How Do We Know That We Have God’s Word?
By Scott Morris |
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How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God? This is a very important question. Let’s consider how much rides upon this question. If we don’t know that the Bible is the Word of God, then what foundation do we have on which to rest our faith? If we don’t know that the Bible is the Word of God, how do we what happens after death? Is Heaven real? Is Hell real? If so, what does one do to go to Heaven? If not, what happens after death? Is it a sense of rest? Total destruction? Who knows? A lot rides on this question. Let’s look at this question.
Let’s look at the evidence in the Bible that proves that it must be
supernatural. We know that the Bible claims to be the Word of God. II Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Also, II Peter 1:21 tells us, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Let’s consider the Bible’s claim that it comes from God. The Bible was penned by over 40 men over a period of more than 1600 years. Surely, between all these men over all this time, there would be some discrepancies. But, there are not! Some may claim to have found inconsistencies and contradictions in the Bible but, in reality, there are none. These so-called “contradictions” come from the Scripture being taken out of context. Let’s look at one of the most well known of the “contradictions” in the Bible: the so-called dispute between Paul and James as to how Abraham was justified. Skeptics say “Paul said that Abraham was justified by faith, while James said that Abraham was justified by works.” Who was right: Paul or James? They both were! How can this be? Let’s examine the Scripture and find the answer to this question. Romans 4:1-3 says, “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” James 2:21-23 says, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” How do they not contradict one another? A look at the definition of “justify” will help to clarify this. In his 1828 dictionary, Noah Webster defined justify like this: “To prove or show to be just, or conformable to law, right, justice, propriety or duty.” If we consider this we see that we are justified before man by our works and before God by our faith. So how are we justified? It depends on from whose perspective you ask that question, therefore, Paul and James do not disagree. One “contradiction” after another just like this could be shown and dismissed by putting the Scriptures in context. This could only be true of a supernatural Book. No man could be the author, because there would surely be faults if a man were the author. If however, that is not enough, let’s look at some of the truths of the universe that were written in the Bible long before “science” ever discovered them. Psalm 8:8 “The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” – The Bible talks about the “paths of the seas” – ocean currents – centuries before science discovered them. Leviticus 15:13 “And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.” – Why is it so important to bathe in running water? Because if you bathe in stationary water, the germs, dirt, etc., will not be washed away. They’ll stay in the water that surrounds you. Whoever wrote the Bible knew that – thousands of years before science discovered it. Those are just a couple of the truths of the universe that the Bible discussed years before they were discovered. The evidence speaks for itself. No other book could ever make such claims. Every other book is imperfect because their authors are imperfect. But, the Bible is perfect because God is perfect. His name be praised! |