Study Bibles help us study diligently, VPC’s third practice of a disciple.

Study Bibles exist for all translations and versions of the Bible and typically contain features such as:

·         annotations explaining difficult passages or points of theology and doctrine

·         cross references to indicate where one passage of the text relates to others

·         a concordance or word index that indicates where various key words are used in the Bible

·         introductions and historical notes to books of the Bible

·         maps and timelines of Bible history.

Some Study Bibles include notes on the Apocryphal/Deuterocononical books and a wide variety of other early Christian literature, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls. Brief descriptions of some popular Study Bibles are included here for your convenience.  The bookstore at Vienna Presbyterian Church, Grapevine Books, has a variety of Bibles and Study Bibles on hand, and you will find help there to assist you in choosing books to meet your needs.   Click here for the bookstore web site and hours of operation. 

HarperCollins Study Bible
The HarperCollins Study Bible notes and commentary are designed to give insight based upon close reading of key words, textual content, and translation ambiguities that sometimes make Bible reading unnecessarily complex. Sponsored by the Society of Biblical Literature, this study Bible draws from the best Jewish, Roman Catholic, and Protestant biblical scholarship.   

Life Application Study Bible
The Life Application Study Bible not only explains difficult passages and provides valuable background on Bible life and times but also shows how God's Word speaks to circumstances of life. Under the leadership of a team of evangelical scholars, study notes address questions such as, “So what?” and “What does this passage mean to me, my family, my friends, my job, my neighborhood, my church, my country?”

New Geneva Study Bible
The first Geneva Bible (1560) opened the pages of Scripture to readers in the vernacular of the day and provided helpful notes to assist the laity in understanding its message. The New Geneva Study Bible, under the editorial leadership of reformed scholars such as R.C. Sproul and J.I. Packer, offers a modern restatement of Reformation truth.

New Interpreter’s Study Bible
The New Interpreter’s Study Bible is from publisher of the popular twelve-volume Bible commentary series of the same name. Contributors are leading biblical scholars who are theologically diverse, reflecting a wide range of denominational backgrounds: Roman Catholic, mainline Protestant, Jewish, and evangelical. In the tradition of the New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, this study Bible includes encyclopaedic articles on a variety of topics related to textual interpretation.

NIV Study Bible
NIV Study Bible is now updated and expanded to reflect the most current orthodox Bible scholarship from today’s top evangelical scholars. Like the NIV, the NIV Study Bible is the work of a transdenominational team of Biblical scholars. They have sought to clarify understanding of, develop appreciation for, and provide insight into the Bible.

New Oxford Annotated Bible
Students, professor and general readers alike have relied upon The Oxford Annotated Bible for essential scholarship and guidance to the world of the Bible for nearly four decades. The notes and the study material feature in-depth academic research from non-denominational perspectives, with contributors from mainline Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Jewish traditions.

Quest Study Bible
Many people want to read the Bible but are hindered or even prohibited because they’re afraid they won’t understand what it means. The Quest Study Bible, answers thousands of the most commonly asked questions—based on extensive research of Bible readers. The editors of Christianity Today International, along with over 100 respected Bible scholars and pastors, have developed this engaging and straightforward study Bible to guide readers in their search to understand the Scriptures.

Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible
Foster, author of the modern Christian classic Celebration of Discipline, and Willard, who wrote The Divine Conspiracy, spearheaded a team of more than 50 scholars, pastors, theologians, and others over five years to produce a Bible that is devoted to spiritual formation. Walter Brueggemann and Eugene Peterson led the teams on the Old and New Testaments. The team's basic mission was to provide "a resource for approaching the Bible through the lens of Christian spiritual formation." Christians of many different traditions appreciate this ecumenical resource devoted to spiritual renewal.