The Bible—God’s Word or Man’s?

by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

Historical and scientific information is presented to prove that the Bible is accurate, trustworthy, and inspired by God for mankind's benefit. Full-color illustrations.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality

189 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit corporation formed in 1884 under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, U.S.A. It is used by Jehovah’s Witnesses to support their worldwide work, which includes publishing Bibles and Bible-based literature.

According to its charter, the corporation’s purposes are “religious, educational, and charitable,” in particular, to “preach and teach the gospel of God’s Kingdom under Christ Jesus.” Membership in the corporation is by invitation only and is not based on how much a person has donated. The corporation members and directors assist the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is ridiculous and I don't think it's worth anyone's time.

[Jason · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sure that most people who actually liked this book and agree with what it says, already knew what answers they were wanting to have confirmed, before even picking it up. This book is full of facts and quotes that are misquoted, misleading and completely taken out of context. Save yourself the time and effort and read something by an actual scientist with proper experience and credentials as opposed to this anonymous piece of fact and fiction mixture. Most of the scientists quoted, acctually hold possitions opposite to what they are made out, in this book, to say. If you read this book, make sure look up the actual full statements and positions of the quoted scientists.

[Catherine Flusche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read because a pen pal sent it to me. Its a quick read, but full of everything I expected and missing also what I expected. There was a big shock when it admits that Cain was most likely married to his sister or niece and apparently that's okay because the genes weren't likely to harm the children yet (so close to perfection still). I have plenty of notes to discuss with the pen pal and am looking forward to that one (when is morality ambiguous).

[Kaitlin J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to believe in god for a very long time and this book was a huge part of my journey. Part of me wants to give it one star because it failed to convince me (there were too many holes and double speak). But I decided to give it two stars because I am grateful for its role in convincing me there is no possible way I will ever believe god exists.

[Beniamin Miara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Of course the word of man!

[Abby Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the validity of the Bible. I enjoyed reading it.

[MaloTheYoshi · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a book that is just laced with dishonesty and intellectual laziness. The lack of proofreading for this published work is honestly astounding. This book is deceptive, as it frequently misrepresents the most rudimentary parts of science. The best example of this is when they said that evolution isn't factual because, in their words, scientists have made the evolution theory into a fact when it is "only a theory". Yes, I'm serious, they don't understand the scientific method, something you learn before the fifth grade. They also state that evolution has no explanation for the start of life as if descent with inherent genetic modification has anything to do with the start of life. They further go down the rabbit hole when they say that evolution speaks about a change in "kind" saying that since finches can't become eagles, that means evolution cannot be true. This is awful and illustrates there absurd understanding of the most fundamental aspects of biology because evolution explains why what they propose for evidence against it is actually impossible within the law of monophyly, which states that an organism cannot outgrow its ancestry, that it will always be part of its parent lineage. They fail to comprehend that just because eagles and finches have a common ancestor somehow means that according to evolution they must be able to turn into the other bird over time. However, as I just stated, the law of monophyly would never allow a finch to becomes an eagle and vice versa. The bottom line here is that evolution never taught that one "kind" of thing will become another fundamentally different "kind" of anything. This isn't how the theory functions. The Watchtower And Tract Society is guilty of being incompetent at researching for they insist on twisting truths by switching definitions of the correct word around with another definition that doesn't apply in the relevant context, as if a theory used in everyday conversation is somehow the same thing as a scientific theory, which is the highest possible explanation for naturally occurring events in science. By conflating these two definitions of the word "theory" they show us, the more scientifically literate individuals, that they are willfully unaware, and by extension don't want to understand anything that might contradict their preconceived notions of what they perceive to be flaws in what honest people know as the indisputable fact that is Charles Darwin's discovery of how organisms diversified, and his theory of natural selection as the explanation for how that fact happened and still occurs today.

[Luciano de Souza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Portuguese version.
O livro traz uma linguagem adequada para a época em que foi publicado e tem uma visão bastante coerente com a singularidade da Bíblia. Entendo que esse livro cumpriu muito bem seu papel em provar a adequação de raciocínio daqueles que defendem a Bíblia como sendo palavra de Deus e não de Homem.

[Vigilante · Rating 5 out of 5]

This publication provides excellent proof of the Bible's authenticity with the aid of science, history, and prophecy.

[James Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and concisely written aporoach to a difficult subject. Though it has since been updated, it still holds up well.

[Polett Willy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, que buen libro, aunque el tema es muy extenso toca los puntos de una manera maravillosa, la lectura es ligera y la redacción ni que decir

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written, in a clear and simple style. This publication clears up many misconceptions that many folks carry regarding what the Bible says.
This book shows you what the Bible really does say. It tells the Bible's incredible story in just making it through time, amidst much opposition, so that we still have the opportunity to read it today.
Some claim the Bible "contradicts itself". Does it? This book looks at some of the most famous, "classic" challenges
The overall harmony of the Bible is emphasized here, and a number of critical, detailed prophesies are analyzed to show that , yes, they really were inspired of God.

This book impressed me so much that I would go back and read through it again in 1998.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars. I didn't realize this was a Watchtower piece. I was really hoping for an unbiased account of differing perspectives. But the second I realized it was biased, my faith faltered (pun intended).

It was going to be one star for this reason but I liked learning about the history of the Bible and some historical events and things, so it get another half star.

[Drew Dennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read. Makes you think and evaluate your perspectives.

[Beninu Andersen · Rating 1 out of 5]

It pose as a neutral booking presenting the primary religions in the World in an easy-to-read fashion, but it is a biased book that end up forcefeeding the reader one final conclusion: "Become a Jehovah's Witness - the rest is bullshit anyway".

Even if you accept the premise of this book and acknowledge the fact that this is a biased piece of propaganda, the descriptions of the Worlds main religions are flawed, historically incorrect, and in no way neutral. It constantly poses rethorical questions whose sole purpose is to make the reader conclude that all other religious denominations than Jehovah's Witnesses are misled at best, or outright evil at worst, acting as Satans henchmen fooling people into depravity and eternal damnation.

This book is a biased piece of Watchtower Propaganda.

Frankly it is sad to see so many Jehovah's Witnesses recommend this book by which they expose their own blatant lack of critical thinking skills. The Jehovah's Witnesses that are the only ones who aren't allowed to read books that criticize their own religion, will not recignize the dishonesty and the blatant misrepresentation of facts about their own religion presented in this sad piece of propaganda.

Luckily it is painfully obvious to everybody else.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ich glaube, zu diesem Buch muss man gar nicht so viel sagen, außer "Ja, Zeugen Jehovas".
Der Anfang war schon irgendwie interessant, wenn auch teilweise etwas inkonsequent und, ja, hirnrissig, und auch ein wenig durchsetzt von Sekten-Mist - 3 Sterne für das-, zum Ende hin hat das Buch dann gar nicht mehr versucht, in irgendeiner Weise sinnvoll zu sein, sondern war nur ein riesiger Haufen von sexistischem, homophobem, 'Zeugen Jehovas sind die einzigen guten Menschen überhaupt'-Kram, der mit dem angeblichen Thema des Buches auch nicht mehr im geringsten zu tun hatte - 1 Stern für das, obwohl so -300 Sterne vielleicht angebrachter wären, weil... nein. Einfach nein.

[Stacy Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a great deal of information, advice,wisdom and lightbulb moments from this book. Beginning my journey of faith with a fair amount of questions and scepticism I thought this would be helpful and it didn't fail. Thank you

[Behailu Sintayehu]

The best book ever to reveal the Bible truth inside-out thoroughly with full of detailed evidences.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want proof that the Bible is truly inspired by God? Read this book and you'll get it.

[Samuel Osmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Más claro no puede ser