Can We Trust the Bible?

Here are links to purchase the resources mentioned in this Sunday’s sermon:

Evidence for Christianity (Josh McDowell)

ChristianBook.com ($9.99+s/h)
Amazon.com ($11.55+s/h)

When Skeptics Ask (Norman Geisler)

Amazon.com ($12.23+s/h)
ChristianBook.com ($13.99+s/h)

General Introduction to the Bible (Norman Geisler, William Nix)

Amazon.com ($26.39+s/h)
ChristianBook.com ($29.99+s/h)

The Case for Christ (Lee Strobel)

ChristianBook.com (comes bundled with “The Case for Faith” for $11.99+s/h)
Amazon.com ($10.99+s/h)

Is the Bible Reliable?

The historical reliability of the Bible is a huge issue in our culture. There are three aspects I want to briefly address that I didn’t have a chance to discuss yesterday.

First, what about the historical reliability and accuracy of the Old Testament? Prior to 1947, the earliest manuscript we had was from 900 A.D. However, in 1947, there was the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Critics were certain that when they compared the manuscripts from 900 A.D. with those from 200 B.C. they would find numerous and significant errors that would discredit the accuracy of the Old Testament we use today.

But what they found was the exact opposite. They found that the Dead Sea Scrolls are remarkably consistent with the copy of the Old Testament that we have in our hands today. It shows that God has watched over the Bible as it was passed down from generation to generation, and we can trust its accuracy.

Second, during the past decade there have been a number of books published coming out of the “Jesus Seminar” which have raised doubts about the reliability of the sayings of Jesus. Bart D. Ehrman is the author of Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why and has received a wide hearing. For those who would like to read credible rebuttals to his book, I would suggest reading either Timothy Jones’ Misquoting Truth: A Guide to the Fallacies of Bart Ehrman’s “Misquoting Jesus” or Michael Wilkins’ Jesus Under Fire.

Third, how did we get the books that are in our Bible? Who got to decide what was included and what wasn’t? This is a very complex question. In the foyer at Elim I have a printed summary detailing how the Bible that we hold in our hands today came together.

One True Religion?

The question is often asked: “How can we assert that Christianity is the one true religion?” 

The question is unclear. Some people hear the question and wonder if we’re asserting it’s the only religion that brings value to life, or helps one live more successfully, or answers all of life’s burning questions. If that’s what is meant, the answer is that Christianity is NOT the only ‘true’ religion. Virtually every other religion offers meaning to life and helps one live more “successfully.” I would argue (not in this post, however) that Christianity does it more successfully, if I can defend the greater claim below.

If, however, the question is one of exclusiveness, that is a different story.  This is the issue I was dealing with on Sunday. This is the question people object to.

First, let’s just note that, historically, it has NOT been a major issue. It’s one that is a major issue today because many believe that religion is a “subjective” thing without any objective truth value. There’s no evidence for THAT position. However, if Christianity asserts that there is such a thing as evil and Buddhism doesn’t, one is clearly wrong. They both can’t be right.

Christianity doesn’t assert itself to be a merely helpful guide to life. It claims to be the one way to God. If it can’t show that to be true, then the whole belief structure of Christianity is thrown in doubt. That much is fair! So what needs to be done is to defend Christianity, without resorting to using the Bible to defend the Bible. While this topic is far bigger than a single blog post, let me just proceed as follows:

The first question is: Is there a God? If there is, we can move to the second question. If you disagree, this first point needs defending (although there are plenty of other resources out there that can help the honest seeker). I recommend starting with any number of different thinkers like Alvin Platinga, William Alston, Norman Geisler, etc.  Or the (formerly) world’s most renowned philosophical atheist, Antony Flew. Assuming the existence of a god, let’s move to the second point.

The second question: Has he revealed himself? And if so, is the Bible the source of that revelation (The Bible asserts that it is – John 1). Without resorting to using Scripture to defend Scripture, we can use external sources to validate those claims. Both archaeology and philosophy. For some summary information  on the archaeological reliability of the Old Testament, see R.K. Harrison’s Introduction.  However …

It really comes down to the New Testament – more specifically, the resurrection. Larry King (of CNN fame) was asked “who is the one person you’d most like to interview?” His answer: Jesus Christ. If he really rose from the dead, all of history is redefined around his claims.

Here’s the crux: If Jesus really did raise from the dead, then Christianity’s claims to being the one “true” religion (and by true we mean that the facts are trustworthy, that he is indeed the one true way to God – John 14:6) must be taken seriously and given due weight.  We further mean that while other religions are useful, they are not ultimately “true” ways of getting to God. And where they contradict the Bible, they are false.

This is the question that bears your time and attention. It’s worth researching. If it’s true, then our claims to being exclusive have merit; if it’s false, we’re all wasting our time. Here are some outstanding resources: William Lane Craig, Josh McDowell, Ben Witherington, Gary Habermas, Stephen Davis, Lee Strobel, et al. 

So the answer to the question about whether Christianity is the one “true” religion comes down to narrowing the definition to an agreed-upon one, and evaluating the evidence for its truth claims. Hopefully the above has helped the honest seeker.

 

Martin Schlomer and Mike Hellum

Got God Questions?

Have you ever asked questions like:

“How can there be only one true religion?” or

“If God is good, why is there so much evil and suffering?”

On September 14, Elim EFC will begin a journey of wrestling through these and other significant “God questions” which both Christians and skeptics alike share.

These are important questions that deserve direct and honest answers and dialogue. I want to invite you to join us on this journey. Please see the schedule below to see the questions I will address and the dates they will be discussed.

I also invite you to post your thoughts and any additional “God questions” you might have to this blog. I will do my best to respond to each question in a timely manner.

May God guide us as we journey together.

Martin Schlomer
Pastor, ElimEFC

Sept. 14 – How can there be only one true religion?

Sept. 21 – How can the Bible be historically reliable?

Sept. 28 – If God is good, why is there so much evil & suffering?

Oct. 12 – Don’t we have to find truth for ourselves?

Oct. 19 – Isn’t the God of Christianity an angry judge?

Oct. 26 – If Christianity is true, why are there so many hypocrites?

Nov. 2 – Hasn’t Christianity been an instrument for oppression?

Nov. 16 – What should I do with my doubts?

Note: In an effort to be responsive to the needs of the listeners and their input, dates and subjects are subject to change.