Several questions arise when we consider the trustworthiness of the Bible.
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What is its source? |
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Could the source be wrong? |
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Do we accept what is recorded by this source as being accurate and applicable to our current-day lives. |
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." [John 8:31-32]
Who wrote the
Bible?
The original manuscripts that make up the Bible were written
over a 1,500 year time span by more than 40 authors from every walk of life
including kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, and
scholars.
They were written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic and
Greek; in times of war and times of peace; and written on three different
continents: Asia, Africa and Europe.
Can the writers of
the Bible be wrong?
Without question, the Bible writers'
personalities, writing styles, perspectives, and distinctives are reflected in
their words. But their accounts are more than the words of men - they are the
Word of God. The Bible writers were guided in their writing to go where God
wanted them to go and to produce what God wanted them to produce.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. [2 Timothy 3:16-17]
The Bible writers were not inspired as great artists are 'inspired' to produce great art. The word translated 'inspired' means "God-breathed." The Greek word is theopneustos, from two Greek words: theos, meaning "God," and pneo, meaning "to breathe". It conveys the idea of God "breathing out" the Scriptures. And since the word for "breath" can also be translated "spirit," we can easily see the work of the Holy Spirit as he superintended the writing.
Doctrine of
Biblical Inerrancy
One of the most vexing controversies within
conservative Protestantism since World War 2 has focused on the doctrine of
biblical inerrancy. "Inerrancy" means "without error - containing no
mistakes or errors in the original writings, and having no errors in any area
whatsoever." Inerrancy is the view that when all the facts become known, they
will demonstrate that the Bible in its original autographs and correctly
interpreted is entirely true and never false. This is true not only when it
speaks of salvation, ethical values and morality, but it is also without error
on all subjects about which it speaks, including history, the cosmos, as well
as the prophetic text.
The Old Testament, one of the most ancient of
books, is always marvelously accurate when it touches scientific questions;
whereas ALL other books a hundred years old, whenever touching such questions
are full of glaring, and often foolish mistakes.
Do we accept the
Bible as our authority?
The Bible is central to Christian life and
faith as it is the very life and Word of God. God's Word must be received,
believed and obeyed as the final authority in all things pertaining to life and
godliness.
"I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth
disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any
means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." [Matthew
5:18
"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves
me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and
show myself to him." [John 14:21]
Some people might reject the Bible as the Word of God because to
them, it just doesn't feel right. However, how you feel about the Bible does
not define the Bible. In fact, our feelings are the most unreliable indicators
of the meaning of anything. Nor does our experience define the Word of God,
rather the Word of God corrects, rebukes and teaches us how to live. God's Word
must be dealt with based upon the meaning of words within the context of all of
Scripture.
It must be used in the church as the final authority in all
matters for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteous living (2
Ti. 3:16-17). One cannot submit to Christ's lordship without submitting to God
and His Word as the ultimate authority.
The Bible has proven itself historically accurate. No
historical revelations disprove the Bible's account of history. New historical
findings continue to verify the accuracy of the Bible's historical
basis.
The Bible has proven to be archaeologically accurate. No
archaeological evidence has ever been unearthed that disproves the Bible's
account of civilizations and cultures that have existed since the beginning of
man's life on earth.
The Bible has proven itself prophetically
accurate. Hundreds of prophesies recorded in the Bible have been fulfilled
to the letter, centuries after they were recorded. The only exception are those
pertaining to the return of Jesus Christ to establish His reign on earth, and
the subsequent establishing of the new heavens and the new earth.
Jesus bears witness to the Bible's inerrancy where He emphasizes that the actual written words of Scripture can be trusted, not just the ideas they contain. Jesus demonstrated the power of the words of Scripture to defeat Satan when he tempted Him. We have that same weapon available to us today - the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17).
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert
to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was
hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell
these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not
live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the
highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw
yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot
against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the
Lord your God to the test.'"
Again, the devil took him to a very high
mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All
this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus
said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your
God, and serve him only.'"
Then the devil left him, and angels came
and attended him. [Matthew 4:1-11]
