History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

New International Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

Average customer rating:

Simply Outstanding
Atheists are Funny!
Once you've actually read the Bible...
Generally excellent refutation of biblioskeptics

New International Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties
Jr., Gleason L. Archer
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0310241464

Book Description

Dr. Gleason Archer offers carefully thought-out arguments for the unity and integrity of the Bible that should convince the skeptic and reassure the person who may be confused by the seeming discrepancies in Scripture. Includes a full index.

Customer Reviews:

Simply Outstanding.......2007-09-22

This book is written without any apologies from the perspective of an true orthodox Christian. Archer's academic credibility is impeccable and thankfully he left this book behind so a new generation could defend the biblical worldview aggressively.

Atheists are Funny!.......2006-01-15

Notice that the Atheist below claimed that Archer is illogical when in fact all the "reviewer" did was throw out illogical ad hominems left and right. Where was the logical argument? It wasn't there. Just a bunch of strawmen and moral judgments on the Bible and Christianity. One must wonder where one gets absolute moral judgments about the Bible being "wrong" when one doesn't believe in an absolute source of those moral judgments? I guess atheists are better at living with their errant contradictions than they are allowing scholars like Archer (Harvard educated in his BA, MA and PhD) to explain misunderstandings made by our cultural and linguistic distance from the text. O well, I guess it's just in one ear and out the other of those who want to keep their precious, licentious religion in tact.
For anyone who wants to begin to look at what are considered "discrepencies" in the Bible, this is one of the many sources that will aid you to do more than mock what you don't understand from afar.

Once you've actually read the Bible..........2004-03-19

This volume is a good addition to the Biblical expositor's reference library. But the first step is to become familiar with the Bible by actually having spent time reading and studying it. Many questions become answered once you understand the entire Bible in context. Then reference books such as this become useful in understanding cultural references, difficulties in the English translations of the original autographs, etc.

Generally excellent refutation of biblioskeptics.......2002-05-03

The author has an encyclopedic knowledge of Biblical languages and culture, and his book is most informative about a wide range of topics. Archer is also a trained lawyer, so can cut through the illogicality and special pleading of the arguments for "contradictions". By comparison, among those who argue for contradictions are such blatantly unqualified misotheists such as Barker, Ingersoll, McKinsey and Paine who haven't a clue about the original languages or culture, and are blatantly chronologically chauvinistic.

One important consideration in the Gospels is what the New Testament scholar N.T. (Tom) Wright pointed out, that most of the things Jesus said, he most likely said many times, and with many minor variations.

I didn't give this book five stars, because Archer is unnecessarily intimidated by old-Earth propaganda, but does believe in a global Flood that actually wipes out alleged geological evidence for age. But since this occupies only a small fraction of the book which is otherwise excellent, only a one-star deduction is warranted.

Average customer rating:

Accurate and Scholarly

understand the intent

Pathetic

A perfect example of why "sola scriptura" is childish.

Deals with some tricky theological issues

Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, An
G. Archer
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties

New International Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

Hard Sayings of the Bible

When Skeptics Ask: A Handbook on Christian Evidences

The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation

ASIN: 0310435706

Book Description

This extensive encyclopedia addresses, in the order in which they appear in Scripture, the problems and questions which are raised in the biblical text against the doctrine of inerrancy, including a full index.

Customer Reviews:

Accurate and Scholarly.......2007-04-23

Excellent source of scholarly research. Understandably, some are in denial of the Bible confirming conclusions. A library reference gem.

understand the intent.......2007-01-08

Gleason Archer was an amazingly learned man, representing a kind of conservative biblical scholar trained in the Albright School and its astonishing capacity for managing multiple Ancient Near Eastern languages, the growing field of 'biblical archaeology', and an inside-out knowledge of the biblical texts.

It isn't hard to observe that reviewers of Archer's work and the Albright School's legacy tend either to gush or to sneer. Neither response is entirely appropriate, though the gushers win on points.

What Archer possessed that most of his critics do not is the ability to allow the biblical authors the benefit of the doubt when a statement they made seemed to contradict the evidence, common sense, or--for Archer a very important matter--affirmations common to the rest of the Bible.

No doubt Archer over-reached in the attempt to harmonize difficulties. His work must most assuredly be subjected to this claim and will with some regularity be found wanting. Yet he worked the angles before he cried 'uncle', a patience and a discipline that too few onlookers are prepared to exercise. When he argued from linguistic data, he was seldom wrong.

This book can now look quaint in the light of a generation of biblical scholarship by men and women trained in the classical disciplines and profoundly respectful of the biblical text. Archer, who did not have the luxury of such company, was fighting a rear guard battle.

If all is not fair in war, some shortcomings are at least less difficult to understand.

Pathetic.......2004-02-06

This book is fine if you're preaching to the choir. Any intelligent person can see through it in a minute. Read a little Dennis McKinsey. Much of his stuff is free on the net, but he has two books out. He blows Archer's arguments away like lint.

A perfect example of why "sola scriptura" is childish........2002-05-24

This book does a decent job of listing the inconsistencies and reasons that sola scriptura and biblical inerrancy are corrupt doctrines. Unforunately (for Archer) that isn't the goal of this work. The explanations he gives for the various contradictions are weak and unconvincing. This book convinced me that the fundamentalist view of biblical inspiration is faulty. Fortunately I realized after some study that biblical inerrancy and sola scriptura aren't the historic view of scripture. ...

Deals with some tricky theological issues.......2002-03-22

I bought this book blindly - I reckoned I might need such a book at some time in the future. Whilst I have never taken it up to deal with a 'Bible difficulty' I have found it to be an excellent book in that it deals with some very tricky theological issues. Hidden in there among the explanations of bible difficulties I found the best EVER (and I have looked around a lot for years) dealing of [1] what happens to babies/children who die before they can sin (or understand their need for Christ) and [2] what happens to people who never hear of Christ. Both of these are dealt with in the Romans sections.
I have heard explanations of these issues before by many others including John Piper and John Stott but having read this book, I feel at last I have got the right explanation and it is based upon and backed up by the scriptures in question. Buy it.

When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties

Average customer rating:

A Great Resource and Reference Book for Students of the Bible
Preschool logic, ignores some of the most difficult texts
Refreshing and englightening... a good read for Christian or Skeptic
Good for believers to indulge in the illusion of "inerrancy" but the skeptics still unanswered
Excellent Beginning Reference Work

When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties
Norman L. Geisler , and Thomas Howe
Manufacturer: Baker Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0801011426
Release Date: 1992-09-01

Book Description

Learn how to defend the authority and inspiration of Scripture. Writing in a problem/solution format, the authors cover every major Bible difficulty from Genesis to Revelation.

Customer Reviews:

A Great Resource and Reference Book for Students of the Bible.......2006-12-18

This book addresses and provides concise solutions to just about every conceivable problem, apparent contradiction and supposed error in the Bible. The authors demonstrate the reliability and trustworthiness of the Bible by citing historical facts, quotes from ancient sources, archaeological discoveries, etc. I highly recommend that all serious Bible students have this on their shelf.

Preschool logic, ignores some of the most difficult texts.......2006-09-17

In the Preface, Geisler supports biblical inerrancy by stating that: "The Bible has withstood the criticisms of the greatest skeptics, agnostics, and atheists down through the centuries, and it is able to withstand the feeble efforts of unbelieving critics today." It's evident that this same exact argument can be made in support of the Koran. Either Geisler is ignorant of this or he uses the argument dishonestly.

Secondly, I was pleasantly surprised to see an argument in logical form. It's presented in the Intro as: 1. God cannot err. 2. The Bible is the word of God. 3. Therefore, the Bible cannot err. This argument is deductive so if the premises (1&2) are true, the conclusion (3) is necessarily true also. But how does Geisler show that the premises are true? In a classic case of circular reasoning, he appeals to what he's trying to prove as support for his premises. To the question: How do we know that God cannot err? Geisler tells us that the Bible tells us so! To the question: How do we know that the Bible is the word of God? Geisler tells us that the Bible tells us so!

So in actuality Geisler is proclaiming that The Bible cannot err because it says so! Geisler's 40 years of learning were apparently not enough for him to learn elementary logic. How stupid do you think your readers are Mr. Geisler?

Thirdly, he quotes St. Augustine favorably when it comes to dealing with difficulties in the Bible: "If we are perplexed by any apparent contradiction in Scripture, it is not allowable to say, the author of this book is mistaken; but either the manuscript is faulty, or the translation is wrong, or you have not understood." The skeptic or the critic can answer to this: If we think that we have identified an error in the arguments of the critics as written in book XYZ, it is not allowable to say, the author of this book is mistaken; but either the manuscript is faulty, or the translation is wrong, or you have not understood.

Fourthly, in one of the weirdest and most ludicrous explanations given by Geisler, one of the reasons he gives as justification for the slaughter of children in Jericho is that those children went to heaven so it was actually an act of mercy on God's part. I'd like to ask Geisler if he ever considered killing his own children to ensure that they go to heaven. I'm sorry to be so brutal but the stupidity of the argument calls for it.

Lastly, Geisler simply ignores some of the most difficult passages of the entire Bible. Some of these are: Exodus 21:7-11 where God explicitly grants fathers permission to sell their daughters into lifelong slavery, Exodus 21:17 where God orders the execution of children who curse their parents, Exodus 21:21 where God says that a slave is the "property" of the owner, Exodus 22:18-20 where God orders the execution of those who sacrifice to other gods. Apparently Religious Freedom was foreign to the God of Love, Numbers 15:32-36 where God orders the execution of a man for gathering firewood on the Sabbath, and Deuteronomy 21:10-14 where God gives Israelite soldiers permission to take female prisoners of war as "wives" and to discard them if they don't please well.

I give it 2 stars instead of 1 for attempting to answer some of the difficult questions.

Refreshing and englightening... a good read for Christian or Skeptic.......2006-08-29

Norman Geisler has once again done a fantastic job of defending the Bible as the inerrant word of God. Although, this book will definetly not convince most skeptics (not surprising considering nothing usually does) nonetheless it is and excellent resource for laymen to well-seasoned apologists alike.
In a very systematic fashion Geisler simply treats nearly all of the supposed "contradictions" in a head-on shoot from the hip manner. And while he doesn't claim to have all the answers, he generally offers very plasible explanations for supposed Bible contradictions and mistakes.
If one has ever been attacked by skeptics(as I have)and wasn't quite prepared to "give an answer" as the Bible commands, this book will be right up your alley. In fact, one of the most uplifting aspects of this book is that it demonstrates the near desperate tactics that critics take to discount the Biblical text. Being somewhat of an analytical thinker myself I understand the natural tendency to downgrade the supernatural and uplift 'natural"' thinking. So it was no surprise to me to find that the vast majority of the so-called contradictions listed in this book could easily have been resolved with a little more critical reading of the text. However, as I so often find, skeptics will INTENTIONALLY see mistakes simply because they are looking for a reason to disbeleive. I encourage you, if you are seeking and somewhat skeptical, this book will offer explanations for some tough Biblical texts in the Bible. If you are a flat-out critic I hope this book will urge you to rethink some of your previous beleifs.
For the rest of this review, I would like to respond to a couple of the general negative arguments I have read concerning this book. First, it seems abundantly clear that most of the skeptics simply from the tone of their review have already decided in their minds that Geislers explanations are wrong and that the Bible cannot be trusted. This is called an axiom and it is perfectly okay to have an axiom. However, an axiom must always be corroborated with strong evidence if it is to be held onto in light of plain reason. It is utterly foolish for a reviewer or skeptic to blast Geisler for holding to Biblical inerrany as an "a priori" commitment when the skeptics does the same with naturalism. Although, few admit this, it is abundantly clear that most skeptics have concluded that naturalism is a correct philosphy and therfore the Bible is not completely true or inspired by God. This is a perfectly valid assumption. Notice however, that the key word is assumption. Naturalism cannot be proven, and neither can Biblical inerrancy. However, what one can do is start with an assumption and see what assumption be fits the evidence. I would argue that the Bible's explantion of past present and future makes more logical sense than any other worldview. (read works by Francis Shaeffer if you want to learn more about the superiority of the Christian worldview).
Second, what most skeptics have blasted in reviews is a TINY sampling of Geislers explanations which they have found to be the least satisfying. If those critics intimidate you from buying this book I urge you to reconsider. Most of these skeptics are making unsound generalizations because their sampling is far too small. If one reads this book with an open mind I am convinced that one will find nearly all of Geislers explanations satisfactory. Not to mention I beleive one will note the absurdity of most of the critics claims. Which brings me to another point. Simply because not every explanation Geisler offers seems legitimate is not a reason to reject Biblical inerrancy.
The Bible is a large book, that covers a vast period of history and we as modern day Americans are not anywhere near the cultural context of the ancient middle-east. Therefore, it would be fairly audacious to presume that we would not find any Biblical text that is somewhat confusing and may on the surface seem contradictory to other parts of the Bible. In fact, the opposite is true. We should expect to find a small amount of Biblical texts that are troubling. If we didn't that would be a good reason to suggest that the text was edited so that it would look more complete. And what do we find? We find a small amount of Biblical texts that are troubling. And while yes, Geisler has listed over 800 texts, as I stated previously if one reads the book, one will find that most of the supposed contradictions exist in the overly active imagination of the critic rather than in the text itself. If one examines the text with an open mind and legitmately tries to understand the nature of the context and literary genres a in which the authors of each book wrote. Most of the "contractictions" dissapear.
All in all, this book is fantastic and I would encourage any Christian or skeptic to buy it.
A son of the King,
Joe

Good for believers to indulge in the illusion of "inerrancy" but the skeptics still unanswered.......2006-05-06

Norman Geisler is a prominent apologist which had written many theological and apologetic books. In this book, he tried to tackle considerable amount of problems that the critics of bible raised concerning the validity of the scripture. I was interested in this book because I had just brought McKinsey's Encyclopedia of biblical errancy and I would want to form a balanced view on the scripture. My general comment to Geisler's book is that this is good for believers to consolidate their faith by the "answers" or "solution" to these problems.

Geisler had also done mostly a great job in tackling the problems. That is the level expected for a theologian and apologist. However, some of the solution may not be convincing enough for the critics.

Take an example of the Jerico massacre in Joshua 6:21. Geisler argue the importance of the massacre (slaying of everyone including suckling infants) by explaining the Canaanite were "far from innocent". They are "defiled with every kind of abomination, including child sacrifice". As we know, child sacrifice is one of the ritual practiced by ancient pagan religion. They are surely not ethical. However, does it morally justify approve total extermination? How about slaying all Mormons, Buddists or Hindu to please your God? When faced with problem of slaying of infants, Geisler give the most outrageous explanation: "Given the cancerous state of society into which they are born, they had no chance of avoid it fatal pollution, 2) children who die before the age of accountability go to heaven (2 Sam. 12:23). This was an act of God's mercy to their soul to take them into His holy presence from such an unholy enviroment" even worst, the last explanation given as "God is soverign over life and can order its end according to His will and in view of the creature's ultimate good". Does it reasonable. According to his logic, we should kill all the babies after they are born because it is "an act of God's mkercy to their soul to take them into His holy presence from such an unholy environment". The bottom line of Geisler logic is "God is soverign, so we cannot question His justice or decision". Is this a plausible explanation that can confort the skeptics? I don't think so.

Some contradictions are not tackled. Example include the conflicting reference of the women that Jesus was talking to in Mattew 15:22 and Mark 7:26 (Mattew said that she was a Canaanite while Mark said that she was Greek). Surely he would not dare to tackle the point the the New American standard bible and New revised standard version wrongly translate the Greek word for "Greek" of the original text into "Gentile" in Mark's verse. Whether this translation is intentional to cover an alleged discrepancy is still speculative, but Geisler failed to give answer this interesting question.

Moreover, the Geisler is also not very kind to critics. He made a statement "The bible is without mistake, but the critics are not. All their allegation of error in the bible are based on some error of their own." This is already an unfair presupposition. When we want to examine a book as if it is errant, we should not assume that it is without mistake at first! This is violating the logical way of deduction. Surely the critics are not very happy to read this claim because you are also condemned erroneous when you raise doubt on the validity of scripture.

In general, this is a well-written book for reference. But as a skeptic christian, I don't think Gielser do a great job in supporting the doctrine of biblical inerrancy in this work.

Excellent Beginning Reference Work.......2004-07-14

I've used this book to teach a seeker's bible study. Most people seem to really appreciate the honesty. The cumulative effect of looking up entries is to realize how bible difficulties arise. This is as valuable as any particular entry. Some difficulties are treated more in-depth than others. Some can be thoroughly dealt with in a short entry, others solutions can only be gestured at. This book is not meant to be the end-all-be-all of bible difficulties but it is a comprehensive overview of Bible difficulties. At first, the size of the book might be discouraging: this is a big book. However, it becomes encouraging when you see how-time and time again-there are simple solutions or natural explanations for the Bible difficulties, it's just that it takes longer to explain a solution than it does to raise a problem. This should go next to his _Encyclopedia of Aplogetics_, _General Introduction to the Bible_, and _When Skeptics Ask_ on your reference shelf.

Average customer rating:

A good example of the difficulties of literalist, fundamentalist, conservative Biblical interpretation.
Perfect
There is a MORE CURRENT PRINTING of Difficulties in the Bible
Extremely Biased, Poorly Supported And Insulting!
Evolution with in Fundamentalism

Difficulties in the Bible
R. A. Torrey
Manufacturer: Whitaker House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0883688697

Customer Reviews:

A good example of the difficulties of literalist, fundamentalist, conservative Biblical interpretation........2007-07-27

The author attempts to answer what he terms "difficulties" with the Bible. For example: a) Is there an opportunity for salvation after we die? b) Did Jonah really live in the belly of a whale? c) Did God command Abraham to kill his son? d) Did Jesus commend the unjust steward? e) Does the Bible contradict itself? f) Does God change his mind? These questions are answered from a literalist point of view with arguments that are, to be kind, questionable. The book is a good example of the difficulties, not with the Bible, but with literal, fundamental, conservative interpretations of the Bible that fail to take into account what kind of literature the Bible contains and then equate historicity and scientific facticity with truth.

Perfect.......2007-06-01

The wonderful R A Torrey explains everything in a clear, concise manner as he does in all his books. This one measured up as well as his others. Would that we had more Christian writers like Torrey around today. A great Christian man and a great Christian book!

There is a MORE CURRENT PRINTING of Difficulties in the Bible.......2006-05-13

A more-current printing of Difficulties in the Bible, by the same publisher, has slightly larger print, and is a more-typical size for a Paperback.

Here are the Details for comparison:

Paperback: 219 pages
Publisher: Whitaker House; Updated edition (October 2003)
Language: English
ISBN: 0883688697
Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches

vs.

The one here:
Paperback: 189 pages
Publisher: Whitaker House (December 1996)
Language: English
ISBN: 0883683016
Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches

As an aside, this book is not intended to explain where the Bible came from, or to defend the Bible texts themselves, but to explain select passages in the Bible that have been thought to be contradictory. For explanations about such topics, search for books on the history and "canon" of the Scriptures/Bible, and about "apologetics" (defense of the faith).

COPYRIGHT Eternally and 2006.

Extremely Biased, Poorly Supported And Insulting!.......2005-11-28

I found this book to be extremely biased and insulting. While I appreciate the author's attempt to make his argument, much of the content is based upon false logic and the manner in which it is delivered is condescending. I bought this book with an open mind and Torrey proceeded to push me away. To put it bluntly, Torrey exemplifies the type of narrow minded, rigid Christian zealot that "turns off" those people that have some uncertainty and are looking for answers. In my opinion, he hurts the Christian cause more than he helps it.

To substantiate my view, consider these examples. First, Torrey makes the extremely bold statement that "God Himself is the Author of this revelation (Bible)" but then supports it by saying things like just because this cannot be proved does not make it untrue. This is backwards logic. I think that the burden of proof lies with Christianity to back these bold claims with evidence, not opinion. Why should others have to un-prove something that someone else asserts as truth? If you are going to ask others to make a life or death decision, then it should be done convincingly and in an undisputable way, not through coercion, fear, insults, etc.

Second, Torrey insults the reader by saying that difficulties in the Bible have more weight with superficial readers than profound students. He even goes on to say that "the late Colonel Ingersoll...was totally ignorant of the real contents and meaning of the Bible." I have no idea who this poor chap was, but I was shocked to see Torrey insult a dead man who cannot defend himself and to be so judgmental in the process. It's as if Torrey seeks to elevate his expertise and status by stepping on the neck of a dead man. Pretty low in my book!

Third, Torrey uses many techniques to deflect the light of inquiry away from Biblical difficulties. He runs the gamet of tricks by saying a) we are imperfect so we cannot propose to understand the work of a perfect God; b) copy, translation and interpretation errors were "naturally" made (i.e., we should not be critical because men are imperfect and prone to error); c) we are ignorant and simply do not understand (e.g., "The Bible is perfect, but we, being imperfect, have difficulty with it.") He doesn't address the suspect process of how the Bible was formed in the first place; the role the Church played in determining what did/did not go into the Bible; what controls were kept in place to ensure the authenticity and veracity of the doctrines which went into the Bible, etc. No, instead, Torrey wants us to believe that there was no foul play, just the magnificent, unblemished revelation of God.

Torrey goes on to say that believers should be honest and acknowledge difficulties, rather than to obscure or dodge the issues. For to do so, "... the Bible, instead of being helped, has been injured by the unintelligent zeal of foolish friends." Ironically, Torrey cannot see the duplicity of his ways because this is exactly what he does with this book.

I believe there are many people out there that would like to believe, but are a little curious or skeptical. After all, this is a serious matter! But when Torrey adamantly defends a sacred cow and tries to make you look elsewhere (i.e., don't focus on the imperfections, focus on the perfection instead), it raises your concerns even higher. And when he then starts in with the insults, he chases away the very sheep that have come seeking answers.

I think Torrey could have been far more effective if he simply admitted that there are unexplained anomalies in the Bible and that no really knows the truth so you really have to make a choice as to whether you want to extend that much faith or not. But trying to use smoke and mirrors and a hammer does didn't cut it with me.

Evolution with in Fundamentalism.......2003-01-11

Just wanted to capture your attention. This book is an easy read. An intresting one anyhow because it captures the thoughts of Classic Fundamentalism's idea about unusual passage. More "difficult" back them because of a lack of knowledge concerning Creationism. Fundamentalism they say is no longer what it started out to be (for one thing...whose the they?). I must agree that is true. But if there are any changes, it is only for the better. Thanks to Scientific Creationsim we no longer need to accomodate evolutions' lies.

Overcoming Difficulties:: A Light-hearted Look at Joshua (Light-Hearted Bible Study)

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Overcoming Difficulties:: A Light-hearted Look at Joshua (Light-Hearted Bible Study)
Marilyn Meberg
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Apocrypha | Bible & Other Sacred Texts | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0785252428

Book Description

Bible Study can be fun! And Marilyn Meberg is never funnier than when she is talking about the Bible. But she is more than just funny. She is well-versed in Scripture, has taught far and wide in front of more than two million women at the Women of Faith® Conferences, and has devoted her life to the hilarious pursuit of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ along with her heartfelt message of hope, optimism, and laughter.

Overcoming Difficulties is a Light-hearted Bible study™ on and how he was able to overcome insurmountable odds by putting God before him. Marilyn relates Joshua's struggles to life today and finds Biblical amswers to questions like: Why aren't my expectations met? Why does God take so long to answer my prayers? How long do I have to wait? Am I a part of God's plan? I need more patience- how do I get it?

Creative Bible Lessons in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: 12 Sessions to Deepen Your Faith in a World of Oppression, Danger, and Difficulty (YS / Creative Bible Lessons)

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Creative Bible Lessons in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: 12 Sessions to Deepen Your Faith in a World of Oppression, Danger, and Difficulty (YS / Creative Bible Lessons)
Len Evans
Manufacturer: Zondervan/Youth Specialties
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Health, Mind & Body | Teens | Subjects | Books

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General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0310255287

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As part of the best-selling Creative Bible Lessons series, the newest installment of 1 and 2 Timothy & Titus is a call for all teenagers in the body of Christ to go deeper with their faith, to join Paul in his last hours as he prepares his disciples to lead the young church in a world of oppression, danger, and difficulty.

5000 Answers to Your Most Difficult Bible Questions

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5000 Answers to Your Most Difficult Bible Questions
Joseph W. Cain
Manufacturer: Joseph W. Cain, Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: B000IQUJZ2

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Questions and answers on 5000 of the most important Bible questions. A commentary on the tachers reference but stands alone.

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Answer to difficulties of the Bible
John Thein
Manufacturer: B. Herder
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Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B00087G8M4

The Bible and Rationalism of Answer to Difficulties in the Books of Moses Part 1

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The Bible and Rationalism of Answer to Difficulties in the Books of Moses Part 1
Rev. John Thein
Manufacturer: B Herder Book Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000SAITFA

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