What do you think?
Rate this book
Why I Preach That the Bible Is Literally True
Book by Criswell, W. A., George, Timothy, George, Denise
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
4 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
W.A. Criswell
94 books14 followersW. A. Criswell was born December 19, 1909 in Eldorado, Oklahoma. He received his B.A. from Baylor University, and his Th.M. and Ph.D. degrees from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church Chickasha, Oklahoma and First Baptist Church Muskogee, Oklahoma prior to being called as pastor of First Baptist Church Dallas in October of 1944. He served for fifty years as senior pastor of First Baptist Church, for many years the largest church in the Southern Baptist Convention, preaching more than five thousand sermons from its pulpit. He became the historic church's first Pastor Emeritus in 1995.
Dr. Criswell published fifty-four books and was awarded eight honorary doctorates. The Criswell College, First Baptist Academy, and KCBI Radio were started under his leadership. He served on the board of trustees of Baylor University, Baylor Health Care System, Dallas Baptist University, and The Baptist Standard. He also served as a member of the Annuity Board and as Chairman of the Trustees of the Baptist Sunday School Board (now LifeWay Christian Resources). The Baptist Banner characterized his contribution to the Southern Baptist Convention as "historic":
He is known as the patriarch of the "conservative resurgence," returning the SBC to its Bible-believing roots. Twice elected president of the SBC, in 1968 and 1969, during the 20 years that followed he was perhaps the most popular preacher at evangelism and pastors' conferences in America, while also preaching extensively to mission fields worldwide.
As founder and chancellor of the Criswell College, Dr. Criswell gave his later years to preparing young preachers to preach the Word of God. He emphasized that a sermon should take God's truth and "make it flame, make it live!" "The word we preach from our pulpits," he declared, "ought to be like the Word of God itself--like a fire and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces (Jer 23:29)."
W. A. Criswell went to be with the Lord January 10, 2002. His ministry continues through the messages he preached and the lives he touched during his seventy-five years of pastoral service.
Dr. Criswell published fifty-four books and was awarded eight honorary doctorates. The Criswell College, First Baptist Academy, and KCBI Radio were started under his leadership. He served on the board of trustees of Baylor University, Baylor Health Care System, Dallas Baptist University, and The Baptist Standard. He also served as a member of the Annuity Board and as Chairman of the Trustees of the Baptist Sunday School Board (now LifeWay Christian Resources). The Baptist Banner characterized his contribution to the Southern Baptist Convention as "historic":
He is known as the patriarch of the "conservative resurgence," returning the SBC to its Bible-believing roots. Twice elected president of the SBC, in 1968 and 1969, during the 20 years that followed he was perhaps the most popular preacher at evangelism and pastors' conferences in America, while also preaching extensively to mission fields worldwide.
As founder and chancellor of the Criswell College, Dr. Criswell gave his later years to preparing young preachers to preach the Word of God. He emphasized that a sermon should take God's truth and "make it flame, make it live!" "The word we preach from our pulpits," he declared, "ought to be like the Word of God itself--like a fire and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces (Jer 23:29)."
W. A. Criswell went to be with the Lord January 10, 2002. His ministry continues through the messages he preached and the lives he touched during his seventy-five years of pastoral service.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 6, 2024
A FAMOUS BAPTIST PREACHER PROVIDES HIS "TESTIMONY" TO THE BIBLE
W. A. Criswell (1909-2002), was a Southern Baptist pastor (and two-term president of the Southern Baptist Convention), as well as the author of other books such as 'In Defense of Faith,' 'Criswell Guidebook For Pastors,' etc.
He wrote in the Foreword to this 1969 book, "The volume is my testimony, not a documented textbook on biblical theology. It is written with my words, with the words of others, and with the words of God taken from the Holy Scriptures. No need exists for me to publish a textbook on the inspiration of the Bible... But this present volume I have written is a testimony from my heart, how I feel about God's Word, and from my own best judgment, what I have factually observed in my own extended ministry and in the ministries of others concerning the preaching of the Bible."
He states, "Why do I believe that the Bible is literally true?... The evidence is clearly and plainly stated in the New Testament. There, according to Jesus, divine revelation is mediated in a written record. What the Scriptures say, God says. This can be easily seen in such passages as Matthew 5:18, 19:4, and John 10:35. Whether or not we receive his testimony to the Scriptures is a commentary on the consistency of our Christian discipleship... The most convincing of all the proofs and arguments for the verbal inspiration of the Bible is the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ regarded it and treated it as such." (Pg. 24-25)
He observes, "A remarkable fact regarding the two revelations of the Bible is that oftentimes there are two seemingly contradictory lines of prophecy... For example, in the Old Testament we have two lines of prophecy concerning the Messiah. One line predicts a suffering Messiah despised and rejected of men... The other line of prophecy predicts ... the coming of an all-conquering Messiah who will rule the nations with a rod of iron. How can both of these prophetic lines be true?... In actual fulfillment both lines of prophecy meet in the one Person, Jesus of Nazareth." (Pg. 36-37)
He says, "We come now to a discussion of so-called contradictions in the Bible... We choose as typical of them only these few... [One is] in the superscription of the words which were placed above the cross of Christ... John tells us in John 19:20 that in order that all the different nationalities might read it the superscription was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek... each one of the gospel writers used a particular language or a part of the language...
"Another passage ... is to be found in James' discussion of faith and works. James, in his letter (2:21) refers to Abraham as being justified by works whereas Paul in Romans 4 speaks of Abraham as being justified by faith... When Paul writes, he refers to the fifteenth chapter of Genesis where it is recorded that Abraham, by faith, believed God and his faith was accounted for righteousness. The illustration used in James, however, refers to Genesis 22 where it is described how Abraham offered up Isaac as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah." (Pg. 68-69)
Criswell was one of the most popular and dynamic preachers of the last half of the 20th century, and this book provides a clear illustration of his abilities.
W. A. Criswell (1909-2002), was a Southern Baptist pastor (and two-term president of the Southern Baptist Convention), as well as the author of other books such as 'In Defense of Faith,' 'Criswell Guidebook For Pastors,' etc.
He wrote in the Foreword to this 1969 book, "The volume is my testimony, not a documented textbook on biblical theology. It is written with my words, with the words of others, and with the words of God taken from the Holy Scriptures. No need exists for me to publish a textbook on the inspiration of the Bible... But this present volume I have written is a testimony from my heart, how I feel about God's Word, and from my own best judgment, what I have factually observed in my own extended ministry and in the ministries of others concerning the preaching of the Bible."
He states, "Why do I believe that the Bible is literally true?... The evidence is clearly and plainly stated in the New Testament. There, according to Jesus, divine revelation is mediated in a written record. What the Scriptures say, God says. This can be easily seen in such passages as Matthew 5:18, 19:4, and John 10:35. Whether or not we receive his testimony to the Scriptures is a commentary on the consistency of our Christian discipleship... The most convincing of all the proofs and arguments for the verbal inspiration of the Bible is the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ regarded it and treated it as such." (Pg. 24-25)
He observes, "A remarkable fact regarding the two revelations of the Bible is that oftentimes there are two seemingly contradictory lines of prophecy... For example, in the Old Testament we have two lines of prophecy concerning the Messiah. One line predicts a suffering Messiah despised and rejected of men... The other line of prophecy predicts ... the coming of an all-conquering Messiah who will rule the nations with a rod of iron. How can both of these prophetic lines be true?... In actual fulfillment both lines of prophecy meet in the one Person, Jesus of Nazareth." (Pg. 36-37)
He says, "We come now to a discussion of so-called contradictions in the Bible... We choose as typical of them only these few... [One is] in the superscription of the words which were placed above the cross of Christ... John tells us in John 19:20 that in order that all the different nationalities might read it the superscription was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek... each one of the gospel writers used a particular language or a part of the language...
"Another passage ... is to be found in James' discussion of faith and works. James, in his letter (2:21) refers to Abraham as being justified by works whereas Paul in Romans 4 speaks of Abraham as being justified by faith... When Paul writes, he refers to the fifteenth chapter of Genesis where it is recorded that Abraham, by faith, believed God and his faith was accounted for righteousness. The illustration used in James, however, refers to Genesis 22 where it is described how Abraham offered up Isaac as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah." (Pg. 68-69)
Criswell was one of the most popular and dynamic preachers of the last half of the 20th century, and this book provides a clear illustration of his abilities.
April 21, 2025
Criswell added his message to this argument. One would think the argument on Scripture was settled a number of decades ago when these titans of Christianity in America by and large wrote, spoke, and taught Scripture is true.
It seems by 2025 this argument has again reared its head and while the waves crashed in favor of Scripture when Criswell and others advanced it, there are probably fewer left today (2025) who will stand in the tide and say no to the liberal swing in many churches and denominations. Criswell does not add anything not said in other books on this topic, but he brings new anecdotes and stories that make the reading fun and worthwhile.
I was unaware he preached the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in order over the span of seventeen years in the face of critics and opponents who said he would never do it and it would destroy the church and cost him his job. Instead the church blew the doors off and people loved it. This is just one example of many that Criswell adds to the argument. It is a quick read and worth your time and I will read more Criswell, this being my first time.
It seems by 2025 this argument has again reared its head and while the waves crashed in favor of Scripture when Criswell and others advanced it, there are probably fewer left today (2025) who will stand in the tide and say no to the liberal swing in many churches and denominations. Criswell does not add anything not said in other books on this topic, but he brings new anecdotes and stories that make the reading fun and worthwhile.
I was unaware he preached the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in order over the span of seventeen years in the face of critics and opponents who said he would never do it and it would destroy the church and cost him his job. Instead the church blew the doors off and people loved it. This is just one example of many that Criswell adds to the argument. It is a quick read and worth your time and I will read more Criswell, this being my first time.
July 15, 2025
I enjoyed Criswell's intelligent writing and agreed with almost everything he wrote. The only thing I disagreed with were his mentions of deep time/millions of years as if that was a proven fact, which it isn't. However, I overlooked this blunder, as in 1969, around the time he wrote this book, he may not have been familiar with Henry Morris's writings on creation and the age of the earth.
July 13, 2012
While Criswell was persona non gratis at my college, and while it does appear that this book seems to be written by a bumpkin, it actually hits at the heart of theology, daily practice, and even psychology.
If the Bible means what the words in the bible say the Bible means, then the following theses are true:
1) our mental and cognitive senses are adequate for reading the bible (and texts in general). If anyone denies this then they have to account for this very conversation.
2) If the Bible is to be interpreted literally, then one doesn't need a "key" to "decode" the Bible. This negates the magisterium, be it of popes or academia.
3) If the prophecies are meant to be taken allegorically, then who gets to determine which prophecies are allegorical (say, the millennium) and which are historical (say, the Virgin Birth)?
Admittedly, while the book is generally correct in everything it says, hermeneutics has moved on a bit. Criswell, while perhaps not mentioning it, would affirm that a literal interpretation accounts for symbolism, metaphor, etc.
If the Bible means what the words in the bible say the Bible means, then the following theses are true:
1) our mental and cognitive senses are adequate for reading the bible (and texts in general). If anyone denies this then they have to account for this very conversation.
2) If the Bible is to be interpreted literally, then one doesn't need a "key" to "decode" the Bible. This negates the magisterium, be it of popes or academia.
3) If the prophecies are meant to be taken allegorically, then who gets to determine which prophecies are allegorical (say, the millennium) and which are historical (say, the Virgin Birth)?
Admittedly, while the book is generally correct in everything it says, hermeneutics has moved on a bit. Criswell, while perhaps not mentioning it, would affirm that a literal interpretation accounts for symbolism, metaphor, etc.
July 24, 2008
I actually have the 1968 hardback edition. One of the most beautiful defenses for the literalness of the Bible. A must-read for the serious seeker.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews