The Bible Handbook of Difficult Verses: A Complete Guide to Answering the Tough Questions

by Josh McDowell; Sean McDowell

Publisher:

Harvest House Publishers

, 2013

Overview

Josh and Sean McDowell, masters of practical Christian apologetics, team up in this trustworthy resource that helps readers understand and gain assurance about difficult Bible verses and passages.

The McDowells’ way of boiling down topics and explaining them clearly helps dispel questions that can confuse people about Christianity or frustrate them in their spiritual growth. Readers will appreciate features such as

• a simple, easy-to-access format
• straightforward explanations in nontheological language
• a summary of key principles of interpretation to help them learn and grow

This is a resource readers will turn to for help in everyday life—one that will help them gain confidence in all of Scripture. Excellent for individuals, churches, and church leaders, as well as personal and pastoral libraries.

Contents

Top Highlights

“So as we examine passages we will at times point out these ‘errors’ and try to determine just how they may have occurred.” (source)

“Contrary to what some modern critics say, early Jewish and church leaders did not create the canon. In other words, a group of religious leaders did not determine which books would be called Scripture, the inspired Word of God. Rather, those leaders merely recognized or discovered which books were ‘God-breathed’ from their very inception.” (source)

“Scripture is inspired by God it means he superintended what he wanted to be said through men as his instruments. The apostle Paul said, ‘When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths’ (1 Corinthians 2:13). The apostle Peter made the same point when he wrote that ‘no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit and they spoke from God’ (2 Peter 1:20-21).” (source)

“‘all Scripture is inspired by God’ (2 Timothy 3:16)” (source)

“However, many of the truths of the Bible are rooted in history. For example, it is crucial that Jesus was a historical person and that the bodily resurrection was a historical reality. Because as the apostle Paul puts it, ‘If Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins’” (source)

Product Details

• Title : The Bible Handbook of Difficult Verses: A Complete Guide to Answering the Tough Questions
• Authors:
  • McDowell, Josh
  • McDowell, Sean
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
• Publication Date: 2013
• ISBN: 9780736949453

About the Authors

Josh McDowell has been reaching the spiritually skeptical for more than five decades. Since beginning ministry in 1961, Josh has spoken to more than 25 million people in 128 countries. He is the author or coauthor of 148 books, with over 51 million copies distributed worldwide, including Straight Talk with Your Kids About Sex, Experience Your Bible, Evidence for the Historical Jesus, More Than a Carpenter (over 15 million copies printed in 85 languages), and The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict, recognized by World magazine as one of the twentieth century's top 40 books. Josh continues to travel throughout the United States and countries around the world, helping young people and adults strengthen their faith and understanding of Scripture. Josh will tell you that his family is his ministry. He and his wife, Dottie, have been married for over 40 years and have four children and numerous grandchildren.

Sean McDowell (PhD) is the author, coauthor, or editor of numerous books, including A New Kind of Apologist. He is an associate professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Biola University, is an internationally recognized speaker, and blogs regularly at www.seanmcdowell.org.