Customer Reviews

Biblical Errancy: A Reference Guide

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This reference guide is particularly useful for quick location of verses and concepts that arise in discussions or debates, although it provides satisfying reading all by itself. A simple rating system gives the reader the best verse(s) to use in addressing a particular topic. The section on Jesus has been enlarged and given special attention, particularly in the area of alleged OT prophecies of the coming of a Messiah . Want to know what extrabiblical sources, such as Josephus or Tacitus, had to say about Jesus or early Christianity? They are given critical scrutiny here. As McKinsey says in his introduction, "...if you are tired of having Bible-quoting friends, relatives, and acquaintances toss Scripture in your face and would like to have an avalanche of information to toss in theirs....

C. Dennis McKinsey's work on this book is an amazing piece of scholarship. At over 800 pages it provides the most comprehensive catalog of Biblical contradictions, ambiguities and errors of fact I have ever seen. Although it can be read from beginning to end, it is primarily a reference work that documents the problems of using the Bible as a source to validate one's views.

After reading this book, I shall never again justify any view I hold with the phrase, "because the Bible says so." To quote from the play Inherit the Wind,"It's a good book, but it's not the only book."

I personally liked his first book better, it was written in a style where one could read it, this one is more for the researcher, so therefore I will still rate it five stars because of the different purpose in style. This book is for one who has the bible open and is reading both at the same time, to compare the items one by one.

McKinsey's two books and "Losing Fatith in Faith" are the best books for debater to have read.

McKinsey's second book on biblical errancy, "Biblical errancy: a reference guide" is another important book in the study of biblical errancy. However, readers of his first book, "The encyclopedia of biblical errancy" should consider several things before ordering this book.

This book is extremely useful for those who really have the interest in digging their head into the sea of biblical errors. It is probably the most comprehensive list ever made in this field. However, the commentary about the issue are no different from the encyclopedia, making it rather repetitious for those who want extra arguments from this newer work rather than a comprehensive list of erroneous verses.

However, if you really want examine the verses one by one, than this is a ultra-fabulous book for you. It allows you to refer back to the bible to examine whether McKinsey had taken the verse "out-of-context", which is a common criticism made by apologists on works of this kind of nature.

I think the best way to validate the issue is to examine the list of erroneous bible verses by yourself. Reading passages in the context. Reference to commentaries, especially the more detailed ones, preferably by evangelistic authors, are preferrable because nothing is better that attacking one's armor with his own sword (an old Chinese saying).

Another problem with this book is the high price tag which I suppose, is the most fatal problem with this book.

This overall is a good book. However, you need to think twice about whether your need matches the aim of this book.

This is a fabulous guide to Biblical Errancy. Probably nothing as comprehensive as this book anywhere in the world. With more than 800 pages of easy to find errors and contradictions that include the entire Bible. Well written in a logical format, this book also covers some of the Koran and the Book of Mormon. I feel all honest Christians and theists should read this book. As a former Seminary student and now an Atheist, I was surprised at how much information, in a logical easy to reference format was at hand. I have to agree, this book addresses virtually every significant topic of Scripture containing errors, contradictions and fallacies, delineating the problem within each. With this book you will not only learn something about the Bible; you will be able to debate anyone with speed and ease.

C.Dennis McKinsey's 'Biblical Errancy: A Reference Guide' is a massive 800 page book examining the countless discrepancies, cruelties, scientific blunders, and contradictions within the Bible. It includes chapters on the sayings of Jesus, historical inaccuracies, examples of antisemitism, etcetera. The book is organized and well and written in an easy to read manner and is broken down by topic, further breaking down each discrepancy found. There are thousands of them and this book lays out many of them for the reader to understand. Next time a biblical literalist comes knocking at your door you'll be more than prepared to duke it out with them.

Very useful as a KEY to issues of inconsistency, but should be used as a guide for individual research and rational analysis of the full contexts of quotations, only, as some of his thinking is shallow, often due to a "looseness" of application of English-language word meanings. Even for an innate sceptic of bible inerrancy, such as myself, A FEW of his conclusions appear designed to fulfil his "errancy" objective, rather than reflecting an unbiased search for the truth, which, after all, is what genuine scholars will be looking for. Use of the material as a basis for research should be accompanied by a dispassionate approach to futher reasoned analysis of the issues he raises. Much will be confirmed; some will raise doubts.

I have barely scratched the surface of the wealth of material and information available in this wonderful reference.

A long missing tool in the arsenal of the counter-apologist has been a way to quickly find contradictory or troubling verses related to a topic of debate faster than the apologist can say "The Bible doesn't actually say that".

However, I offer a word of caution. Do NOT use this as a primary source of information or argumentation. Many of the verse McKinsey highlights as "Excellent to Use" are also the ones that won't even phase an apologist or any Christian who has done any sort of harmonization. Also, he uses some arguments based on conflicted archaeology (e.g. thieves weren't crucified or nailed through the feet) or argument from absolute literacy for passages that even fundamentalists don't read as literal (e.g. Dying by the sword meaning literally killed "with a sword" as opposed to killed violently).

Still, I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who has a serious interest in discussing Biblical Errancy with anyone. Just make sure that you are using it to support (i.e. proof text) your arguments rather than getting new arguments from it. Use your critical thinking when selecting which verses to present.

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I thought an offline book would be good and purchased it.

And I really enjoyed the book. However, there are some intentional or unintentional exxagerations, out of context verse usages, etc. in the book.

As a Muslim, I am surprised when to see the Koran in a book that is talking about biblical errancy. I guess the author has lack of knowledge about Koran and thought that Koran approves The Bible.

Also, the verses taken from Koran is written but not critisized (except a few out of context verses)

Koran, defines TORAH as the book given to Moses, ZABOOR, to David, and Injeel to Jesus, the Messiah. But Quran also says that some part of the Bible is Satan's Words (e.g. Bible says Solomon was an idolworshipper, Quran says : Solomon was not an idolworshipper, the ones who follow this are in fact following the Satan's teachings.) So one should not expect 100% harmony btwn the Bible and Quran.

In fact most of the "islam"ic countries, today, are obeying Hadith, rather than Quran. And most of the hadiths are originated from The Bible itself. Inhumanity in islamic countries is ridiculously biblical.

Such as:

Headcover of women (Paul of Tarsus), and generally all women issues,
Stoning of the adulterers (Old Testament),
etc.

This book is a good book to show people what they are believing in. But shouldnt be read without Bible and Koran ready. As I said there are out of context verses and exxagerations.

Peace