[.ca] King James Version - KJV - Companion Bible: Bonded ... (ISBN 0825421780)

Best Study Bible Available!!!:
I purchased my copy ISBN: 082542240X in January 2007. I have been aware of this bible for about 20 years as my Grandmother had one which I inherited and have used extensively for about 15 years. This is hands down the best study bible available. I realize that many have concerns regarding some of the opinion and commentary in the appendixes and columns however one does not have to believe all that he reads which is clearly personal commentary by Mr. Bullinger, however one would be foolish indeed not to avail themselves of the reams of detailed factual information regarding both the original languages and their spacific usage in any noted application, and the factual historical data included which substantiates biblical record, data and information which is not available to the layman. Taking into account that even the Apostle Paul stated his personal opinion on some doctrinal issues in some of his writings, it must be understood that personal opinion is impossible to avoid in any indepth and valuable discourse on the scriptures. If you truly want more than just an average understanding of the scriptures and want to more fully understand the Lord and what He has spoken to us through the scriptures which the Holy Spirit has penned to us than this bible is essential. The other book which I have found to be invaluable to me as a student of the Word is "Figures of Speech used in the Bible" also written by Bullinger. This details even further the structure of the original languages and serves to clarify many poorly translated verses in the Authorized Version (King James Version). The only issue which I have had regarding this publication is with the Publisher Kregal themselves. The first copy I received in Dec 2006 started to fall apart after only opening it 6 times. The binding began to seriously separate literally before my eyes. This problem with inferior quality of materials and workmanship is shared equally among all of the publishers, they just don't make them like they used to. I own a Thompson Chain Reference Bible which was given to me in 1981 and it is still in mint condition even though I have spent thousands of hours reading, handling and writing notes in it, from the Companion Bible of course. So if you purchase this fine bible pay careful attention to the condition of the binding. Randal Buchner

Be cautious:
I have owned this bible and used it for about 15 years, I have read almost everyone one of the 198 apendixes, many of them multiple times. This study bible offers an INCREDIBLE amount of information. I am somewhat torn when it comes to this bible. On the one hand it is so detailed, scholorly and consise it boggles the mind, on the other hand in some areas the footnotes and appendixes couldn't be more wrong. unfortunately this bible is recommended by late night TV bible teacher Arnold Murry. This man is false teacher and I was once bewitched by him, luckily some people gave me an article from the Christian Reasearch Institute pointing out the errors and false doctrines he propounds. I personally believe that after examining his doctrines and teachings he can justifiably be regarded a cult leader as Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are. He seemed to like this bible because of the appendixes on the Gap Theory, the idea that fallen angels had sex with women in Genesis 6 and produced the "men of renoun" or Nethanim (which becomes the basis of his argument that the Jews are a half-breed of demonic/human race), and finally it's material on the Massorah (which he uses whenever he doesn't like a OT reading, he pulls an alternate from the Massorah). The Companion bible is more honest than any other bible I have seen in explaining the Bible Version issue, it explains the different critical greek textual critics and notes their differences to the Textus Receptus. Here are some pros and cons from my perspective. -The outlines of the entire bible are magnificent! every book, every chapter, every verse is included into an intricate outline that upon examiniation speaks volumes to the objective reader that the bible is nothing less that a divine masterpiece that could never have been faked or contrived. -Many of the appendixes are so deep and informative it will open up a whole new world to bible reading and study. It is impossible to describe. I personally like the study on the Persian kings we find in the bible and their historical lineage, Cyrus, Darius, Xerses, etc. The study on the Psalms of Degrees was great. There is a timeline showing bible events and people back to Adam. And finally the appendixes on bible weights, measurements, coinage, geography, and time/calendar is top notch. -The foot notes are exhaustive, the detail on the greek words are great. I especially like the Appendixes on all the different kinds of figures of speech and examples of them: syndoeche, hyperbole, simile, allegory, etc. The word studies are great as well. The bad stuff. -I can't caution enough the bible student as to some of the highly controversial and sensational studies in the appendices. I have already mentioned the Gap Theory but also the Gospel in The Stars can set a bible student off on rabbit trails. The idea through out the NT is that Israel had the opportunity to choose Christ as their king and Messiah while he was there and if they had he would have been their king and Messiah then and there ushering in the Millenium and the Eternal State, making the Cross unnecesary. (...)

Shepherds Chapel:
Got this bible from Shepherds Chapel in 1987... THE BEST BIBLE YOU CAN BUY! Absolutely wonderful. Arnold Murray teaches the bible line by line.. he's outstanding. This is not a cult, which anyone can tell simply by studying with him. - Ever wonder where the dinosaurs came from? - UFO's? - The apple in the garden and why would God get so upset about eating an apple? - Why you are here? - Where you came from? - Who really is the Antichrist? :)

Reader beware............:
of reviewers like Jason Schaitel below. I am a somewhat elderly son of a very elderly Baptist minister. For a great many years I have met "Christians" like him. These are those that are looking for the "only true religion/gospel", which the rest of the world knows doesn't exist. His fault finding with just about everyone he has come in contact with should be enough to warn anyone. The Jason Schaitels of this world spend enormous amounts of time "studying" the Bible and finding fault with everyone who doesn't interpret it their way. There is nothing wrong with this Bible. I have a vast library of Bibles, and scriptures of other kinds, from a wide variety of religions; religions that Jason would call "cults". I guess he doesn't know that most religions were once called cults, including my father's Baptist religion. The words "Cult" and "sect" are interchangeable. That's were we get the terms "sectarian" and "non-sectarian", words that Protestants use daily, but don't understand the meaning of. The scriptures I have are no different than the Bible reviewed here. They contain the author's results of their exercise in hermeneutics and exegesis. In other words, they have read the Bible, done their homework, and written their interpretations, which if you study various commentaries you will find very similar no matter what the Christian sect or "cult" is. The idea in studying religion is to study with an open heart, and a brain--something that is remiss with many religious critics. Pay no attention to those who decry another's religion. Read, study and understand for yourself.

Great text....poor printing:
This is a Christian gold mine for Acts 28:28 dispensationalists. Bullinger's comments leave no stone unturned. Detailed explanations of the text are given in easily understood terms. The only real problem is with the printing/binding. You can rub your finger accross the page and see the ink on your finger. The paper is very poor quality for the price paid for the leather bound edition. I've returned my copy and order the enlarged print edition which hopefully will prove to be a better choice.