What are the best methods of proving that the Bible is the absolute, authoritative, inerrant word of God?

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It seems to me that there is very little regard for the authority of the Word of God in the world today. The logical response is to establish it for a pagan generation. But what are some of the proven effective means by which you have successfully proven that the Bible is the inerrant, authoritative, absolute word of God? I am interested in hearing all your success stories.

Keith Cooper (newcreationinchr@hotmail.com)

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

Answers

I don't think there is one method. It all depends on who you are trying to convince.

I would say first off, you need to know why the Bible is the authoritative truth yourself. Many accept as such by faith, and you may succeed with some with a little logic and a huge leap of faith, but properly prepared, you can make that jump smaller.

So, first off train yourself to give an answer. Be ready to defend your faith. the Bible as the word of God is reasonable -- know how it is.

One: know that there is a God. To establish the Bible is the word of God, you must first establish there is a God, a creator God, an intelligent designer of the universe. Charles Colson has a well-written, well-organized book called "How Now Shall We Live". The book consists of five parts, the second part is on the science that provides proof of an intelligent designer of the universe.

Two: If there is an intelligent designer, that means that man was created on purpose for a purpose in this universe. If we betray that design of ours, then there are negative consequences that are risked, just like there are consequences when we use a lawn mower in a way it wasn't designed for. (Once this point is established, you have established the validity of absolute truth).

Three: Once it is established that there is a purpose to our existence, one designed into us by a Creator, and that there is an absolute truth, there must be a way that this Creator has communicated and/or communicates this truth. Once this is accepted, the door is open to establish the Bible.

Four: There are a large number of resources to continue from this point. Lee Strobel's "The Case for Christ" is one of the more popular ones, and Josh McDowell has a number of resources available, including "More than a Carpenter" and "More Evidences that Demand a Verdict". In a nutshell, at this point, having accepted the existance of an absolute truth and a God who communicates that truth, one can in parallel establish the coming of Jesus Christ and at least the majority of New Testament writings. The New Testament, which is easier to establish as accurately handed down to us, then can be used as a stepping stone in establishing the Old Testament.

Keith, the bottom line is that there is no quick effective means for establishing the word of God with a majority of people. There is no "quick fix". Some may accept the word of God as the absolute word quickly, but that is often a case of desparation on their part for anything solid. When challenges come to that acceptance, their foundation isn't firmly rooted. To extend that analogy, a building's foundation isn't slapped down in an hour. If it is, in time that foundation is likely to slide or crack, ruining the building on it. No, you have to prepare the area, removing any rocks or boulders, cutting down the trees, often strip off the top soil, level the ground, etc. It takes time.

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2000


A good article on the net about the "Uniqueness of the Bible" can be found at http://www.newtestamentchurch.org God bless you. Bob

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2000

I appreciate the responses I am getting (I have received a couple e- mails that were not posted, but were very helpful) and ask that you continue to share your ideas with me. Please tell me what some of the strongest objections have been to your approaches and tell me how you handled those individuals. What was the response?

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2000

If you study Prophecy and the Historic fulfillment of prophecy then you will begin to see that Jesus and the Prophets were of God and all will be fulfilled. And has been being fulfilled.

Many people make prophetic statements re: the return of Jesus only to have their dates come and go without God having anything to do with their utterance.

It is a long study but we are told to "study to show ourselves approved..." and I might add, the World will not approve of your studies and the truth you uncover.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2000


Keith,

In a way, Mark H. does make a good point here.

One good way to show the accurracy (therefore inerrancy) of the Scriptures is to point out all of Old Testament Prophecies concerning the Messiah and how each was fulfilled in Christ. The Gospel of Matthew does a lot of that for us as he points out on several occasions that something that was said or that occurred fulfilled the words of the Prophets.

The Book of Isaiah is a good place to start such a comparison as it contains many (and many of the well-known) Prophecies of Christ.

This is a slow process, but someone who is actually TRYING to understand what you are teaching them will eventually have to come around as they see time and time again that the things spoken so long ago were accurately fulfilled and that they have no valid arguments that can hold water next to the evidence you present.

Keep at it Brother, for it is a noble thing you seek to do.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2000



The method I use, is first to ask a question, "What would you accept as proof that the Bible is the Inspired word of God, etc?" Usually they dont know and have to think it through a little bit. 2. When they fail the test, I ask them , "If the Bible is penned by the finger of God, then it would have to be without error, right? Right! Then show me one error in the word of God to prove to me that God didn't write it. No one has ever found an error in it yet. Tho many have tried. Bro Jack. It is time we started putting the shoe on the other foot.

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2000

For me, the most effective method has been to begin with the resurrection of Jesus and work backward(and forward). That allows us to look at the historical reliability of the Gospel of Luke in Particular. Once the historicity of the resurrection is established, other things seem to fall into place for the seeker.

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2000

Keith:

Not one jot or tittle will fail to be fulfilled.

All of the Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ's first coming were fulfilled, and all of the prophecies in Ezekial, Zechariah, and Revelation (and others) prior to His second coming are being fulfilled as we speak.

It boggles the mind. It is a great tool to bring the 'doubting Thomases' of our age to Christ. It just takes a tremendous amount of study, prayer, and commitment to find how the prophetic Scriptures apply to our age.

Respectfully,

-- Anonymous, May 19, 2000


Mark H., from above:

It is a long study but we are told to "study to show ourselves approved..." and I might add, the World will not approve of your studies and the truth you uncover.

-- Mark Hillyard (foster82@juno.com), May 17, 2000.

I agree completely, Mark.

-- Anonymous, May 19, 2000


I continue to appreciate the feedback on my question.

I have had, by the grace of God, a degree of success using the following:

1. Generally begin discussing the failure of Evolution to explain Origins. 2. Establish the Biblical statements regarding the creation of all things. 3. Show the historical accuracy of the bible using such examples as Jericho and its burning around 1400 b.c. and the city of Nineveh which were both rejected until archaelogy substantiated them. (There are many others as well). 4. Examine Biblical prophecies. a)Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in the Old Testament times prove the Old Testament is the Word of God. b)Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah prove that the Gospels are the word of God. c)Old Testament prophecies of the Church prove that the rest of the New Testament are the word of God. 5. Examine the Eternal Plan set in motion from the foundations of the world. This shows that the Church is still being built and therefore the Grand Builder is truly in existence and His word confirmed.

Using this method, I find that many will turn away early, some will turn away later, but the ones that remain will have a sure foundation upon which to build the rest of the truths that bring them to Christ.

I find all the suggestions of interest and wish to continue to hear of your particular successes.

Keith

-- Anonymous, May 19, 2000



Here's one I haven't seen yet, which has worked well for me...because,,,

Even if God's original manuscripts were inerrant, how do we know what we have now is reliable....

So start with the subject of the "historicity" and "reliability" of the New Testament manuscripts and those copies which are still extant...

This approach has almost NEVER been considered by skeptics, and it is one that can be done with integrity, which they appreciate.

So, in summation, start with the integrity of the translations (and their transmission)

Then, when that is done, we can ask the "Lord, Liar, or Lunatic" questions about Christ...

More than one way to skin a cat!

-- Anonymous, May 20, 2000


can't be done, as we are human and imperfect.

closest we can get is to learn ancient hebrew and greek and read the text in the original.

otherwise, you really haven't read the bible. you've read a translation.

and translating from one language to another is bound to change the meaning of the text.

For example, the portion of the OT re: "leprosy" does NOT refer to leprosy. It actually refers to a scaly skin. When translated to latin it became lepros, and when translated into english became leprosy.

bible can't be inerrant because humans wrote it down. If it was inerrant, then tell me why there are hundreds of versions, rather than one.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2000


Anne

Are you from Palm Beach county?

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2000


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