Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, An [Hardcover]

G. Archer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1982

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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This encyclopedia is intended for everyone, from scholars and students to layperson -- 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. Dr. Archer faces vexing questions that have troubled believers for centuries. His answers are sometimes simple insights that seem afterward to have been obvious all along. But more often his answers are based on careful study of the meaning of words, the cultural context of Bible eras, involved interrelationships among various peoples, a knowledge of the Hebrew numbering systems, and many other details not readily known by the average Bible reader. Some answers are given as plausible, not final, solutions to problems, for still "we know in part" and a humble attitude is becoming to the student of Scripture. Some of the questions answered in this encyclopedia: - Did God approve of Rahab's lie (Josh. 2:4-5)? - Why is it that many of the Old Testament quotations in the New Testament are not literal? - Does the Bible really teach that God is a Trinity? - Does 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 authorize divorce for desertion? - Does 1 Timothy 2:12 forbid the ordination of women? - Does the Bible class abortion with murder?

About the Author

Gleason L. Archer Jr., Ph.D., is professor emeritus of Old Testament and Semitic Studies, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (April 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310435706
• ISBN-13: 978-0310435709
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #489,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The old-time standard for Bible difficulties, July 28, 2000

By 

E. Johnson (El Cajon, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, An (Hardcover)

I've used this book for almost 2 decades now, and it remains one of my favorites in the field of Bible difficulties. Archer did a super job giving explanations for difficult passages found in the Bible. Although I have never read the book cover from cover, I've probably read enough of it to count for 3-4 readings! I consider Archer's use of the context of the passage, the Biblical languages, and other pertinent information exemplary. Rarely do I find that I disagree with his assessment, so I give this book my highest endorsement. Another good book of this genre is When Critics Ask by Geisler and Howe. It has been fun for me to compare Archer and Geisler/Howe when they discuss the same passages (which happens more often than not). Again, I highly recommend this book for a research tool in the serious Christian's library.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Could Be Much Better, July 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, An (Hardcover)

Dr. Archer is well-schooled. He has a law degree, and extensive training as a linguist. Many of the points he makes in this volume would have been more influential if he had only chosen to annotate the text. He presents numerous ideas about so-called bible difficulties that are not mentioned in commentaries by other authors. Due to the complete absence of footnotes or other annotation, it is nearly impossible to determine what ideas were the product of research and which are opinion. A work of this type should provide the reader with the opportunity to pursue the sources of origen in order to evaluate the author's points against the points of others in the same field.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deals with some tricky theological issues, March 21, 2002

By 

Pat Murphy (Dublin, IRELAND) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, An (Hardcover)

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.