Define Containing Books Halley's Bible Handbook with the New International Version
Title | : | Halley's Bible Handbook with the New International Version |
Author | : | Henry H. Halley |
Book Format | : | Hardcover |
Book Edition | : | Special Edition |
Pages | : | Pages: 1047 pages |
Published | : | September 13th 2007 by Zondervan Publishing Company |
Categories | : | Reference. Religion. Christian. Faith. Nonfiction. Theology. Spirituality |
Henry H. Halley
Hardcover | Pages: 1047 pages Rating: 4.35 | 237 Users | 14 Reviews
Description To Books Halley's Bible Handbook with the New International Version
I bought this book because it was free in the Kindle store for a spell. I'm glad I didn't pay anything for it.Overall, my problem with this book is twofold: 1) it takes an unquestioning literalist view of the entire Bible, and 2) it demonstrates a severe lack of intellectual curiosity throughout.
I maintain that the result is worse than no study guide whatsoever.
The fact that Christianity is a broad tent, and that the Bible has been read in various ways over the centuries and today, is lost to Halley. I do not mind the presentation of the literalist view if it were combined with other credible viewpoints past and present. But to assert that this is the ONLY way to read the Bible is doing a terrible disservice to a religion, and misrepresents it in a egregious fashion. Christianity has had a brief literalist bubble, and there is much that the thinking Christian can question about such an interpretation, which is perhaps why it is dying off.
Let me provide a few choice quotes.
"Accept the Bible just as it is, for exactly what it claims to be. Don't worry about the theories of the critics. The ingenious efforts of modern criticism to undermine the historical reliability of the Bible will pass..." It is terribly bothersome to me that a purported study guide is encouraging people trying to intellectually engage the Bible to suspend their intellect. For whom shall find Christianity relevant today if we cannot understand it in the context of modern science? Christianity ought not fear science, nor science religion; the two ought to be embraced together, and the religious can learn about the Bible from science.
Regarding the creation story: "How did the writer know what happened before man appeared? No doubt God revealed the remote past, as later the distant future was made known to the prophets." No mention of other viewpoints -- that it has strong parallels to other ancient creation myths, what science and philosophy have to say, etc. Even Wikipedia's Creation_myth page reminds us that the Church was not literalist.
In the introduction, it advances the view that the Bible is "God's own record of His dealings with people in His unfolding revelation of Himself to the human race... Nor do we know just how God directed these authors to write. But we believe and know that God did rect them and that these books therefore must be exactly what God wanted them to be."
That is of course a rather controversial view, though it was perhaps widely held in some circles. But it boggles the mind, and ignores, for one thing, the multiple ancient sources that modern Bible assemblers must attempt to synthesize to make a coherent book.
The only value I see in this book is a glimpse at the viewpoint of an earlier age. At that it may excel. As a guide for someone alive today -- frankly I am surprised that it has garnered such high reviews here.
I have nothing against literalists; I respect them even if I disagree. But to pretend that there isn't even a debate here borders on the dishonest, and certainly sidelines this book out of the "serious and useful scholarly work" bookshelf.
Point Books In Pursuance Of Halley's Bible Handbook with the New International Version
ISBN: | 0310259940 (ISBN13: 9780310259947) |
Edition Language: | English |
Rating Containing Books Halley's Bible Handbook with the New International Version
Ratings: 4.35 From 237 Users | 14 ReviewsAppraise Containing Books Halley's Bible Handbook with the New International Version
good overviewI have been reading this book all summer. I agree with Mr. Halley that every well educated person should study the Bible on a regular basis. Just the history that is taught in the Bible is a great study in itself. The way that the author writes gives me the feeling that he is talking in a down to earth friendly way about this fabulous piece of literature. He gives Christians a picture of what the Bible is about from start to finish so that we can see the whole picture of why things happened the
I used to love this handbook but I've since found better ones (baker illustrated) and since finding a better one this sits on the shelf more and more. Often it's very brief contextual and even historical background compared to the Baker is illustrated handbook I have. I still like it better than other handbooks I've looked at so I say it's a three star review.
everyone needs it
I bought this book because it was free in the Kindle store for a spell. I'm glad I didn't pay anything for it.Overall, my problem with this book is twofold: 1) it takes an unquestioning literalist view of the entire Bible, and 2) it demonstrates a severe lack of intellectual curiosity throughout.I maintain that the result is worse than no study guide whatsoever.The fact that Christianity is a broad tent, and that the Bible has been read in various ways over the centuries and today, is lost to
Excellent reference book - very detailed and useful for layman's study or as reference material when preparing for teaching adult Sunday school classes.
Awsome historical account of the Bible!
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