Scofield and Thompson

[sjsnjc]

Steve...Steve from the Mission here. I hope this finds you well. A few weeks back as I was coming home from work, I was listening to what I guess is a rebroadcast of the radio show on KKMC that comes on at 11pm. The topic I happened to catch was a discussion on Bibles (a subject, by the way, with which I am absolutely tired of...which makes me wonder why I am posting this... ) and the particular Bibles being discussed were the Scofield and the Thompson. From what I could discern, you are very familiar with the Scofield, but not with the Thompson through your own admission. You stated that you prefer a plain straightforward text rather than any sort of study or reference Bible, that you use to use a Scofield but no longer. When I began my walk, I was given a Thompson and absolutely fell in love with it for the simple reason that it is a reference rather than a study structure. The part of the discussion I am questioning was your thought that the Thompson is a "study" Bible rather than a "reference" Bible, and that the Thompson somehow puts forth a theological foundation through the study and/or reference notes. I understand the difference between a study and a reference work, and am under the impression that a Thompson, as opposed to a Dake, Ryrie, Scofield, or MacArthur study Bible, puts forth no theology. Maybe I don't see it yet...the differences in a belief system such as Calvinism, Arminianism, Dispensationalism that permeates the study or reference notes. I suppose my question is, is it possible that someone could put forth a theology in a supposed reference work simply by the way they use the reference system? A particular verse pointing to one specific verse as opposed to another? I sort of let God give me the info He wants me to have when He wants me to have it as I read the Bible. Can one actually put forth a theology in that way rather than actually putting forth a belief system based on...what...opinion? Thanks...

[steve]

Hi Steve,

My exposure to the Thompson Reference Bible was minimal and decades ago, so my memory is not exact and may not be accurate. As I recall, there were certain chains of reference which, if followed, seemed to be designed to build a case for dispensational ideas. However, I can't remember anything specific.

[sjsnjc]

Thank you, my friend. Well, I don't know what I am except of fan of the Thompson. It would be interesting to sit down with someone sometime and see that concept explained along with other reference Bibles to see the difference. I'm going to keep listening to your show and dabbling around in your lectures and such, whatever your beliefs are.