Customer Reviews

Hard Sayings of the Bible (Hard Sayings Series the Hard Sayings)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I don't think there is any mystery to the fact that some biblical passages are tougher to interpret than others. This is why I so appreciate this book. In fact, I had bought the individual IVP books that were later compiled into Hard Sayings of the Bible, and I spent the money for this because it's nice having it all in one bound volume. I have used this many times to see if a particular passage is talked about, and probably half of the time it's in there. (I consider this to be a pretty high percentage.) While I may not always agree with the assessment, it is nice to get other perspectives, and more than once they have convinced me of their position on very difficult passages.

So, for the person who honestly struggles with interpreting the scripture for himself, I would say this is a good book to have as a reference tool. The authors are certainly scholars who are worth, at the very least, a consideration.

I find three books that tackle Bible difficulties stand out above all others. Gleason Archer's "Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties", Norman Geisler's and Ron Brooks' "When Skeptics Ask...", and this one. Out of those three this is probably my favorite. This one seems to go into deeper historical setting information. And as one who questions constantly, I am finding better answers here. That is not to say that the three books disagree, for they do agree with each other. This one seems to always anticipate the extra question someone would ask. And now to alienate at least 50% of you... The one disagreement between the books is that this one has an egalitarian stance while the other two hold the traditional view regarding the role of women in the church. Holding one view or the other on this topic will neither send someone to heaven nor hell, yet often emotion takes over this debate. As a former traditionalist I was surprised at how the biblical (as opposed to liberal) view of egalitarianism seemed to answer my questions in harmonizing scripture on this topic far better than the traditional view. Even though I am egalitarian, I am one by the smallest of margins which in my view is not enough to make wholesale changes to the role of women in being pastors. If you are a traditionalist do not discount this book solely based on it's egalitarian stance. As I've said earlier it does agree with the excellent traditionalist books I've mentioned, it just seems to go a little further in explaining the same answer as the other two books give. The only disagreement between these books is regarding the role of women.

Update:
Wow here I am a couple of years later and I'm even more impressed, as this book continues to tackle the harder issues that the other ones just touch on or avoid altogether Like Mark 1:2 which attributes a passage in Malachi 3:1 to Isaiah. I'm not going to try to give their answer here, so buy the book.

In my humble opinion, the authors have produced an excellent guide for anyone who has honest intellectual questions about seeming contracdictions or hard-to-address issues in the Bible.

Before addressing the issues, the authors first establish the Bible as God's Word, how arcaheology supports the Bible, accuracy of Old Testament prophecies, and other biblically-based questions. Afterwards, the authors then address specific issues and seemingly contradictory statements in the Bible.

I particulary appreciated the book's format - the questions and issues are arranged in order according to the Bible's organization - starting with Genesis and ending with Revelation.
While some books are addressed in more detail than others, much information is included for the reader.

While you may not agree with all of authors' conclusions, you will certainly be challenged to think about particular issues in the Bible.

Read and enjoy! Highly recommended!

This book offers a great scholarly look at some of the sayings that seem difficult to us who live in the 21st century -- far removed from the cultural setting and lingo in which the Bible was written. The work is pretty thick consisting of several hundred pages. I like this though, because (usually) more thickness means more substance, and fortunately I do indeed find it to be the case here. The book is also good because it addresses considerations from opposing camps that the authors do not necessarily agree with. Thus there is a sense of objectivity.

Now, on a defensive note, I've seen the objection from at least one other certain person that the book, hence the length, is essentially one convoluted mess of rationalizations attempting to fight a losing battle. As the work has also been described as 'cumulative rationalizations' and a work of torturous logic. These kind of statements come exceptionally close to the logical fallacy that long and complex arguements or statements imply that said statements are 'patch-work' for a failing viewpoint, paradigm, or what have you. This is a non-sequitur, because it does not follow that a work of great breadth and sophistication is a result of torturous rationalizations. Afterall, no one would suggest encyclopedia writers/publishers are in denial about reality! Indeed, even skeptics produce heavy works, but don't look for these same skeptics to apply such logic there!

In the end, could it be that the great amount of work put into this book, other than to satisfy all the relevant data possible, is to respond to the likewise "exhausting" and even sometimes "torturous" criticism that the Bible so often receives? Quite so, anyone who produces an extravagant criticism of the Bible offers the opportunity to have the favor fully returned to them likewise. And that is what this book so wonderfully does: If you want a scholarly handle of the supposed difficulties, and sometimes so-called 'contradictions', in the Bible then this work will provide you with the plentiful data to deal with them.

The short answer: Helpful answers to the most commonly asked questions about difficult texts of Scripture. Only Brauch's section on Paul is occasionally unsatisfactory.

It may not be a tome of resolutions for those with the a priori commitment to the Bible being inaccurate, but it is helpful in presenting feasible answers to many misunderstood texts of Scripture.

Also helpful is the notion that the Bible is largely written to Hebrews and not to linear-reasoned Greco-Roman philosophers. It just doesn't fit many folks grids because it is not necessarily written to the atomistic thinker (i.e., it's not a text on science).

All in all, this text is an easy to use reference to commonly misunderstood texts of Scripture.

The fact of the matter is that these are top notch scholars and they are sharing what they believe the passages to mean. I found each to be logical and sound with a few minor points here and there to be arguable... but still helpful never-the-less.
Though some people will argue against the standpoint of certain authors' positions on minor points, I would suggest picking up this title for yourself for quick reference anyway. After all no matter what book you turn to concerning the Bible, discernment is necessary. It seems the more popular titles (including the dispensational pop theology in most "study bibles") available today are much worse for your spiritual life than this helpful answer book. As for the "New Perspective" comment from another reviewer, I would hardly give it a wink. The fact of the matter is that this is a "splitting hairs" ... unless you're a hair splitter don't be too concerned, Davids is a good exegete. Read it for yourself.

Overall, a well researched volume which maintains a high regard for scripture. I appreciated many of the insights offered, particularly the treatment of many of the difficult passages in the Old Testament. However, I do have a serious complaint. The book seems to trivialize a number of hard teachings in the Bible either by skirting around the issue, or by interpreting them in such a way as to remove any possible offense, thus making them easy for anyone to accept. For example, whether or not you believe in predestination, the serious reader will find it somewhat suspect that the book deals with the entire issue by demonstrating how one particular passage really does not address predestination at all, then refering back to the commentary on that passage every time the issue reemerges.

Over all, I found this book quite helpful. It is very thorough in its scope -- nearly all difficult texts are dealt with in a systematic fashion. Also, the book does an excellent job of briefly summarizing the major problems (and proposed solutions) concerning each passage. However, because of its broad scope some articles are lacking in detail - and this comment especially applies to passages that deal with hotly debated theological topics. For example, while I would highly recommend this book for anyone having trouble with number discrepancies in the accounts recorded in Samuel and Chronicles, I would not recommend the articles that deal with, say, predestination or the role of women in the church. But my complaints are far outweighed by my compliments; the books is very good as a whole. I highly recommend it. (And, perhaps this is too much to ask, but I was surprised that the book did not deal with the apparent contradiction between Lev. 17:15 and Dt. 14:21. If anyone knows the solution to this problem, please email me!)

Even as a holder of a Master of Divinity degree from a prestigious theological school, I'm often stumped by complex passages of the Bible. When I'm looking for a quick answer, I first turn to this book. I keep next to my Bibles for easy access. From there I'll pursue other resources. One of the refreshing aspects of this book is that it presents a few possible interpretations. Some seem more plausible than others, but it's good to have all the options. This is a great addition to any teacher's library.

I often like to engage people in real time debates on the internet. As a Christian, I find that one of the main challenges in such a situation is countering the many supposed Bible "contradictions" that the non-Christian is able to cut and paste into the conversation.

No matter how much you read, at some point they will present to you a supposed "contradiction" that you've never heard, and in some less civil discussions, such a situation would be seen as a victory for person who is "hurling the elephant."

This book presents well written articles on all sorts of "Hard" passages, and provides explanations from a Christian perspective. It's a great quick reference guide if you need a prompt answer, but it is also deep enough to act as a springboard into further study on any of the covered issues!

This is a great book that I would recommend to any Christian!