God Wrote a Book

by James MacDonald

"God wrote a book." There is something very powerful in that simple statement. The book, of course, is the Bible, and because God is its author, it's the most important work ever written. Millions across the world agree with that, yet many believe it only conceptually, doubting that the words of the Bible are in fact the very words of God. Pastor James MacDonald addresses today's disturbing trend away from taking God's Word seriously. He clarifies the misconceptions that surround the infallibility, reliability, and historicity of the Bible and explains why he believes it is the inspired Word of God, how it originated, what the Bible is good for, and its benefits to us. Written to believers and non-believers who have questions, this book on the Good Book has the answers.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

James MacDonald (D. Min. Phoenix Seminary) is married to his high school sweetheart, Kathy, and both are from Ontario, Canada. He is the father of three grown children, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and grandfather to four amazing grandsons. James’ ministry focuses on the unapologetic proclamation of God’s Word. In 1988, along with a small group of ministry partners, James and Kathy planted Harvest Bible Chapel which has grown to 13,000 people each weekend, meeting in six locations.

In 1997, a Bible-teaching broadcast ministry called Walk in the Word was established, now reaching more than three million people weekly. In 2002, a church planting ministry called Harvest Bible Fellowship was born and has established more than 70 churches across North America and around the world. James’ vision is that God will use him to help plant 1,000 churches in his lifetime.

James’ extensive ministry also includes a training center for pastors, a year-round camp, a biblical counseling center, a disaster recovery organization, and a Christian school—all used to reach more people with the life-changing message of the Gospel.

Now impacting millions of lives annually, God’s favor upon these ministries has been described by James as “abundantly baffling.” The MacDonalds’ view their ministry as proof that God still uses broken vessels to pour out His grace.

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, concise book written by the Pastor I've listened to for some time. Until a few years ago, I attended the same church. Now, I still catch up with the podcasts (Walk in the Word), usually each week while I work. I know I had read this once before, but I'll admit that most of what I remember came from the weekly messages of the same topic (what's here was first preached in sermons). This book is good because it asks and answers the pertinent questions, ones that people just might ask, if not out loud, then often in their heads at some point (more on that in a bit). This book is more than good because it can lead to picking up The Bible. And that's the point of this little guy.

The first questions people often ask about the Bible may not be in the form of a question, but reasons not to read it: “The Bible is just a bunch of stories. It's outdated. You don't get faith from a book.” The initial chapter here gives some external and internal evidence for the reliability of the Bible. Can we trust that what was written so long ago has not been corrupted over time? The Dead Sea scrolls are just one piece of evidence that answered this.

Chapter 2 and 3 are these: Where Did the Bible come from? What is the Bible Good For? The answers may raise some eyebrows. “All scripture is inspired by God.” Sixty-six books written over the span of 1500 years by forty different authors. All God-breathed. God's word can transform when you believe this. How did the sixty-six books end up in one book? The early church pulled it all together by eliminating writings considered inferior (not believed to be inspired by God), and identifying the inspired writings. There were standards of course (or proofs) that God Wrote a Book discusses in much better detail.

How to Benefit from the Bible and Jesus, The Message of the Bible are saved for last. You can't benefit from a book without reading it, right? Pick it up, Size it up, Eat it up. But people say it's not interesting, or they don't understand it. They jump into a difficult portion, like Revelation, or start at the beginning with good intentions but so many pages ahead, then give up. Pastor James's advice is to start with the Gospel of John. A small portion at a time. No speed-reading folks. I happened to do it with the one-year challenge. A little Old Testament, and a little New Testament each day (there are all sorts of 1-yr reading plans out there). Finally, I think it's obvious that the message of this book is the Bible, but as the last chapter reminds us, the message of the Bible is Jesus.

[Jenna Velasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick practical read I’d feel great about giving to a believer or non-believer in order to encourage them to read scripture with reverence and intentionality.

Hey btw, God wrote a book. It’s the best book.

[Olu Toba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Life transforming. Highly recommended.

Well written book. You will never look at the Bible the same way after reading this book. Makes a strong case for accepting the Bible as God's word written to point us to Christ Jesus.

[Tommy Grooms · Rating 3 out of 5]

God Wrote a Book is a slim volume that purposes to answer doubts about the authority of the Bible. The style is informal to the point of being a bit wearing (exclamations such as "Whoa!" and "That is so great!" abound). The first half clears up much in terms of common, erroneous objections to the reliability of the Biblical record, though there's not much in here for the person who is really struggling to accept the doctrine of inerrancy. The second half reads dangerously like a sales pitch of the practical benefits of reading the Bible (MacDonald himself admits at one point "I feel like we're in one of those infomercials right now"), though the final chapter brings it back to Jesus ("it might surprise you to learn that the Bible is not an end in itself") before offering a Sinner's Prayer.

[Crash67 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple discussing on why the Bible is worth your consideration.

Even if you have no interest in Christianity, James MacDonald makes a compelling case why the Bible is worth taking the time to read and consider. If you are interested in Christianity, he explains how to use the Bible to start on your faith journey. If you are a professed Christian, he how to grow and share your faith.

The book is concise but informative.

[April Salisbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had alot of information for those wanting explanation as to how the Bible came into being published. I read this many years ago and often refer to it from time to time. I have lent it to many Bible study comrades.

[Vickie Gandiello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I have been reading the Bible most of my life, I found this book to be very helpful and encouraging for more understanding of His Word. I would highly recommend it to new Bible readers especially. Old and new alike will glean great pointers of how to absorb the Word into your soul.

[Bret Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fair and practical proof that the Bible is no ordinary book written by people, but that it is the inspired, inerrant, plenary word of God.

[Christophe Landa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and (in typical James MacDonald style) clear.

[Johnnie Griffin II · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, If you're new in the faith, I highly recommend this one.

[Julie Fogg · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ 3.5

👍🏻 Written clear, simple, and to-the-point

👎🏻 While it’s nice to have shorter books, can still leave you with some questions or areas you wish could be expanded on

[Carey Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a new Christian, or someone who is just wondering about about how the Bible was constructed, this is a great book. It's easy to read and gives clear information. For someone who has a basic understanding of how the Bible was written and gathered together into one book, it's too basic. I would recommend this book to others as a foundational book. Personally, I have read other things by James MacDonald and was hoping for a little more detail. It was a good review of what I already knew about the Bible, with a detail here and there that I hadn't heard, but it didn't challenge me in the way I was hoping it would, based on my previous reading.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book several years ago as a free gift when I purchased something else from Walk in the Word. This book is written for those who are doubting the Bible & Christianity, but I still got a lot out of it.

It is a short book which is written in a friendly style. It defends the fact that God did indeed write a book, and that book is the Bible. For me, the greatest thing I took away was the following: Since God wrote a book, shouldn't we be reading it? and memorizing it? and obeying it?

[David Kemp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent little book \\ easy to read and touching on the essentials that a person would need to know in order to have confidence that the Bible is indeed the inspired Word of God. It also provides excellent advice on how to read and study (two different things) the Bible.

I recommend it highly.

[Rodrigo Hinojosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book about the solidity of the evidence concerning the Bible as a supernatural, trustworthy book. Anyone who wants either to find evidence of the Bible's authenticity or simply wants to know how to give some answers about the value and credibility of the Book that God wrote should read this book. Short, concise and very helpful.

[Pippin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though this contained some solid information, MacDonald's persistently informal tone became grating after the first two chapters. This is for someone who wants a breezy joyride through the Bible, rather than a formal proof.

[Aaron Carlberg]

If you want a good, short, easy overview of why you can trust the Bible as being accurate and faithfully handed down, then this is a great book.

[Step Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was written well. It is informative and informal. I was drawn in and even laughed out loud a few times.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is great book. Very help full for new believers.

[William F Keyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book

Great book helped with sermon and personal bible study. Made me dig deeper into God's word. I agree God wrote a book, even more now!

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Have read it three times weather you are new to the word or have studied for years it is a great book and is full of information.

[Denver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this I'm one sitting and it was well worth it. Really makes me want to start actively reading the Bible because as this book says the first step is just to "PICK IT UP!"

[Logan Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I loved many of the authors images used through the text he provided arguments that overall were weak and would leave someone with strong logic even further opposed to his positions.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I also loved this book. It answers many of life's questions and why thins happen the way they do.