God's Hammer: The Bible and Its Critics (Trinity Papers)

by Gordon H. Clark

Book Overview

Book by Gordon Haddon Clark This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0940931990
• ISBN13: 9780940931992
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Trinity Foundation, Jefferson,
• Length: 215 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.

Customer Reviews

For Theists and Non-Theists Alike

God's Hammer: The Bible and Its Critics is far more intricate and logically cohesive (despite being a collection of Dr. Clark's essays), than one would suppose from the dogmatic title. As in all his works, Clark offers the best that Christianity has to offer to the Church and the World. Its clarity is brilliant, its scope comprehensive, and consistent throughout. One does not need to be a believer or unbeliever in order to grow from the experience of having been introduced to one of this century's most noteworthy philosophers. The cohesion of his arguments and his insistance on clearly defined terms teaches the reader how to cogitate complex ideas correctly. In short, this book teaches the reader not merely about issues surrounding the subject in question but also how to think properly. The book intends to do this much. He states in the first chapter that his aim is to deal with the logic of the situation. I can think of no one else that is more fit to accomplish the task. Logic pervades the entirety of his catalogue of works. He does not deal with archaeology nor biblical criticism, but with thought--epistemology and its relation to matters of inerrancy. Being therefore, a text dealing with general issues, it is as beneficial to theists and non-theists alike. Both groups will, I believe, be relieved from the ignorance that pervades the subject. 'God's Hammer' is rationaly amiable, enough so to bring clarity and reason to this emotionaly charged subject of discussion. Ignore the title, it is an intellectually fulfilling little book, whomever you are.

God's Word: Eternal and Indestructible

One of the distinguishing features of any book written by Gordon Clark is the razor sharp precision with which he defines words. In 'God's Hammer' this is especially important due to the subject matter. The author believed that each generation of Christians has a particular doctrinal battle to fight. One of the major battles for our generation is for the inerrancy of the Bible. If this foundation is undermined then any and all Christian doctrine can be compromised of completely disgarded. Two ways that the author attempts to defend the Bible's plenary inspiration is by what the Bible itself has to say in this regard, and secondly by showing the logical consistency of the Scriptures. Mr. Clark points out that this is no easy task in our day because many are convinced that the Bible contradicts itself. Gordon Clark is well aware that at the end of the day, that God by His spirit must reveal to any individual the absoulute truthfulness of His Word.(Theologians have called this the internal witness of the Holy Spirit of God), and under His blessing will use our attempts to expound and explain its meaning to unbelievers. By verbal inspiration the Bilble means that they are both the words of the prophets and apostles(those who wrote the Word of God)and God's words at one and the same time. The author writes on page 10 "between Moses and God there was an inner union ,an identity of purpose, a co-operation of will , such that the word Moses wrote were God's own words and Moses own words at the same time." For believers who may have trouble understanding this, there are other parallels in Scripture. Take the incarnation for example, Christ is both God and man in one person at the same time. This is a great mystery no doubt,but it is true nonetheless. The chapter the Bible as truth is illuminating and brilliant. Clark's careful definition of terms are invaluable. To communicate effectively we must certain that the words we are using are understood by our hearers, and that they have the exact meaning that we intend(that presupposes that we have an accurate understanding of the terms that we are using). The importance of this book and the doctrine of the Bible's inerrancy can be seen in this comment by Gordon Clark on p.58 " If the Bible in a hundred different passages is mistaken in its account of itself , why should the rest of its message be accepted as true? If the prophets spoke falsely when they said that their words were the words of God.. if they were thus in error, what confidence can we have in anything else they said." Therefore, if the Bible is not infallible, how can we have confidence in any of its teachings? God's Hammer would be a great weapon in any Christians arsenal in defending the very foundation upon which all of their beliefs rest.