Review: Surviving Religion 101

Michael Kruger. Surviving Religion 101.  Wheaton, IL: Crossway, March 22, 2021.  262 pp.

4 out of 5

Purchase: Westminster | Amazon

Want a book for a Christian going off to College?  This book is a must-read!  Written by a Seminary president and a New Testament professor, this work is accessible for everyday Christian college students, and I appreciate that!  I have seen most presuppositional apologetics books written for the mature Christians and a few for the non-Christians but this is the first I have seen it written for those who are going off to college, so I appreciate the author fulfilling a particular niche that arose when his daughter went off to college.

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Review: The Question of Canon

Michael Kruger.  The Question of Canon: Challenging the Status Quo in the New Testament Debate.  Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, October 3, 2013.  256 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

This book is not your ordinary standard book on the New Testament Canon.  Instead the book focuses on some more foundational questions concerning the canon of the New Testament.  The overall focus of the book critiques the external model of the Canon; while not totally dismissing it the book argues that it is problematic to hold to a reductionist external model of the canon.  This book was very informative and I was blessed to understand better the canon of the New Testament and also church history related to the New Testament canon.  The author Michael Kruger has written for Christians a valuable scholarship work for theology, theology of the canon and apologetics.

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Video: Michael Kruger: How Did We Get the Bible?

We have in the past posted on our blog Michael Kruger Faith to Life Lecture on the Self-Authenticating Scripture and his Four Lectures on the Canon by Michael J. Kruger (Free MP3s!).  Dr. Kruger is a Seminary president, New Testament Scholar, Presuppositional apologists and author who has made his contribution towards the work of the Lord in more ways than one.  Here’s a short video from the 2022 Ligonier Conference on “How Did We Get the Bible?”

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Review: Know How We Got Our Bible

Ryan M. Reeves and Charles E. Hill. Know How We Got Our Bible.  Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, August 7, 2018. 208 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

How did we get our Bible and what is the history of the transmission of the Christian Bible?  Christians who love God and the Bible should care about this question!  So here is a great resource for general readers by two authors that are qualified to teach us about this matter.  The first author is Ryan Reeves, an Associate Professor of Historical Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and the second author is Charles E. Hill Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Early Christianity.  Charles Hill has also written and edited books related to text of Scripture and manuscripts.  Yet they wrote in a way that was accessible for the general Christian audience to understand all the while being informative and narrating the history and contexts of Bible editions.

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Bible Contradiction? Did God kill all the Egyptian cattle in the fifth plague?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did God kill all the Egyptian cattle in the fifth plague?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Yes, they were all killed.

In the fifth plague of Egypt (the plague of cattle) “all the cattle of Egypt died.”

“behold, the hand of the Lord will come with a very severe plague on your livestock which are in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the herds, and on the flocks. 4 But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing will die of all that belongs to the sons of Israel.”’” 5 And the Lord set a definite time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land.” 6 So the Lord did this thing on the next day, and all the livestock of Egypt died; but not one of the livestock of the sons of Israel died.” (Exodus 9:3-6)

No he saved some to kill later.

More Egyptian cattle were killed in the seventh plague (hail).

“So now, send word, bring your livestock and whatever you have in the field to safety. Every person and animal that is found in the field and is not brought home, when the hail comes down on them, will die.”’”” (Exodus 9:19)

And God killed “all the firstborn of cattle” in the tenth plague.

“Now it came about at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of cattle.” (Exodus 12:29)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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Bible Contradiction? May strangers observe the Passover?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: May strangers observe the Passover?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Yes

“And if a stranger resides among you and celebrates the Passover to the Lord, according to the statute of the Passover and its ordinance, so he shall celebrate it; you shall have the same statute, both for the stranger and for the native of the land.’”” (Numbers 9:14)

At least if they’re circumcised.

“But if a stranger resides with you and celebrates the Passover to the Lord, all of his males are to be circumcised, and then he shall come near to celebrate it; and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised male may eat it.” (Exodus 12:48)

No

“And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover: no foreigner is to eat it;” (Exodus 12:43)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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Bible Contradiction? Did the city of Ai exist after Joshua destroyed it?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did the city of Ai exist after Joshua destroyed it?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

No, it was never rebuilt after Joshua destroyed it.

“So Joshua burned Ai and made it a refuse heap forever, a desolation until this day.” (Joshua 8:28)

Yes, it existed at the time of the Babylonian captivity.

“the men of Bethel and Ai, 123;” (Nehemiah 7:32)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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Bible Contradiction? Should we rend our clothes?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Should we rend our clothes?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Yes.

“since your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become an object of horror and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have indeed heard you,’ declares the Lord.”” (2 Kings 22:19)

“Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, tore your clothes, and wept before Me, I have indeed heard you,” declares the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 34:27)

“A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 3:7)

No.

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping, and mourning; 13 And tear your heart and not merely your garments.” Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in mercy And relenting of catastrophe.” (Joel 2:12-13)

“Now it happened, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent word to the king, saying, “Why did you tear your clothes? Just have him come to me, and he shall learn that there is a prophet in Israel.” (2 Kings 5:8)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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Bible Contradiction? Should we do what the Pharisees say to do?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Should we do what the Pharisees say to do?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Yes.

“Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them.” (Matthew 23:1-3)

No.

“Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the [a]leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:12)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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Bible Contradiction? Did Paul visit all of the disciples when he went to Jerusalem after his conversion?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did Paul visit all of the disciples when he went to Jerusalem after his conversion?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Yes.

“When he came to Jerusalem, he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him, as they did not believe that he was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus at Damascus. ²⁸ And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.” (Acts 9:26-28)

No.

“Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 But I did not see another one of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.” (Galatians 1:18-19)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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Bible Contradiction? Was Jesus silent during his trial before Pilate?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Was Jesus silent during his trial before Pilate?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

He was silent.

“And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not offer any answer. 13 Then Pilate *said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they are testifying against You?” 14 And still He did not answer him in regard to even a single charge, so the governor was greatly amazed.” (Matthew 27:12-14)

“And the chief priests started accusing Him of many things. 4 But Pilate questioned Him again, saying, “Do You offer nothing in answer? See how many charges they are bringing against You!” 5 But Jesus said nothing further in answer, so Pilate was amazed.” (Mark 15:3-5)

He spoke many words on his own behalf.

“Therefore Pilate entered the Praetorium again, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “You are the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own, or did others tell you about Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed You over to me; what have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”” (John 18:33-37)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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Bible Contradiction? Who is the most blessed woman?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Who is the most blessed woman?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Mary

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and was pondering what kind of greeting this was.” (Luke 1:26-29)

Jael

“Most blessed of women is Jael, The wife of Heber the Kenite; Most blessed is she of women in the tent. 25 He asked for water, she gave him milk; In a magnificent bowl she brought him curds. 26 She reached out her hand for the tent peg, And her right hand for the workmen’s hammer. Then she struck Sisera, she smashed his head; And she shattered and pierced his temple. 27 Between her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay; Between her feet he bowed, he fell; Where he bowed, there he fell dead.” (Judges 5:24-27)

Judith

“And Ozias the prince of the people of Israel, said to her: Blessed art thou, O daughter, by the Lord the most high God, above all women upon the earth. 24 Blessed be the Lord who made heaven and earth, who hath directed thee to the cutting off the head of the prince of our enemies. 25 Because he hath so magnified thy name this day, that thy praise shall not depart out of the mouth of men who shall be mindful of the power of the Lord for ever, for that thou hast not spared thy life, by reason of the distress and tribulation of thy people, but hast prevented our ruin in the presence of our God.” (Judith 13:23-25; quoted from Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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Bible Contradiction? What became of Cain?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: What became of Cain?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

He was a fugitive and a vagabond.

“Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a wanderer and a drifter on the earth.” (Genesis 4:11-12)

He settled down, married, had a son, and built a city.

“Then Cain left the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. 17 Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and Cain built a city, and named the city Enoch, after the name of his son.” (Genesis 4:16-17)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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Bible Contradiction? Should you pray for everyone?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Should you pray for everyone?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Yes, you should pray for everyone.

“First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people,” (1 Timothy 2:1)

No, there are some people you shouldn’t pray for.

“So as for you, do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not listen when they call to Me because of their disaster.” ( Jeremiah 7:16)

“So as for you, do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not listen when they call to Me because of their disaster.” (Jeremiah 11:14)

“So the Lord said to me, “Do not pray for a good outcome on behalf of this people.” (Jeremiah 14:11)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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Bible Contradiction? How many of each clean animal did Noah take into the ark?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: How many of each clean animal did Noah take into the ark?

Here are the answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Two

“And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female.” (Genesis 6:19)

“Of clean animals and animals that are not clean and birds and everything that crawls on the ground, 9 they all went into the ark to Noah by twos, male and female, as God had commanded Noah.” (Genesis 7:8-9)

“they and every animal according to its kind, and all the livestock according to their kind, and every crawling thing that crawls on the earth according to its kind, and every bird according to its kind, all sorts of birds. 15 So they went into the ark to Noah, by twos of all flesh in which there was the breath of life.” (Genesis 7:14-15)

Seven

“You shall take with you seven pairs of every clean animal, a male and his female; and two of the animals that are not clean, a male and his female;” (Genesis 7:2)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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