Customer Reviews

The Bible Answer Book

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

With the opening of the Passion of the Christ, Christians either have had or will be called upon to answer questions about what they believe and why. At least at some point in time, most of us have been faced with either pleading the fifth or having to defend their faith by "well, it's in the Bible and I believe it." Unfortunately, that does not really answer the question.

Hank Hannegraff has made a career of handling the questions people have about Christianity, and giving better answers than it's true because that's what I believe. Christians who buy and read this book will have the equivalent of a question and answer episode of the Bible Answer Man program in their shirt pocket or purse. It's small size will make it easy to carry for handy reference, and the bite sized answers cover a wide range of topics. Some seem a bit simplistic, others are more relevant and thought provoking. Each section is thoroughly cross referenced to books and articles that will help the reader go into more detail.

**** This book may not answer every question a Christian might find themsevles confronted by, but it's a start. As an aside, the photography that illustrates the Bible Answer Book is gorgeous and would be frameworthy if it were larger. ****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore for Huntress Reviews.

Hank's done it again. At first I thought "Why am I paying $20 for a leather-bound question and answer booklet"? The reason: it's a real great way to start conversation with an unbeliever, or even to use for study with a believer regardless of the length of time they've been in Christ. It really is a gorgeously-made book, and won't suffer the wear-and-tear that all of our other mini-bible knowledge books have suffered.
The book covers 81 base questions, but leads to the study of infinitely more. Included are questions pertaining to... Doctrine ("How Can I be certain that I've not committed the unforgivable sin?" and "Can a Christian lose their salvation?"), modern political agendas ("Should Christians celebrate Christmas?" and "What is abortion?") and cults and other religions ("Is the New World Translation of the Bible Credible?" and "Is the Allah of Islam the God of the Bible?").

Although I agree with most of Hank's assessments, there are so many issues covered that every Christian will have a difference of opinion at some point. Under the question "Is the tithe for today?" Hanegraaff admits "Of all the questions asked to answer, this is beyond a doubt the most difficult. Not only because the subject of tithing is hotly debated, but because I must confess that I personally have not always been faithful in giving a tenth or more to the work of the Lord. And I am not alone. Research demonstrates...." (p.74) Yadda, yadda. In my humble opinion, Hanegraaff presents this particular information in an unbalanced fashion, quoting Malachi 3:8 and fourth century's Jerome.... When Hank could of rather quoted Deuteronomy 14, which tells us that "tithe" is specifically produce from the Holy Land of Israel (not money to be used as a modern-day temple tax), and furthermore that the tithe was in part to be eaten by the family who brought the tithe, could be sold for strong drink, and was used to feed the poor, widows, foreigners, and orphans as well as the Levitical priests (Deut. 14:22-29). As far as the early church (before Jerome comes on the scene hundreds of years later) there is no record of Christians collecting a "ten-percent church tax" to build churches, pay pastors, etc. Furthermore Hank cites the writings of Randy Alcorn, when he could have also mentioned the awesome book "Should the Church teach Tithing" by Russell Earl Kelly. To be fair to Hank, though, if you search the topic on equip.org, there are other articles contradictory to Hank's personal opinion. Overall, Hank's final plea is that Christian's give joyfully not just to church, but to help those less fortunate as well. Can't argue with that.

One another topic, Hank's answer to "Did Demons have sexual relations with women in Genesis 6:4?", ..."I believe the better interpretation is that "sons of God" simply refers to the godly descendants of Seth, and "daughters of men" to the ungodly descendants of Cain" (p.108). In fact, a good many bible teachers, from Chuck Smith of the Calvary Chapel movement to John MacArthur (study bible, Charasmatic Chaos) conclude that the "Sons of God" in question are the same 'spirits in prison' (probably 'angels') that are spoken of in 1 Peter 3:19-20 -- those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat -- and later in 2 Peter 2:4-5 -- For God did not spare even the angels when they sinned; he threw them into hell, in gloomy caves and darkness until the judgment day. And God did not spare the ancient world -- except for Noah and his family of seven" (NLT).

Anyways, you get the point: I am a Hanegraaff fan but because of Hank's overall message of doctrinal soundness and Godly faith, I search out his answers just as I would Mohammed, Benny Hinn, or Joseph Smith.

Again, it really is a great book for it's purpose, which is to encourage study of God's word, equip the saints for confronting false doctrines, and do it as user-friendly as possible with a small handy-book that invites people to check out what's between the covers. I'm looking for the CD audio for some buddies...

I'd just like to point out also that a reviewer below (Independent Baptist Preacher J. Knapp) attacks Hank Hanegraaf and this book for teaching that the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible isn't the only legitimate translation of the Bible. Knapp pushes the heresy that the KJV is the only translation without error and that all other translations are inspired by Satan. I would invite Mr. Knapp to answer me why the KJV incorrectly reads that Jehoichin became King at the age of EIGHT (compare with 2 Kings 24:18) ... or to explain that the original KJV of 1611 had the apocryphal books (Tobit, Maccabees, etc.) or that the 1611 translators themselves invited other translations as the word of God. For the record, in "The Bible Answer Book" Hank Hanegraaff states "We must be equipped to demonstrate that the Bible is divine rather than human in origin." (p.157)

Hank Hanegraaff of the Christian Research Institute and the popular Bible Answer Man program has compiled a qustion and answer book based off his radio program. This book works as a primer for Christians, particularly those who have had very little training dealing with other sects, atheists, and evoluntionary thought. The book fails in that the answers are a little to "pat."

All in all, it accomplsihes what it sets out to do: give Christians quick answers like those he gives on the radio; however, a larger book, with those quick answers as an opening then followed by more theology would be better.

Hank has a gift for communicating easy ansers for tough questions, but lacks taking his genius to the next level. His first two books were outstanding, since then the best he has done is average works like this one, with brief great moments, some missed opprotunities, and ultimately medicore works.

I recommend the book, but hopeful it will spark Christians to study further and more rigorist works.

The Bible Answer Book by Hank Hanegraaff (also known as The Bible Answer Man) is solid in it's approach because it gives a lot of different answers to commonly asked questions in multiple areas. My main issue with the book (as one reviewer already mentioned) is that it falls short on substance in spots, and that left me a little disappointed more than once.

The Good: This book is great in that it tackles a lot of common questions such as: What must I do to be saved? Can a Christian lose their salvation? Did demons have sexual relations with women in Genesis 6:4? Plus what I enjoyed the most was his small section on Muslims. Hanegraaff States,

" While muslims readily affirm the sinlessness of Christ, they adamantly deny His sacrifice upon the cross and subsequent resurrection. In doing so, they deny the singular historic fact which demonstrates that Jesus does not stand in a long line of peers from Abraham to Muhammad, but is God in the flesh."

He goes on to add further insights into Muslim beliefs when Hanegraaff states, "In recent years, the myth that Judas was crucified in place of Jesus has been popularized in Muslim circles by a late midevil invention titled The Gospel Of Barnabas." Hanegraaff has added much to my understanding of Muslim beliefs.

The Bad: To say that I don't agree with all his theology goes without saying. However, I really felt on more than one subject he gave you a taste of truth just to not follow throught on the concept. I know he was probably trying to keep this book short and to the point. However, I feel he did his readers a diservice by not following through on the concept on more than one occasion. Still this is a solid book, and one I will use as a reference.

For the purpose that this book was written, it's great. Hank hanegraaff the host of the bible answer man broadcast and the president of the CRI has done a service to the body of Christ with this little book. The book is thicker but smaller that the Covering, means you can stick it in your pocket and go. Answers lots of questions and great for babes in Christ. The answers are short but sweet. The book is not meant for indepth study but gives great resources for more detailed study of the Word of God. The book is a beautiful book and I really do recommend it. Good work Hank .

This book gives answers to a lot of tough Bible questions. Having been a Christian for a great deal of time (over a decade and a half as of the writing of this review), and having been interested in apologetics for the better part of a decade, this book contains many questions that you will most likely be asked as a Christian, and many questions that many Christians are confused on. True enough, the answers given are pretty concise (2 pages or so for the most part); however, I think that they are more than adequate to answer to the question. If the reader would like to read more on a particular topic, each answer suggests further resources on the topic, many of which are also available from the Christian Research Institute.

I doubt that many people reading this review know the answer to all the questions in this book (I must confess, before reading this book, I didn't), particularly in an increasingly Bible-illiterate society. Highly recommended.

The Bible Answer book is a great resource to help answer questions that you or someone you know may have. While no person can answer all biblical questions, Hank Hanegraaf does an excellent job of touching on common questions asked by many believers, and non-believers alike. All in all, this is a good book and I highly recommend it.

The Bible Answer Book I had purchased a Complete Bible Answer Book and then gave it away, so I reordered. I was disappointed when I ordered the wrong book, because it is Volume 1 instead of the complete set. Other than that it is a great book.

If you listen to Hank regularly, most of the questions and answers in here would be familiar. With these set of biblically-based, short and sweet answers, it keeps you answering questions for the Christian faith.

If you don't listen to Hank or just discovering Christianity, the book is so simple that practically anyone can grasp the message and immediately come to true knowledge of God, His attributes and promises to us - believers in the one true faith - Christianity.

All-in-all, this book and its brother -BAB vol.2, will solidify your biblical knowledge, prepare you to identify truth-benders' urban legends and non-biblical doctrines and then prepares you to be able to give answers to all those who asks, why we believe what we believe...with confidence, gentleness and respect! When you know the truth, you are then set free!

A must for all that love the truth of God.

This book is a must read! It will strengthen your understanding of the word of God and provide insight that you may have never had. It will become your companion and friend for all of life's situations. We purchased four copies to give to family and friends!