What do you think?
Rate this book
Undesigned Coincidences in the Writings Both of the Old and New Testament, an Argument of Their Veracity: With an Appendix, Containing Undesigned Coincidences ... Between the Gospels and Acts, and Josephus
Undesigned Coincidences is part rhetorical and logical argument, and part exegetical analysis, useful to the biblical scholar. It is one of the first major texts seeking to validate the claims of the Bible using historical
"I shall now enter more into detail and bring forward such specific coincidences amongst independent passages of the Mosaic writings, as tend to prove that in them we have the Word of Truth, that in them we may put our trust with faith unfeigned."
Written near the end of the period known as the Second Great Awakening, Blunt sought to strike a blow against the skepticism and deism that grew out of the various European revolutionary movements, while applying rational arguments and evidence to pious, Christian teachings. Undesigned Coincidences is a perfect addition for the modern Biblical scholar's library. Those interested in a history of pre-modern Christian faith will also enjoy it. The text opens a window to a world far different from today, while allowing the reader to strengthen their knowledge of the bible, and perhaps even their faith.
"I shall now enter more into detail and bring forward such specific coincidences amongst independent passages of the Mosaic writings, as tend to prove that in them we have the Word of Truth, that in them we may put our trust with faith unfeigned."
Written near the end of the period known as the Second Great Awakening, Blunt sought to strike a blow against the skepticism and deism that grew out of the various European revolutionary movements, while applying rational arguments and evidence to pious, Christian teachings. Undesigned Coincidences is a perfect addition for the modern Biblical scholar's library. Those interested in a history of pre-modern Christian faith will also enjoy it. The text opens a window to a world far different from today, while allowing the reader to strengthen their knowledge of the bible, and perhaps even their faith.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1863
15 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
John James Blunt
94 books1 follower"John James Blunt (1794 – 18 June 1855) was an English Anglican priest. His writings included studies of the early Church.
Blunt was born at Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire. He was educated at St John's College, Cambridge, where he took his degree as fifteenth wrangler in 1816 and obtained a fellowship. He was appointed a Worts travelling bachelor 1818, and spent some time in Italy and Sicily, afterwards publishing an account of his journey. He proceeded MA in 1819, BD 1826, and was Hulsean Lecturer in 1831-1832 while holding a curacy in Shropshire.
In 1834, he became rector of Great Oakley in Essex, and in 1839 was appointed Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity at Cambridge. In 1854 he declined the see of Salisbury.
His chief book was Undesigned Coincidences in the Writings both of the Old and New Testaments (1833; fuller edition, 1847). Some of his writings, among them the History of the Christian Church during the First Three Centuries and the lectures On the Right Use of the Early Fathers, were published posthumously."
-- Wikipedia
Blunt was born at Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire. He was educated at St John's College, Cambridge, where he took his degree as fifteenth wrangler in 1816 and obtained a fellowship. He was appointed a Worts travelling bachelor 1818, and spent some time in Italy and Sicily, afterwards publishing an account of his journey. He proceeded MA in 1819, BD 1826, and was Hulsean Lecturer in 1831-1832 while holding a curacy in Shropshire.
In 1834, he became rector of Great Oakley in Essex, and in 1839 was appointed Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity at Cambridge. In 1854 he declined the see of Salisbury.
His chief book was Undesigned Coincidences in the Writings both of the Old and New Testaments (1833; fuller edition, 1847). Some of his writings, among them the History of the Christian Church during the First Three Centuries and the lectures On the Right Use of the Early Fathers, were published posthumously."
-- Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 24, 2023
Interesting details on small mentions from other passages and sources that uphold the veracity of Scripture. Many points were already familiar, but I especially enjoyed the supporting evidences from Josephus.
September 1, 2020
Interesting look at how the little overlooked details of Scripture point to the truth of the accounts recorded in the Bible.
October 7, 2022
Moderately interesting examination of historical coincidental details which argue for historical accuracy and reliability of both the Old and New Testaments.
If you are wanting internal corroboration of details which lend themselves to an historically accurate text, this is a decent place to start.
If you are wanting a preaching resource to tie specific historical events to other parts of Scripture, then you will find some elements here.
Other than that, the author repeats himself over and over about how these small details unintentionally point towards historical reliability. Much of this material can be effectively skimmed and probably doesn’t need to be carefully read after the 1st chapter.
If you are wanting internal corroboration of details which lend themselves to an historically accurate text, this is a decent place to start.
If you are wanting a preaching resource to tie specific historical events to other parts of Scripture, then you will find some elements here.
Other than that, the author repeats himself over and over about how these small details unintentionally point towards historical reliability. Much of this material can be effectively skimmed and probably doesn’t need to be carefully read after the 1st chapter.
August 22, 2011
Brilliant work from the early 19th century theologian J.J. Blunt. He looks at “undesigned coincidences” in the Bible--that is, when a seemingly random piece of data in a story is unexplainable in itself, but is explained *without* purposeful intent by a later account or by a separate eye witness (as in the case of the Gospels). When one account is coincidentally explained by another, the veracity of the eye witness testimony is upheld.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews