Bible Question: How do we know the Bible is the truth? |
Bible Answer: Ps 119:160 The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting. Dear David, Welcome to the Study Bible Forum! The Bible, the Word of God, is truth. But I do not accept anything that claims to be its proof, be it archeology, history, the sciences, or philosophy. Why? Because, the same question can be asked of whatever supposedly proves the Scriptures. Then it becomes necessary to prove the proof, ad inifitum. Besides, whatever is used as proof becomes an authority “behind” Scripture, that is, Scripture is no longer the final authority; the proof is, because the Scripture now rests on the “proof” to be accepted as true. The best any outside source can do is not prove, but corroborate the Scripture, that is, stand along side, as it were, and agree with Scripture. But it can in no way prove, support, verify or even disprove the Scripture. How then do we know that it is truth? Well, I agree with the Westminster Confession of Faith on this issue, because it gives the only logical reason that we know the Scripture as truth without resting it on any outside source: Chapter 1, Sections, 4, 5: The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or Church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the author thereof; and, therefore, is to be received, because it is the word of God. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverend esteem of the Holy Scripture, and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation, the many other incomparable excellences, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the word of God; yet notwithstanding our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof , is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the word in our hearts. Peace, Lionstrong |