The Bible's Limits

 The Bible covers over 10,000 events from some 1118 chapters from some 40 authors and cannot describe or depict all that happened. John said that if all the events of Christ’s life were written down, the world could not contain the books that would be written. But the Bible in Deut. 29:29 says that God has secrets and Scripture is not meant to tell us everything, only what we need to know or what God wants us to know. The rest is none of our business!

Why Believe The Bible?

Did you know that there are twenty-six books in the world that claim to be Holy Scripture (the Brahman Vedas, the Buddhist Canon of Sacred Scripture, the Koran, the Book of Mormon, the Zoroastrian Zend-Avesta, et al)? However, the Bible is the only one with predictive prophecy! Remember, Deut. 18:18 says that the test of a true prophet is 100 percent accuracy or the death penalty! "If they speak not according to this Word, they have no light in them" (Isa. 8:20). Only God knows and prophesies the future (cf. Isaiah 41:22; 45:21;46:9; Jer. 28:9). Note that there is something very peculiar and unique about Jesus: He doesn't quote the authorities but relies on His own authority and spoke like no man has ever done.  

The Qur'an, on the other hand, has one instance of self-fulfilling prophecy when Mohammad predicts he'll return to Mecca!  Only God can predict the future and God (in Isaiah) challenges any other "god" to tell the future.   But there are over 2,000 fulfilled prophecies in the Bible, not just a few lucky .guesses.  Jesus Christ Himself fulfilled over 300!

Archaeology has repeatedly confirmed the OT tradition and many have set out to disprove the Bible and with over 25,000 sites recovered there still is no contradiction.  Like Jesus said, "The rocks cry out!"   Historically, the Bible has been verified, and even though secular historians are usually given more credibility than the Bible, they have yet to disprove anything in the Scriptures!  For example, Luke has been discovered to be one of the best historians of antiquity.

Also, science has failed to contradict the Bible, even though the French Academy of Science declared 51 scientific facts that controverted the Bible in 1861, now not one of the so-called facts is believed--the Bible was right!.  There is not a contradiction between science and Scripture and where the Bible does make a scientific statement of fact, it is correct, even if ahead of its time.  The Bible is not a scientific textbook, said Galileo, but a book of salvation--however, where it does state a scientific statement it is correct and never proven wrong.

The Bible is self-attesting, (over 3,000 times it says, "Thus says the LORD" or its equivalent) [no other sacred writing does this--they don't dare!]  Scripture is its own Supreme Court, its own interpreter, and commentator.   It is believed because it is believable unless you have the presupposition that miracles just don't happen! Ancient peoples didn't doubt the reality of miracles, just what they meant.  The writers are not inveterate or consummate liars, but credible witnesses--the credibility of a demon is not to be established and this only stands to reason!  The test of their veracity was they the Apostles went to their death without recanting--death was their test!  "For we did not follow cleverly devised myths or fables when we made known to you the Word of Truth but were eyewitnesses of His majesty"  (2 Pet. 1:21). "Thus saith the LORD" or its equivalent) which means it assumes you believe it and doesn't appeal to some higher power or authority.  It proves and verifies itself.  If you appealed to science, for instance, science would have higher authority than God!

The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and is therefore inerrant and infallible in its original manuscripts.  None of these are extant--we rely on copies.   An interesting fact is that there are over 5,000 Greek manuscripts available to test the veracity of Scripture, while we only have 10 good copies of Caesar's Gallic Wars or of the History of Herodotus.  There is no comparison, yet no one doubts the authenticity of these documents.  There is more proof for the resurrection of Christ than for any other fact in antiquity.  It is the most attested and variously supported fact if the era!  Doubting Jesus' historicity is unsound and yet scholars don't dare doubt the historicity of Caesar or Alexander the Great.

The Bible is like a caged lion--you don't have to defend it, it can take care of itself.  People who criticize it usually haven't read it!   The Bible can convict a person if he has an open mind and is willing to do God's will he shall know whether it is of God.  Jesus said, "If a man is willing to do His will, he  shall know whether the doctrine is of God or whether I speak on my own authority" (John 

7:17).

I know of a preacher that said, "I know the Bible is inspired because it inspires me."  The works of Shakespeare can be entertaining and educating, but only the Bible can transform the soul. The proof of the pudding is in the eating:   "The Word of God is alive and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of joints and marrow, of soul and spirit, and it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" Hebrews 4:12).! 

Can You Show The Bible Is Credible Without Citing It?...

1. It’s self-attesting, appealing to itself for authority. If it appealed to science, then science would be the final arbiter of truth, and science has been wrong, like when the sun revolved around the earth. We’d expect God’s word to begin with God and explain the world and truth, not anything as a footnote. The Bible rightly begins with God (“In the beginning God….”_). That’s not the beginning of a story but of all rational thinking. Either matter is eternal, created, or evolved—we know it’s not an illusion or Maya. Where we begin virtually determines where we end up. It actually claims to be the very Word of God and other scriptures don’t—over 2000 times it says, “Thus saith the LORD.,” or its equivalent.”
2. It’s the only one of the twenty-six known scriptures in the world that contains fulfilled prophecy, you’ll find no prophecy in the Koran, Brahman Vedas, or Bhagavad Gita, and over 2000 of them are in the Bible, not just a few lucky guesses, and these are in great detail and not vague like Nostradamus. Jesus fulfilled 333 prophecies explicitly.
3. The Bible is credible because it has miracles that are not helter-skelter or for show but to demonstrate a lesson from God, like demonstrating Christ’s deity. Other religions believe miracles because the religion is already believed, but Christianity is verified and confirmed by miracles, especially the resurrection as the biggie one. Jesus said to believe in Him for the miracles’ sake.
4. The Bible is based on history and fact—the resurrection is objective, historical fact “with many infallible proofs.” (Cf. Acts 1:3), if I can indulge a quote to say what I’m saying. There is circumstantial, historical, and empirical evidence for it. The historical, scientific, and geographic truths have been verified by archaeology. There are no scientific absurdities or anomalies, though it makes many scientific statements ahead of the writer’s time. Its history has been checked thoroughly. There is much corroborating evidence about Jesus, for instance, from secular sources. If you dehistoricize the Bible, it’s totally discredited, but no one can do that. There’s no evidence of it being a legend or myth like Greek mythology.
5. The writing of the Bible is a miracle in itself: over forty authors in three languages over 1500 years and yet having one theme.
6. It has a unique power. Most people that disbelieve it haven’t read it. We don’t have to defend it—it defends itself—just read it and prove it yourself! It doesn't contradict itself but contradicts people. The Bible has a unique ability to convict of sin and shed light: it reads you as you read it, it makes you hungry as you feed on it. You never have read it enough and don’t just read it once and set it back on the shelf!

How Do I Deal With "Contradictions" In The Bible?

 I don’t believe in them; this is not a state of denial, I just haven’t been exposed to any that I cannot resolve or scholars haven’t explained. I admit there are many difficult passages and hard sayings but they have been resolved if one knows the right source to seek for answers and doesn’t rely on the so-called secular experts.

My faith isn’t shaken because I don’t know all the answers and even doubt and questions can coexist with faith. Faith isn’t knowing everything but putting what you do believe into action and practicing the Bible, not just believing it. Faith is defined as doing something and trusting in what you have good reason to believe.

Most people who think there are contradictions in the Bible haven’t read it and don’t even know what its main message is. It doesn’t contradict itself, but really contradicts them. If there was perfect agreement, one could suspect collusion. I have read the Bible all my life and yet to be convinced of a real contradiction and if I saw one I probably wouldn’t lose my faith but just admit I don’t know everything and would suspend judgment until it could be answered by some scholar or biblicist I trust.

Many so-called contradictions are not that at all but just different ways of looking at the same facts or event such as when they harmonize the gospel resurrection accounts to show they don’t contradict after all. I recommend two scholarly volumes: Archer Gleason’s Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties and John W. Haley’s Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible.

In sum, most people who disbelieve the Bible for so-called contradictions, or parts that offend him, aren’t as much not believing in the Bible as believing in themselves!   Soli Deo Gloria!

What Do Atheists Get Wrong In The Bible?...

1. It was written by men; i.e. not inspired by God or is just pie in the sky.
2. It has been corrupted from the original texts.
3. It is incomplete or the wrong books are in it.
4. It has no scientific merit or scientific absurdities.
5. It makes historical errors.
6. It was not written when claimed but much later or by those claimed.
7. It has been undermined by science.
8. It is illogical or irrational, contrary to “common sense.”
9. It has not been verified by archaeological digs.
10. It has no modern relevance.
11. It has contradictions; it contradicts them, not itself.
12. It is not of any significant social, moral, or cultural value.  Soli Deo Gloria!

What Proof Is There The Bible Isn't Just Another Book? ...

1. Over 2,000 fulfilled predictive prophecies in great detail, not just a few lucky guesses.
2. Historical accuracy that is even corroborated by secular sources, even about Jesus—it dehistoricized, it’s totally discredited (and some have tried).
3. Archaeological digs verifying its references (over 25,0000)—as Jesus said, “The stones cry out….” (cf. Luke 19:40).
4. It has been the most translated book in history (over 1800 languages) and has had more impact and influence than any other book in history.
5. It has meaningful miracles that are not just helter-skelter or random; it’s the only holy Scripture that, if you remove the miracles, is meaningless.
6. It was written by over 40 men over 1500 years and has no contradictions, unexplained.
7. it is inspiring and changes the lives of those who read it—it claims inspiration of God—it’s the most quoted book in history.
8. It says, “Thus saith the LORD,” or its equivalent over 3,000 times—it claims to be the Word of God, unlike any other “scripture.”
9. The Bible can prove itself if one gives it a chance and only reads it.
10. It has no scientific anomalies but makes many statements ahead of its time that have been proven true—the Bible is the foundation of the philosophy of science saying there are laws of nature (cf. Job 38:33). Soli Deo Gloria!

All Roads Lead To Romans

Theologians say that Romans is the high point of the Bible and all books lead toward it; while the high point of Romans is in Romans 8, and the high point of verse 8 is verse 28 or that "All things work together for good for those called according to His purpose." Romans is the "clearest gospel of all" according to theologians and its story is about the gospel as the fifth gospel and compendium of Paul's theology. This is the story of Romans simply put: the problem of sin has its solution is condemnation; the problem of salvation in justification the problem of separation is sanctification; the problem of sovereignty in dispensation; the problem of service in glorification. 

The gospel is laid out in simple terms: its power in the Holy Spirit; its purpose unto salvation; its availability to universally; its context in faith; Our righteousness is from faith to faith meaning that we progress and grow in faith. Its freedom is in Christ while its victory through the H.S. We are saved from the penalty of sin (cf. Rom. 5); from the dominion of sin (cf Rom. 6:14); from the Law (cf. Rom 7:4); from indwelling sin nature (cf. Rom. 8:2); and from ultimate judgment (cf. Rom. 8:1) and condemnation. Romans 116-17 is a high point. The gospel is the good news of Jesus; God is the source of life in Christ; the power is in the omnipotence of God; salvation is in deliverance from sin, death, judgment, despair, ourselves, and hell; everyone is affected and the scope is to all; the condition is to believe; the righteousness is the state of becoming right with God; the reward is revealed in heaven.

Note that the word faith occurs multiple times and is from the Greek pistis and can also be translated as faithfulness; we must not divorce the two! Romans 1:17 is also repeated in Hab. 2:4; Gal. 3:11; and Heb. 10:38. This verse was the wake-up call for Martin Luther and the spiritual birth certificate of the Reformation. We must note also that the Law can not condemn us (cf. Rom. 8:1,3); it cannot claim us (cf. 8:2); it cannot control us (cf. 8:4). This gospel has pardon, purpose, power, and peace as the byproducts and fruit.  

The Law laws down what a man must do, while the gospel what God has done. The purpose of the Law is to expose sin; to measure us, not to save us (cf. Rom. 3:20). The only way we can fulfill the Law is to walk in the Spirit. Love is the fulfillment. Romans 5 has five divisions: sin leading to condemnation; salvation leading to justification; leading to sanctification (we are works in progress); sovereignty leading to dispensation and God's decree; and service leading to glorification and reward. We must take note that in the gospel message, God settled the sn question once and for all with the crucifixion of Christ.

Also, in chapter 5, we see the source of justification as grace; the price as the blood of Christ; the means by faith; ad the proof by the resurrection of Christ. We were saved while we were yet enemies (v. 10, sinners v. 8); and without strength (v. 6). This is why we need forgiveness in two ways: for what we've done and for who and what we are. The problem of sins is solved by the blood and the problem of sin by the cross. 

In chapter 6 we see how we know (vv. 6-9); reckon (v. 11); and yield or commit (v. 13). We have two choices only: obedience and life or rejection and death. We become free to live in Christ, not free to sin. Sin shows our slavery, not our freedom. We become free to bear fruit. There is no good thing in us! (cf 7:17-18). The solution is complete surrender to God. He must work righteousness in us by the ministry of the Spirit: illumination; inspiration, guidance, comfort, deliverance, power, sanctification. With our position in Christ, we progress in sanctification and are works in progress. Soli Deo Gloria!

Why Is The Bible An Authority?

 

Why is the Bible a source of authority?

Karl Broberg

·

Updated August 25

Blogger/Bible teacher (10+ yrs), researcher, life coach

This may seem like circular reasoning but it isn’t: The Bible says so. It claims to be the Word of God over 2,000 times: “Thus says the LORD.,” or its equivalent. Jesus believed in it as the Word of God. He verified the authority of Scripture and called it “truth.” The final source of authority is that it claims to be the “inspired” Word of God (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21).

If the Bible appealed to some historian for verification or authority or to scientific advance, then historians or scientists would be the final arbiter of truth. Thus we say the Bible is “self-attesting.” The Bible unapologetically starts out “In the beginning God….” It does not offer proof but assumes its own authority.

There are several reasons we might reason it is authoritative: it has thousands of predictive prophecies that are fulfilled in great detail, not just a few lucky guesses. It is geographically, historically, and scientifically accurate with not anomalies.

The Bible isn’t a science text but it is accurate where it does make statements. In fact, in dozens of verses, it’s statements are ahead of what science could have known at the time and wasn’t common knowledge till much later. In fact, if you could dehistoricize it, you would discredit it fully and many have tried to no avail and become believers. In conclusion, the Bible is a historical document telling the story behind 10,000 events from creation to the story of the church or it is nothing; its historicity is the fulcrum to be unbalanced in order to devalue it.

What Makes The Bible Unique?

1. Over 2,000 fulfilled predictive prophecies in great detail, not just a few lucky guesses.
2. Historical accuracy that is even corroborated by secular sources, even about Jesus—it dehistoricized, it’s totally discredited (and some have tried).
3. Archaeological digs verifying its references (over 25,0000)—as Jesus said, “The stones cry out….” (cf. Luke 19:40).
4. It has been the most translated book in history (over 1800 languages) and has had more impact and influence than any other book in history.
5. It has meaningful miracles that are not just helter-skelter or random; it’s the only holy Scripture that, if you remove the miracles, it is meaningless.
6. It was written by over 40 men over 1500 years and has no contradictions, unexplained.
7. it is inspiring and changes lives of those who read it—it claims inspiration of God—it’s the most quoted book in history.
8. It says, “Thus saith the LORD,” or its equivalent over 3,000 times—it claims to be the Word of God unlike any other “scripture.”
9. The Bible can prove itself if one gives it a chance and only reads it.
10. It has no scientific anomalies, but makes many statements ahead of its time that have been proven true—the Bible is the foundation of the philosophy of science saying there are laws of nature (cf. Job 38:33).

Hermeneutics Made Simple

Unlocking Scripture

"Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law" (Psalm 119:18, NKJV).

"So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified" (Acts 20:32, NKJV).

"'For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life..." (Deut. 32:47, NKJV).

"Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart..." (Jeremiah 15:16, NKJV).  

Readers of the Bible that fail to glean anything substantial, inspiring, or convicting have missed the point of not knowing the Author first; the Bible is meant to be a closed book to anyone nonspiritual, for it is spiritually discerned (cf. 1 Cor. 2:14).  There are foundational principles for decoding the Word just like for any book, only more so.  If one is unaware of the main message of salvation and the main diagnosis of sin and the main enemy of Satan, one will not comprehend anything intelligible or meaningful and inspiring.  We don't just read it to get inspired like one would read Shakespeare, but to be transformed and changed--it wasn't written to increase our knowledge (so don't read it for merely academic pursuits!), but to change our lives, for the Word is powerful, and living, and has the Spirit giving it convicting influence.  Sometimes readers get out of focus and experience "Bible fatigue" whereby it's lost some pizzazz or original flavor due to overly familiarization with the text; a new translation or version may be in order to refresh yourself and get back on track in the Word.

Many people claim to read the Word but have only given it passing attention and perusal.  What they ought to try is to let the Bible read them and go through them as they go through it and read it (to use figures of speech).  The Bible has a way of feeding you and making you hungry for more--it quenches your thirst and makes you thirsty--nothing else will satisfy once experienced!  Our goal is not so much to know the Word as the Author (it's a means to an end), and in our efforts to be people of the Book, to obey it and know God through it, as Jesus said in John 17:17, NKJV, "Sanctify them by Your truth.  Your Word is truth."  Our goal in learning the Word is not to just become familiar with it, but with the Author, and subsequently in a living relationship in which He speaks to us through it.

Many Christians have difficulty understanding the Word for lack of reading skills and of basic hermeneutics.  One must always put them into context (social, historical, paragraph, book, and the whole analogy of Scripture itself).  Another key is to see it all as a revelation of Christ and who He is, as revealed developmentally and gradually throughout the Bible; each book shows Christ in a new light and we can know Him in this way.  The Bible is written in many genres: historical narrative; poetry; didactive or teaching letters; prophecy; sermons; wisdom, literature or proverbs; songs and psalms;  and parables or figures of speech, beating around the bush or plainspoken.  One reason students don't read adequately is the biblical terminology or vocabulary and they don't avail themselves of dictionaries and Bible study aids.  A simple solution may be another version or study Bible!  The primary reason not to get anything out of the Word is not reading with a purpose or not depending on the Spirit's illumination and guidance.  If we don't put anything into it or any effort, we can expect little reward (as Psalm 119:162, NKJV, says, "I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure").

Furthermore, ask questions when studying about: lessons to learn; principles to know; promises to claim; errors to avoid; duties to perform; commands to obey; prayers to echo; warnings to heed; truth to realize; and examples to follow.  We so often neglect the main message and don't see the forest for the trees; keep the main thing the main thing! Whether you understand it or get anything out of it is not God's fault, but a mirror on the condition of your soul and openness to His will and Spirit. A guideline to follow is to bring an open mind, needy and thirsty heart, and obedient spirit to the Word!  In other words, expect God to speak to your heart.  Once you've had an "Aha!" moment in the Owner's Manual of life or an existential encounter with the Word, you'll be hooked and always eager to find the Bread of Life in the Word, which is the only message that can satisfy.

Some commonsensical principles of interpretation are to view the Old Testament in light of the New Testament, and vice versa; to interpret the implicit in light of the explicit, the obscure in light of the clear, (NB:  the New Testament trumps the Old Testament) and the narrative in light of the didactive or teaching passages; letting Scripture be its own Supreme Court and its own interpreter by letting cross-reference verses shed light on a passage; not to fabricate some far-out, far-fetched understanding comes from an isolated passage; and remembering that no Scripture is of any private interpretation (cf. 2 Pet. 1:20) and we have the responsibility to interpret it correctly and not become subjective; we have a right to our own applications and opinions, but not our own interpretations!  We have no right to fabricate our own truths or go off on a tangent all alone, avoiding taking some far-fetched idea from an obscure passage.  Taking the Bible literally doesn't mean we don't read certain passages as plays on words or figures of speech, but we do take it at face value when it's called for!  It should go without saying that all rules of inference and logic must be followed.

To be purpose-oriented, one must simply seek the purpose of the text as the author intended (what occasioned it?), before applying it to yourself--that entails reading with a purpose and not aimlessly.  Interpretation comes before application.  A mistake by the beginner is to read into the Word, rather than what's in it or reading out of it.  Finally, you can't just read any verse at random and expect it to be a divine message from the Almighty! The whole idea of reading with a purpose is to arrive at some take-away to meditate on as spiritual food for the day. The idea is to unlock the Word one verse at a time, but not to lose focus on the main message of salvation in Christ.  This is called bibliomancy and is not recommended.  (To get a clear view, one must see the big picture and know the gradual unfolding of the redemption story, or be able to walk through it.)   Soli Deo Gloria!

Battling Bible Fatigue

"[H]earken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness" (Isaiah 55:1-2, KJV).   
"Your words were found, and I ate them.  Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart..." (Jeremiah 15:16, HCSB).     
"I rejoiced over Your promise like one who finds vast treasure" (Psalm 119: 162, HCSB).  
"Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction" (Psalm 119:165, HCSB). 
"... I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food" (Job 23:12, HCSB).

As an introduction, realize that God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform (cf. Isaiah 45:15) and through general revelation such as creation, as well as through propositional and written revelation in the Word of God--on this, I'll focus.

Bible fatigue refers to the syndrome when the Bible seems to have lost its original pizzazz or zing, no longer inspiring us to do good deeds or mediate on or know God.  Boredom is a phenomenon that only humans are truly capable of, in that we get bored with ourselves and our environments.  Someone could have everything to live on and nothing to live for. Anything can become blase! Sometimes the verses we're reading may seem overly familiar because of repetitive reading and resorting to the same passages over and over again--over-exposure!   In one way this reflects on our relationship with God and that God may be becoming a bore to us (we feel less amazed or in wonder at the beauty of the Word).

Remember the principle that familiarity breeds contempt and that's why we should seek illumination and not just depend on eating leftovers of the previous day's meal of the Word. This doesn't mean that there are staples we never tire of, such as the gospel message: we will always need the milk of the Word, but should grow to comprehend its solid food. 

There are many cures to this phenomenon:  we can change translations or versions to give new insight; we may fail to see the forest for the trees; we can start putting into action what we already know or apply it to ourselves; the more we understand, the more we'll gain; we can see what commentators or teachers have written about it; we can get a new interest as in a newfound interest in theology as a systematic way of seeing Scripture--rightly dividing the Word of truth.

 Remember:  You don't always need some so-called existential encounter in the Word or experience God in it to have a genuine, beneficial, blessed reading session--you don't need a new revelation either, but maybe a gentle reminder.  As we mature in the Word, we learn to see "Aha!" moments and appreciate them like one who says "Eureka!" or "I found it!"  Great spoils in the Word are there to be had by hard work and faithful reading (cf. Psalm 119:162), inspired by God (cf.  Psalm 119:18). 

But no one is immune to becoming blase about the Bible if they let it become routine or perfunctory, as a matter of fact, or of duty.   This is where seeing the big picture is necessitated and mandatory for the correct interpretation of the Word.  There are no short-cuts to a thorough understanding or comprehension of the Bible's main message. One cannot look truly into Scripture without looking truly into his heart, so it is we must be attentive to the illumination of the Spirit and our convictions, not confusing them with our prejudices.  We must also realize mankind is basically empty without God on some journey or quest to find fulfillment, and his soul is a vacuum only God can satisfy, according to Pascal, and the only contentment is in knowing God, not just knowing He exists or about Him, as Augustine said, our souls are restless till they rest in God. 

When we diligently approach the Word, we ought to be spiritually prepared and with an open mind, obedient will, open mind, expectant attitude, willing spirit, and needy heart, being teachable and reverent to the Word, or we will get nothing!  Above all:  READ WITH A PURPOSE!   God chose to speak to our hearts in the Word and we must be ready to echo its prayers and to be convicted by the Spirit or to be prompted to do His will.  Then divine order is to prepare with prayer, being ready to pray during reading, and to thank and praise in prayer afterward, keeping the message spoken to our hearts in mind as we go about our activities.

CAVEAT:  NEVER READ THE WORD OF GOD FOR MERELY OR PURELY ACADEMIC REASONS, FOR ENTERTAINMENT, OR WHEN YOU AREN'T SERIOUS ABOUT GOD SPEAKING TO YOUR HEART AND YOU BEING WILLING TO APPLY IT!       Soli Deo Gloria! 

The Peace That Surpasses All Understanding

"Your words were found, and I ate them.  Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart..." (Jeremiah 15:16, HCSB).  
"I rejoice at Your promise, like one who finds great treasure," (Psalm 119:162, HCSB).  
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope," (Rom. 15:13, ESV).  
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," (Rom. 5:5, ESV).  

God promises peace to all whose hearts are fixed on Him (cf. Isaiah 26:3).  Heb. 3:1; 12:1 also emphasizes this only more specifically focused on Jesus. Corrie ten Boom said that if we look at the world we are distressed, if we look at ourselves we are depressed, but if we look at Christ we are at rest!  We must heed biblical admonition and fix our thoughts on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, to get the "perfect peace" promised, Phil. 4:6-7 takes it from another angle:  avoiding anxiety is as simple as letting our requests be made known unto God with a grateful heart and we shall have this peace (the formula is that we worry about nothing, pray about anything, and thank about everything!). As David said in Psalm 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O LORD," we are to bring every thought into the captivity of Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 10:5) to enjoy His peace. 

Many believers seek peace through some comforting or favorite Bible passage or verse, as I have been asked to cite a good verse for someone depressed.  The answer is that what elevates and lifts my spirits may not work for that person, and besides, they're just getting into the habit of spiritual dependency instead of maturity.  We must learn to feed ourselves sooner or later and not be spoon-fed by our spiritual leaders.  

If I tell you some fantastic verse that could lift your mood and get you out of a funk or the doldrums, it would only be a temporary fix, and then later you would need another verse from me or another spiritual leader.  We can search our Facebook posts from our friends for something uplifting or read and like someone's post or re-post, but this isn't maturity.

The psalmist of Psalm 119:162 said that he treasured the Word of God as bounty and treasure--the joy is in finding it and letting God open your eyes to something in the Word. Job 23:12 says that he treasured the Word of God more than his necessary food!   As is also said in Psalm 119:18, "Open my eyes that I may contemplate wonderful things in Your instruction,"(HCSB).  The joy of a treasure hunter is in the discovery, the proclamation of eureka, or "I found it!" Then we won't need the crutch of some website to inspire us and give us verses to lift our spirits. 

So there is no single verse that's going to lift someone from their depressed funk or downcast spirit of discouragement, but the answer is in knowing how to find one of your own tailored to your needs at the moment--suited just for the situation you are in. I would tell that person who is an earnest seeker that God rewards those who sincerely seek Him and His face and that they simply should open the Bible and start reading and let God do His work and perform a miracle on their soul.

The main reason we get moods is that God intends us to know how to manage them and what to do to overcome our natural inclination to be negative--that is to say, we all are subject to the blues now and then!  But how we handle them is the challenge and we must learn to do something therapeutic for our spiritual health, not harmful to our attitude, for we all need an attitude check too, now and then.   Soli Deo Gloria!

If God Could Speak

"Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways.  In these last days,  He has spoken to us by Hi Son...." (Heb. 11:1, HCSB). 

There is a story in India of six men touching an elephant and each having different experiences which is supposed to explain how we all see God in a different light, thus explaining worldviews or religions.  The men are blind and each touches a different part:  one touches the trunk and thinks its a tree trunk; another the tusk and thinks it's a spear; another a tail and so forth.  But the men don't know they're touching an elephant!  They don't know they're just touching part of the elephant.  But if the elephant could speak there would be divine revelation and they wouldn't be confused but know the truth.

But in the analogy, God is supposed to be the elephant and the fact is that He did speak to us in the Bible and through His final revelation of Jesus.  We need someone who is not blind to know the true nature and we are assuming all the men are blind and have limited knowledge.  What if they touch different elephants?  The analogy may have cute comparisons but it's not valid when you break it down and analyze it.  God entered our world and became one in the nature of the elephant and that person is Jesus, the icon of God, and all we need to know.

God spoke the world into existence and He is here and He is not silent.  God speaks every day through the Word of God and our voices--He uses us to be His spokespersons.  God first spoke, then created, then acted on our behalf.  He's listening to us if we listen and don't turn a deaf ear, but be attentive to His signals.  As C. S. Lewis said, "God whispers in our joys, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it's God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world." The problem is not God trying to make contact but our refusal to listen and hear what He has to say.  He speaks, we just don't listen up! As in the analogy, if the elephant spoke the confusion, conjecture, and speculation would cease and man would know the truth to set him free.  To know Jesus is to know that truth and to be free in spirit.

It seems to me that if archaeologists found the love letters of Cleopatra that the world would seek out to read them wholeheartedly with gusto; however, we have the love letter of God and men ignore that.  God has sent His Word to the world and we must heed and hearken to what He has to say, for He knows our needs and what we need to know. So we need not ponder whether God could speak but realize that He has spoken and all we need to know is in the Bible; there is no need for more revelation or doctrines.

"In the beginning was the Word...."  The Greek word used is Logos or "thought expressed." Jesus is the express image of God (cf. Col. 2:9).  The elephant is supposedly the expressed thought of God to the blind men.  However, the difference is that Jesus opens the eyes of the blind and makes them see:  "I was blind but now I see!"  It was the devil who blinded the eyes of the unbeliever, but upon salvation, they are opened to the truth and he sees the big picture or the whole elephant.
       Soli Deo Gloria!

Why People Reject The Bible

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you..." (Eph. 1:18, NIV). 
"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law" (Psalm 119:18, NIV).

People who reject the Bible have motives that aren't readily apparent but should be obvious.  If the heart is in the right place one would see for oneself that it appeals to the very heart of man.  The Bible is able to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart and it reads us as we read it.  Many have read through the Bible thinking they apprehend its message of salvation, but have never let the Bible read through them!  When we ignore what we do see, God blinds us and refuses more light.   Mark Twain illustrated this by quipping:  "It's not the parts of the Bible that I don't understand that bother me; it's the parts I do!" Likewise, we must heed what the Lord is trying to say or we will not get further light.

Israel witnessed many signs and wonders and still wouldn't believe (cf. Psalm 78:32, NIV) and the Pharisees in Jesus' time would not, not could not, believe despite His signs and miracles (cf. John 12:37, NIV).  The point is that miracles don't elicit faith, but faith evokes miracles. Miracles can bring about skepticism as well as increase faith.   Miracles only increase faith but don't make it.  If you remove the miraculous from Scripture, you have just idle tales, a catalog of religious idealism, meditations, or even list of dos and don'ts.  This is not the case of so-called miracles of other religions--they are believed because the religion is already affirmed to them, not to make them believe--they are not necessary for their religion.

If Jesus had performed no miracles, He'd be a mere footnote in history.  Jesus' miracles were not haphazard or helter-skelter, nor for personal gain, but to illustrate His Deity or to show compassion and make a point in His teaching--they were not fantastic, nor showy and He never did a miracle on-demand or any biggie miracle to force faith on the hardened and unwilling.  He said in His teachings that if anyone is willing to do His will (cf. John 7:17), he shall know whether His works were of God or not and His teaching was from God.

Now, you don't have to believe the Bible per se to become a Christian, but it will make a believer out of you upon reading it.  Note that the Pharisees believed the Scriptures, but were blind to the truth due to the hardness of their hearts.  And Paul preached to the Greeks who didn't necessarily already believe in the Scriptures. But most people that reject the Bible or say it's obsolete or even legend or tall tale,  have never read it!  If they say they have, ask them what its main message is!   The Bible is known to feed you, then make you hungry--one can never get too much of the Word and newborn believers seem to have an insatiable appetite for its contents--a true thirst and love for the Word.

The person who has never read the Bible is on the verge of being barbarian or illiterate and doesn't realize the Western Civilization was founded upon its principles.  The Bible has always been considered part of the Common Law of England according to Jurist William Blackstone.  It's easily the most influential book in history, even most popular!  People who reject it have a problem in their heart because the heart of the matter is that it's a matter of the heart--one's heart needs to be in the right place to appreciate it.  Bitterness can blind a person to the truth!  The Bible is so foundational to wisdom that a knowledge of the Bible without a college education is worth more in life than a college education without knowledge of the Bible.  

Now, why do the vast majority of skeptics deny the Bible's authenticity as true, even historically?  If a secular scholar or historian disagrees, it's assumed they are the ones without bias.  They believe and accept usually by faith since they may have only heard this, that it contains contradictions.  Several scholarly books have been written to dispel this notion; namely, The Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties and Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible.  But I contend that there are no contradictions because I have seen many resolved and see that most are merely the result of not knowing basic Bible doctrine, semantics, or of sound reading, of seeing the big picture, or even that they don't know basic rules of interpretation like interpreting the obscure in light of the clear, and seeing that the Scripture interprets itself.  When they say that the Bible contradicts itself; it really contradicts them!  Some famous men have done Bible revisions or tried to rewrite it the way they see it, even taking out the miracles which they find offensive or unbelievable.  But they are not believing the Bible, but are believing themselves! 

The Bible is its own Supreme Court that appeals to no higher authority for attestation.  the proof of the pudding is in the eating!  If it appealed to science, then science would be the ultimate arbiter of truth!  The proof of the Bible is in itself:  "Taste and see that the LORD is good!" The Bible appeals to the heart and soul of man and if it's not good soil, it will not be able to grow into fruition and mature.  We often are asked to prove the Bible is the Word of God by those who cannot prove it isn't!  But the Bible can prove itself if given the opportunity.  If they say prove it to me!  You ought to say, "No, you prove it yourself--read it!"  All one needs is an open mind, willing spirit, and needy heart and God will authenticate Himself through His chosen vehicle or method of communication--the Bible. 

In sum, people who think they are rejecting the Bible are really rejecting themselves and/or their perception or understanding of it, not necessarily what it says in reality; the Bible tells it like it is and shows people who and what they are in God's estimation (it isn't pretty!), but some people don't want to live up to its reality but choose to delude themselves and reject the truth.   Soli Deo Gloria!

What Is Subjectivism?

Just because we have the right to interpret Scripture doesn't mean we have the right to interpret it any way we want to. Just because we feel something is true doesn't make it so: e.g., not believing in election because it seems to make God out to be a despot. We cannot fabricate our own truths! We are obliged to cutting it straight so to speak. There have been many "mystics" who claim special revelation and new interpretations that only they have been privileged to know. For example, the Quakers believe they should listen to an "Inner Light" and Mormons believe God testifies His Word with a "burning in the bosom."

Remember the road to Emmaus: "Were not our hearts burning within us?" Neo-orthodox theologian Karl Barth said that a passage becomes the Word of God when you have an existential experience with it. Well, that could subjectively mean anything: Does he mean getting goosebumps, chills down the spine, or burning in the bosom? Somehow God can convict us of the truth and speak to our hearts; it is usually different to each individual. Reading into the Scriptures what we want to see is called eisegesis and correct interpretation is called exegesis.

God can speak through the air vent if He chooses, but He has chosen to primarily speak through His Word. "And the Word of the Lord tried him." "He revealed Himself to Samuel through His Word" (1 Sam. 3:21). "For it is no empty word for you, but your very life" (Deut. 32:47). "Do not My words do good to him whose ways are upright?" (Mic. 2:7). Note that God uses His Word. "The LORD revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD" (1 Sam. 3:21).

Swedish scientist, philosopher, and theologian Emmanuel Swedenborg was a mystic that decided he would eliminate some of the books of the Bible that he didn't "feel" were scriptural. Today we have a sect following his errant teaching. If God is going to reveal the meaning to you He will do it to other members of the body also as confirmation. "For no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation..." (2 Pet. 1:21). In summary: Subjectivism is a road to mysticism and we must endeavor to be objective, even though there is no such thing as total objectivity except with God.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Are Translations Relevant?

I recently heard a guest preacher--and I admit a good one--say that the King    James was the best translation (he has been preaching for 64 years--old school!) and that most of the other translations are not "worth reading." I took umbrage but I listened to his sermon patiently and forgave him for his slight indiscretion. This really got me to thinking. When I saw him after the sermon I asked in a civil manner if he could come up with any reason to fault the NIV, a Bible used in my church--no response. I told him I thought the best translation--if you have to pick one--was the ESV; he told me to "enjoy it!" I wouldn't put someone down for enjoying his version, believing it is the best translation, but to say others are not worth reading I don't understand.

I enjoy many translations. Charles Swindoll says that if you only listen to one preacher you will lose objectivity; I think the same goes for reading just one translation. Subjective judgment based on feelings is not the real reason to be partial to a translation. It is easy to understand that a preacher from Wales would think this though: because you like "Englishisms" or the archaic words that are in Elizabethan English doesn't mean it's the best translation even if it's the best English (which is 400 years old this year).

It's good to enjoy your Bible but that doesn't make it the best one. However, bear in mind that having an "Aha!" moment or inspiration or illumination does not mean your reading the "right" translation; like when neo-orthodox Swiss theologian Karl Barth said the passage "becomes" the Word of God when we have an existential experience with it such as: getting goosebumps, chills down your spine or a warm feeling such as a burning in the bosom like Mormons get from the Book of Mormon to authenticate it. Enjoy the Word of God period; no "ifs, ands or buts" about it.

I read several versions and have memorized most of my verses in the New King  James Version. I think that you can get "Bible fatigue" by reading too much of one version because the freshness wears out and you may not get the fresh insights and a new take that you can get from an unfamiliar version that might make you think twice. This is especially true when I read my Luther translation into German. If your doctrines depend upon one translation, then you are in trouble; the only "inspired version" is the original extant autographs in the Koine Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew.

We have a group of "King James only" people in our church that really said aloud "Amen" when the preacher said this. What about the people of France, and Germany? Do they have an "inspired version" too, or must they learn English? I read Martin Luther's translation from the original languages into Modern High German daily and I think his language is faultless, but even Luther made mistakes. I showed three obvious mistranslations to one of these King James adherents but they are adamant. This kind of stubborn thinking is divisive and counterproductive to a church.

The important thing is that people are reading God's Word--God protects His Word:  when I bought a Bible at Walmart for $5 and one of these adherents asked me what version it was saying, "Too bad, the King James is the "inspired version!" He went on about how it was "authorized" and the "first one." With all due respect, the King James Version was the favorite amongst evangelicals until 1978 when the New International Version replaced it, now there is a resurgence of what seems to be nostalgia and a throwback to the "good old days." Now, don't get me wrong! I think every well-read Christian should be familiar with the King James, especially since it has influenced our culture and language so much--many phrases of our language are right from the King James Version--it is English at its best!

Actually the Wycliffe translation of c. A.D. 1380 was the first in English but Tyndale was the "Father of the English Bible,"[the New Testament published in 1525 in Germany because it was illegal in England and the Old in 1535 after Coverdale completed it, not knowing Hebrew--he used Luther's German Old Testament]. The Geneva Bible (first with verses and not to have Gothic letters, the one favored by the Puritans, as a household Bible and used by Shakespeare, d. 1616), the Great Bible, the official pulpit Bible dedicated to King Henry the VIII, whose eyes Tyndale prayed would be opened when he was burned at the stake, and the Bishops Bible, published 1568 for Queen Elizabeth I (revised for the King James and the "official" Bible of the time) preceded it, too. The official didn't mean popular, but it became popular later, and thus we have the King James which used Elizabethan English that had already been out of style just to sound "majestic." (Nota bene that the King James Anglican translators were offended by the Calvinistic Geneva Bible.) Virtually all translations up to modern times have used Tyndale as the starting point directly or indirectly.

I think the NLT, the New Living Translation, popular for new believers, is nearly a in modern English, but it is still technically a translation--and is an example of "dumbing down" the Bible. The NASB, New American Standard Bible, is the most literal, but difficult to understand figures of speech and idioms. The NIV is an easy read at a low-grade level and translates thought for thought instead of word for word, and it claims to follow the King James where it is accurate, which can be difficult to understand sometimes, such as idioms. It was the work of over one hundred scholars working from the best manuscripts and saw the need for a Bible in contemporary English. The NKJV or New King James Version tries to stay faithful to the King James, except for the "Englishisms" and archaic words. Many people who loved the King James will accept this one readily. I recommend the ESV or English Standard Version which claims to be as literal as possible and this version doesn't do your thinking for you or "digest" it before you get to it. The CEV or Contemporary English Version is "user-friendly" for those seeking easy comprehensibility and speedy reading because it is written at the elementary-school reading level; it tries to be "lyrical and lucid" to the listener as well as the reader. I like to compare my Martin Luther translation to see how he translates something--it is very enlightening. The important thing is that you get a translation you can feel comfortable with--and don't judge people by their translations; for instance, the RSV of 1952 and 1971 or the Revised Standard Version, the first modern translation was largely a revision of the King James Version, was published by the National Council of Churches, which is dubious by evangelical standards.

If you want to be accurate and are debating doctrines you have to go to the original languages or trust some scholar of these languages, but when you do that you can be taken advantage of because you're vulnerable, and can be led astray if you're not a Berean who searches the Scriptures to see if it is so (cf. Acts 17:11).[My brother Randy tells me a good idea is to read the preface to see what kind of translation the publisher is trying to make and the disclaimers (such as not showing dynamic equivalence or mood word translations like Oh! or Ho! etc.) to note.]

Some translations use functional (or thought-for-thought translation) equivalence that is what the author is trying to say in a way we can understand it and others use formal or word-for-word equivalence whereas the translation is more literal to what was written in the original. The goal is to get an experience that the original audience had when reading as a balance of the two--not so literal you can't understand it, and not so paraphrased it does your thinking for you.

A word to wise is sufficient: The King James and the New International Version (International Bible Society now Biblica) rely on the Masoretic Text (added vowells) as published in the Biblia Hebraica (from a 12th-century copy), but the NIV also consults the Septuagint and Latin Vulgate for the Old Testament. The American Standard Version or ASV was a revision of the KJV in 1901. The New American Standard Bible or NASB (from the Lockman foundation) relies on Nestle's Greek New Testament. The NIV relies on the Textus Receptus and the Majority Texts for the New Testament. Sometimes notes are given such as other manuscripts read as follows, the best manuscripts read so and so, etc. Sometimes we can go by what the Church Fathers said or quoted, e.g., they never quoted the longer ending of Mark. The newer translations have the advantage of better manuscripts than they had available for the Authorized Version, e.g., the Dead Sea Scrolls were more than a thousand years older than the Masoretic Text (THE INSERTION OF VOWELS).   There are over 5,000 Greek manuscripts and thousands in other translations to compare and see if the veracity of the copyists can be trusted. There is no evidence of the corruption of the text.

Some people are impressed that because some 54 or so translators (HAVING OVER 100 ISN'T UNCOMMON BY TODAY'S STANDARDS) were commissioned for the Authorized Version that it was the best; actually more translators were used for the NIV, which was international in scope, and the result wasn't affected by sectarian bias,--using many denominations of translators--and the team for the ESV was over 100 different scholars, but the Anglican translators of the King James were subject to bias and didn't like the popular Geneva Bible that was published in Switzerland.

There is a niche market for everyone:

As they say: "to each his own!" The issue is whether we go to the lowest common denominator or try to edify believers. Words are the building blocks of knowledge and to use simplistic language is counterproductive because it compromises doctrine. For instance, the English prof who is a baby believer would not feel handicapped with the KJV while the mature believer who is unsophisticated in reading should probably read the New Living Translation by Tyndale publishers, the NLT, which is trying to stay loyal to the legacy of the Living Bible. To mention a few specialty Bibles: the NET Bible or the New English Translation Bible (lots of interpreters, textual criticism and study notes available at NETBible.org on the internet), the Holman Christian Standard Bible or HCSB NOW THE CSB (very contemporary translated by 90 scholars representing 20 evangelical denominations under the aegis of the Southern Baptist Convention), The MESSAGE is a paraphrase full of very modern, contemporary idioms, the NCV or New Century Version is based on the ICB or International Children's Bible, the NRSV or New Revised Standard Version is for mainline and interconfessional adults, the NAB or New American Bible is Catholic, the AMP, or the Amplified Bible (good for word study), and the J. B. Phillips, A Translation in Modern English (a classic). Some translations just try to put it in contemporary English which changes every generation and needs constant updating (the NET re-translates every 5 years). It is good to make an informed decision though and not pick one just because it is a best-seller. One must strike a balance between being completely literal where it is word for word or formal equivalence, and dynamic equivalence, that is thought for thought and optimal equivalence, which is a balance of both. There is a trade-off between readability and literal accuracy--nuances of meaning exist. A totally literal translation is not readable (try reading an interlinear Greek text), and a totally readable one is not literal--there must be a compromise. Idioms don't always translate and are misunderstood if translated literally, as anyone who has studied a foreign language will tell you--like jokes that lose something in the translation; some things are untranslatable.

[Paraphrases are not translations and take great liberties with the text, mixing in interpretation with "pseudo-translation."] I think The MESSAGE by Eugene Peterson is a valid paraphrase by a true believer, but it is limited as a paraphrase and should be reckoned as just that--you won't even recognize some of the verses. The TLB or The Living Bible by Dr. Kenneth Taylor was the New York Times No. 1 best-seller in 1972 and 1973 (SELLING OVER 40 MILLION COPIES), but that is also a paraphrase. They may aid in study or give insight but don't use them for proof-texting.

As for me, I have several Bibles of different translations and don't rely on a certain one as gospel truth and error free but get edified by them all. I think we should be tolerant of others who favor different translations than the one we've grown accustomed to. I still know so many verses in the NKJV that when I'm reading another version I can compare the verses.

The psalmist said, "O how I love your law!" I really don't know which translation I like the most because I'm too busy reading the various versions and all I know is that I love the Bible, regardless of the version it's the Word of God. [The New Testament writers were often quoting the Septuagint, a Greek translation.]
Soli Deo Gloria

EXAMPLES OF FORMAL OR DYNAMIC EQUIVALENCE:  KJV, NKJV, CSB, NRSV, HCSB, ESV, NASB, RSV.  EXAMPLES OF FUNCTIONAL EQUIVALENCE:  NLT, NIV, CEV, CEB, NCV.  EXAMPLES OF PARAPHRASE OR FREEFORM:  THE LIVING BIBLE, THE MESSAGE, GOOD NEWS FOR MODERN MAN.  
Randy Broberg said...
On target. One minor point is I think the "thought for thought" -- the so-called dynamic equivalence method is still a translation. A paraphrase departs even more from the original. Also, read any translation's forward to see what method it claims to use.