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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Inspiration and Authority of the Bible | Ps 119:105 | Kevin_Raven | 181724 | ||
Concerning the Divine inspiration of the Bible, I have a few questions. First of all, I apologize if you have answered this or a similar question elsewhere, I used the search feature and came up with some questions in the same vein as this one, but I still would greatly appreciate a specific answer for my situation. I started thinking about where, as a Christian, I ultimately derive my idea of truth from, and I realized that in most discussions with other believers, everything goes back to the inerrancy and divine inspiration of scripture. However, it seems like a bit of a circular argument to me. People often support inspiration of scripture with verses like 2 Timothy 3:16. Of course, this verse falls under the category of scripture, and is therefore making a statement about it's own truth or falsehood. Now ultimately, I understand that true belief requires a step of faith at some point, so I won't ask for a perfect external proof of the truth of scripture. I *know* in the sense that I am personally convinced that Jesus Christ is God, that he came to the earth to die for my sins, and that through him I am forgiven and saved from slavery to sin. I *know* this through what he has done in my life, independent of the bible, just like the early Christians who had no canonical new testament to tell them this. Now, when I went back and read up on the history of what we today call 'The Bible.' It wasn't fully canonized until much after the life of Christ. Let's say for a moment that I'm a really tough skeptic and I don't want to believe anything that I don't have good reason to. I've already said that I'm personally convinced of my belief in Jesus Christ. But now I'm being asked to believe that a bunch of men, over the course of a few centuries, through voting, councils, and who knows what else, finally decided on what God has said is infallible truth? I would have a hard time agreeing to believe that, which is ultimately given to me on the authority of man's word. The bible says that the bible is true; man says the bible is true. I believe in Jesus. I haven't found any direct words of Jesus that tell me the bible is true, therefore what grounds to I have to believe it is true? One final postscript, I don't intend to break the rules of this forum, which say that postings shouldn't be opposed to the authority of the bible; I've just been really troubled by these questions the past few days as someone who has spent his entire life believing in this, it feels as if the wind was knocked out of me, in more ways than one, when I started thinking about this. |
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2 | Inspiration and Authority of the Bible | Ps 119:105 | Hank | 181725 | ||
Kevin - Thanks for submitting your concerns about various and sundry aspects of the word of God, chiefly of the Canon. Your post has all the ear marks of a sincere inquiry and has an honest ring to it. I see no attempt on your part to denigrate the Bible but I do hear a plaintive cry for help. ...... Kevin, your concerns are so complex and cover such a broad spectrum that I fear no one will be able to do full justice to them on this SBF, even though we are blessed with a number of gifted contributors. I feel almost sure that some of the other members of this company will respond to your appeal with messages far better than anything I can offer, but please allow me to make three suggestions to you. (1) You state that you are a believer, so go to God in prayer, Kevin. Tell Him your troubles and pray for His help. (2) Read and study the Bible with a vigor like you've never done before in your life. You mentioned 2 Timothy 3:16 in your post. This verse and the one that immediately follows it say what they mean and mean what they say. Memorize them or copy them on a card, carry them around with you, and meditate on them every day. (3) Get yourself a copy of a book by Josh McDowell called "The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict." It will answer many if not all of the questions that are troubling you. ...... But don't just do nothing! Get busy. Pray. Read and study the Bible in earnest. And soak up all the good stuff you'll find in Josh's book. It's a big, fat book of 760 pages and should keep your mind off your doubts while you're learning that your doubts are groundless anyway. :-) I do wish you well, Kevin, and I've already prayed for you. --Hank | ||||||
3 | Inspiration and Authority of the Bible | Ps 119:105 | Kevin_Raven | 181737 | ||
Thanks Hank - I have been wanting to take a look at Josh McDowell's book for a while. I appreciate the prayer and advice - I'll definitely do those things. Thanks -Kevin |
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