The Christ in Prophecy Journal

Answers on the Validity of the Bible (Part 1)

CiP QA 16

In this week’s episode of Christ in Prophecy, we responded to some of the most frequently asked questions that Lamb & Lion Ministries receives concerning the integrity of the Bible.

How can we be certain that the Bible is the inspired Word of God?

Dr. Reagan: How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God? How can we prove the integrity of the Bible? One of the reasons I think we’re getting this question so often is because the closer we get to the coming of Jesus the more intensely Satan is trying to disprove everything about the Bible. I want to give you an example of what I’m talking about. In January of 2015, Newsweek magazine published a cover story about the Bible. The subtitle of the cover story was, “So Misunderstood It’s a Sin.” The writer of the article started out by attacking people who believe in the Bible. Look at what he said:

“They wave their Bibles at passersby. They scream their condemnation of homosexuals. They fall on their knees worshiping at the base of granite monuments to the Ten Commandments while demanding prayer in school. They appeal to God to save America from their political opponents, mostly Democrats. They gather in football stadiums by the thousands to pray for the country’s salvation. They are God’s frauds.

They are cafeteria Christians who pick and choose which Bible verses they heed with less care then they exercise in selecting side orders for lunch. They are joined by religious rationalizers, fundamentalists who unable to find scriptures supporting their biases and beliefs, twist phrases and modify translations to prove they’re honoring the Bible’s words.

No television preacher has ever read the Bible. Neither has any evangelical politician. Neither has the Pope. Neither have I, and neither have you. At best we’ve all read a bad translation. A translation of translations of hand-copied copies of copies of copies of copies of copies, and on and on a hundred times.”

He goes on longer for 12 single-spaced type-written pages attacking the Bible viciously as I’ve never seen it attacked before. This is in Newsweek magazine! Then he adds after 13 pages by saying, “Now, this examination should not be taken as an attack on the Bible, or on Christianity. I’m trying to save the Bible.” And, he ends with this statement: “The Bible is a very human book. It is full of flaws, contradictions, and theological disagreements.”

At most seminaries in America today, the majority are teaching their students that the Bible is man’s search for God, and therefore it is full of myth, legend, and superstition. It’s not God’s revelation to man, they claim.

Tim Moore: Well, being sarcastic, that obviously was a fair and balanced assessment of both the Bible and those of us who believe in the Bible.

Nathan Jones: Haters got to hate, right?

Tim Moore: Where do Christians begin in replying to such a vicious attack? Obviously, we start with our belief that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. Inerrant means that even though the book was delivered to the reader through a variety of different authors, it remains without error. And so, any misunderstanding comes on our part. The Word of God as revealed in Scripture is without error.

Dr. Reagan: Incidentally, the Bible is very different from the Koran because the Koran has many, many contradictions in it. Muslims recognize that as such, and so will claim that any later revelation overrules, or abrogates, a previous revelation. We don’t have that going on in the Bible.

Tim Moore: Exactly! The Bible does not contradict itself.

A lot of folks, including that Newsweek author as well, would accuse Christians of having blind faith in the Bible. In reality, a Christian’s faith is based on our ability to trust and yet verify. There are many verifications of the Word of God as being valid and true. The most poignant concerns Bible prophecy. Fulfilled Bible prophecy demonstrates that what God says will happen, has happened, and will continue to happen. Prophecy validates the Word of God.

Tim Moore: Fulfilled #BibleProphecy demonstrates that what #God says will happen, has happened, and will continue to happen. Prophecy validates the Word of God. #Bible #Apologetics Click To Tweet

Nathan Jones: That magazine writer clearly has no understanding of the Bible, because there is nothing like the Bible. The Bible is not just one book, rather it is 66 books written by over 40 authors across some 1,500 years. Throughout the book, from beginning to end, there exists the unifying theme of God bringing man back into reconciliation with Him. You just can’t have all these different authors contributing to a book over a millennia and a half and still keep the book cohesive over that great amount of time.

That’s why I love 2 Timothy 3:16-17 which reads: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

There is just no book in existence like the Bible. The Hindu Vedas, the Islamic Koran, the Buddhist writings, whatever religion — their holy books clearly are not inspired by God.

Nathan Jones: There is just no book in existence like the #Bible. #Apologetics Click To Tweet

Tim Moore: I love the fact that Peter in 1 Peter 1 while referencing Isaiah said, “That since you have an obedience to the truth purified in your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again, not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is through the living and enduring Word of God.” He quotes Isaiah saying, “For all flesh is like grass, and its glory like a flower or grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off, but the Word of the Lord endures forever.” We can trust that God’s Word is eternal.

In the second part of our series arguing that the Bible is indeed the inspired Word of God, we’ll dive more deeply into the prophetic argument.

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Dr. Nathan E. Jones

As the Internet Evangelist at Lamb & Lion Ministries, Nathan reaches out to the over 4.5 billion people accessible over the Internet with the Good News of Jesus Christ. He also co-hosts the ministry's television program Christ in Prophecy and podcast The Truth Will Set You Free.

6 CommentsLeave a Comment

  • A question, & please, somebody answer. I’m 72 and I wonder, if to dispel the haters and nay sayer’s arguments, is it overly simple to say “66 books written by over 40 authors across some 1,500 years.”? More clearly 66 books written by the HS influencing and divinely inspiring over 40 authors across some 1,500 years thereby removing all contradictions.

    I really feel God has so blessed us with His Word and that we should go to all ends possible to protect it? The detractors grieve me. It’s a shame.

    Sincerely
    Doren

  • Luke claimed that his Gospel was based on information handed down from “eyewitnesses” and on his own careful investigation (Luke 1:1-4.) Likewise, the Gospel of John claims to be written by the very disciple whom Jesus loved. The Apostle John. John 21:20-25; see also 2 Peter 1:16. Biblical authors understood the difference between history and myth, between fact and legend; they insisted that what they taught was literal historical fact. 1 Corinthians 15:1 and 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

    The Dead Sea Scrolls demonstrated how carefully the Old Testament had been copied through the centuries. Around AD 900…nearly a millennium after the time of Jesus…groups of Jewish scribes known as Masoretes began to copy the Old Testament texts according to strict guidelines. They maintained nearly perfect accuracy in their copies. Until the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, these Masoretic texts were the oldest available manuscripts of the Old Testament.

    There has been 100 prophecies filled by Jesus, his birth, Life, Ministry, Death and Resurrection, all fulfilled, and especially how he would die, and be treated, and rejected.

    Its so fulfilling to know that we have a Savior, a sovereign all knowing, all caring Creator who loves us, and keeps his promises. God’s word is Truth.

  • I have learned from this ministry and other Godly Sources that we can prove The Bible as God’s Word in three major ways:
    1. Prophecy fulfilled
    2. The continuity of The Nation of Israel
    3. (most importantly) Jesus Himself
    I could write pages on each of the three (and there are more). Suffice to say, if one has eyes and ears to see and hear, these three Major Points provide all the basis a rational mind requires.

  • It’s amazing that someone can give a critical view of the Bible in the same breath that he uses to say he has never read it.

  • I am greatful for God’s word, and the Holy Spirit that gives us wisdom and discernment to see the truth. I cannot imagine not knowing God’s plan and salvation for mankind if they accept and believe in him, and living in a world that grows darker and closer to the Tribulation every day. We are fortunate to have the promise that we who believe and are saved will be with him in the New Jerusalem.

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