Expressed Concerns About the Bible's Authenticity
Many here have voiced their concern over these biblical subjects, so I would like to address these. I expect all will exercise respect in this discussion. Everyone has a right to be heard, a right to their beliefs, and to discuss this subject without undue sarcasm and ridicule.
First concern addressed:
The Bible does have contradictions and inconsistencies in it.
The Bible is a complex and diverse book, written by many authors over a long period of time. While it may appear to hold contradictions and inconsistencies, these are resolved by studying the whole context rather than one verse, the historical background, whom the passage was addressing, and why. Further, it is not the Bible that has inconsistencies but rather some are not very knowledgeable about the Word and therefore, sometimes misinterpret or twist scripture.
God's character is that He is Holy and without sin. He cannot err. The Bible is one or the other. It cannot be both. God, being perfect and incapable of error, did not hand humanity a flawed, imperfect, erroneous Bible. His nature and character ensure that His revelation is trustworthy and without mistake.
Second Concern:
It has enormous amounts of imagery, poetry and symbolism in it, resulting in differing interpretations because of the different approaches to cultural norms.
The Bible's use of imagery, poetry, and symbolism can lead to diverse interpretations due to varying cultural perspectives. Keep in mind that each author wrote as the Lord gave the inspiration through the Holy Spirit. This does not constitute that the Bible is flawed or in error. The way you would word things and the way another person would word things, might be worded differently or sound different, but that does not imply they are flawed or contradictory. They are simply written by different people in their own style. The only difference is interpretation, and the Bible clearly states that those who do not know the Lord as Savior, God's word is considered foolishness, because they do not have the ability to receive understanding when reading the Word, for lack of inspiration and teaching by the Holy Spirit, who dwells in each person who has been "born again", and teaches all things about God:
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us which are saved, it is the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:18
[b]Third Concern:[/b]
When we talk about the Bible, there are differences in different versions of the Bible. There are differences in the number of Books in Bibles of at least two of the mainstream Christian Churches.
The Bible, though translated and compiled in various versions, remains the inspired Word of God; its essence and message of salvation through Jesus Christ, remains consistent across all versions, despite variations in translation, interpretation, and canonical inclusion. - (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for [our] correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect [perfect his walk], thoroughly furnished unto all good works." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Fourth Concern:
Anyone who says there is only one true Bible denies the simple Truth that God is beyond all of our understanding and that we need openness and humility to accept that.
It is true that there are some things that are beyond our understanding, however God made the most important thing that we should acquire and he wanted to make sure that we know from reading the bible, His explanation of how to have salvation and heaven as our home in the afterlife. If we miss this important teaching of Christ, we have missed everything!
Yes, I firmly believe God's Holy Bible to be the one and only inerrant Word of God. I do believe there is only one true God, because that is what God said and taught when he was here on Earth, and in His Word and wanted mankind to not have to guess about such an important event as the saving of one's own soul for eternity.
I wholly disagree that God is beyond all understanding. While it is true that God has not revealed every single aspect of himself and the afterlife, there is good reason. First of all, we don't need to know everything, before we can be saved. We only need to know the most important thing. God wanted to make sure that we received His message of salvation, above all, as He wants no one to perish, but have everlasting life in heaven. Therefore, God provided His Word, which He says we shall have no excuse, that we did not know there is a God, that God the Father himself approved and appointed Jesus as the only Mediator between God and man and that through Him alone, there is salvation. It's all clearly written in God's Word.
Here are the relevant Bible verses:
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." - Romans 1:20
"For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." - 1 Timothy 2:5
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." - John 14:6
This verse, spoken by Jesus Himself, emphasizes that He is the exclusive path to the Father, and no one can come to the Father except through Him.
First concern addressed:
The Bible does have contradictions and inconsistencies in it.
The Bible is a complex and diverse book, written by many authors over a long period of time. While it may appear to hold contradictions and inconsistencies, these are resolved by studying the whole context rather than one verse, the historical background, whom the passage was addressing, and why. Further, it is not the Bible that has inconsistencies but rather some are not very knowledgeable about the Word and therefore, sometimes misinterpret or twist scripture.
God's character is that He is Holy and without sin. He cannot err. The Bible is one or the other. It cannot be both. God, being perfect and incapable of error, did not hand humanity a flawed, imperfect, erroneous Bible. His nature and character ensure that His revelation is trustworthy and without mistake.
Second Concern:
It has enormous amounts of imagery, poetry and symbolism in it, resulting in differing interpretations because of the different approaches to cultural norms.
The Bible's use of imagery, poetry, and symbolism can lead to diverse interpretations due to varying cultural perspectives. Keep in mind that each author wrote as the Lord gave the inspiration through the Holy Spirit. This does not constitute that the Bible is flawed or in error. The way you would word things and the way another person would word things, might be worded differently or sound different, but that does not imply they are flawed or contradictory. They are simply written by different people in their own style. The only difference is interpretation, and the Bible clearly states that those who do not know the Lord as Savior, God's word is considered foolishness, because they do not have the ability to receive understanding when reading the Word, for lack of inspiration and teaching by the Holy Spirit, who dwells in each person who has been "born again", and teaches all things about God:
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us which are saved, it is the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:18
[b]Third Concern:[/b]
When we talk about the Bible, there are differences in different versions of the Bible. There are differences in the number of Books in Bibles of at least two of the mainstream Christian Churches.
The Bible, though translated and compiled in various versions, remains the inspired Word of God; its essence and message of salvation through Jesus Christ, remains consistent across all versions, despite variations in translation, interpretation, and canonical inclusion. - (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for [our] correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect [perfect his walk], thoroughly furnished unto all good works." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Fourth Concern:
Anyone who says there is only one true Bible denies the simple Truth that God is beyond all of our understanding and that we need openness and humility to accept that.
It is true that there are some things that are beyond our understanding, however God made the most important thing that we should acquire and he wanted to make sure that we know from reading the bible, His explanation of how to have salvation and heaven as our home in the afterlife. If we miss this important teaching of Christ, we have missed everything!
Yes, I firmly believe God's Holy Bible to be the one and only inerrant Word of God. I do believe there is only one true God, because that is what God said and taught when he was here on Earth, and in His Word and wanted mankind to not have to guess about such an important event as the saving of one's own soul for eternity.
I wholly disagree that God is beyond all understanding. While it is true that God has not revealed every single aspect of himself and the afterlife, there is good reason. First of all, we don't need to know everything, before we can be saved. We only need to know the most important thing. God wanted to make sure that we received His message of salvation, above all, as He wants no one to perish, but have everlasting life in heaven. Therefore, God provided His Word, which He says we shall have no excuse, that we did not know there is a God, that God the Father himself approved and appointed Jesus as the only Mediator between God and man and that through Him alone, there is salvation. It's all clearly written in God's Word.
Here are the relevant Bible verses:
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." - Romans 1:20
"For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." - 1 Timothy 2:5
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." - John 14:6
This verse, spoken by Jesus Himself, emphasizes that He is the exclusive path to the Father, and no one can come to the Father except through Him.
