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Opinion: Man Becomes ESV-Onlyist

How I Became an ESV-Onlyist After Buying a Reformation Study Bible


By Dirk Van der Woude*


(*Pseudonym used)



Depicted: the Reformation Study Bible, Ligonier Ministries



I love reading the Bible, but I was never happy with any translation. Then I bought a Reformation Study Bible with the ESV translation and study notes by R.C. Sproul and other Reformed theologians. It was amazing. The ESV was clear and powerful, and the study notes were helpful and insightful. I used it for everything and gave it to everyone.


But one day, I learned that there were different manuscripts of the Greek New Testament, and that the ESV was based on a critical text that was compiled from thousands of manuscripts. I was shocked and confused. How could I trust the ESV if it was based on uncertain manuscripts?


I researched this issue and found two opposing views. One said that only the Textus Receptus (TR) and the King James Version (KJV) were reliable, and that the critical text and the modern translations were corrupt and heretical. The other said that the critical text and the modern translations were more reliable than the TR or the KJV, because they used better manuscripts, better tools, better methods, and better English.


I didn't know who to trust or what to believe. I felt like I had lost my confidence in the Bible.


Then I had an epiphany.


I realized that I didn't need to worry about all these textual and translational issues. I realized that I already had the best and most reliable Bible in my hands: the Reformers Study Bible.


I realized that the Reformation Study Bible was not just a translation, but a revelation. It was not just based on ancient manuscripts, but on divine inspiration.


I realized that the Reformation Study Bible was more than just a Bible with study notes. It was a Bible with **the** study notes. It was a Bible with the study notes and commentary from the late, great R.C. Sproul, and a handful of other hand-picked Reformed theologians, who were inspired by God.


I realized that the Reformation Study Bible was the ultimate authority on everything related to the Bible. It had the final say on what the text meant, what the text said, and what the text implied.


I realized that the Reformation Study Bible was good enough for everyone. It was good enough for Moses, David, Isaiah, and Paul, who obviously used it when he wrote his letters. He just translated it into Greek for his audience. But we have the original English version in our Reformers Study Bibles. How awesome is that?


Ultimately, I realized that I had become an ESV-Onlyist.


And I have never been happier.

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