Why Trust the Bible?

The Bible is Reliable

The Bible’s reliability is based upon four basic facts.

God’s word is His, not humanity’s

AKA the “authorship” lens

2 Peter 1:16-21

2 Peter 1:16–21 “16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

God’s word is preserved, not pretend

AKA the “historical” lens

In the Old Testament, people called scribes paid careful attention to the word of prophets they believed were true prophets of God, men who received God’s word and communicated it to the people. The scribes ensured that year after year, the written word of the prophets were maintained word-for-word so that God’s people would have God’s word.

How did they choose which prophets had their words preserved? In other words, how did they know which prophets were legitimate? There were three tests they gave the prophets. The first was a divine call. Could the prophet testify that he was called to prophesy by God? If so, they would listen to the prophet. But it was easy for a prophet to lie, so there were additional tests and rules, like the rule that false prophets be killed (lying about God’s word was a serious crime, because the people depended on the true word of God for their survival). The second test was whether or not miracles occured in the prophet’s ministry. Miracles could include several things ranging from the possession of knowledge about nations, kings, or other people that would have been impossible to know apart from God revealing it to them. Other miracles included resurrection occurring in the ministry of the prophets, like when God raised the son of the widow of Zarephath from the dead through Elijah, or when Jonah abandoned ship to save men from the storm and survived three days in the belly of the fish before prophesying to Nineveh.

The third test was to see if the prophets’ words came true. Did what they say come to pass? If so, then the prophet legitimately communicated God’s word. And, since many prophets foretold of things to come many centuries beyond their own lifetime, it was critical for people to always have those exact word in their possession so that they could look for their fulfillment.

The preservation process was critical and exhaustive. Every jot and tittle was recorded meticulously so that the word-for-word transmission of the prophets was preserved, with some basic variations to account for updates to language systems (much like how English today is very similar but also very different from English 250 years ago). How do we know this actually happened and isn’t a farce? The Dead Sea Scrolls prove that this ancient practice occurred. The Scrolls discovered in the mid-20th century contain the book of Isaiah, one in almost a complete format (making it the oldest and most complete text of any book of the Bible ever discovered). The scrolls largely agree with other ancient discoveries and records of textual transmission that we have. In other words, the practice of preserving the Bible was of the highest integrity for any literary reproduction of its time.

The Bible contains the best preserved set of documents of any literary set from the ancient world, and there is not a close second.

God’s word is cohesive, not casual

AKA the “unity” lens

My personal study of Hosea, one of the minor prophets, has revealed that Hosea was very clearly aware of Deuteronomy and referenced it regularly to warn of judgment and be faithful to receive God’s promises. The book of Kings calls back on the book of Joshua often to give the reader a chance to understand where God’s people went astray leading them to exile. The New Testament shows the fulfillment of prophecy and interprets several sections of the Old Testament through the lens of the life of Jesus. The interconnectedness of the Bible shows that all the authors of Scripture were largely aware of other Scriptural authors and depended upon them for clarity and cohesion. Nothing in Scripture is arbitrary.

Example: 1 Kings 16:33–34 “33 And Ahab made an Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. 34 In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.” Now look at Joshua 6:26.

Joshua 6:26 “26 Joshua laid an oath on them at that time, saying, “Cursed before the Lord be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho. “At the cost of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son shall he set up its gates.””

Example: 1 Kings 16:33–34 and Joshua 6:26

God’s word is faithful, not false

AKA the “testimony” lens

God’s word accomplishes its purposes. Isaiah 55:11 “11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

How do we know this is true? When God’s word is believed and obeyed, what it promises will come to pass.

We also know this is true because the Holy Spirit testifies to us that this is true. How do we know if we are sons of God? The Spirit bears witness to this. Romans 8:16 “16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” Hebrews 10:15–18 “15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” 17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.”

If God’s word did not accomplish what it set out to do, then you would have a reason to believe that it is false. But there is evidence all around that it has accomplished what it has set out to do. At Covenant Life, there are 196 witnesses who can tell you that God’s word is true, because we believe that God’s Spirit has affirmed that God’s word is true inside us.

Is this like using the answer to prove itself? Maybe, but not if God is the one we can trust to make it true. If He has final authority, then the testimony of the Holy Spirit in us is true, and so God’s word is true.

Isaiah 55:11, Romans 8:16, Hebrews 10:15-18

The Bible is Good for You

Remember S.C.A.N.

The Bible is Sufficient

God’s word is sufficient for a knowledge of salvation and godly living.

Another way to say this is that God’s word gives us everything needed for knowing who God is and what He expects from us.

This has been true throughout the history of God’s people. God’s word was sufficient for Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, the early Church, etc.

Because God’s word is sufficient, no one can say that God hasn’t said enough for us to know how to live. His word contains everything we need for a knowledge of God and a life of godliness. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 “16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Since God’s word is sufficient, we don’t need to receive any more “new bible.” Hebrews 1:1–4 “1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

What does this mean for you? It means that you don’t have to look somewhere else to know who God is or what he expects from you. The Bible is sufficient to provide you with all this information.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 and Hebrews 1:1–4

What does this mean for you?

The Bible is Clear

Look at Deuteronomy for how God offers clear instructions.

Just before Israel is set to conquer the promised land, Moses gives them a second law, a law that will help them live as a nation and not just a wandering nomadic people. In the first 28+ chapters, Moses delivers a series of speeches, or perhaps its one big sermon depending on how you break it up about the law and its purpose. Then chapters 29 and 30 put a cap on the whole sermon, and Moses says,

Deuteronomy 30:11–14 “11 “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.”

You might say, “Well, I thought no is was good, and that no one seeks God? So, how can these people understand God’s word clearly enough to obey it?” Don’t forget that these people had already been recipients of God’s grace, and now needed to live as God’s free, chosen, and redeemed people in the land He has given them. This was not law-keeping in order for them to be saved, but rather law-keeping as a way to live in God’s grace, a response of thankfulness to the kindness and mercy of God. And it was the pathway for their continued joy. They did not have to understand it perfectly in order to understand it in a way that pleases God.

According to verses 15-19, the whole point of the first 28+ chapters of Deuteronomy is that if the people obey the voice of God, they will enjoy life, but if they disobey it, they will be cursed by God and removed from the land. That’s a very serious thing, so it is important that God’s word is clear enough to be understood and obeyed.

Since God has made his word sufficiently clear, no one can say that God’s word is too muddy to know what to believe or how to obey. Rather, God describes His own word as “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Psalm 119:130 says, “130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”

Psalm 119:105, 130

What does this mean for you?

The things that must be known, believed, and obeyed for salvation are so clearly set forth and explained in one part of Scripture or another that both the educated and uneducated may achieve a sufficient understanding of them by properly using ordinary measures. –Stan Reeves

What does this mean for you? It means that what God has provided you is clear enough for you to understand it and respond to it in a way that pleases God. You can understand God’s word today. You can read the Bible for yourself, and with a little basic help to know the meaning of words, you can understand what it means and how to live according to it.

What God has provided you is clear enough for you to understand it and respond to it in a way that pleases God

What does this mean for you?

The Bible is Authoritative

Good authority is a good thing.

Scripture is the final authority on all issues pertaining to God and godliness. Since it is God’s word to us, it comes with his authority. If ever there is an issue about how we are to believe or behave, if Scripture is clear on those issues, then we must submit ourselves to Scripture in order to please God.

There are others who disagree with me.

Roman Catholics believe that Scripture has given us “Holy Tradition” as the final authority. Therefore, issues of belief and obedience can be settled apart from the Bible.

Liberal Protestants believe that the final authority is given to human experience in the Christian life. Therefore, issues of belief and obedience can be settled apart from the Bible and in different ways at different times.

Protestant Evangelicals (like us) believe that the final authority for all issues pertaining to God and godliness are the words of Scripture.

The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture. –WCF 1.10

What does this mean for you? It means that you should look to please God, and all other things will fall into place. How do you please God in your day to day life? By living as He commands. Where do you look to find answers to difficult questions about life? You look to God’s word, because He has authority to speak on those issues.

What does this mean for you?

The Bible is Necessary

Without the Bible, you would not have what you need to know God and live righteously.

Without the Bible, what would we have to know the one, true, living God and live in a way that honors him? Nothing concrete. Everything else on earth changes: laws, customs, country boarders, music, literature, leaders and rulers, systems of power, etc. Nothing is consistent enough on earth to provide us with a steady understanding that crosses the lines of eras which would lead us to understand God consistently from one generation to another.

Without God’s word being transmitted to you, you would not know of the grace of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Without God’s word being available to you, you would not know that you could be reconciled to the God who has sent His son to pay for your sin. You would never know that your are a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness. You would never have heard of Jesus, whose life was everything ours must be; whose death is everything we deserve; whose resurrection is our great hope beyond the grave; whose return will bring about a new heaven and new earth, where death will be no more, and where only the righteous will dwell.

What does this mean for you? it means you should read God’s word carefully, seeking to understand it and apply it to your lives. It is in your possession; how fortunate you are! But we live in a time in which we take God’s word for granted. We are so close to it; it sits on our phones, bookshelves, and pew backs. But does it reside in your heart? if it doesn’t, then you are as far away from it as the tribe who has never heard of the Bible or Jesus.

This week, you have the opportunity to read it. So, let me leave you with some homework to read the book of Ephesians at least once. Look for the clear things: who is God? What has he done? What does he expect from you?

What does this mean for you?

Homework this week: Read Ephesians