This informative book is a joy to read and of great importance in restoring the confidence of the ordinary Christian in the Word of God. It is one of a set of six short books with the same title, All you need to know about the Bible. I imagine this is to capture a wider readership, including those put off by large tomes. If that is the aim, it is met handsomely. It is a minor downside that the text has numerous references to the other books in the series.
What does this book cover? It faces the critics of biblical inerrancy head-on, including those within the disciplines of philosophy, science, literature and theology. The author is clear that the evangelical response has not always been convincing.
Chapter 2 introduces two brilliant scholars, Robert Dick Wilson (linguistics) and William Mitchell Ramsay (archaeology), who meticulously revealed the trustworthiness of biblical accounts.
Chapter 3 introduces the many finds of modern archaeology that reinforce the credibility of the Bible and the errors of the sceptics. Chapter 4 looks in some detail at the battle for truth and addresses many of the criticisms against the Bible. Here is ammunition for the under-fire Christian!
The final chapter is entitled ‘Solving the problems’. It shows that many of the ‘problems’ are illusory (e.g. missing generations in family trees), but concedes that minor scribal copying errors do affect some numerical figures, for instance.
However, time and time again, Edwards methodically demonstrates the preserved authenticity of God’s Word through the ages. He has done a great service to the church in this cynical and unbelieving age and I thoroughly recommend this book.
Kerry Orchard
Cardiff
