Links & Resources

This page features information and links for resources and websites.

For more information go to the Bible Software page

Satellite Bible Atlas

This is a "must have". It has very good maps and explanations from Abraham to the New Testament time period. There are also video teaching links to YouTube. Spending 2 1/2 hours watching these will give a really good base understanding of the Bible lands and some of the major events. With the purchase of the hardcover book, you can also download the maps and pictures.

Biblemapper

Biblemapper is a great tool for making your own maps. While it is a paid resource, it is well worth the price. It comes with a number of map templates which can all be customized. These maps can also be used freely with the only stipulation being to give credit to Biblemapper as you can see on this map.

Associates for Biblical Research

Provides a lot of very good materials, information and videos on the historicity and accuracy of the Bible.

Answers in Genesis

Has lots of really good information and videos

Is Genesis History

Comprehensive Videos on the fact of Genesis being history. I would highly suggest getting the "complete creation bundle"

That the World may know Video Series

A video series hosted by Ray Vander Laan exploring the Bible Lands

Appian Media Videos

Video episodes on the time of the United Kingdom and following the Messiah

Associates for Biblical Research - Digging for Truth Episodes

Text and Canon Institute

Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry

Dr. Steve Farrar - Bible Studies and Sermons

One For Israel - A ministry of Christian Israeli Jews to Israeli Jews and Arabs

Biblical Maturity - Overview of all 66 Books of the Bible

Living Waters

The Master's Seminary (You Tube Channel)

Dr. William Barrick

One Passion

Biblical Science Institute

Creation Astronomy

Things Revealed

Ezra Institute

Cross Examined

Bible Places Website

Institute for Creation Research

Creation Research Society

Ark Encounter

Creation Museum

Genesis 5 & 11 Chronology Discussion

Additional Genesis Chronology Information

Bible Hub - online Bibles

Open Bible Topic Search

The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy

Blue Letter Bible Institute Courses

Bibles

I would suggest using the LSB, ESV or NASB-95 translations of the Bible as they are the most literal and accurate translations in modern English. The original KJV and the newer NKJV are good translations but have older English words and sentence structure. An accurate but slightly more readable version is the Berean Study Bible. A good discussion on this is found on the website Things Revealed - Bible Translations. Another good site to find good analysis of Bible translations is Bible Researcher

In terms of a good study Bible, I would suggest the Thompson Chain Reference Bible. (More about the Thompson Chain Bible) It has an extensive cross reference system with topical study guides. While other Study Bibles do have a lot of good information, they generally have a doctrinal bias, so care must be taken when using them. Most do not seem to have a high view of Genesis, while others will seek to limit what God can, or will do, in our present "church age". The free e-sword electronic Bible with its resources is an excellent way of studying. For more features and modern resources, Accordance and Logos are available. The commentaries and other resources will also need to be evaluated for truth.

For a good discussion on Bible Bindings, visit Letterpile.

Bible paper and printing also varies quite a bit. Generally speaking, those products that are marketed as thinline, ultra-thin or the like will tend to have more ghosting, which is the type from the other side of the page showing through. This can be quite annoying and take away from reading the Word. Also, a really bright white paper is more reflective and is not as easy to read as paper that is slightly off white and matt. Heavier paper such as 36 GSM (grams per square meter) tend to be much better than the 30 GSM or less.

Here are some links to Bibles that are good in regard to this. I do have several others, but find that these have better paper and are easier to read.

Legacy Standard Bible Inside Column Reference 11 Point Text

This is my favorite Bible

Legacy Standard Bible Wide Margin 10.5 Point Text

ESV Wide Margin, 11 Point Text

ESV Large Print 11 Point Text

Includes a concordance

NASB Preacher's Bible - 10 Point Text

ESV 6 Volume Readers Bible 12 Point Text - This has much heavier off-white paper and is primarily for the office or study. I find this one to be the most readable of all the Bibles that I own. The drawback is that they do not lay flat like the edgelined quality leather Bibles do.

Thompson Chain Reference Bible

Study Helps

While there is a lot of good information in the study helps such as Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Atlases and Commentaries, there are some issues with these resources that need to be examined:

Does the resource accept that "All Scripture is inspired by God and was written as men were moved by the Holy Spirit and that Scripture is not a matter of one's own interpretation"? (2 Ti 3:16, 2 Pe 1:20-21)

Does the resource accept the miracles recorded in the Bible?

Does the resource accept the historical accuracy of the Bible?

Does the resource accept the global flood and the account of creation in six literal, 24 hour days as is recorded in the Bible?

Does the resource imply or say that the Jewish religion developed out of other ancient near eastern religions or stories?

What Theological and Philosophical biases does the resource have?

It seems that much of the information is based on a secular view of history and reality. It also appears that Biblical truth is subjected to secular ideas and interpretations rather than secular ideas being subject to God's Word. Care must be taken to avoid being led astray. I have a short video on Bible Dictionaries and Encyclopedias on the Instruction Video page close to the bottom of the page. I show some of the features and look at a specific article that presents information that contradicts the Biblical account.

There is also a danger of reading other material about the Bible more than actually studying the Bible itself.

I would highly recommend studying the Scriptures without study helps first to see what the text says so that the meaning is not affected by what others have said. The TSK (Treasury of Scripture Knowledge) cross reference in e-sword or the commercial Bible programs is one of the best ways to study Scripture. After this, the study helps can provides some extra insights as there is good information in them. Resources that are good to use with e-sword are the Brown-Driver-Briggs Dictionary, Thayer's Greek Definitions, Easton's Bible Dictionary, Believer's Bible Commentary, and the David Guzik Commentary. Commentaries should only be consulted once an in-depth study has been performed using only the Bible and consulting Hebrew or Greek Lexicons if desired. A note on commentaries: Different authors with different doctrinal biases will at times come up with quite different analyses of a passage. This is why commentaries cannot always be trusted and studying without them at first is better.

Martin Luther said in "Table Talk" (Of God's Word XXXII) "When I was young, I read the Bible over and over and over again, and was so perfectly acquainted with it, that I could, in an instant, have pointed to any verse that might have been mentioned. I then read the commentators, but I soon threw them aside, for I found therein many things my conscience could not approve, as being contrary to the sacred text. ‘Tis always better to see with one’s own eyes than with those of other people." and in "of God's Word III, he said "He who has made himself master of the principles and text of the word runs little risk of committing errors."

In my Overview of the Bible I provide basic background information, maps and charts to help provide an overview and framework for understanding the Scriptures.