Customer Reviews

Difficulties in the Bible:

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

 

 

Update 2011: This may be one of the earlier books in English that deal with supposed contradictions in the Bible; so don't expect it to be a huge book. When I found it used in the early 1980s, I was pretty excited about finding such a book. There are many larger-sized books now, but this is a great (and inexpensive) starter book on the subject.

Some people and reviewers don't like the insistence that difficulties within the Bible are caused by something other than an actual contradiction in a text, but intellectually and reasonably, that's a good place to start.

Note that many existing real contradictions come from inexact translations of a passage.

Always keep in mind that the original Bible was not in English, and that oftentimes a look at the "original" languages can answer some of the difficulties. And related to this, note that some difficulties come from differences in a particular Greek or Hebrew text that someone chose for a particular passage's translation. (A different text sometimes clears up difficulties.)

Btw, 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, 2011.

If you're wondering how Cain got his wife, this book offers a proper explanation! The book is arranged in topics, very accessible.

Originally published in 1907, Torrey seems ahead of his time in approaching difficulties head on. The book begins with an incredible description of where difficulties arise, with the big one being that we can never expect to understand why the Creator God would choose to do certain things in a way that may go against our 21st century, western cultural sensibilities. However, when Torrey begins to address specific issues, it seems that he falls into the all too familiar trap of stretching the facts to fit difficulties into a tidy, black and white box. When will followers of Christ accept that we will never understand all that is in the Bible - a book written 2,000 + years ago, to a culture we are unfamiliar with, and that has been translated through at least two languages to get to our current English translations. Some things will just have to remain a mystery.

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!

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.

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.

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.