July 1998 New Horizons

Why Should We Believe the Bible?

by John Rogers

Do you ever get annoyed when you go to the bank and you are served by a new teller who doesn't know you, and she (he?) asks for an ID card or she has to trot out to the back and check your signature? Or perhaps the teller at the next desk might lean over and say, "Yes, that's OK" or "He's him." Well, of course I'm him! Am I myself not the best proof that I am—and that I am me? But no, I'm not good enough for the bank. It has to be somebody else's word or a record somewhere or some bit of plastic! Before the teller will believe I am who I say I am and will part with the money, she needs an authorization from somebody higher up or some other bit of proof. And that question comes up also with the Bible. Who will tell us that the Bible is what it says it is? On what or whose authority shall we believe it is the Word of God? Who will verify that fact? Who will prove it? There are three approaches we could take to this question. 1. We could believe it is the Word of God on the authority of the church. ... Read more

The Inspiration of Scripture

by James W. Scott

The Bible is the church's prize possession. In it we find the good news of salvation. In it we learn about God and his dealings with people down through the centuries. And in it we find instruction and encouragement for our lives. The Word of God But the Bible is more than a book of important spiritual information. It is the very Word of God (Heb. 4:12). This means that God has uttered the words written in the Bible. "God," we are told, "spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets" (Heb. 1:1). What an awesome truth! The "sacred writings" (2 Tim. 3:15), or Scriptures, set forth the teaching of the all-knowing, all-wise God! God is clearly the speaker in much of the Old Testament, where Moses and the prophets often quote him directly. Such passages are often cited in the New Testament with such introductory words as "God said" (2 Cor. 6:16), "the Holy Spirit says" (Heb. 3:7), and "the Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying" (Acts 28:25-26). When direct ... Read more