This encyclopedia is intended for everyone, from scholars and students to laypersons--for all who are troubled by apparent contradictions in the Bible. It argues for the unity and the integrity of the Bible and should convince the skeptic and reassure the person who may be confused by the seeming discrepancies in Scripture.
William Arndt, a noted educator and theologian, helps to clarify the chief difficulties and apparent contradictions that are encountered by most people while they read the Bible. The most frequently-cited "discrepencies" in the Bible are examined in great detail.
For the Person Whose Study of Scripture is a Lifelong CommitmentFor the one without formal training in biblical studies, resolving questions and difficulties that arise while reading Scripture can be a discouraging task. Without a background in the culture, language, and history of the Bible, the lay Bible student is often left to grasp for answers or trust what someone else has said or written as the correct interpretation of a particular problem.Today's Handbook for Solving Bible Difficulties offers a refreshing solution. While offering suggested answers to specific difficulties, it goes a step beyond the usual approach and teaches readers reliable interpretive tools to use in their own reading of the Bible. Author David O'Brien encourages readers to more in-depth personal Bible study and shows them how to do it. In a very readable style, the book divides Bible difficulties into categories to help Bible students understand problems with:Apparent biblical contradictions in certain passagesLanguage, translation, and figures of speechHistory, criticism, and transmission of the biblical textCultural differencesCreation, Genesis -, and prophecyEthics and lifestyle issuesControversial doctrinal issues
This comprehensive volume offers readers clear and concise answers to every major Bible difficulty from Genesis to Revelation, staunchly defending the authority and inspiration of Scripture. Written in a problem/solution format, the book covers over 800 questions that critics and doubters raise about the Bible. Three extensive indices--topical, Scripture, and unorthodox doctrines--offer quick and easy access to specific areas of interest. Multipurpose in scope and user-friendly in format, The Big Book of Bible Difficulties offers the resources of five books in one: a critical commentary on the whole Bible an apologetics text a Bible difficulties reference a theology manual treating important doctrines a handbook on verses misused by cults. - Publisher.
According to the authors, the doctrine of inerrancy has been standard, accepted teaching for more than 1,000 years. In 1978, the famous "Chicago Statement" on inerrancy was adopted by the Evangelical Theological Society, and for decades it has been the accepted conservative evangelical doctrine of the Scriptures. However, in recent years, some prominent evangelical authors have challenged this statement in their writings. Now eminent apologist and bestselling author Norman L. Geisler, who was one of the original drafters of the "Chicago Statement," and his coauthor, William C. Roach, present a defense of the traditional understanding of inerrancy for a new generation of Christians who are being assaulted with challenges to the nature of God, truth, and language. Pastors, students, and armchair theologians will appreciate this clear, reasoned response to the current crisis.
Have you ever read something in the Bible and just scratched your head, or been challenged by a skeptic to explain a seemingly scandalous verse? Trent Horn can help. In Hard Sayings, Trent looks at dozens of the most confounding passages in Scripture and offers clear, reasonable, and Catholic keys to unlocking their true meaning.
THE BIBLE: ERRORS! MISTAKES! INCONSISTENCIES! CONTRADICTIONS! Critics claim that the Bible is filled with so-called errors, mistakes, inconsistencies, and contradictions. Some even speak of thousands of errors. The truth is there is not even one demonstrated error in the original text of the Bible. Of course, we would never say that there are no difficulties in our Bibles. The Bible is loaded with thousands of difficult, challenging passages, many of which become obstacles in the development of our faith. These difficulties arise from differences in culture, language, religious and political organizations, not to mention between 2,000 to 3,500 years of separation between the Bible author and the modern-day reader. Calling attention to these difficulties and sifting out the misconceptions, Andrews defends the full or absolute inerrancy of Scripture. He clarifies the so-called errors or mistakes and what might seem like apparent contradictions. He arms the Christian with what they need to defend their faith in the Bible. Honestly, whenever Christians find difficulty in the Bible, acknowledge it. Do not try to obscure it. Do not try to dodge it. The best way to deal with Bible critics and the Bible Difficulties is to understand all the ways that Bible Difficulties can come about. And then have dozens of Bible difficulties answered as examples. Herein is the defense of God's Word that Christians have been waiting for.
Informed Answers to Your Most Troublesome Questions about the Bible. What do you make of the difficult areas in the Bible—those puzzling passages that make you stop and scratch your head? The seeming inconsistencies or moments that make you uncomfortable? Did God approve of Rahab's lie? Why are many of the Old Testament quotes in the New Testament not word-for-word? Does the Bible class abortion with murder? Where did Adam and Eve's sons get their wives? Does 1 Corinthians authorize divorce for desertion? The seeming incongruities of Scripture actually have sound explanations. But unless you're a Bible scholar, you probably don't know about them. The New International Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties gives you informed answers to your most troublesome questions. Many explanations include an eye-opening look at linguistic, cultural, numerical, relational, and other considerations of which most Bible readers are unaware. Referencing both the New International Version (NIV) and the New American Standard Bible (NASB), this handbook makes scholarly insights accessible to everyone. Whether you're a student, pastor, everyday Bible-lover, or even a skeptic, the New International Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties will show you why the Bible is believable and dependable, with a message you can live by. —ZONDERVAN'S UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE REFERENCE SERIES— This four-volume series supplies users of today's most popular modern Bible translation, and New International Version, with scholarly, economical, and uncompromisingly evangelical study tools. It includes: New International Bible Commentary New International Encyclopedia of Bible Words New International Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties New International Encyclopedia of Bible Characters
Now in paperback, Hard Sayings of the Bible has explanations for over five hundred of the most troubling verses to test the minds and hearts of Bible readers. Verse by verse, four distinguished Bible scholars take you behind the scenes to find succinct solutions to the most difficult verses in Scripture.
The NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978. This highly accurate and smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern English has the largest library of printed and electronic support material of any modern translation.
