Are there any solid reference books out there for "Bible Difficulties"?

I know there's this:
But I wouldn't want to buy it if there is a more thorough resource that has researched the standard "difficulties" that people run across. I'm not usually looking for these kind of things but I had a question from a fellow member recently that was a bit off the wall that I didn't have the time to research.

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Rich
Northern VA
OPC

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You should probably steer clear of Peter Enns' book.

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Chris
OPC member
Now attending Grace Community Baptist Church
Mandeville, LA

"Faith alone saves, but it is a faith that works." - S. Lewis Johnson

I've seen several resources on the "hard sayings" of Jesus over the years, including Sproul audio that I just noticed in Tabletalk.

I would imagine that most good commentaries will address difficult passages.

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Chris
OPC member
Now attending Grace Community Baptist Church
Mandeville, LA

"Faith alone saves, but it is a faith that works." - S. Lewis Johnson

Gleason Archer was a marvel in his day. The man knew something like 26 or 27 languages. I disagree with his position on creation, but he was a strong inerrantist and a decent OT scholar.

I prefer the IVP book, Hard Sayings of the Bible. Peter Davids, F.F. Bruce, Walter Kaiser, and Manfred Brauch make for a very up-to-date book. Again, I do not agree with all of their exegetical judgments. Still, it is a fine volume to own.

Actually, the Kaiser book and Archer volume are both worth having.

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Dennis E. McFadden, Ex Mainline Baptist (in Remission)
Atherton Baptist Homes, CEO
First Baptist Church of Alhambra, Member, Transformation Ministries (CA)

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Hi Semper!

I'm almost afraid to add my two cents. You are highly educated and a USMC Officer. I'm just a little dweeby peon compared to you. (Here it comes) But I've been on the struggling end of some of these issues and wanted to add a little. I actually waited a while to see if anybody was going to say what I wanted to say when I saw your thread, but since nobody did, I'm stepping forward to add a little.

After I read the Bible, I really didn't have too many. But the Pastor who was discipling me would make me work through them on my own. He would add a few words, point me to exact passages that spoke on the subject, and listen when I presented my solutions. He was an Arminian, but he also helped me when I was drifting toward's Calvinism to use the Bible to justify what I was saying. I also found R.C. Sproul helpful. (On a personal note, I had to struggle with the fact that people who don't take the Bible literally as God's word can be saved.)

Anyway, good luck on your endeavor, and I hope you don't mind me adding a little to the conversation. Whoo-rah Sir!

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Timothy Johnson
First United Presbyterian of Moline
PCUSA (Yea, I know)
Theology/Philosophy Sunday School Teacher
Davenport, IA

Matthew Poole's commentary will usually suggest a variety of resolutions and provide opinion on the best one.

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Yours sincerely,


"Illum oportet crescere me autem minui."

The only book known to me that specifically deals with "difficulties" is one by J W Haley entitled "Alleged discrepancies of the Bible". I have found it a helpful book, although (as with any book) one would demur with some of his offered solutions.

Just my , for what its worth.

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Satch Chikhlia, Reformed Baptist, Surrey, England

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." Colossians 3.1

http://www.book-academy.co.uk For FREE downloadable pdf commentaries recommended by C.H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon's works, and Great Puritan works.

Yes, he is called Matthew Winzer.

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Daniel Ritchie
Saintfield, Northern Ireland - Queen's University, Belfast:History/Politics
Member of Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (Covenanter)

[quote=Semper Fidelis;383201]Are there any solid reference books out there for "Bible Difficulties"?

John Calvin is reliable. He often raises the difficulties where none would suspect them before demolishing legitimate objections, so-called. Having read countless commentaries (as well as airy comments) he is unique and never shirks any issues.

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Independent Reformed Baptist Church (NE England, nr. Durham)

I love my three-volume Poole's Commentary and turn to it almost as often as the PB when I have questions. Poole's answer is usually quite clear.

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Kevin
Far East
Deacon, Int'l Church

Strange you should mention that for I just got a 3-volume set of Matthew Poole today from James Dickson Books in Scotland. I sold my original set 2 years ago as I found him boring when trying to read him consecutively through a book. However, when I was writing my latest book, I found him useful when referencing individual verses, and so it is nice to have him back on my shelves again.

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Daniel Ritchie
Saintfield, Northern Ireland - Queen's University, Belfast:History/Politics
Member of Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (Covenanter)

So does Gill but he probably got it from Matthew Poole. LOL

I had Gleason Archer's book years ago and found it very insightful. But I have come to find Gill to be an excellent resource also.

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R. Martin Snyder
1689er
Harmony Baptist Church (Member)
PuritanCovenanter MSN Blog
PuritanCovenanter's MySpace Page

"Our object should not be to have scripture on our side but to be on the side of scripture; and however dear any sentiment may have become by being long entertained, so soon as it is seen to be contrary to the Bible, we must be prepared to abandon it without hesitation."
William Symington

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John Gill is an excellent commentator; what I like about him is that you can sit down and read consecutively through a book with him, whereas if you tired to do that with Matthew Poole, it would bore you to tears.

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Daniel Ritchie
Saintfield, Northern Ireland - Queen's University, Belfast:History/Politics
Member of Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (Covenanter)