Joe Kovacs: Shocked by the Bible, a Torah Perspective Book Review

Great journalists have always been at the forefront of change and bringing truth to light. The problem today is there are not many great journalists in the game. We have commentators and players instead of people who report the facts. I believe there are men and women who are great journalists who are in the fight daily, holding to accurate reporting of the facts. But one such journalist stands out to me, specifically because of his investigative reporting on the Bible.

Joe Kovacs is the executive news editor for WorldNetDaily.com. WorldNetDaily.com is a top 500 internet news site, voted one of the "stickiest" sites on the internet. A sticky site is one that people go to and stay on the site for the longest period of time. Kovacs has been a journalist for 25 years, in both print and broadcast journalism, receiving awards along the way from the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI). Of the hundreds of news articles written by Joe Kovacs, many focus on issues of the Bible.

I was privileged to receive a copy of Joe Kovacs latest book entitled "Shocked by The Bible," after an exchange of e-mails with him. I had read the promotional articles on WorldNetDaily.com and my interest was peaked to want to know more about the "shocking" facts Joe had unearthed in his journalistic efforts.

Within the professing church there seems to be a small number of people who are willing to lay down the party line of their particular denomination or group to see the truth of the Bible for what it really says. Fiercely hanging on to traditional thinking and customs passed down from the so-called "church fathers," a dearth of investigative study of the Scriptures is evident. The shame is with the church whose many seminaries and Bible colleges, along with theologians in pulpits refuse to look at Scripture for what it really says. There seems to be a fear of losing prestige, losing people from the pews, losing money and jobs, or the rejection of family and friends, that keeps those in places of position in the church from the willingness to look at Scripture for what it is and to tell it like it is. I was there. The question God asked me is, "Who do you fear more, Me or men?"

Since the professing church is unwilling to look intently at the Scriptures, embrace it all in context, YHWH is using a believing investigative journalist to apply his gift and experience to be a witness to the Truth of what HE said and established in HIS Word. Joe Kovacs is that man, and WorldNetDaily.com is the internet broadcast giant that HE has chosen to bear this testimony.

In Kovacs' book, "Shocked by The Bible," you will learn that you've probably heard things preached as "gospel" by pastors in the pulpit, on the radio, or on TV that don't line with what the Bible really says. Joe writes in his introduction, "As you read through each chapter... it may make you laugh cry, shout for joy, praise God, argue with HIM, shake your head in amazement, condemn the publisher, or do laundry with a different attitude. It may even tick you off to the point where you'll want to 'have it out' which those who taught you - or more accurately, did not teach you..."

The prophet Jeremiah says, in Jeremiah 16:19 and 20, "...The gentiles shall come to You from the ends of the earth and say, 'Surely our fathers have inherited lies, worthlessness and unprofitable things.' Will a man make gods for himself, which are not gods?" We are living in that day. There are people coming forth and saying this very thing. We've been lied to. Whether it was in ignorance by many or in malice by a few, we've been lied to nonetheless. There have been people sounding this alarm from around the world, albeit few, for many years. Since, I believe, time is growing short, YHWH raises up a man like Joe Kovacs, and a website like WorldNetDaily.com to broadcast HIS Truth to those with ears to hear.

This is not an advertisement for WorldNetDaily.com, although it might appear that way. I don't agree with everything I read on WorldNetDaily.com. I'm not a man who latches on to a man or a group and adheres to them at all costs. Since beginning to observe Torah a few years ago it has cost me my job as a Christian radio broadcaster, many family and friends, and has changed my life forever. But I can say with all sincerity that I would not change a thing, except to have come to the Truth sooner than I did. I'm writing this in an effort to introduce some who are struggling or have been closing their ears to people like me, to Joe Kovacs' book, "Shocked by The Bible."

I recommend "Shocked by The Bible" by Joe Kovacs because of his journalistic approach to the Bible. He is not trying to proselytize anyone to his particular brand of religion. His agenda appears to not go beyond just a journalistic look at Scripture in order to get straight facts into peoples' hands that they might make an informed decision. Once the knowledge of the Truth is presented it is between the person and YHWH as to what they do with it. But be forewarned, to have knowledge of the Truth and to reject it is a serious matter with the Almighty Creator.

Joe takes on some serious taboo subjects, such as what YHWH says is food, the pagan origins of Christmas and what the Bible has to say about that. If you've ever had problems with the crucifixion and resurrection time-line (how could it be three days and three nights in the tomb if HE was crucified on "Good Friday" and raised Sunday morning) you will want to read what this quality journalist has uncovered.

This is exciting to me. I've been looking at this, living it, and writing about it for a few years now. But I don't have the mass of readers that Joe Kovacs has with WorldNetDaily.com. I thank Yeshua for using them to spread HIS Truth. I recommend this book to you all. Along with the recommendation I give you encouragement and exhortation to check it out against Scripture. We as believers have always tossed out the saying "Be a Berean" to the point that it has become a trite little "ism" devoid of meaning. But the context of Acts Seventeen, where we read of the Bereans, was that they checked out the great Apostle Paul, against the Scriptures, to see if what they he was telling them lined up with what was written and established. It is important to note that the only Scripture written at the time was Torah, the Prophets, and the writings. Should we not do the same, not only for what Paul wrote, but for the venerated church fathers, Joe Kovacs, me, you, and every other man or woman who purports to proclaim the Truth? If our goal is Truth we shouldn't be afraid, but even welcome scrutiny in light of the Truth that sets us free.