Saturday, May 23, 2009

How Do I Know The Bible Is True?

How Do I Know The Bible Is True?

Approach 1: (The intrinsic properties of the Bible)
1. The verifiability of the Bible, e.g. The resurrection of Christ is verifiable;
2. The unity of the Bible (The Bible is a collection of 66 books which were written over 1500 years);
3. The consistency of the Bible (Many books and authors, one message);
4. The integrity of the Bible (Historical, Scientific, Prophetic Accuracy);
5. The antiquity of the Bible (Textual Preservation).

Approach 2: (External and internal proof)
Internal proof
1. Contains verifiable historical and geographical facts;
2. Contains prophecies of future events - Messianic Prophecies, Fulfilled Prophecies dealing with nations;
3. Consistent message and unity.
External proof
1. Scientific evidence;
2. Textual evidence;
3. Historical and archaelogical evidence.

Approach 3 (Compare to other religions):
1. Buddhism - cannot be audited, not verifiable
2. Islam - failed audit; not logical, therefore not true

Approach 4 (Impact on the world)
1. The world - politics, economics
2. The 7-day week, the calendar
3. Social Impact
4. Personal Impact

Approach 5: (The 2 witnesses - The Bible, Israel)
1. Cannot be duplicated / falsified;
2. Cannot be humanly produced.

Approach 6: (Message of salvation)
1. Unique;
2. Verifiable;
3. Legal;
4. Guaranteed.

Quoted from Got Our Tract - Good Messengers Ministries
QUOTE
Salvation
The salvation of man as presented in the Bible differs vastly from the cruel and inhumane views of the world’s religions. Hindus, for example, often involve themselves in agonizing acts to merit God’s favor. Buddhists follow an eightfold discipline of self denial. Muslims engage in a strict regimen of fasting and prayer to earn God’s approval. The Bible, however, offers man salvation in the God-man, Jesus Christ. It is not a salvation by works, but by grace through faith.
Truth
While other religious books are filled with unconfirmed claims and philosophies, the Bible supports its claims with historical and geographical facts. This is why the first-century Christians gave so much emphasis to the good news of the resurrected Christ. Their message was to be accepted not merely on the authority of their words but on verifiable evidence.
UNQUOTE

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