Can I trust the Bible?
I wrote the following while I was in Osaka sometime in 1988.
CAN I TRUST THE BIBLE?
Q. What is the supreme and final authority in faith and life?
A. The Bible.
Q. What is the Bible?
A. The Bible is the term applied to the collection of holy books which comprises the Old and New Testaments. It consists of 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books.
Q. Can I trust the Bible as my basis in life and practice?
A. Yes, because the Bible, the Word of God, is inerrant and verbally inspired of God in all its parts.
Q. What do we mean when we say that the Bible is inerrant and verbally inspired of God in all its parts?
A. The Bible does not contain errors. It is perfect and pure (Psalm 19:7-11; Psalm 119:140; Matthew 5:17-18; John 10:35; John 17:17). It is accurate in historical chronology and events related to science. Its author is God Himself who used human writers moved by the Holy Spirit to make His Word available to men (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). The word "inspired" (theopneustos) in the original Greek language literally means "God-breathed". When the Bible claims to be inspired, we understand therefore, that it came from the mouth of God. It is God-breathed, inspired. God selected men who worked with Him in writing the scriptures. However, in this work, God is the author who gave the message, and the selected men are His writing instruments. God guided or inspired them so that the words written are the exact message God wanted recorded in the Bible.
Q. Is the Bible relevant today?
A. Yes. Though it was written centuries ago, it is still relevant today. The truths of the Bible still apply today because God, its author, does not change (Malachi 3:6). What the ancients have discovered about God in their time are still true today. Their experiences "were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4; I Cor 10:11).
Q. What then is my responsibility in relation to the Word of God?
A. Study it. "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein" (Joshua 1:8). Personal study of the Bible (some call it Quiet Time) is beneficial to every follower of Christ. The Bible is not just a great literature or an accurate history book. It is God's Word. Therein is contained God's will and purpose for every believer. We will profit most from the Bible if we obey its commands and apply its holy principles in our lives. If we do so, we will find God's promise to Joshua to be also true to our lives. "For then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
posted by Pids Nogales | 8:45 AM
1 Comments:
Have you ever considered that the bible is somewhat incomplete? I mean, what is your stance on the dead sea scrolls. The writing started after the fall of the Kingdom of Solomon. That's when Jews really embraced their identity, and started writing about it. It's a historic text. But, do you really think that it is supreme? Especially since some parts might possibly be missing, and how can an incomplete text be supreme? I'm not being cynical or putting down its greatness, because it is a great text. I was just wondering if you've considered the possibility that some texts are incomplete or there are missing entire books, since it has been centuries, therefore the bible is not as complete, therefore it would be good for people to interpret the bible with open minds.
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