THE VALIDITY OF THE BIBLE

Christians believe that the Bible is the primary source of divine revelation and truth. Those outside of our faith often align the scripture more to fantasy than to truth. Because of this, when believers try to share spiritual lessons based on their primary source, nonbelievers understandably do not give it much weight. 

Even though God’s word would be the first place a church would start to teach the basics of faith, it is a non-starter unless we establish the validity of that truth.

Reflection Question 1

• What are your assumptions about the Bible, it’s source and historical validity? Taking time to reflect on your presuppositions before you begin is an important step to be able to process evidence without previous biases.

AUTHORSHIP AND HISTORICITY 

The Bible was written by more than 40 authors over 1600 years in three different languages. These authors had a variety of professions including fishermen, doctors, tax collectors, and kings. Despite this variety of sources, language and backgrounds, the Bible has an incredible continuity through all 66 books. Christians believe this is due to the fact that one consistent God inspired all of these writings, bringing a unified story and truth despite the diverse experiences of cultures and authors.

On top of that, “Of all the ancient books of the world, none can compare to the New Testament with its abundance of manuscript evidence and historical reliability. There are nearly 5,700 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament that date back to within one generation of the originals; when these manuscripts are compared for accuracy they are 99.5 percent accurate. The .5 percent in question does not deal with any doctrine.” (The Encyclopedia of Apologetics, Hindson and Caner)

“No other ancient book has anything like such early and plentiful testimony to its text, and no unbiased scholar would deny that the text that has come down to us is substantially sound” (Kenyon, Frederic, director of the British Museum)

There are even non-biblical writings, archeological evidence, and other proofs that affirm different aspects of Scripture that lend external verification to historical accuracies of the Bible.

Tacitus, a highly regarded first century Roman historian wrote “Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their center and become popular.” His report affirms the life and crucifixion of Christ as well as a “most mischievous superstition” which could be the resurrection of Jesus.

Josephus, who lived AD 38-97, was a Jewish historian under Roman authority. He wrote, “At this time there was a wise man named Jesus. His conduct was good and [he] was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. But those who became his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion, and that he was alive; accordingly he was perhaps the Messiah, concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders.”

These evidences, and many others not mentioned here, may not prove the existence of God but it does give weight to the authenticity of the Bible as we read it today. What others dismiss as myths or theologies developed later for the church to manipulate believers are actually rooted and reported within the lifetime of eye witnesses. The accuracy of the Bible we read today is confirmed by manuscripts recovered that date back within one generation of when they were written.

The accounts we read about Jesus today are accurate to the letters and books that were written. Understanding some authenticity of scripture will hopefully give us a similar footing to being to explore what the scriptures themselves say.

• Have you ever studied external sources and authorship of the Bible? 
• What doubts or questions do you have about the Bible or biblical history?
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Send us your answers and responses to these prompts.

WHAT IS THE WORD OF GOD?

Reflection Question 2:

• What do you think the "word of God" is?

The title of this section is "What is the Word of God?" not just "What is the Bible?" While there is a major overlap between these two questions, in the understanding the true foundations of Christianity, it is important to see the differences. God existed before time began, before the formation of the world, including trees, paper, and the printed word. Christians believe God's word spoke everything into existence and once humanity was on the earth, God used His words to communicate His truth to creation and the recording of that is contained in the Bible.

With that being said, we definitely do not want to diminish the importance of what the Bible is to our faith. Scripture records the events, actions, and communications of God with humanity. We believe that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The Bible is the living word of God and each word is said with intention and purpose. The message contained in this book, inspired by God who had a plan to provide salvation for any who would ask for it, is one of the most beautiful expressions of love. In His word, He makes promise to His children to provide, shelter, love and save.

What a lot of people may not realize is that we believe that the truth of God, the essence of His faithfulness and promises, fully manifested into the person of Jesus. All of the descriptions of who we learn God is: powerful, all knowing, righteous, Holy (set apart by perfection and without flaw), just, merciful and loving, were born as a baby in a manger two thousand years ago. This is the story we celebrate on Christmas Day.

The book of John opens with this,

"1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.

3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. . .

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." The Word of God is every truth of the eternal God expressed in His Son, Jesus. Jesus was with God from the very beginning, not limited to the time after He was born in a manger, but present at the very formation of the world. Beyond that, He took part in creation as God. Verse 10 tells us that even though He made the world and all of creation, when He walked the earth the world did not recognize Him. Despite this, He lived to bring the created children of God back to their Father.

Here we have the "Word of God" (Jesus), fulfilling the word of God (His promise of salvation), explained to us in the word of God (the written scripture).

We have now had two different studies to try and set a foundation to have a conversation about the Christian faith. There is proof of historical accuracy to be able to at least give enough weight to discuss what is in the Bible, and then to step back and understand that the written words that we read are not just made up, but are a continuation and extension of the nature and essence of God. His Word was born into reality to keep the promises of His word.

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• Is your understanding of the word of God any different than what you answered in the reflection question 2 above?
• What impact could a real connection with the "Word" of God mean for your life?
  

Send us your answers and responses to these prompts.