Is The Bible The Word Of God? By David Dann

Transcription

1 Is The Bible The Word Of God? By David Dann

2 Is The Bible The Word Of God? One of the most important questions ever asked is the Bible God s word? Everyone must come to a decision about the origin of the Bible. The Bible claims to be the word of God.

3 Is The Bible The Word Of God? One of the most important questions ever All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). asked is the Bible God s word? Everyone must come to a decision about the origin of the Bible. The Bible claims to be the word of God.

4 If God Exists: We must decide whether or not he has revealed his will to mankind. Reveal to uncover, to make known We have two choices: 1. God has not revealed his will to man. Or, 2. God has revealed his will to man. Which choice makes more sense?

5 The Need For A Revelation Man is limited. In knowledge. In time.

6 The Need For A Revelation Man is limited. In knowledge. In time. you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away (James 4:14).

7 The Need For A Revelation Man is limited. In knowledge. In time. God is unlimited. All knowing (Hebrews 4:13). All powerful (Mark 10:27). Eternal (Psa. 90:2).

8 The Need For A Revelation Man is limited. In knowledge. In time. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had All knowing formed the (Hebrews earth and 4:13). the world, All powerful even (Mark from everlasting 10:27). to Eternal everlasting, You are God (Psalm 90:2). God is unlimited.

9 The Need For A Revelation Man is limited. In knowledge. In time. God is unlimited. All knowing (Hebrews 4:13). All powerful (Mark 10:27). Eternal The only way man can know God s will is if God reveals his will to man!

10 Possibility & Probability Of Revelation There is a God who created the world and man (Genesis 1:1, 26). Would it be possible for an all-powerful creator to reveal his will to his creation? Would it be probable that God would reveal his will to his creation? Would a father want to communicate with his children? Would God want to correct man when man errs? Would God want to direct man to worship him properly?

11 Possibility & Probability Of Revelation There is a God who created the world and man (Genesis 1:1, 26). Would it be possible for an all-powerful creator to reveal his will to his creation? Would it be probable that God would reveal his will to his creation? It is both possible and probable that God would reveal his will to his creation!

12 How Has God Revealed His Will? Can we know God s will through nature? We can know God exists through nature. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork (Psalm 19:1).

13 How Has God Revealed His Will? Can we know God s will through nature? We can know God exists through nature. We can see God s power in nature. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:20).

14 How Has God Revealed His Will? Can we know God s will through nature? We can know God exists through nature. We can see God s power in nature. But man cannot learn how to worship and serve God through observing nature alone (Romans 1:21-23).

15 How Has God Revealed His Will? Can we know God s will through human intuition? Intuition is perception without reasoning, or understanding that comes through feelings. Is every person s intuition correct? Were the feelings of Hitler, Stalin, Charles Manson, Jim Jones, etc. all correct? Obviously, man cannot learn God s will through intuition.

16 How Has God Revealed His Will? Can we know God s will through human intuition? Intuition is perception without reasoning, or understanding that comes through feelings. Is every person s intuition correct? O LORD, I know the way of man Were the feelings of Hitler, Stalin, Charles is not in himself; it is not in man Manson, Jim Jones, etc. all correct? who walks to direct his own Obviously, steps man (Jeremiah cannot learn 10:23). God s will through intuition.

17 How Has God Revealed His Will? Can we know God s will through human intuition? Intuition is perception without reasoning, or understanding that comes through feelings. Is every person s intuition correct? Were There the feelings is a way of which Hitler, seems Stalin, right Charles Manson, to a man, Jim but Jones, its end etc. is all the correct? way of Obviously, death man (Proverbs cannot learn 14:12). God s will through intuition.

18 How Has God Revealed His Will? Can we know God s will through human wisdom? Where has the wisdom of men taken us? Evolution. Humanism. Greed. Violence. Corruption.

19 How Has God Revealed His Will? Can we know God s will through human wisdom? Where has the wisdom of men taken us? Evolution. Humanism. Greed. Violence. Corruption. For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:21).

20 How Has God Revealed His Will? Can we know God s will through human wisdom? Where has the wisdom of men taken us? Evolution. Humanism. Greed. Violence. Corruption. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He catches the wise in their own craftiness (1 Corinthians 3:19).

21 How Has God Revealed His Will? Can we know God s will through words? This is the only possible way that man can learn the will of God. God would have to communicate his thoughts to man in words in order for man to know the will of God.

22 How Has God Revealed His Will? Can we know God s will through words? This is the only possible way that man can learn Even the so will no one of God. knows the things of God God except would the have Spirit to of communicate God. Now we his have thoughts received, to man in not words the in spirit order of the for man world, to but know the the Spirit will of who God. is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches (1 Corinthians 2:11-13).

23 How Has God Revealed His Will? Can we know God s will through nature? Can we know God s will through human intuition? Can we know God s will through human wisdom? Can we know God s will through words? The only way man can know God s will is if God reveals his will to man in words!

24 Can We Understand God s Revelation? If the Bible is God s word, can we understand what it says? Many religious leaders claim that man cannot understand the Bible. We must therefore conclude that the Scriptures alone cannot be a sufficient guide and rule of faith because they cannot, at any time, be within the reach of every inquirer, because they are not of themselves intelligible even in matters of highest importance, and because they do not contain all the truths necessary for salvation (Roman Catholic Cardinal Gibbons, Faith of Our Fathers, 94 th Ed.; pp ).

25 Can We Understand God s Revelation? If the Bible is God s word, can we understand what it says? Many religious leaders claim that man cannot understand the Bible. Why would God reveal his will to man in a way that man cannot understand? The Bible claims that the common person can understand it!

26 Can We Understand God s Revelation? If the Bible is God s word, can we understand what it says? Many religious leaders claim that man cannot understand the Bible. Then Jesus said to those Jews Why would God reveal his will to man in a who believed Him, If you abide in way that man cannot understand? My word, you are My disciples The Bible indeed. claims And you that shall the know common the person can understand it! truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31-32).

27 Can We Understand God s Revelation? If the Bible is God s word, can we understand what it says? Many religious leaders claim that man cannot understand the Bible. by revelation He made known Why would to me God the mystery reveal (as his I will wrote to man in a way that before man in a cannot few words, understand? by which, when you read, you may The Bible claims that the common person can understand understand it! my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) (Ephesians 3:3-4).

28 Can We Understand God s Revelation? If the Bible is God s word, can we understand what it says? Many religious leaders claim that man cannot understand the Bible. Why would God reveal his will to man in a way that Therefore man cannot do not be understand? unwise, but understand what the will of the The Bible claims that the common person can understand Lord is (Ephesians it! 5:17).

29 The Bible Claims To Be From God The Bible always claims to be a product of the mind of God. The phrase, Thus says the LORD is found over 400 times in the Bible. knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21).

30 The Bible Claims To Be From God The Bible always claims to be a product of the mind of God. Is this claim true??????

31 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 1. The Unity of the Bible. Is it likely that the Bible would present a consistent message?

32 A Consistent Message 1. Written over a 1,500 year span. 2. Written by over 40 different authors. 3. Written by men of diverse background (i.e. fishermen, statesmen, kings, herdsmen, etc.). 4. Written in a wide variety of locations (i.e. prison, wilderness, palace, etc.). 5. Written under various conditions (i.e. times of war, times of peace). 6. Written on three continents: Asia, Africa, Europe. 7. Written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek. 8. Contains subject matter dealing with hundreds of the most controversial issues.

33 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 1. The Unity of the Bible. Is it likely that the Bible would present a consistent message? In spite of all of this diversity, the Bible still presents a consistent, unified message throughout and never contradicts itself.

34 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 2. The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible. The prophets who wrote the Bible were spokesmen for God. They often foretold future events hundreds of years beforehand.

35 Prophecy of the fall of Babylon Read Isaiah 13: The prophecy was given about 725 B.C. Babylon became a dominant world empire about 626 B.C. Cyrus, the Medo-Persian king, conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. (see Isaiah 45:1-2). The city of Babylon disappeaerd completely after 10 B.C.

36 Prophecy of the fall of Babylon What is Babylon like today? It is one of the most desolate places that I have ever visited (Werner Keller, The Bible As History, p. 299).

37 Prophecy of the fall of Babylon What is Babylon like today? A dead city Not a column or an arch still stands to demonstrate the permanency of human work. Everything has crumbled into dust (Edward Chiera, letter written while excavating Babylon in 1927).

38 Prophecy Against Three Cities Read Matthew 11: The prophecy was spoken by Jesus about 30 A.D. The prophecy was recorded about 50 A.D. There were four cities surrounding the Sea of Galilee: Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum, and Tiberias. Only Tiberias still exists as a thriving city. The other three cities were destroyed by an earthquake about 400 A.D.

39 How Could Jesus Fulfill These Prophecies???? Examples O.T. Prophecy Fulfilled 1. Born of virgin Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:22 2. Family of David Jeremiah 23:5 Matthew 1: Place of birth Micah 5:2 Matthew 2: Galilean Ministry Isaiah 9:1-2 Matthew 4: Purging the Temple Psalm 69:9 John 2:17 6. Triumphal Entry Zechariah 9:9 Matthew 21: Betrayed by friend Psalm 41:9 John 13:18 8. Price of betrayal Zechariah 11:12-13 Matthew 27: Deserted by disciples Zechariah 13:7 Matthew 26: Silent in trial Isaiah 53:7 Matthew 27: Mocked Psalm 22:7 Matthew 27: Vinegar & Gall Psalm 69:21 John 19: Words on cross Psalm 22:1 Matthew 27: Crucified w/thieves Isaiah 53:12 Matthew 27: Nailed/Pierced Psalm 22:16 John 19: No bones broken Psalm 34:20 John 19: Cast lots for clothes Psalm 22:18 John 19: Grave w/rich Isaiah 53:9 Matthew 27:57-60

40 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 2. The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible. The prophets who wrote the Bible were spokesmen for God. They often foretold future events hundreds of years beforehand. The prophecies of the Bible never fail! Would it be possible for men to accomplish this without being guided by God?

41 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 3. Archaeology supports the Bible. Archaeology is the study of the people, life, and customs of ancient times. Archaeological discoveries always support the Bible. The existence of the Hittites (Winckler, 1906). Solomon s vast wealth (Oriental Institute, 1939). King Belshazzar of Babylon (Rawlinson, 1876).

42 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 3. Archaeology supports the Bible. Archaeology is the study of the people, life, and customs of ancient times. Archaeological There can discoveries be no doubt always that support the archaeology Bible. has confirmed the What substantial do the experts historicity say? of the Old Testament tradition (William F. Albright, 1953).

43 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 3. Archaeology supports the Bible. Archaeology is the study of the people, life, and customs of ancient times. Archaeological It may be stated discoveries categorically always that support the Bible. no archaeological discovery has What do ever the controverted experts say? a Biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which conform in clear outline or exact detail historical statements in the Bible (Nelson Glueck, 1959).

44 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 3. Archaeology supports the Bible. Archaeology is the study of the people, life, Over and thirty customs names of (emperors, ancient times. high priests, Roman governors, Archaeological princes, discoveries etc.) are mentioned always in support the New Testament, the Bible. and all but a handful have been verified. In every way the Bible accounts have been found accurate (though What do the experts say? vigorously challenged). In no single case does the Bible let us down in geographical accuracy. Without one mistake, the Bible lists around forty-five countries. Each is accurately placed and named. About the same number of cities are named and no one mistake can be listed. Further, about thirty-six towns are mentioned, and most have been identified. Wherever accuracy can be checked, minute detail has been found correct every time! (Jerry Moffitt, 1993)

45 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 3. Archaeology supports the Bible. Archaeology is the study of the people, life, and customs of ancient times. Archaeological discoveries always support the Bible. What do the experts say? How can the Bible be so accurate?

46 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 4. Scientific accuracy of the Bible. The bible is over 1900 years old. Yet it doesn t contain any geographical, historical, or scientific errors commonly found in other books. Science textbooks that are 50 or 100 years old are considered outdated and full of error. The Bible is ancient, yet it is correct whenever it deals with scientific subject matter.

47 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 4. Scientific accuracy of the Bible. The earth is round (Isaiah 40:22). The earth is suspended in space (Job 26:7). There are channels and paths in the seas (Psalm 8). The life of the flesh is in its blood (Leviticus 17:10-16). The stars cannot be numbered (Genesis 13:16). The process of rain, evaporation, and condensation (Job 36:27-28).

48 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 4. Scientific accuracy of the Bible. The bible is over 1900 years old. Yet it doesn t contain any geographical, historical, or scientific errors commonly found in other books. Science textbooks that are 50 or 100 years old are considered outdated and full of error. The Bible is ancient, yet it is correct whenever it deals with scientific subject matter. How did the writers of the Bible know this?

49 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 5. The Moral Standard of the Bible. Morals are principles of right or wrong conduct. The writers of the New Testament were surrounded by the immorality, corruption, and pagan religion of the Roman Empire. Yet the New Testament standard of morality is the highest standard man has ever seen. Compare the Bible s standard of morality with the standards created by men.

50 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 5. The Moral Standard of the Bible. Morals are principles of right or wrong conduct. The But writers what of about the New spoken Testament falsehood? were surrounded Is it not sometimes by the immorality, and on corruption, some and pagan occasions religion of useful, the Roman and not Empire. then Yet the detestable? New Testament We can standard use it, for of morality is the example, highest standard as a kind man of preventive has ever seen. Compare medicine the Bible s against standard our of morality with the enemies standards created (Plato, The by men. Republic, p. 79).

51 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 5. The Moral Standard of the Bible. Morals are principles of right or wrong conduct. The writers of the New Testament were surrounded by the immorality, corruption, and pagan religion of the Roman Empire. Therefore, putting away lying, each Yet the New Testament standard of morality is the highest one standard speak truth man with has his ever seen. neighbor (Ephesians 4:25). Compare the Bible s standard of morality with the standards created by men.

52 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 5. The Moral Standard of the Bible. Morals are principles of right or wrong conduct. These officers will take the children The writers of the New Testament were of the better Guardians to a nursery surrounded by the immorality, corruption, and and put them in charge of nurses pagan religion of the Roman Empire. living in a separate part of the city: Yet the New Testament standard of morality is the children of the inferior the highest standard man has ever seen. Guardians, and any defective Compare the Bible s standard of morality with the offspring standards of the created others, by will men. be quietly and secretly disposed of (Plato, The Republic, p.182).

53 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 5. The Moral Standard of the Bible. Morals are principles of right or wrong conduct. The writers of the New Testament were surrounded by the immorality, corruption, and pagan And religion just as of you the want Roman men Empire. to do to Yet the New you, you Testament also do standard to them of morality is the highest likewise standard (Luke man 6:31). has ever seen. Compare the Bible s standard of morality with the standards created by men.

54 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 5. The Moral Standard of the Bible. Morals are principles of right or wrong conduct. The Men writers of understanding! of the New Testament In retaliation were surrounded you have by the a safeguard immorality, for corruption, your and pagan religion lives (The of the Qu ran Roman 2:178). Empire. Yet the New Testament standard of morality is the highest If anyone standard attacks man you, has attack ever him seen. Compare the as Bible s he attacked standard you of morality with the standards (The created Qu ran by 2:193). men.

55 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 5. The Moral Standard of the Bible. Morals are principles of right or wrong conduct. The writers of the New Testament were But I say to you, love your enemies, surrounded by the immorality, corruption, and bless those who curse you, do good pagan religion of the Roman Empire. to those who hate you, and pray for Yet the New Testament standard of morality is those who spitefully use you and the highest standard man has ever seen. persecute you (Matthew 5:44). Compare the Bible s standard of morality with the standards created by men.

56 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 5. The Moral Standard of the Bible. Morals are principles of right or wrong conduct. Good women are obedient As for The writers of the New Testament were surrounded those by from the immorality, whom you fear corruption, and pagan disobedience, religion of the admonish Roman and Empire. send Yet them New to beds Testament apart and standard beat them. of morality is the highest Then if standard they obey man you, has take ever no seen. Compare further Bible s action standard against them of morality with the standards (The created Qu ran by 4:34). men.

57 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 5. The Moral Standard of the Bible. Morals are principles of right or wrong conduct. The writers Wives, of the submit New to Testament your own were surrounded husbands, by the as immorality, to the Lord So corruption, and pagan religion of the Roman Empire. husbands ought to love their own Yet wives the New as Testament their own bodies; standard he of who morality is the highest standard man has ever seen. loves his wife loves Compare the Bible s standard of morality with himself (Ephesians 5:22, 28). the standards created by men.

58 Evidence That The Bible Is From God 1. The Unity of the Bible. 2. The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible. 3. Archaeology supports the Bible. 4. Scientific Accuracy of the Bible. 5. The Moral Standard of the Bible.

59 Is The Bible From God Or Man? We must make a decision about the Bible. We have only 2 choices: 1. Is it the product of an all-knowing, all-powerful God? If so, all of the evidence makes sense. This explanation fits the evidence.

60 Is The Bible From God Or Man? We must make a decision about the Bible. We have only 2 choices: 1. Is it the product of an all-knowing, all-powerful God? 2. Is it the product of mere men? These men would be liars. These men would be self-condemned. These self-condemned liars would have managed to devise the highest moral standard. A logical explanation would have to be given for the evidence.

61 Is The Bible From God Or Man? We must make a decision about the Bible. We have only 2 choices: 1. Is it the product of an all-knowing, all-powerful God? 2. Is it the product of mere men? Which choice makes more sense? You Must Decide!!!!!!

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