Answering The Tough Questions Tonight s Topic Is The Bible Reliable? Pastor Tim Carpenter Bethany Church! Who is the person who comes to mind? 1
Answering The Tough Questions Tonight s Topic Is The Bible Reliable? Pastor Tim Carpenter Bethany Church! Recap from last week! We discussed some basics of: " How to Study The Bible (Context, Original Audience, Genre, Christo-centric) " Our culture values (Autonomy, Relativism, Sexualized, Materialistic, Power-hungry) " 6 Tools for (Remember Your Why, Listen Well, Determine Interest, Clarify, Do Your Homework, Know Your Role) " Resources Sent Out 2
! Small Group Discussion (5 minutes, Groups of 3)! Which of the 6 tools is the hardest for you and why?! A reminder about our approach to this class a two-fold approach:! 1: Making the case to give the Christian a solid foundation on the topic (the reliability of the Bible)! 2: Giving you tools with how to engage others on the topic of the reliability of the Bible 3
9/22/16! Tonight s Topic:! Is The Bible Reliable?! Why does this question matter? " The Christian faith is rooted in the Bible and if it is inaccurate, there are major challenges to our faith " Note: If the Christian faith is not rooted in The Bible, in what is it rooted? The Bible is our objective referent. " Many questions about the legitimacy of our faith are rooted in the reliability of The Bible.! Tonight s Topic: Is The Bible Reliable?! Why does this question matter? " Our goal is to point people to Jesus " Who He is, what He is like, and what He has done is rooted in The Bible 4
! Consider the following:! If the Bible if filled with contradictions how can we know what to trust and what not to trust? How do we know if the information we are using for eternally-significant choices is trustworthy?! If the Bible is historically inaccurate, how can we know if Jesus, the apostles, etc. ever really existed?! This is not a esoteric issue. We understand the importance of reliability at a personal, day-to-day level. 5
! A 3-Fold Test for Biblical Reliability (Zacharias, Strobel, et al.)! Historical Accuracy! Internal Consistency! Experiential Relevance! Historical Accuracy " Reported facts are corroborated by research " What was reported to have happened is confirmed " Documents are accurate when compared to ancient texts " Current Bibles match ancient scrolls/texts " Consider a non-biblical case, ex. George Washington 6
! Simply stated, this is what historical accuracy means: 1. Documents from thousands of years ago have been found. 2. Many of these documents say X about ancient cultures and ancient history. 3. Modern historians and archeologists have researched many of these claims and found them to be true.! The more confirmed facts = the more reliable! Everyday example: The trustworthiness of a spouse, child, or friend! A list of failed promises leads to distrust! A list of held promises leads to trust 7
! And so we ask, Does the Bible line up/match up with what historians and archeologist have discovered?! Example 1: Cannanite Asherah pole from Deuteronomy 7:5, 12:3, 16:21! Example 2: The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers from Genesis 2:10-14 8
! Example 3: Pontius Pilate from Matthew 27:2! Example 4: The Pool of Bethesda from John 5. 9
9/22/16! Example 5: The Cyrus Cylinder from Ezra 1:1-4 (Find this at Smithsonianmag.org)! What about prophecy? Did the predictions come true? 10
! What about the Bible we have today? Is it the same as what was originally written? 4 things to consider! What about the Bible we have today? Is it the same as what was originally written? 4 things to consider 11
! What about the Bible we have today? Is it the same as what was originally written? 4 things to consider! What about the Bible we have today? Is it the same as what was originally written? 4 things to consider 12
! Remember that all these facts cannot PROVE the Bible to be irrefutably reliable. But what it does do is build a strong case for the Bible s reliability.! A 3-Fold Test for Biblical Reliability (Zacharias, Strobel, et al.)! Historical Accuracy! Internal Consistency! Experiential Relevance 13
! Note that the idea of internal consistency is something that is used in research in many fields.! There are 66 books in the Bible. They are written in various genres. 14
! The books of the Bible were written over about 1500 years.! There are around 40 different authors of the books of the Bible. 15
! The Bible was written over about 40 generations.! Yet in all this diversity, the main point is consistently the glory and love of God revealed most fully in Jesus Christ. 16
! The Son of Eve! The Son who was put to death! The True Passover Lamb! The True and Atoning Sacrifice! The true King of His people! The True Judge and Lawgiver! The Loving Bridegroom! The Suffering Servant! The Husband who buys us back! A 3-Fold Test for Biblical Reliability (Zacharias, Strobel, et al.)! Historical Accuracy! Internal Consistency! Experiential Relevance 17
! When applied to our lives and empowered by the Spirit of God, the Bible is a tool that transforms people.! From running away to martyrs for Jesus 18
! From mass murderer to disciple maker! The Bible applied has changed lives. 19
! Are you on this list too? If you are a Christian, you are.! Tools to have the Is The Bible Reliable Discussion. The question often comes like this: The Bible isn t reliable it s filled with contradictions, it was written by men, and it s changed over all the years. 20
! 1. Remember the goal is pointing people to Christ in a loving way.! 2. Gauge interest level is it a real question? Or perhaps the issue is not the issue.! 3. Ask for examples and open the Bible.! 4. Asking to respond Can I share some thoughts on that?! 5. You don t need to know ALL the answers! My recommendation 66 books, 40 authors, 1500 years all pointing to Jesus.! 6. Return with answers if you don t have them.! This is the beginning of a discussion Let s close in prayer, and please pray WITH me. 21