Biblical Authenticity
The decision to base one’s worldview and lifestyle choices, much less eternal destiny in a two millennia old manuscript written by a compilation of authors over an equally long period of time should be carefully considered. Complicated factors, including the process of Biblical canonization, can prove daunting to clergy and laity alike. On the other hand, life’s ultimate questions deserve our due diligence. Honest seekers of truth and lasting happiness soon find faith not only reasonable but essential. Yet even if proof abounds for the existence of God, what evidence is there that the Bible is Divinely inspired?
To Read Or Not To Read
There are at lest Ten Great Reasons to Believe in the Bible's Authenticity. In addition to these are mountains of evidence supporting the Divine inspiration of Scripture. There are amazing scientific discoveries described millennia ago in Biblical passages. These include a testable model of creation that encompasses modern discoveries in the areas of astronomy and physics, chemistry and biology, human origins and understanding the universe.
Such overwhelming evidence is augmented by the simple fact that for anything to exist, it must have either been created, created itself, or possess self existence (one of the five attributes of Divinity). Such rationale holds true for everything from the tiniest partial of matter to an infinite number of universes to Omnity itself. Self evident, this undeniable proof of God’s existence is easily demonstrated by the simplest math equation possible: 0 + 0 = 0.
Ignoring the impossibility of the existence of anything without an original source of causation being causeless, and thus self existent and Divine, is a dubious act of faith. One billions of atheist and agnostics choose, too blithely dismissing any responsibility to know and please the Creator. Tragically, to prematurely jeopardize eternity in the name of enlightenment for the sake of a few decades of self determinism, pleasure and modest gain is the height of foolishness.
The scientific proof of God’s existence can also be philosophically reinforced by simple honest reasoning:
- Either God exists or doesn’t: If so, wisdom would dictate we continue investigating. If not even Scripture suggests we “eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.”
- Either God is knowable or isn’t: If so, wisdom would dictate we continue investigating. If not let us “eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.”
- Either God is good or isn’t: If so, wisdom would dictate we continue investigating. If not, we may try placating Divinity or “eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.”
- Either God has been revealed or hasn’t: If so, wisdom would dictate we continue investigating. If not, let us “eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.”
- Either the Bible is God’s revelation or isn’t: If so, it greatly behooves humanity to continue investigating. To corporately and individually seek to know and serve the Creator and Savior. If not, given the myriad of vastly lessor candidates mankind is up a creek without a paddle.
A compass comparison of differing religions belief traditions and systems works on a number of levels. Perhaps the first most basic level is that of Faith and Reason as depicted in the following diagram:
- Biblical Christianity represents the complete synergy of faith and reason. Here we find those honest enough to admit not only that creation requires a Creator, but there is abundant reason to believe He is the God of the Bible. Reasoning through faith, such fully embrace not only the promises but conditions and costs of the Gospel. Having found the treasure of which all men seek, these make every effort to deny themselves daily, taking up their cross in hopes of a being filled with “all the fullness of God” while “obtaining a better resurrection.”
- Humanism would cover a broad array of points of view held by those not directly for or against religion yet showing some level of concern for their fellow man. Loving one’s neighbor in demonstrable ways is not only noble but extremely Biblical, perfectly in line with Christ’s most important teachings on salvation. Unfortunately, most humanists give far less than directed by such New Testament greats as John the Baptist and Jesus, Paul and James. Furthermore these are often diverted from diligently seeking God for reasons running the gamut from feelings of alienation to worldliness.
- Other Religions are those espousing the existence of a particular God or Gods other than the Trinity revealed in Scripture. One the one hand such believers admit the obvious reality of the Divine existence. Some practitioners are extremely devoted, displaying a level of commitment that puts most modern Christians to shame. On the other hand, careful scrutiny reveals nonsensical and at times even demonic foundational beliefs and/or practices.
- Me-ism might represent those too apathetic or self absorbed to develop a clear concept of their Creator. Formally known as Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, various forms of Me-ism are quickly becoming the default religion within developed nations.
- Agnosticism represent both sides of the agnostic argument, that of the selfish skeptic as well as the genuine yet disheartened seeker. Here can be found shreds of a legitimate concern too lightly answered by the faith community, if and when addressed at all. Namely, the quantum dilemma posed by the apparent silence and distance of God.
- Atheism represents the opposite of Biblical Magnetic North, beginning with the fundamentally fallacious arguments of the atheist. Ironically, while often among the most intelligent, for a variety of reason atheists repudiate common sense by denying such fantastic fine tuning and intelligent design requires a Designer.
Such analysis in and of itself means less and less to billions in the developed world enamored with the undeniably impressive impact of scientific advancements. Ironically, these very gifts are from God, yet their net effect has been an untethering from the harsher realities of modern life. So much so as to temporarily disperse concerns over identifying, much less pleasing, any so called Creator. A position billions consider strengthened by insights into the evolutionary process. Yet neither theories or technological progress could ever disprove Intelligent design which has little or nothing to do with the mechanism Omnity used to plan and guide the miraculous appearance of simple, much less sentient earthly life. Examples of which are well documented by organizations like “Reasons To Believe” who make a compelling case for the integration of general revelation (record of nature) with Old Earth creationism’s place in special revelation (Scripture).
Also compelling is Scriptures explanation of eternity's past and humanity's future featuring 1,000 fulfilled prophecy’s. The odds of even a dozen of the Bible's ancient prophecies having been fulfilled are greater than a quintillion to one. That's like filling Texas ten feet high with silver dollars, marking an "X" on one and a blind man finding it. Yet scores of the Bible's prophecies have come true, including the impressive and unparalleled prophesied destruction of the city of Tyre by Alexander the Great. Such odds far exceed those necessary to establish something as a "scientific certainty."
Similar odds exist against today’s unfolding of prophecies from the Bible’s Book of Revelation. How could a Jewish fisherman living millennia ago, who knew less about the world than a modern elementary school student, accurately predict current events in our time? Yet some of the author's prophecies have already happened and more are in motion. Our generation is witnessing the pages of Revelation unfold in such events as the singular reemergence and global prominence of Israel in a way unique in history. The development and proliferation of nuclear weapons that could destroy a half or more of humanity. The creation of the European Union from the ashes of the old Roman Empire. The ability of nations east of the Euphrates to generate and arm a 200 million man army, equivalent to the entire world's population when Revelation was written. The rise of technology necessary to produce the Mark of the Beast, as well as a host of other prophetic markers of the Great Tribulation...
GB has provided a plethora of articles addressing the authority of Scripture and many other notable topics. In regards to this issue, GB is indebted to the excellent research of many Christian organizations. Below are just a few of our favorites regarding Biblical inspiration. An extended list of links may be found in the “Resource” section of this site.
- Josh McDowell's site featuring Evidence That Demands A Verdict: Tremendous books containing thousands of facts and statistics that come as near as possible to proving God inspired the Scripture.
- Reasons To Believe featuring a testable model of creation: Fantastic research that proves Intelligent Design and argues strongly that the God of the Bible is our designer.
- Grant Jeffery's and The Signature of God: This easy to read book offers dozens of amazing evidences for the Biblical inspiration including modern day prophetic fulfillment.
Getting Started
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