful flesh so that God condemned sin in the flesh. That God might be both just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus. Faith is described, defined, and exampled in Hebrews 11. It's hearing God, believing God, then acting on that belief. This is consistent with both James and Paul in Romans and galatians. Paul explains in Romans that by the law we have all fallen short of the righteous requirement for life. So that righteousness is unattainable through the law. Therefore our only hope is righteousness that comes by faith apart from works of the law. In galatians Paul explains all that matters is faith working through love. James explains in James 2 that this inward change that comes from placing our faith in Jesus, causes us to act on what he has said; just like the examples given in hebrews 11. Even John wrote 1 John to show what believers look like. In 1 John 3 he sums up that the commands of God are to believe in Jesus and love others just as he loved us. We know that we remain in him by the Spirit he has given us. Anyway sorry for the rant. The basic idea is that Calvinism isn't the gospel. Its a tradition made in the mind of man. Paul warns us to be on guard against such, col 2:8, See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. Calvinism didn't start until the middle of the 4th century. It was created by Augustine near the end of his life. It was based on reading his former Gnostic beliefs into the verses. Isegesis not exegesis. Calvin later fully developed these ideas and systamitised the divine determinism based around false starting presuppositions. If look you at the fruit of their lives they didn't even meet the biblical requirements to be leaders. Repeatedly over the last 2000 year's the enemy has infiltrated the church. Jesus sent us the Spirit of Truth to lead us into all Truth though. I was not looking to leave Calvinism. I lost friends. I had to decide though whether i was gonna listen to God or man. Calvinism is just error. It isn't that big a deal by itself because we all learn, grow, and are wrong at some point. If someone is saying Calvinism is the gospel though...that's demonstrably wrong and a false gospel. I would encourage anyone who thinks that way to take some time Really praying and studying the gospel, lest they fall under the divine curse Paul speaks of. ❤

@@nathanburgett1599 you sound ignorant of what calvinism is. Not sure what you mean when you say 'God become Jesus...' That can be a very heretical statement, you might want to clarify?

Im not sure how you misuderstood but I'll try to clarify. I was a calvinist for a few years until God corrected me and showed me the harm i was doing. If you can explain exactly what's confusing or what you didn't understand I'll try to explain it clearer. Ty❤

Ok. I thought and read it again. It seems to me what i said is clear enough. The fact that you want to find something to disagree and argue about seems to be the problem. The bible is clear about Jesus. I'm not confused about who he is, your just being contentious it seems. Jesus is clearly portrayed in scripture as God. So the point i made is completely scriptural. Jesus set aside his divinity to step into human flesh. God became Jesus. If i had said the Father became Jesus there would be a issue. The problem is only semantic though. When you read out in the context i used it, the context clues show that's exactly what i meant. If you'd like to have objective non-contentious conversation about what scripture clearly says I'd be glad to do that. I was confused at first about what you were even asking, sorry. Its really hard to see past the self righteous Pride. I get it though because as a Calvinist i used to act the same way. That isn't love. If you'd like to talk I'd be happy to, i can show everything i now believe, in scripture and in context aligned with the intent of the author. Before as a Calvinist i had to butcher the context and intent. I also realised that what i believed could only be traced back to the fourth century. Divine determinism is only found taught clearly by the gnostics prior to Augustine in the fourth century. Being he was a gnostic it's not surprising So no I'm definitely not ignorant of what Calvinism claims nor of the logical implications of those claims. Maybe you don't understand it as well as you thought you did? Be happy to discuss it if you wanna try again without the attitude. I hope you do. ❤

Nathan Burgett So Arminianism is Christianity?