NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible (Zondervan)
This big guy has been with me for close to 20 years now. I had the NKJV New Geneva Study Bible and saw this revision in the NIV, which was my church's primary translation at the time.
It’s pretty basic as far as physical features go. Hardcover is glued. Print is kinda small. But brother does the content make up for the form. Today I’m reviewing the gem that is the NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible.
Zondervan released this volume in the early 2000’s as a revision of the original NKJV New Geneva / Reformation Study Bible (which itself has since been revised and is available in the ESV and NKJV). Zondervan used its flagship NIV translation (1984 edition), which was a standard among many Reformed churches at the time.
Back cover description:
The NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible provides a theological conservative, balanced system of notes and articles that trace the Reformed Christian heritage back to its roots in the Reformation. Appropriate for both an academic and an informed lay audience, this Bible incorporates extensive study notes, as well as articles, charts, and graphs, that comment on Scripture from a distinctly Reformed perspective. Included is the complete text of each of the six major Reformed doctrinal standards, keyed in the study notes to relevant Scripture passages. Special features:
- In-text theological articles focusing on topics relevant to Reformed believers - Extensive theological and study notes.
- Side-column reference system.
- Section and book introductions and outlines.
- Doctrinal standards of the Reformed Faith: Heidelberg Catechism, Westminster Confession, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Belgic Confession, Canons of Dort, Westminster Larger Catechism.
- In-text maps, charts, and graphs.
- Concordance.
The text is decently readable, and while the notes are smaller print (but not terrible) the content is fantastic. The best of conservative Reformed scholarship from the last few decades are included in the study notes and articles, and in the large collection of Reformed confessions we see the last 500 years of greats from Germany, the Netherlands, and Great Britain.
Price - It’s out of print and you’ll pay a pretty penny. A hardcover, depending on the condition, should run you at least $50 on eBay, usually in the 70+ range for very good. Leather (bonded or genuine) will be potentially double this - ore more if in great condition. The supply is low and the demand is still pretty high!
Size & Font - 9.25″ x 6.5″ x 1.75″ thick. Not an easy every day carry!
- The print is ok, small-ish but very much readable. The letters themselves are attractive and now squished or stretched in any way.
- Ghosting isn’t terrible but the paper is obviously mass market Bible paper and is thin.
- The letters have decent lead room. It’s not tough to keep your place when studying.
- Bible Text is about 8.5-9 point serif font.
- The rest uses sans serif:
- the study notes & confessions 7-point
- concordance is 6 point
- and the articles are about 8 point
- This is a black letter Bible, and the letters are not especially dark or light, thick or thin
Physical features - This is a simple mostly dark brown to black hardcover. They were also available in black bonded and top grain genuine leather.
- The spine and cover both show The Spirit of The Reformation Study Bible: New International Version.
- Leather versions have gold print (on the spine) and gilding
- A few years after this went out of print, a Kindle/electronic edition was released with the 2011 NIV text. This too is no longer in (digital) print.
Uses - This is a Bible for serious study and it’s one of the best - possible THE best in the NIV. It’s large with fairly small print and while you could use it for a church Bible this is nor my first choice.
Other features - What doesn’t this Bible have?
- All the NIV text notes are there (as with all NIV Bibles)
- It's single-column text with side references; annotations are double column
- There are a great set of Zondervan Bible maps in the back on good stock.
- There are also blank pages for notes in the back, as well as a useful concordance
- The annotations are jam-packed with material explaining the text. There are also dozens of articles in the text explaining various Biblical and theological ideas from a conservative Reformed perspective
- This was also the first Bible I know of to print various Confessions of Faith as an appendix. The Three Forms of Unity (continental Reformed - Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, Canons of Dort) and Westminster Confession of Faith and Larger and Shorter Catechisms are printed in full. Not only this but the annotations in the Bible text are also keyed to the Confessions
Pros:
- Print is readable
- Five hundred years of Reformed (Presbyterian, Continental, and Reformed Baptist) scholarship
- The notes and articles are superb, reliable, and extremely helpful
- The Confessions are especially nice to have for an older (but still insightful) perspective
- Black letter (My preference)
- The good Zondervan concordance
Cons:
- Print is a tad small, especially the notes. (It’s not a deal breaker)
- Glued binding
- It’s a BIG volume
- Reports from others say the bonded and genuine leather editions aren’t that hot
- It’s Out of Print! ☹️ Even the Kindle edition (2011 NIV) is no longer for sale!
One of the best Bibles is sadly out of print. It's still excellent minus the print and construction issues.
If only...
- What can I say? Zondervan should at least re-release the Kindle edition
- In fact the SRSB would look great in the new Comfort Print that Zondervan uses
- Since Zondervan publishes the NASB and NRSV, both of these would be amazing with the SRSB! Even a KJV SRSB would be popular, as the popularity of the KJV Reformation Heritage Study Bible demonstrates. A guy can dream can’t he?
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