Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told [Hardcover]

Thomas Nelson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2008

How well do you really know the Bible? For instance, guess how many doves were aboard Noah's Ark. The answer is not two.

And guess on which day the Bible says Jesus died. Believe it or not, the Good Book doesn't mention Friday, and even more surprisingly, while the Bible says Jesus rose from the grave, it does not say it occurred Sunday morning. Remember, Jesus' followers found an empty tomb then.

 

But don't feel bad if you've always assumed otherwise. Like countless millions of people, you've just been misinformed, misled or even (dare we say) lied to about what the Bible actually says.

 

In a stunning investigation, news veteran Joe Kovacs goes on a mission to help both Christians and non-Christians alike find out what the Bible really contains, and what it doesn't.

 

"Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told" is an educational juggernaut that relies solely on the Holy Bible to reveal hundreds of Scriptural facts that many people of all persuasions simply don't know. The book instantly skyrocketed to the No. 1 position in three Bible-related categories on Amazon.com.

 

"I'm among the biggest fans of the Bible of all time," says Kovacs. "My goal is to educate people about the solid truth of Scripture and to stop the spread of erroneous information. I want people to crack open their Bibles and see with their own eyes what's actually printed on the pages, and what's not. It's shocking!"

 

According to Scripture, you won't find "Three Wise Men" mentioned anywhere in the story of Jesus' birth. For that matter, none are said to have shown up at the manger in Bethlehem. The truth straight from your own Bible is that an unspecified number of wise men first met Jesus as a "young child" in a "house," not a babe in a manger, and it might have been more than a year after He was born. Go ahead, look it up for yourself.

 

Also according to Scripture, you won't find a single mention of Easter eggs, but you will find God warning His people not to have anything to do with a pagan fertility goddess, whose name is synonymous with "Easter."

 

"Yes, I'm a Bible-believing Christian," says Kovacs. "But I'm not here to convert anyone. People are free to believe whatever they wish and can come to their own conclusions. I just want to show them the biblical record is often very different from what many assume. Not only will Christians love this book, but I think Jews, Muslims and even agnostics and atheists will get a kick out of it as well."

 

When the veil of presumption is removed and people see the words that are actually on the Bible's pages, readers will discover:

• Jesus said no one has gone to heaven except Himself
• "Christmas" is not mentioned in the Bible
• The practice of decorating a tree with silver and gold is actually condemned by God
• "Easter" has vanished from the Bible
•  Jesus made appearances on Earth on the Old Testament
• God sought to kill Moses
•  The destiny of human beings is not what you think (it's not to float around on clouds in heaven)
• God ran lotteries
• Jesus did not come to make everyone understand His message
• Noah's Ark is not said to have rested on "Mount Ararat"
• Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were not Jews
•  Nagging wives are mentioned in Scripture
• Women's breasts are celebrated in the Bible
• There's a character in the Bible called a "dumb ass"
• Underwear didn't disintegrate despite 40 years of heavy use
• The worst case of hemorrhoids in history is recorded

Book reviewers agree it's an eye-opening blockbuster:

"If you think you really know the Bible, better think again. Joe Kovacs takes a close look at the greatest story ever told and separates myth from reality. My favorite parts of the book deal with Christmas and Easter. Check out 'Shocked by the Bible.' You may well be shocked."
- Bill O'Reilly, anchor, Fox News Channel

"I'm drawn to this book. It is so well put together. I started reading it and didn't put it down for two days to finish it. ... This guy is incredible."
- Peter Boyles, KHOW radio host, Denver

"Kovacs has done his homework. In 'Shocked by the Bible,' he explodes certain common concepts, brings shocking stories and revelations to light and gives the reader motivation to dig deeper into the very Word of God. A valuable resource for today's jaded but biblically illiterate audience."
- Carolyn R. Scheidies, Author's Choice Reviews

"Since the professing church is unwilling to look intently at the Scriptures, embrace it all in context, [God] is using a believing investigative journalist to apply his gift and experience to be a witness to the Truth of what He said and established in His Word. Joe Kovacs is that man. ... I recommend 'Shocked by The Bible' by Joe Kovacs because of his journalistic approach to the Bible. He is not trying to proselytize anyone to his particular brand of religion. His agenda appears to not go beyond just a journalistic look at Scripture in order to get straight facts into peoples' hands that they might make an informed decision."
- Banner Kidd, Torah Perspective

"'Shocked by the Bible' is nothing short of genius. From start to finish, Joe Kovacs turns the subject of Scripture into a fun-filled, information treasure that's virtually impossible to put down. The truth of what's really in the Bible will simply stun the world."
- Joseph Farah, editor, WND.com

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joe Kovacs is an acclaimed journalist who's spent 25 years in the broadcast, print, and online media, along the way receiving numerous awards for excellence in news coverage from both the Associated Press and United Press International. He is currently the executive news editor for WorldNetDaily.com, the leading independent news site on the Internet, and has been since 1999. Joe has written hundreds of news articles about Bible matters. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849920116
• ISBN-13: 978-0849920110
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joe Kovacs is a news junkie.

With more than two decades in the broadcast, print and online media, Kovacs has received awards for excellence in news coverage from the Associated Press and United Press International. He's been interviewed on TV and radio programs all over the U.S. and world, from "The O'Reilly Factor" on the Fox News Channel to radio shows in Australia.

In addition to his love for truthful information and a never-ending desire to reveal the facts, Kovacs has a strong interest in the greatest book ever written, the Holy Bible, and encourages people of all backgrounds to get familiar with the words on its pages.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book on the Bible that is not religious!, September 26, 2008

By 

Donna "A Servant of Christ" (Muncy, Panama) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told (Hardcover)

I have just gotten this book and couldn't put it down! If you are looking for religion in this book, you really wont find it. It isn't like that. What it is however, is the Truth as God has written it! No twisting of words or verses, no out of context ideas. Just the Words as God Himself inspired the men to write.

Although most of the things in this Bible I had already known, there are some things that just made me take a look at some things I already thought I knew. The points about Heaven, death, and even the Transfiguration, puts things into perspective, thus making the rest of the stories easily understood.

So many ideas of today's Christianity is so far from what God originally said, and somewhere along the lies and falseness, we as a general have fallen for them as truth. This book will make you look at your own ideas about God, Faith, and all things Bible in a whole new light. A MUST read for all who wish to know God in Truth!!!

50 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not Shocked by the Bible, August 7, 2010

By 

ScamBuster "Troubleshooter" (OK, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told (Hardcover)

There really wasn't anything "shocking" about the Bible that I found in Joe Kovacs book. Joe Kovacs was here in Tulsa, OK last night (8/6/2010) at the Renaissance Hotel giving a presentation about his book. At the beginning of his presentation I felt he was pretty unbiased and did point out some "facts" that are in the Bible (such as how many clean and unclean animals the Bible says were on Noah's Ark). However, toward the end of his presentation he started to inject his own personal beliefs about how when we die we will not go to heaven and also that no one is currently in heaven except for God & Jesus. His other points were basically attempting to prove the Bible taught that when a person dies they simply go into the grave and we are unconscious and "know nothing" thus teaching "soul sleep". Again, this is HIS personal beliefs and his interpretation of certain verses in the Bible (which I believe were taken out of context).

I thought Joe Kovacs was supposed to have some type of journalistic integrity. I have no problem with someone telling me what the Bible says (such as the Philistines getting the worst case of hemorrhoids in history) but to inject your own personal opinion/beliefs and to say "this is what the Bible says" is unacceptable! The presentation was sponsored by the Tulsa Church of God. Is it any wonder that Joe Kovac's beliefs are congruent with their beliefs? I can't believe that was just a coincidence. However, Joe maintains that he is not affiliated with any one particular denomination or church. Well Joe, when you go to church on Saturday or Sunday, which church do you attend? Do you tithe? If so, to which church do you give your 10% to?

I gave this book a 1 star simply because the information was superficial and any idiot could find out the truth about what's in the Bible by doing a simple search on Google. There are hints that Joe Kovac has been influenced by Herbert W. Armstrong or the teachings of the church of God, so buyer beware. I would also be wary of any book that claims to reveal the "truth" about the Bible on the one hand and on the other claim that your pastor, preacher, teacher, bishop or whomever you receive spiritual guidance from is intentionally lying to you.

30 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Wish I could give this book a ZERO, April 2, 2011

By 

D. L. Starkey (Southern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told (Kindle Edition)

First of all, as Solomon says, "There is nothing new under the sun." That is certainly true in this case. I wished I could get my kindle money back for the purchase of this book but I'll just mark it up to foolishness on my part for not reading all the reviews. He just repackages many common truths in interesting titles (well, maybe they're not all that interesting, I'm giving him too much credit). But it's obvious that what he really wants to market by this book is the false doctrine of "Soul Sleep," that has been promoted by Armstrong and others who distort the truth. He even nicely detours around some passages that argue against his position and on others, simply doesn't accurately present the other side.

Please don't give this book to a new Christian, that would be a grave error on your part! If you are a strong Christian and have a good command of the Bible, go ahead and read it, but please buy it used some where and don't waste too much money on it. I don't usually bombast a book, but I have to make a concession on this one. I just wish I could get my money back!

If you want to read a good book that will bring about new discoveries and ideas, read Randy Alcorn's book on "Heaven." You will walk away, lifted up, amazed, and praising the Lord. God bless you.