Sunday, February 6, 2010 pm
CAN WE COUNT ON THE BIBLE? (1)
INTRODUCTION
The Inspiration of the Bible
Tonight, I would like to begin a
study of an important subject and one that many have expressed interest
in. We want to examine how
we can know that the Bible we have before us is the word of God in its
completed state. In this study,
it is truly my hope that I am “preaching to the choir”.
I have great confidence that most, if not all of us, would
unequivocally defend that Bible we have as the word of God.
But can you prove it?
Why this study?
There are many reasons why I believe a study such as this is
important and I have decided to preach these lessons:
Reasons include:
·
Because
this is something many are interested in.
When I announced this study last year, I received several
comments of interest. While such is not a justifiable reason within
itself, it is something to consider, especially since it at the
foundation of our faith. The
interest of people in this study is not the same as so many worldly
attitudes that call for so-called “relevant” lessons on social issues
and trends that barely skim the pages of the Bible, if at all, in their
approach.
·
Because
our confidence in the Bible DOES relate to how we approach it.
If we cannot with total confidence go to the Bible as the word of
God, it will affect how we respond to its teachings, especially when
such demands sacrifice or unpleasant results in our lives.
·
We have
a responsibility to ensure that what we believe and teach IS the Word of
God.
Consider 2 Tim. 2:15, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The phrase, “rightly dividing” is from a Greek word which
literally means “to cut straight.”
It is found only here in the NT (and in the LXX in Prov. 3:6,
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall
direct your paths” & Prov. 11:5, “The righteousness of the blameless will
direct his way aright, but the wicked will fall by his own
wickedness.”). The idea is to lay a straight path with the word of
God. In other words, we are
to handle it accurately (cf. NASU).
Doing this would not only apply to the message of the text, but
also to verifying that what we have IS God’s word.
When we read that we are not to add to or take away from God’s word, we
see this verified (Rev. 22:18-19, Deut. 12:32,
Gal. 1:8-9, etc.)
·
This
study will help to increase our faith (i.e. verify) that what we have IS
the Word of God.
It never hurts to validate what you believe to be true.
I suspect that some (if not most of us) at some point has asked
questions (at least in our minds) about how can we know that what we
have is the word of God.
NOTE: I am not implying doubt, but questions.
As I said earlier, I am preaching to the choir.
But does our faith need to be blind?
Can we verify that what we have is the truth?
You need the confidence and tools to explain what you believe.
·
Because
the Word of God will be the standard by which we will be judged
(Rom. 2:16, John 5:24-29, 12:48, Rev. 20:12, etc.).
Should we not verify that what we have is the completed word of
God?
·
Because
we live in a society that doubts, mocks and assaults the inspiration of
the Bible and those who follow it on a regular basis.
Such is seen and heard in the media on a regular basis, taught in
our schools and universities and even legislated in our courts and
capitols. In 2006, the
DaVinci Code movie was released which was an assault on the teachings of
the Bible about Jesus. In
recent years, we have heard of books being released such as the Gospel
of Judas and the Gospel of Thomas, and other books which have caused
many to question the completeness of the Bible.
These are just a handful of
examples of how the Word of God in the Bible has been assaulted.
What proofs do we have such works do NOT belong in the Bible?
How do we answer these critics?
·
Because
you need to be able to defend the integrity of the Bible with those who
question it – IF you discuss
the Bible with others on a regular basis you HAVE come across those who
have problems with the integrity of the Bible (i.e. Catholics say it is
incomplete, Muslims say it is full of errors, liberal theologians and
churches say it is not the verbally inspired word of God or outdated,
but rather a guide of suggestions and principles whose details are left
to our discretion. Others say its
writers, while in contact with Jesus Christ and influenced by God, were
not inspired in their wording. They
presented ideas from God, but with their own interpretations.
There is also much discussion about it being full of errors or that it
has been corrupted over the centuries [via translations].)
1 Peter 3:15 tells us to give a defense for the hope that is in us.
Could you defend the integrity of the Bible?
·
Because
we don’t have to blindly deny the things critics of the word of God say.
Our God has never demanded blind obedience to Him.
While He does call for faith, there has ALWAYS been proof that
set Him apart from that which is false.
His Word is no different.
There are ways to prove and verify that which comes from God and to
reject that which does NOT come from Him.
Our study will be directed toward that end.
Since God wants us to understand what His will is (Eph. 5:17),
does it not make sense that He has provided for us to prove His will?
2 Peter 1:16 says, “For we did not
follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…”
1 Thess 1:5, “ For our gospel did
not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit
and in much assurance, as you
know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.”
In this study we will examine some of the
following topics –
·
We shall
establish first and foremost that the Bible IS inspired by opening it
and examining its qualities and looking at evidence which validates it
and sets it apart from other so-called inspired works.
·
We will
examine the path that leads from God to the men who wrote the actual
books, both Old and New Testament.
·
How do we
know that the 66 books we have in our Bible are the only inspired books
and ALL of the inspired writings we need?
We will verify that both the Old Testament and New Testament we
have are both reliable.
·
Is the
Bible accurate or are there errors in interpretation?
IS what we have, just “a copy of a copy of a copy” or is there
more to it?
·
Related
topics - There are many terms we
hear people speak of from time to time (including in classes and
sermons) which are relevant to this discussion.
Terms such as the Apocrypha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Canon, the
Early Church Fathers, etc. We will briefly identify these subjects and
see how they relate to the inspiration of the Bible.
·
Methods of
translation – noting the number of resources available and consulted in
creating a valid translation
·
Translating the Word of God (Bible) into English (History of English
translations).
·
Why so
many English translations?
Some of the differences. Why
are some more reliable than others?
I.
About the Bible
a.
The word
“Bible” is from the Greek word, βιβλίον (Biblion) and simply means a
book or scroll.
b.
It is
found some 32 times in the New Testament and its equivalents more than
180 times in the Old Testament (translated in the LXX).
Easton’s Bible Dictionary notes that the name was given to “the
Library of Divine Revelation” in the 5th century.
c.
But the
word, in our language has been watered down to refer to “any book,
reference work, periodical, etc., accepted as authoritative,
informative, or reliable.” I.e. The hunter’s Bible, etc.
(Random House Dictionary)
d.
As we
refer to the Bible in our study, we are making reference to
what we accept to be the word of
God revealed to us exactly as He desired it to be written –
namely, the 66 books which comprise the Old and New Testaments.
We reject other books that are accepted by some as inspired, such as the
Apocrypha and the creedal writings of books such as the Book of
Mormon, the Qur’an, The New World Translation
(Jehovah’s Witnesses) and supplements such as Science and Health with
Key to the Scriptures (Church of Christ Scientist), Watchtower
publications, etc.
e.
We need to
understand that the Bible we have before us was not something thrown
together by some groups of men based upon their opinions and whims, but
something that has been scrutinized, tried and proven to be the word of
God itself, as He intended for us to have it (cf. 1 John 4:1, .
II.
The Inspiration of the Bible
a.
The term
inspiration literally means, “the breath of God” or “God breathed.”
It has reference to that which is divinely recorded in writings
as uttered and directed by God, while using the attributes of the
authors.
b.
The word
is found only once in scripture – 2 Tim. 3:16 where we read that all
writings inspired of God are profitable to give us all that we need.
c.
The Bible
claims inspiration.
Throughout scripture, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament we
find claims of the Bible being inspired (the Word of God).
i.
Quite
frequently, the message is revealed as if God is speaking.
Exodus 24:3-4, “So Moses came and
told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgments. And all
the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words which the
Lord has said we will do." And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord…”
ii.
We
frequently read in the prophets, “Thus says the Lord”.
In fact that expression is found more than 400 times in the Old
Testament.
Isaiah 1:2, “The Lord has spoken”
iii.
1
Corinthians 14:37, “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or
spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are
the commandments of the Lord.”
iv.
Ephesians
3:3-5, Paul mentioned “how that by revelation He made known to me the
mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you
may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)…”
v.
1 Cor.
2:10-13 finds Paul clearly noting that his message was not from man, but
from God.
vi.
1 Timothy
4:1, “Now the Spirit expressly says…”
d.
The
scriptures claim to be true –
i.
Psalm
119:128, “Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things, I consider
to be right; I hate every false way.”
Psalm 119:151, “You are near O
Lord, and all Your commandments are truth.
Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have
founded them forever.”
ii.
John 17:17, “Sanctify them by
Your truth, Your word is truth.”
iii.
Ephesians
4:21, says, “as the truth is in Jesus.”
e.
The
scriptures claim perfection – a characteristic which demonstrates that
it is from God.
i.
2 Tim.
3:16, 17 – All scripture is given by inspiration and is profitable…to
make the man of God complete.
ii.
Psalm
19:7-9 – the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.
iii.
James 1:17
says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes
down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or
shadow of turning.”
Would not the word of God be included in this?
Jas 1:25 would then describe “the
perfect Law of liberty” that we are to look into.
iv.
John
10:35, scripture cannot be broken – Jesus was defending His works.
f.
The
scriptures claim completion
i.
2 Pet.
1:3, He has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness.”
ii.
Jude 3 is
a passage that reminds us there will be no other message after this one.
iii.
Galatians
1:6-9 – there is not another gospel.
g.
We have
recorded in scripture that men received from God that which He intended.
i.
2 Pet.
1:19-22 speaks of the prophetic word confirmed (that which prophets had
spoken of centuries earlier was now manifested and fulfilled) which we
need to heed. He proceeds to
identify how holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy
Spirit. This verse VERIFIES
that what the prophets spoke was not their own message.
ii.
Consider
the corrupt prophet Balaam.
While he was a prophet of God, his motives were evil.
Nonetheless, as he prophesied for God he had NO power to change
the message he was to deliver (Num. 22:18, 24:13-14, etc.).
Could not the same be said of the written word?
iii.
Galatians
1:12 notes that what Paul taught did not come from man, but “through the
revelation of Jesus Christ.”
iv.
Jesus
promised His apostles that the Helper, the Holy Spirit would guide them
into “all truth” – John 16:13-14.
They in turn recorded this message.
We have shown internally that the Bible claims to be inspired.
Because the Bible claims inspiration, we must take it seriously
and we ought to verify its claims.
They go hand in hand. Furthermore, we should be prepared to
defend the word of God as much as we defend God and our Savior to those
who doubt. It is with this
in mind that I believe this study to be needed.