Recently we have been spending time in our Adult Bible Study talking about the essentials of the faith – the items that we have to believe, that are not negotiable to still be considered a Christian. What doctrines are needed for growing the faith? We […]
Traditions aren’t what they used to be, are they? Some things are just not necessary because they are no longer needed. I don’t have to sing all sixteen verses of Just as I Am as a hymn of invitation at the end of every church […]
[TABS_R id=488]
On the tabs above, follow STEP ONE and watch the two video links.
Today we turn our attention to the question of credibility. Can we trust the information contained in the books of the Bible? As we continue exploring the question, “Is there bias between the media and Christianity?” let’s listen carefully to what both sides are saying about the issue of credibility.
From the Christian perspective:
We have biblical records of the events of the nation of Israel, of the life of Christ and of the beginnings of the church. The media seems to do everything it can to discredit or disregard those records, treating them much the way they would treat a fairy tale. In the media’s own words, they treat the Christian faith as if it were “fake news.”
From the perspective of the journalist and media:
Christians cannot agree upon their interpretation of the Bible. They cannot agree about its source and circulation. Some cannot agree upon which books are to be included in the Bible. Some of the stories of the Bible would require a miracle for them to be true. It is impossible for us to determine its credibility, but the questions and lack of answers lead us to believe it is not credible.
Is the story factual? Are there inaccuracies in the accounts of the story? Is the story presented in a credible manner? These issues are important, not just when considering the Bible, but when considering any story that is covered by the media.
Today we are going to start class a little bit differently. Let’s pretend that you are going to be a reporter, taking part in a “press conference” of sorts. You are going to have the opportunity to interview course teacher and author Tom May, attempting to cover the credibility of Christianity. What questions trouble you about the issue of the credibility of the records of the Christian faith? Are there similar questions that concern you personally? Use the space in the form below to word your questions to the teacher. Usually within 24 hours, a response to your questions will be presented and sent to your email address. (Under “website” simply put the word “Biased.” Write your questions in the “message” area.
Alternative: Ask one of your ministers, church leaders or your small group leader to attend your meeting willing to answer similar questions. What are the crucial questions concerning the credibility of the Biblical records that need to be asked?
[contact-form][contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Website” type=”url” /][contact-field label=”Message” type=”textarea” /][/contact-form]
As you begin looking at the content in today’s lesson, click on the STEP TWO tab above. Consider the theme of the lesson and continue to the STEP THREE tab.
Did you ever wonder if we could trust what the Bible says? Did anyone you know ever question the stories of the Bible? How do we answer their questions? What if they say – well all those things are in the Bible, but I don’t believe the Bible? Where do we go from there? How do we determine if we can trust the biblical records of history?
We believe things based on trust. We trust what we see ourselves. We trust what others have seen. We trust the opinions of certain people. “Did Indiana beat Kentucky in that ball game?” “Yes it was an incredible game, I was there! Let me tell you about it!”
How do we know we can believe what the Bible says? Two important factors stand out. First we believe the Bible because we trust God.
Second, we believe the Bible because it was written by people who were present. They were eyewitnesses.
The reliability of the NT books means that they are credible, trustworthy and accurate. A credible writing would be a writing that the reader could trust what it said to be true. Such a writing would be reliable in its statements of history. In areas where the reader could not prove the statements by the writer, the reliability of “provable” statements would enhance the probability of the “unprovable” ones.
The authors of the New Testament were contemporary to the events of the life of Jesus. Some were eyewitnesses. The others got their information from eyewitnesses.
The authors of the New Testament were contemporary to the events of the life of Jesus. Some were eyewitnesses. The others got their information from eyewitnesses. Look up the following Scriptures to gain insight into the credibility of the writings of Scripture.
The chart below gives a conservative estimate of the books of the New Testament, their authors, and the approximate date of writing, based on both internal and external evidence.
| The New Testament | |||
| Gospels | Matthew | Matthew | AD45 |
| Mark | Mark | 65 | |
| Luke | Luke | 62 | |
| John | John | 85 | |
| Acts | Luke | 62 | |
| Pauline Epistles | Romans | Paul | 56 |
| 1 Corinthians | Paul | 54 | |
| 2 Corinthians | Paul | 55 | |
| Galatians | Paul | 55 | |
| Ephesians | Paul | 60 | |
| Philippians | Paul | 61 | |
| Colossians | Paul | 60 | |
| 1 Thessalonians | Paul | 50 | |
| 2 Thessalonians | Paul | 51 | |
| 1 Timothy | Paul | 64 | |
| 2 Timothy | Paul | 67 | |
| Titus | Paul | 65 | |
| Philemon | Paul | 60 | |
| General Epistles | Hebrews | Unknown (perhaps Paul) | 67 |
| James | James | 48 | |
| 1 Peter | Peter | 65 | |
| 2 Peter | Peter | 67 | |
| 1 John | John | 90 | |
| 2 John | John | 90 | |
| 3 John | John | 90 | |
| Jude | Jude | 75 | |
| Revelation | John | 92 | |
The writings of the Jewish Historian Josephus (AD 37 – 101).
The writings of the Roman historian Tacitus (AD 56 – 120).
The writings of the Roman historian Pleny the Younger (AD 62 -113).
Conclude today’s lesson by considering the thoughts on the STEP FOUR tab above.
[TABS_R id=300]
On the tabs above, follow STEP ONE and watch the video links and read the information on the graphic.
Today we turn our attention to the question of the authority of the Bible. Who wrote its books? When was it written? Was God involved in its writing? Listen carefully to the possible answers.
They wave their Bibles at passersby, screaming their condemnations of homosexuals. They fall on their knees, worshipping at the base of granite monuments to the Ten Commandments while demanding prayer in school. They appeal to God to save America from their political opponents, mostly Democrats. They gather in football stadiums by the thousands to pray for the country’s salvation.
They are God’s frauds, cafeteria Christians who pick and choose which Bible verses they heed with less care than they exercise in selecting side orders for lunch.
Kurt Eichenwald
The Bible: So Misunderstood It’s a Sin
Newsweek, December 23, 2014
Those who believe in the Bible’s inerrancy will do all kinds of interpretive gymnastics to put the round peg of the Bible into the square hole of inerrancy, but it just doesn’t fit. That’s because it’s not meant to fit.
The Bible is a document written by human beings who tried to recognize what God was doing in their lives. But it’s not inerrant. There are disagreements that run throughout the Bible. Those disagreements are one of the things that I love about the Bible! The Bible models for us how to wrestle with God and ask questions about faith.
Adam Ericksen
Why You Should Run From Bible-Believing Churches
www.patheos.com October 6, 2015
Both the Old and New Testaments view the words of Scripture as God’s own words. The Bible contains many examples of God’s words spoken directly to His people, God’s words spoken by His people and God’s words written through His prophets and apostles.
God has preserved that revelation by the Holy Spirit’s work of inspiration. By inspiration, we mean that God’s Spirit exerted a superintending influence on the writers of Scripture so that God’s revelation has been recorded as He intended.
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
An interesting story from the Bible itself captures the majority of opinions about Bible studies and understanding the Bible. Philip comes across a ruler trying to figure out what a part of the Old Testament was talking about. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The ruler quickly replies, “How can I unless someone helps me?” (Acts 8:30-31).
Many people approach reading the Bible with some real hesitancy and fear. Even if I begin to read the Bible, is there any chance at all that I will understand it? The Barna Group, a religious polling organization headed by former Gallup leader George Barna, recently teamed with American Bible Society to conduct a survey about the state of the Bible in America. The 2014 survey found, among other things, that people are reading the Bible less because they don’t have enough time, they have difficulty understanding what they read, and they don’t see a connection between reading the Bible and how they live.
Like many books, the Bible can be as easier to comprehend if a plan is followed. Bible studies provide the structure and design necessary to understand the Scriptures. Let’s look at three strategies that can be used to facilitate understanding the Bible and three investments that the reader must make.
For what reason do you turn the pages of Scripture today? Do you want to get an overview of what is taking place in Biblical history? Do you want to really study and learn facts that you never knew before? Are you seeking to read the Bible to improve your Christian walk or draw you closer to God? Are you looking for some inspirational or devotional words to encourage the day?
Eternal philosopher, and part-time New York Yankee catcher, Yogi Berra is quoted as saying, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you might not get there.” If you don’t know what you want from Bible study, you might not get there.
Discover as much as you can about the author of the book and his perspective and relationship to God. Challenge yourself to find out about the circumstances of the readers. Recognize the type of literature that is being studied – poetry, history, admonition, prophecy – because the context of each will vary.
What spiritual truths were being taught to the original readers by this Scripture? Are there spiritual truths that can be applied to living today? What does God want to develop or change in your life by the reading of this passage? When you answer those questions, your study becomes piercing and focused.
Because the book is more than just a record of history, the reader must make an investment if a clear focus is to be obtained. The first investment necessary is time. Reading and studying the Bible should be done on a regular basis. The amount of time is not as important as its consistency. Invest time in a regular schedule of reading the Bible, and a sufficient amount of time to allow God to speak through His Word.
Next, one should be willing to invest energy. The Psalmist writes “May I experience your compassion, so I might live! For I find delight in your law” (Psalm 119:77 NIV). Scriptures proclaimed by God intend to give us learning and instruction (Romans 15:4 NET). Then it makes sense to invest energy into reading in order to have hope.
Finally, understanding the Bible requires an investment of the heart. “With my whole heart I have sought you; oh, let me not wander from your commandments” (Psalm 119:10 NIV). With a simple strategy blended with personal investment, the Bible will come alive and be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path.
Koinonia Bible Studies provides Bible studies that are flexible enough to meet almost every need. The individual can study through the lessons at several levels from brief, devotional thoughts to in-depth biblical studies. Also the lessons are ideal for small group meetings in a home or a more traditional adult Bible study held at church. In addition, several devotional books are available to provide a daily touch into God’s Word. The result of studying is a firm foundation upon which consistent living is built.