Yesterday we talked about the reason behind why the Bible is composed the way it is. Today we are going to look at how we can KNOW that the Bible is God’s Word. There are some basic facts you can know and share with others that point to the Bible as God’s Word and therefore the ultimate authority of truth, but even when we know the background and the facts there is still a faith element involved. We still have to believe in faith that all Scripture is from God.
Question #2:
Was the Bible authored by God or men?
This is a common question that most people have about the Bible. The simple answer with a complex explanation is that God is the author of the Bible. You will often see the word “inspired” connected with the thought of God’s authorship of the Bible. The term “inspired” refers to God’s revelation to prophets in the Old Testament and God’s revelation through the Holy Spirit to the writers of the New Testament.
Question #3:
How can we know for our own spiritual walk and then be able to explain to others that the Bible is God’s Word?
- The Bible tells us that Scripture is from God.
“All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
- In the Old Testament, we constantly see “Thus says the Lord.”
- Old Testament prophets use language like “The the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth” (Jeremiah 1:9).
- In the New Testament, we see several passages that refer to the Old Testament as God’s Word. (2 Peter 1:21)
- The Bible is historically accurate
- Bible scholars and historians have compared the Bible with other writings and manuscripts from the periods when the Bible was written and it is consistently accurate.
- Fulfillment of Prophecy
- If you have ever studied the Old Testament, you have seen how many prophecies that were given in the Old Testament were fulfilled in the New Testament. Last year, I studied Isaiah and it was particularly encouraging to me to see all the prophecies about Jesus that were given in Isaiah and then fulfilled in the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
When I look at all the arguments for the authority of God’s Word, for me personally by far the most convincing argument for the ultimate authority of Scripture is my own personal transformation due to the Scripture. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the Bible has transformed my life. In the words of Scripture I find: strength to endure difficult situations, conviction of the sin in my life, realization of the fulfillment of prophecy, and promise of a glorious hope to come.
Wayne Grudem defines authority of scripture with the following definition:
“The authority of Scripture means that all words in the Scripture are God’s words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God.”
The above definition confirms that if we don’t believe the Bible is the Word of God then we disbelieve God. As believers, just as we have faith that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified on a cross, and rose three days later, we must also believe in faith that the Bible is the inspired Word of God “alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Because the Bible was authored by God and is the standard of truth, we can’t pick and chose what parts we want to apply to our lives and what parts we don’t.
Question #4:
Do I know what the Bible says about God’s Word?
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8).
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-12).
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).
Questions to Ponder...
Would I be able to answer questions about the authorship and authority of the Bible if challenged by a non-believer?
Do I pick and choose which parts of scripture I want to apply? Do I only want to focus on the passages about God’s mercy and love and skip over His justice and requirements for holy living?
Resources:
Bible Doctrine: Essential teachings of the Christian Faith by Wayne Grudem
Why We Believe the Bible by John Piper: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/seminars/why-we-believe-the-bible-part-1
Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by RC Sproul
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