Hermeneutic: The art of interpretation – The process of discovering what it meant then and what it means now.
Exegesis – Take truth/meaning out of scripture Eisegesis – Put meaning into scripture
God reveals Himself to us. God reveals how we can know and love Him and love each other.
Claimed to be the Word of God 2000 times.
2. The Bible is the most reliable book ever written.
The Bible is 66 books written over 1,500 years (1405 BC - AD 90) by 40 authors living on three continents (Africa, Asia, Middle East).
Old Testament: 39 books in Hebrew; completed 400 years before Jesus was born.
Old Testament Evidence: In 1947 and 1956 the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. There were 825 to 870 separate scrolls, fragments of every book of the Old Testament except for the book of Esther. They were 1,000 years older than any other Old Testament documents known to man.
New Testament: 27 books in Greek; written between AD 40-90 by eye witnesses.
New Testament Evidence: The New Testament has been verified by more than 31,000 manuscripts. That’s more manuscripts, with greater accuracy and earlier dating than any other secular classic. Even if we did not have a single copy of the Bible, scholars could still reconstruct all but 11 verses of the entire New Testament from material written within 150 to 200 years from the time of Christ.
The Bible has many genres, or literary styles, each with a different truth claim.
Wisdom, literature, songs, history, science, parenting, finances (how to make and enjoy money), relationships and love.
The story of a loving Father who gave His only son in order to have a relationship with sinners like you and me.
4 . The Bible is the most life- transforming book ever written.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21 The Bible is a spiritual book.
Inspiration. “A supernatural influence exerted on the sacred writers by the Spirit of God, by virtue of which their writings are given Divine trustworthiness.”
14 GREAT REASONS TO READ THE BIBLE!
1. The world's best selling book
The faith described in the Bible involves believing the truth about an event that has already taken place. Because the New Testament is the most reliable ancient historical manuscript (see reason 14) we can trust what it says. Jesus did in fact rise from the dead.
"The Son of Man must suffer many things ... be rejected ... he must be killed and after three days rise again" (Mark 8:31).
Josh McDowell was a man who was sure Christianity was worthless and who focused his energies on discrediting the resurrection of Jesus. In the process of trying to destroy the faith of Christians, he came to see the New Testament was an accurate history book.
The Guinness Book of Records acknowledges the Bible as the world's best selling book.
"It has been estimated that between 1815 and 1975 some 2.5 billion copies of the Bible were printed ... Since 1976 combined global sales of Today's English Version ... have exceeded 118 million copies."
These sales are for only one of the many versions of the Bible available.
If you are a person who thinks the Bible is an outdated book just sitting unread on bookshelves, think again!
These sales are for only one of the many versions of the Bible available.
If you are a person who thinks the Bible is an outdated book just sitting unread on bookshelves, think again!
"The Son of Man must suffer many things ... be rejected ... he must be killed and after three days rise again" (Mark 8:31).
Josh McDowell was a man who was sure Christianity was worthless and who focused his energies on discrediting the resurrection of Jesus. In the process of trying to destroy the faith of Christians, he came to see the New Testament was an accurate history book.
3. Jesus was a real person
"The persons commonly called Christians ... Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea for the reign of Tiberius..." 6 (Cornelius Tacitus, Roman historian, 112 A.D.)
Our time scale is based on BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini) that means "in the year of our Lord". The birth of Jesus is a very solid historical fact.
Our time scale is based on BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini) that means "in the year of our Lord". The birth of Jesus is a very solid historical fact.
4. Believing in the Bible message changes lives
People have been rescued from the darkest, most hopeless situations when they have put their trust in Jesus. Some people try to downplay the power Jesus has to change lives by saying; "It seems that only people in desperate situations turn to God." It is true that many times God has to do something to get our attention but this does not prove that God is not real but simply that people are generally very stubborn when it comes to change! It is also true that many people who have never been confronted with a major crisis have a strong faith in God. God has already sent Jesus to die for our sins and He is waiting for our response.
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"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar - when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea ..." (Bible, Luke 3:1).
"While Paul was ... in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols" (Bible, Acts 17:16).
William Ramsay is regarded by some as one of the greatest archaeologists of all time. He was once skeptical that the Bible was a reliable historical book but after he carefully researched the Book of 'Acts' he changed his mind and concluded: "Luke (writer of the Bible book called 'Acts') is a historian of first rank ...""While Paul was ... in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols" (Bible, Acts 17:16).
6. Jesus has dramatically affected history
"All the kings that ever reigned put together; have not affected the life of mankind on earth as powerfully as that one solitary life." 5
One of the reasons the Bible is the world's best selling book is because it gives people real hope and truth.
"This Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered more millions than ... Napoleon; without science and learning, He shed more light on things human and divine than all philosophers and scholars combined ... He spoke such words of life as were never spoken before or since ... Without writing a single line, He set more pens in motion ... than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times." (Historian Philip Schaff)
"I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of people would die for Him." (What Napoleon Bonaparte himself said about Jesus)
"Everything in Christ astonishes me. His spirit overawes me, and His will confounds me ... I search in vain in history to find the similar to Jesus Christ, or anything that can approach the gospel." (More of what Napoleon Bonaparte said about Jesus) "All the kings that ever reigned put together; have not affected the life of mankind on earth as powerfully as that one solitary life." 5
One of the reasons the Bible is the world's best selling book is because it gives people real hope and truth.
7. Brilliant people believe it to be true
Composers
"To God's will I submit myself." (George Frederic Handel)
"To God alone, the glory." (Johann Sebastian Bach) "In the words of the well-known scientist, Robert Jastrow, 'for the scientist who has lived by faith in the power of reason, the story [of the quest for the answers about the origin of life and the universe] ends like a bad dream. he has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries." (Jerry R Bergman, Instructor of Science at Northwest State College, Archbold, Ohio. He holds a PhD in Evaluation and Research from Wayne State University and a PhD in Human Biology from Columbia Pacific University.)
Composers
"To God's will I submit myself." (George Frederic Handel)
"To God alone, the glory." (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Bach would frequently initial his blank manuscript pages with the marking, 'J.J.' ('Help me, Jesus') or 'I.N.J.' (In the name of Jesus)."
"I offer all my praises to Almighty God ... Each day I prayed to God to give me strength." (Franz Haydn)
"God, be my Rock, my light, forever my trust." (Ludwig Van Beethoven)
"May God be with you." (Felix Mendelssohn)
"Through Christ alone ... salvation comes to us." (Franz Liszt)
Famous Scientists
"Overwhelming strong proofs of intelligent and benevolent design lie around us ... the atheistic idea is so non-sensical that I cannot put it into words." (Lord Kelvin)
"I am a Christian ... I believe only and alone ... in the service of Jesus Christ ... In Him is all refuge, all solace." (Johannes Kepler)
"Order is manifestly maintained in the universe … the whole being governed by the sovereign will of God." (James Prescott Joule)
"There are those who argue that the universe evolved out a random process, but what random process could produce the brain of man or the system of the human eye?" (Werhner Von Braun)
"Almighty Creator and Preserver of all things, praised be all Thou has created."(Carl Linnaeus)
"I am a believer in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity." (Sir Joseph Lister)
"The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator. Science brings men nearer to God." (Louis Pasteur). Pasteur strongly opposed Darwin's theory of evolution because he felt it did not conform to the scientific evidence.
Robert Boyle believed in Jesus Christ's "Passion, His death, His resurrection and ascension, and all of those wonderful works which He did during His stay upon earth, in order to confirm the belief of His being God as well as man."
Sir Isaac Newton said, "Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system, I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance." and also "The true God is a living, intelligent and powerful being."
Michael Faraday was careful to "Thank God, first, for all His gifts."
Present day PhD. scientists speak out
"God, be my Rock, my light, forever my trust." (Ludwig Van Beethoven)
"May God be with you." (Felix Mendelssohn)
"Through Christ alone ... salvation comes to us." (Franz Liszt)
Famous Scientists
"Overwhelming strong proofs of intelligent and benevolent design lie around us ... the atheistic idea is so non-sensical that I cannot put it into words." (Lord Kelvin)
"I am a Christian ... I believe only and alone ... in the service of Jesus Christ ... In Him is all refuge, all solace." (Johannes Kepler)
"Order is manifestly maintained in the universe … the whole being governed by the sovereign will of God." (James Prescott Joule)
"There are those who argue that the universe evolved out a random process, but what random process could produce the brain of man or the system of the human eye?" (Werhner Von Braun)
"Almighty Creator and Preserver of all things, praised be all Thou has created."(Carl Linnaeus)
"I am a believer in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity." (Sir Joseph Lister)
"The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator. Science brings men nearer to God." (Louis Pasteur). Pasteur strongly opposed Darwin's theory of evolution because he felt it did not conform to the scientific evidence.
Robert Boyle believed in Jesus Christ's "Passion, His death, His resurrection and ascension, and all of those wonderful works which He did during His stay upon earth, in order to confirm the belief of His being God as well as man."
Sir Isaac Newton said, "Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system, I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance." and also "The true God is a living, intelligent and powerful being."
Michael Faraday was careful to "Thank God, first, for all His gifts."
Present day PhD. scientists speak out
"The evidence points to an intelligent designer of the vast array of life, both living and extinct, rather than to unguided mindless evolution." (Nancy M Darrall, Speech Therapist at the Bolton Community Health Care Trust in the UK. She holds a PhD in Botany from the University of Wales.)
"Evolutionary theories of the universe cannot counteract the above arguments for the existence of God." (John M Cimbala, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University. John holds a PhD in Aeronautics.)
"The correspondence between the global catastrophe in the geological record and the Flood described in Genesis is much too obvious for me to conclude that these events must be one and the same." (John R Baumgardner, Technical Staff Member in the Theoretical Division of Los Alamos National Laboratory. John holds a PhD in Geophysics and Space Physics from UCLU.)
"We have already seen that no such system could possibly appear by chance. Life in its totality must have been created in the beginning, just as God told us." (John P Marcus, Research Officer at the Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Plant Pathology, University of Queensland, Australia. John holds a PhD in Biological Chemistry from the University of Michigan.)
"The fossil record is considered to be the primary evidence for evolution, yet it does not demonstrate a complete chain of life from simple forms to complex." (Larry Vardiman, Professor from the Department of Astro-Geophysics for Creation Research, USA. Larry holds a PhD in Atmosperic Science from Colorado State University.)
"I … have no hesitation in rejecting the evolutionary hypothesis of origins and affirming the biblical alternative that 'in six days the Lord God created the heavens and earth and all that in them is'. (Dr Taylor is senior lecturer in Electrical Engineering at the University of Liverpool. Dr Taylor has a PhD in Electrical Engineering and has authored over 80 scientific articles.)
"I believe God provides evidence of His creative power for all to experience personally in our lives. To know the Creator does not require an advanced degree in science or theology." (Timothy G Standish is an Associate Professor of Biology at Andrews University in the USA. Dr Standish holds a PhD in Biology and Public Policy from George Mason University, USA.)
"At the same time I found I could reject evolution and not commit intellectual suicide, I began to realise I could also accept a literal creation and still not commit intellectual suicide." (AJ Monty White, Student Advisor, Dean of Students Office, at the University of Cardiff, UK. Dr White holds a PhD in the field of Gas Kinetics.)
"So life did not arise by natural processes, nor could the grand diversity of life have arisen through no-intelligent natural processes (evolution). Living things were created by God, as the Bible says." (Don Batten, a research scientist for Answer in Genesis in Australia. Dr Batten holds a PhD in Plant Physiology from the University of Sydney and worked for 18 years as a research scientist with the New South Wales Department of Agriculture.)
"Evolutionary theories of the universe cannot counteract the above arguments for the existence of God." (John M Cimbala, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University. John holds a PhD in Aeronautics.)
"The correspondence between the global catastrophe in the geological record and the Flood described in Genesis is much too obvious for me to conclude that these events must be one and the same." (John R Baumgardner, Technical Staff Member in the Theoretical Division of Los Alamos National Laboratory. John holds a PhD in Geophysics and Space Physics from UCLU.)
"We have already seen that no such system could possibly appear by chance. Life in its totality must have been created in the beginning, just as God told us." (John P Marcus, Research Officer at the Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Plant Pathology, University of Queensland, Australia. John holds a PhD in Biological Chemistry from the University of Michigan.)
"The fossil record is considered to be the primary evidence for evolution, yet it does not demonstrate a complete chain of life from simple forms to complex." (Larry Vardiman, Professor from the Department of Astro-Geophysics for Creation Research, USA. Larry holds a PhD in Atmosperic Science from Colorado State University.)
"I … have no hesitation in rejecting the evolutionary hypothesis of origins and affirming the biblical alternative that 'in six days the Lord God created the heavens and earth and all that in them is'. (Dr Taylor is senior lecturer in Electrical Engineering at the University of Liverpool. Dr Taylor has a PhD in Electrical Engineering and has authored over 80 scientific articles.)
"I believe God provides evidence of His creative power for all to experience personally in our lives. To know the Creator does not require an advanced degree in science or theology." (Timothy G Standish is an Associate Professor of Biology at Andrews University in the USA. Dr Standish holds a PhD in Biology and Public Policy from George Mason University, USA.)
"At the same time I found I could reject evolution and not commit intellectual suicide, I began to realise I could also accept a literal creation and still not commit intellectual suicide." (AJ Monty White, Student Advisor, Dean of Students Office, at the University of Cardiff, UK. Dr White holds a PhD in the field of Gas Kinetics.)
"So life did not arise by natural processes, nor could the grand diversity of life have arisen through no-intelligent natural processes (evolution). Living things were created by God, as the Bible says." (Don Batten, a research scientist for Answer in Genesis in Australia. Dr Batten holds a PhD in Plant Physiology from the University of Sydney and worked for 18 years as a research scientist with the New South Wales Department of Agriculture.)
8. Fulfills our deepest needs
When you think about it, there are not many places that even claim to have answers to our questions about life. The Bible supplies the answers to our deepest needs.
| OUR NEED | THE BIBLE HAS THE ANSWER |
|---|---|
| "We love because God first loved us" a | |
| "In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth ..." b | |
| "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" c | |
| "Jesus ... by his death ... came to free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death" d | |
| "To Jesus who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ... to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen" e | |
| (Jesus says) "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace" k | |
| "So if the Son (Jesus) sets you free, you will be free indeed" l | |
| "... and you are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" m | |
| "I believe that neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, neither height nor depth. nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" n |
"The whole Bible has been translated into 405 different languages and the New Testament into 1034 languages."
This indicates that many people think the Bible is a very important book worthy of our most serious consideration.
This indicates that many people think the Bible is a very important book worthy of our most serious consideration.
These include human emotion (love, joy, peace, exhilaration, pain and disappointment), miracles like people rising from the dead, people receiving their sight and walking on water, suspense, battles and the supernatural (God and demons).
11. What the Bible says makes sense
"I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily."
| THE TOPIC | WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS |
|---|---|
| "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" f | |
| "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter" g | |
| "'For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out'" h | |
| "When he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regards to sin and unrighteousness and judgment" i | |
| "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all righteousness" j |
"I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily."
Countless numbers of people over the centuries have been prepared to die for their belief that the Bible is accurate. This included the disciples (Peter, John etc.) who were with Jesus when he lived and died. They were so convinced that Jesus rose from the dead that they were prepared to die for their faith.
The disciples would only have only been prepared to die for their faith if they were totally convinced that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead on the third day.
Many of these people (like Paul the apostle) were sworn enemies of the Christians and Christianity, until God changed their lives. Then the arguments they held dearly to didn't seem so convincing!
The disciples would only have only been prepared to die for their faith if they were totally convinced that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead on the third day.
Many of these people (like Paul the apostle) were sworn enemies of the Christians and Christianity, until God changed their lives. Then the arguments they held dearly to didn't seem so convincing!
When a French monarch proposed the persecution of Christians, an old statesman said to him, "Sire, the Church of God is an anvil that has worn out many hammers."
14. The Bible is historically reliable
If you think that "the Bible is inaccurate and not reliable" we encourage you to read the book:
If you think that "the Bible is inaccurate and not reliable" we encourage you to read the book:
"More Than a Carpenter" by Josh McDowell ,
Tyndale House Publishers, Great Britain, 1977.
Test 1: The Bibliographical Test - Number of copies & closeness to the original
Compared to its closest 'rival' the "Iliad", written by Homer, the New Testament has far more existing copies. It also has a much shorter time interval between when it was written and the earliest existing copy we now possess.
Test 2: The External Test - Agreement with other historical manuscripts
Test 2: The External Test - Agreement with other historical manuscripts
What the Bible says:
"When Pilate heard this, he bought out Jesus ... 'Here is your king', Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, 'Take him away! ... Crucify him!' 'Shall I crucify your king?' Pilate asked. 'We have no king but Caesar' ... Finally Pilate handed him over to be crucified (Bible, John 19:13-16).
"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar - when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother..." (Bible, Luke 3:1).
"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch" (Bible, Acts 11:26).
"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch" (Bible, Acts 11:26).
What other historical documents say:
"The persons commonly called Christians ... Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea for the reign of Tiberius..." (Cornelius Tacitus, Roman historian, 112 A.D.)
"They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verse a hymn to Christ as a god and bound themselves to a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft, adultery, never to falsify their word..." (Pliny the Younger, Governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor in A.D.112 writing to emperor Trajan seeking counsel as how to treat the Christians.)
Even people who were enemies of Christianity confirm many of the basic historical details of the New Testament!
Test 3: The Internal Test - Closeness of writers to the action
Even people who were enemies of Christianity confirm many of the basic historical details of the New Testament!
Test 3: The Internal Test - Closeness of writers to the action
The writers of the gospels were either eyewitnesses (Matthew and John) or people like Luke who received the story from eyewitnesses. These writers were very close to the action!
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