My long-awaiting ESV Study Bible arrived today.  I assume many others here at LOPC who pre-ordered a copy have also received theirs.  What a treasure ... not only an excellent new translation of God's word (the English Standard Version), but also the richest one-volume collection of personal study tools I have ever seen!

If you have one, be sure to notice the flyer inside the back cover.  It gives you directions for a free download of an online version of this marvelous publication.  It includes a scratch-off box with the registration code you'll need to be able to get your copy.  Make sure you do that before you lose it.

The team of translators (the 2001 ESV Bible) and contributors (the 2008 study notes) includes many of the best-known evangelical and Reformed scholars of our day.  It has already received widespread acclaim from such men as R. C. Sproul and John Piper.  Many PCA churches have purchased pew editions for their sanctuaries and our PCA publishing house (Great Commission Publications) will be using this translation in the revisions of their Sunday School literature over the next few years.

Here at Lake Osborne, we will celebrate the arrival of this new study tool with a special 6:00 pm Sunday night program on October 26th (Reformation Sunday).  Dr. Sam Lamerson, Professor of New Testament at Knox Theological Seminary, will be our guest to take us through a summary of the history of the translation of the Bible into the English language from the time of the Reformation up to the present.

Next week, I'll add another portion about this in a blog about using Robert Murray McCheyne's excellent Bible reading calendar.  This 19th century Scottish pastor devised a plan for reading through the entire Bible.  It is the best I have ever seen.  I want to encourage many of you to do this now that you have this new ESV study version in hand.  Be sure to check back here to read about it.