Bible Question:
Why Believe? This question is about the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. I've heard a bunch of apologetics material before and have found some of it useful. I realize it will boil down to a matter of faith, which I have by the way, but when dealing with others it becomes unsettling. For instance, if you look at the biblical accounts of the resurrection they do not even agree on some pretty basic stuff. Was Mary Magdalene alone when she visited the tomb, etc etc. This is some pretty serious material, the Bible cannot be the word of God if it is full of discrepancies. The Human element of the author had to come into play. Any help would not only be greatly appreciated, but I believe it will help evangelize the lost. I can't argue certain points when I know the bible does not agree with itself in some pretty critical places. Namely, the resurrection account of the four authors of the Bible. in Christ Schimc |
Bible Answer: Schimc - Once I read a story about Billy Graham when he was a young man just starting out in the ministry. A contemporary of his, a close friend who also was young and beginning his ministry, expressed his doubts to friend Billy about certain parts of Scripture that seemed to be a bit out of kelter, somehow not quite right, even contradictory of one another. This assessment of Scripture by his friend weighed heavily on the heart and mind of Billy Graham and he found that there were parts of Scripture that he neither fully understood or could explain, and little doubts began to creep into his mind also. Billy Graham wrestled with these doubts, for they disturbed him greatly. Billy's friend took counsel of his doubts. Billy Graham took his doubts to the Lord in prayer, bared his soul before the Lord, and begged for help. Billy Graham's friend, he who took counsel of his doubts, ended up by dropping out of the ministry altogether. We know, of course, what happened to Billy Graham, how that the Lord has used him so marvelously in the ministry of the gospel to lead huge numbers of people to Christ. ...... Schimc, I know not your age or station in life, but I suspect you are a young person. Lo, many years ago when I was young in age and young in the faith, I had my ups and downs, believe me -- there were times when I suspected that the Bible was not always consistent or that it had flaws and contradictions. But long ere I reached my age now of nearly three score and ten years, I came to the clear realization and firm conviction that, to paraphrase a line from Shakespeare's play, "Julius Caesar": the fault, dear Hank, lies not in the Bible but in yourself; it is you, not Scripture, who is inconsistent, flawed, contradictory. ..... And I'm so glad to be able to report to you that every single flaw I thought I saw in the Bible turned out to be a flaw in my own spiritual depth, a lack of understanding on my part, and not an error that the Holy Spirit made in revelation of Scripture! ..... Friend, seeker after truth I hope you are, take the cue from Billy Graham and cast your doubts upon the Lord, put them in His hands, ask Him to help you. I believe He will. Please make the following verse of Scripture your guide for 2004 and forevermore: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." [Proverbs 3:5] And may God lead you and bless you is my prayer. --Hank |