I am
writing a review of the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible from Zondervan
Publishers. I was sent this Bible to review by Bible Gateway for
free as a member of BG2 (#BibleGatewayPartner). The Thompson
Chain-Reference System had its start in 1890 by Dr. Frank Clark Thompson. It
has gone through many revisions and updates with recent research and new
methods of compilation. I received the Hardcover edition from Bible Gateway to
review.
I first became aware of the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible in the 1907’s when I received one as a gift from my wife. It was the King James version, and I preached from it for many years. My copy has notes on almost every page from my sermons. In the 1980’s I bought a copy of the NIV Chain-Reference. It also became a standard go-to in my study and research for sermons and Bible lessons. The Thompson Study System allows a student of the Word to follow a topic from Genesis to Revelation. This edition has over 8,000 topical listings utilizing over 100,000 marginal references. I have found it over the years to be a virtual mini-library of information to aid in study, sermon preparation, and personal devotion.
I was very much impressed by this 1997 update of a very familiar friend. Dr. John Jauchen was the Editor that worked to update this version. This new and expanded edition has many enhancements aided by the use of computer technology of today. Some of the changes include renaming the two indexes to better describe their function – the Alphabetical index and the numerical index. The editors of this version worked to complete the Chains to include both the Old Testament and the New Testament. They also worked to make all the names of the Chains consistent. One of the most valuable parts of the Helps was and is the Analyses of the Books of the Bible. In this edition, they have been standardized in their method of study and presentation.,
The Bible Helps is made up of over 75 practical study aides. I have mentioned the Alphabetical and Numerical Indexes, the outline studies of the Books of the Bible already, there are also Biblical Character studies, Harmonies (such as the Life of Joshua, Gideon, David, the Gospels, Paul’s Missionary Journeys, Golden Chapters, Hebrew times, seasons, and festivals, and Memory Verses) to help with personal study and lesson preparation. There is a supplement with Archeological research and findings, not to mention 14 full-color maps to guide one to see the places that the Bible took place.
Having made the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible Study System a major part of my first-stop in Sermon and Course preparation, I must heartily endorse this system to anyone who wants to study deeper and prepare broader in your Biblical knowledge. You can find this Bible in many Christian Book stores and online at the FaithGateway Store.
