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What Do You Think of the Bible?

Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • July 15, In the year of our Lord, 2018

Prelude:

  1. What other book surpasses the Bible in influence?
    1. Formed our nation (and others).
    2. Changed millions of lives.
    3. Many have died after adhering to its principles and author.
    4. No. 1 bestseller.
      1. Generally it is not even put on bestseller lists because
        1. it is so far out in front
        2. no other book can compete.
      2. 1927–1932 German Bible Society – over 1 billion.
        1. If a movie or novel had this drawing power
          1. we would go and see
          2. what every one was flocking to.
        2. Then you would walk away with your opinion.
        3. You would not be silent.
      3. From Reference.com:

        “Over 100 million Bibles are sold or given away for free every year in the world, according to The Economist. The Bible is the most widely distributed and best-selling book in the world. The Bible has been translated into 349 languages, and a survey conducted by the Bible Society concluded that between 1815 and 1975, around 2.5 billion copies were printed. Since the Bible has a history spanning on two millennia, it is difficult to assess how many copies have circulated to date. Moreover, the fact that there is no single version of the Bible makes it hard to know exactly how many copies are sold every year in modern times.”
  2. Let’s explore three possible opinions.

Persuasion:

  1. Do You Think the Bible is Defective?
    1. Some say it is a good book, but it is outdated. They claim:
      1. It was authored by some men in another place in another culture.
      2. They were different back then.
      3. We are more open.
      4. Pace of life is much faster.
      5. How could they fill my needs writing so long ago?
      6. Times have changed.
      7. They were ignorant and illiterate then;
        1. we have more knowledge
        2. (look at space and medical technology).
      8. How could it lead me to a happy life?
    2. However, being human has not changed.
      1. As King Solomon once said,

        9 That which has been is what will be,
        That which is done is what will be done,
        And there is nothing new under the sun.
        (Ecc 1.9)
      2. Someone objects: Did they have nuclear bombs back then?
        1. Not as far as we know, but
        2. they would fight wars where an army would destroy
          1. a whole town or nation.
          2. So what is the difference?
      3. Solomon spoke of us as humans.
        1. Our inventions just allow us to do the same things in different ways.
        2. We still have all the same problems.
    3. The amazing relevance of the Scriptures:
      1. All-sufficient

        3 …His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2Pe 1.3–4).

        1. Problems exist because the world is corrupt.
        2. We can escape from the corruption by partaking of the divine nature.
        3. We partake of deity by gaining knowledge of Him who called us.
        4. Knowledge provides instruction for daily living and how to be godly.
        5. That makes it relevant.
      2. It equips us

        16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2Ti 3.16–17).

        1. The Bible adequately trains you to perform every good work.
        2. Helping the needy, resolving conflicts, counseling, building happy marriages and homes, teaching young people how to be men and women, building character, how to love, how to be successful, etc.
        3. The world has a need for each of these.
        4. The Bible has all the answers.
    4. Whenever the Bible is read and applied individual’s: [America as example]
      1. General knowledge increases (history, logic, science, geography, etc.).
      2. Health improves (refrain from sinful pleasures, learn how to avoid worry).
      3. Wealth increases (foolish things are avoided, give generously to God).
      4. Relationships improve and new ones formed.
      5. Character improves (teaches how to think and act).
    5. The Bible leads us to:
      1. Abundant life

        10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10.10).
      2. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meek-ness, self-control (Gal 5.22–23).
      3. Victory over or in the face of any problem (Rom 8.37).
      4. Ability to cope (1Co 10.13).
      5. Contentment (Heb 13.5).

        5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13.5).
    6. Is the Bible defective?

      7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
      converting the soul;
      The testimony of the LORD is sure,
      making wise the simple;
      8 The statutes of the LORD are right,
      rejoicing the heart;
      The commandment of the LORD is pure,
      enlightening the eyes…
      (Psa 19.7–8).
  2. Do You Think The Bible Is Deceptive?
    1. Some believe that it was written by an overly-religious bachelor. They say:
      1. He did not like women.
      2. He sought to bind cultural traditions.
      3. He was seeking to have control over his disciples.
    2. Men who seek control of their disciples usually:
      1. Immoral and justify it (Jim Jones).
        1. Bible writers clean record.
      2. Love money (Moon, cultist in Oregon).
        1. Bible writers condemned this.
      3. Despise government ().
        1. Bible writers command obedience.
      4. Envious (Pharisees).
        1. Bible writers denounce and expose it.
    3. If the Bible contained nothing more than man’s ideas, then:
      1. Illicit sex would not have been condemned (1Co 5).
      2. Religious division would not have been condemned (1Co 1.10).
      3. Exaltation of man to a god would not have been condemned (Acts 14).
        1. What is condemned by the Bible
        2. would have been approved by man and
          1. what is approved in the Bible
          2. would have been condemned by man.
    4. Is the Bible a deception?
      1. It is honest, bold and open.
      2. It seeks no favors from man.
      3. The Bible is truth.
  3. Do You Think The Bible Is Divine? i.e., in origin.
    1. Its relevance and insight into the human mind is inexpressible.
      1. It can reach down into the heart like no other book:

        12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Heb 4.12–13).

        1. This is why many people do not like the Bible.
        2. It judges them as wicked or righteous.
      2. It leads you to a fuller and happier life.
      3. The Bible knows my needs and tells me how to fill them.
      4. It elevates our thinking, removing selfishness and bringing spirituality.
    2. Its solutions to conflicts leaves one speechless.
      1. Good for evil

        21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom 12.21).
      2. The offended takes the first step

        15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone” (Matt 18.15a).

        1. But they work.
        2. The only conclusion is that it is of divine origin.
    3. Listen to its own testimony:

      21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2Pe 1.21).

      1. Cannot simply be insertions by man.
      2. Why would man write such a book?

Exhortation:

  1. The Bible Is the Word of God.
    1. All-sufficient nature.
    2. Power to change and bless.
    3. Consistency in going against man.
    4. Insight into the soul of man.
  2. If what I have shown you is, then:

    1 …we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? (Heb 2.1–4).