Thoughts About The Bible

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BIBLE

Have you ever read Popular Mechanics? I really enjoy all the diagrams and photographs with trendy cutting edge gadgets. But, even with all this cool imagery, many of the articles were simply based on concepts; some will work while others will someday look foolish and naive. When men work together they may find a way to produce unified print, yet time will reveal its flaws. However, when we look at the Bible in this way we begin to see a unique collection of writing put together in such a way that time has only further confirmed its accuracy. Although the Bible does address science and technology during different periods of authorship, it is not concerned with social trends or latest, greatest technology. Its information, directions, and commands are nearly inexhaustible in topic yet this collection of writings has one basic purpose; to reveal the Living God and His plan of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. The account was compiled by more than 30 writers over a span of over 1,500 years between Moses and John yet with perfect harmony of message. 

No other literature can even begin to claim a unity as such. Authors did not seek personal gain, nor did they seek fame as they generally were rejected by the masses because of the messages delivered. This is particularly evident of the Prophets. Speaking on the Lord’s behalf over 3,000 times, they delivered messages of warning, comfort, future hope, or imminent destruction of men. In fact, the truthfulness and historical accuracy of these claims sets the Bible apart from every other book claiming Divine authority. Jesus alone fulfilled dozens of specific Old Testament prophecies indirectly or directly. Josh MacDowel, a former atheist, calculated the odds of Jesus fulfilling merely 8 prophecies at 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000. Jesus Himself frequently acknowledged the authority previously revealed about Him. He claimed that the authority was given to Him by the Father on occasions and at other times He revealed His inherent authority as God, such as “to forgive sins.” (Mark 2) This compilation of evidence infers strongly that the Bible is authoritative. As God’s revelation through men, its accuracy and internal witness demand reverence for the commands and guidelines set in place throughout the scripture. Just as the prophecies have come to pass until now, what makes us think that they will cease in our lifetime?

You may think that since God delivered scripture through men that it can’t be trusted. That just isn’t the case. God inspired the original authors as Paul writes that “All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Tim 3:16). God, through the work of The Holy Spirit guided the writing process in such a way to perfectly communicate His message through Paul, not by Paul’s intuition, understanding of concept, or personal ability. The authorship and authority has been claimed by God, so no other position carries the implication to fruition except God as author through men. Such a collection of writings certainly requires a miraculous act as their cause. Jesus Himself, claimed that “the scripture cannot be broken” in John 10:34-35. Meaning there are no gaps, breaks, or holes by which the content and truthfulness should slip through or be tarnished.
The Bible in its original autograph and intended context is eternally true and accurate in content. It is inerrant. Just as the Apostle Paul claimed scripture to be God-breathed he claimed its authoritative nature in that it “is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." As Jesus has claim to authority in scripture by His unique position, being the perfect fulfillment of prophetic insight, we do well to examine His views of the bible. He says, in John 17:17, “Sanctify them by thy word, thy word is truth.” Jesus is claiming that the inspired Word is Truth. Apart from the internal witness of scripture we also know that the earliest church fathers held a similar view of the Scripture. Likewise, judging the Word of God according to the character of God we know that a God who is “light” must certainly provide only truth in revealing Himself to mankind.
Beyond the honest pursuit of truth, I and millions of others before me have come to experience the truthfulness of God’s Word through its life changing power delivered in the Gospel. Without the life giving Word of God I have no other explanation for my own changed life. A life beginning in deviation even in those things I knew to be wrong. Through relying the Word of God I have become a changed man. That is the nature of the Bible. Its content is powerful, “sharper than any double edged sword,” and its truth will cut to the deepest level, the spirit of a man. As the “Word was made flesh” (John 1:14) the Word of God carries the sanctifying authority of God. What else can we do with the message of our Creator except trust and obey?