Why I Believe in the Bible (Part 2/2)

Take It In

5 Crucial Questions About the Bible

Is the Bible the Word of God or the Word of men?

Is the Bible full of myths and legends and fairy tales, or is it historically reliable?

Is all the Bible true, or are only parts of it trustworthy?

Can the Bible be translated that many times over hundreds and hundreds of years and still be accurate?

What makes the Bible different than other religious writings?

7 Reasons Why I Believe in the Bible

1. Isn’t the bible a collection of stories, myths, and legends?

By saying that we interpret the Bible literally, we are not saying that we don’t believe that the Bible encompasses different literary tools. The Bible uses metaphors, parables, symbols, poetry, etc. Interpreting the Bible “literally” means interpreting it just as we would any other literature that uses these tools.

2 Timothy 2:14 ESV

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2. Don’t all religions have their holy book? What makes the Bible so special?

The Bible is NOT the only book that claims to be from God (Quran, Book of Mormon, etc.). What separates the Bible is the fact not a single truth claim that it makes has ever been or will ever be disproven.

Proverbs 2:6 ESV

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

3. What else makes the Bible unique?

Shepherds, kings, scholars, fishermen, prophets, a military general, a cupbearer, and a priest all penned portions of Scripture. They had different immediate purposes for writing, whether recording history, giving spiritual and moral instruction, or pronouncing judgment.

They composed their works from palaces, prisons, the wilderness, and places of exile while writing history, laws, poetry, prophecy, and proverbs. In the process they laid bare their personal emotions, expressing anger, frustration, joy, and love.

Yet despite this marvelous array of topics and goals, the Bible displays a flawless internal consistency. It never contradicts itself or its common theme.

Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 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.

Yet despite this marvelous array of topics and goals, the Bible displays a flawless internal consistency. It never contradicts itself or its common theme.

4. Can the Bible be the very Word of God?

Scripture testifies to the fact that God has revealed Himself progressively, building on what He revealed before until the final revelation of Himself in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 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.

Hebrews 11:1–2 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation.

5. What else sets the Bible apart?

There are some 1,817 prophecies of some nature in the Bible at the time the author wrote the Scripture. A prophecy is pre-written history. Only God knows the future and the reason that God knows the future is because God has foreordained the future. God’s not looking down the tunnel of time to see anything because God already knows everything. And God has already foreordained everything. And He records some of it for us in the Scripture.

6. What about the transmission of Scripture?

See “Has the Bible Really Been Preserved for Us Today?”

While thousands of years have passed since God breathed out the Old and New Testament Scriptures, they remain the living, perfect Word of God today. Though the Scriptures have passed through countless scribes and many forms— from papyrus to paper to phone— you can be confident that the Word you read today is the very Word that was breathed out by God and written by the prophets and apostles.

7. What is the final reason Chip gives for his belief in the Bible?

Psalm 119:9–11 ESV

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Jeremiah 15:16 ESV

Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.

Ask yourself one simple question - have you ever been led astray by the commands and promises found in Scripture?

Talk It Over

1. Share with the group. What’s your game plan to get into God’s Word for yourself?

Hermeneutics: the science of interpreting Scripture

“The Analogy of Faith” - Scripture is to interpret Scripture. This simply means that no part of Scripture can be interpreted in such a way to render it in conflict with what is clearly taught elsewhere in Scripture.

“Interpreting the Bible Literally” - To interpret the Bible literally is to interpret it as literature. That is, the natural meaning of a passage is to be interpreted according to the normal rules of grammar, speech, syntax and context.