I have to admit I had not heard of Hank Hanegraaff before I was sent this review copy but I took an almost instant like to the man. Subtitled, Proof of the Bible’s Divine Inspiration, this is a thoroughly comprehensive and masterful presentation of the evidence for the authority and accuracy of the Scripures and a scathing expose of many of the weaknesses and irrationalities of the arguments posited in opposition.
What I like about the author is that he has a very high view of Scripture – and is unafraid to say so; and a low view of those who attack it, and who, because of their own agendas aren’t prepared to honestly weight the evidence. He recommends following biblical advice when responding to one liberal scholar: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” (Proverbs 26:4-5)
Hanegraaff loves acronyms, almost, it has to be said, to the point of it becoming a bit of an irritation! The book itself is divided into four sections, structured around the acronym MAPS (Manuscript, Archeologists, Prophetic and Scriptural) and each section is subdivided into its own acronym structure.
In the first two sections the authors refers to a wide range of textual and archaeological evidence for the authorit of Scripture, drawing on a wide and impressive range of sources. There is a lot of very helpful material here. In section three he considers a number of biblical prophecies whose later fulfilment underline the authority of the divine word spoken many years previously; while in the last section he lays out some principles of biblical interpretation. There is as extensive a list of references and notes as I think I have ever seen in any book.
However. I have one major complaint against Hanegraaf. While he is robust and unflinching in his defence of the accuracy and authority of the Scriptures he is strangely non-committal when he talks about the flood of Noah’s day, “…one need not automatically presume that the floodwaters covered the globe”; describing those who believe in a universal flood as “ardent fundamentalists”. A disappointing weak point in an otherwise very strong book.
For the purpose of review, I received a complimentary copy of the book from the Publishers. I was under no obligation to write a positive review.
Thomas Nelson; ITPE edition (30 Aug. 2011) Review written in 2011