The Revised Version, which has now been before the public for twenty-seven years, gives no indication of becoming in any general sense the people's Bible of the English-speaking world. None of the many Revisions have commended themselves to the people at large. From the Introduction to the 1917 Edition of the SRB (also found in the 1909 edition):Īfter mature reflection it was determined to use the Authorized Version. Scofield clearly states in his 'Introduction' what he proposed to do. Scofield's Views of the AV and the Textus Receptus ← ⤒ 🔗ĭr. In fact, many of the marginal notations call into question the traditional readings of the AV and suggest substitution of readings from the critical Greek text of the New Testament. Since most people who are familiar with the AV are accustomed to this kind of notes, many people do not realize that the marginal notes in the SRB are not the same as those in the AV. In the margin of the SRB, Scofield wrote a series of notes about translational and textual changes to the text.

The SRB was known not only for its interpretative footnotes but also for its unusual reference system containing topical or 'chain references'. Works such as the NIV Study Bible, the MacArthur Study Bible and the Ryrie Study Bible have extensive commentary in footnotes with the usual references in the margins. In our day most of the numerous study Bibles are known for their interpretative footnotes and annotations. Warren Wiersbe, in his autobiography, said that the SRB (along with several other study tools) was his 'first serious introduction to.' dispensational truth and that dispensational books have became 'the nucleus of my library, which today numbers over 10,000 volumes'. Barnhouse used an autographed SRB as his English study Bible. Scofield is the quickest way of bringing a spiritual baby to spiritual maturity.' 4Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse said, 'I am still convinced that the Bible with the references by Dr. 3People who support the SRB claim that it is a quick way to gain spiritual maturity. Hence we need to come to grips with its teachings'. Because of its widespread use, it has now in effect become a standard. Vern Poythress says regarding dispensationalism (the form of dogmatic theology found in the SRB footnotes), 'Within this movement the Scofield Reference Bible, in particular, contributed more than any other work to the spread of dispensationalism in the United States. Allis, a reformed scholar, wrote that 'The fact that within a generation more than 2,000,000 copies of this reference Bible have been printed in this country (USA) has made it a very influential factor in the religious world of today'. Scofield (1843-1921) did not invent the concept of the study Bible, but he did much to popularise it, with the editions of the SRB 1917 edition 1having sold in the millions of copies and having had a tremendous influence on many fundamentalist Christians and Bible-believing churches.

Scofield and the Widespread Use of His Bible ⤒ 🔗Ĭ. Scofield supported the Westcott-Hort Greek text as the best representation of God's Word and that he made changes to the King James Version of the Bible based upon his views. Leaving aside the footnotes, this article will examine the textual notations in the margins of the SRB in order to demonstrate that C.I. Its footnotes and marginal notations are viewed by many as containing absolute truth. It is sold in many fundamentalist bookshops and even in churches which consider themselves King James Version Only. Sell your coat and buy a Scofield Reference Bible'.įor many people, the Scofield Reference Bible (now called the Scofield Study Bible 1917 edition herein it is referred to as the SRB) is the Bible which Bible-believing people should use. With a smile on his face, he then said that for those who didn't find Jonah chapter one on page 943, 'It's springtime. He then announced that the sermon was from Jonah chapter one. As he gazed over the congregation he said, ‘Turn in your Bibles to page 943'. The preacher in an independent fundamentalist Baptist church in the USA approached the pulpit with a confident look on his face.

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