Over the past several years considerable effort
has gone into revising and updating Dr. Frank C. Thompson's system of Chain-References for
its inclusion with the New King James Version text. During the production of the Expanded
& Updated Thompson there were three guiding principles for making improvements:
authenticity (true to Dr. Thompson's intentions), consistency and simplicity.
There are 6 major differences
between the Expanded NKJV Thompson Chain Reference Bible and previous versions:
1. Complete Chains As
Dr. Thompson developed his study Bible, he put topics in the margin from Genesis to
Revelation. Because he had no easy way to list all the chain verses, his topical chain
often ended in the Old Testament. With the aid of computers, we have been able to find all
the occurrences of the chains and link them together.
2. Complete Listing of Topics
Because Dr. Thompson did not have a way to list all his margin topics,
what appears in the original Index of Chain Topics is only chain references or an
incomplete list of general references. They are now all listed.
3. Placement of All Topics on the
Margin Many topics are listed in the Indexes of the KJV- NASB, and NIV
Thompson's as N.M., which means they are not on the Bible text margin. The Expanded NKJV
Thompson now places all topics in the margins.
4. Consistent Naming of Topics
Because Dr. Thompson could not easily check his list of topics, there are
numerous naming inconsistencies in the original. For example, topic 884 appears on the
margins in the original work in the following three ways: Creator; Creator, God as; and
God, Creator. The Expanded Thompson uses one consistent name throughout the entire topic
chain
5. Consistent Outlines in the
Analysis of Books. If possible, the same format of information is given for
every book of the Bible, and the outlines have been made more consistent and readable.
6. New Introduction
A completely new introduction is being written that explains what the Thompson is,
how it is to be used, and what it will do for believers' lives.
