In the last installment of Cogitations, it was pointed out that the Bible is a collection of writings that boast several claims. If these claims are true, then the Bible is the absolute most important writing that has ever been published. However, it would be foolish for an individual to just automatically accept these claims as truthful. Genuine faith is not one that blindly believes any claim but rather carefully investigates available undeniable facts which cannot be denied. On my own personal exploration of the Bible, I have concluded that it is undeniably true. The purpose of what will be written in this, and the next several installments, will be to present evidence that I believe will convince those with doubts that the Bible is not only authentic and true but also authoritative.
First, it should be acknowledged that the Bible was written by the hands of men. However, these men wrote with the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God, providing direction. Paul makes a very clear statement in 2 Timothy 3:16 when he declares that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” Throughout both the Old and New Testament books that comprise the Bible, one can find repeated over and over again references that clearly proclaim this inspirational direction.
It is nearly universally excepted among scholars that Moses wrote the first five books in the Old Testament. Let us consider a few verses from these books of Moses and consider who he credited as the source of the words. In Exodus 24:1-4, Exodus 35:1, and Deuteronomy 4:1-4 the following statements are made. ‘Moses told the people all the words of the Lord; ‘Moses wrote all the words of the Lord; ‘Moses said unto Israel these are the words which the Lord hath commanded; ‘You are not to add to or take away from what I command you, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord you God which I command you.’ These few examples of indicative of the claims of divine authority found throughout these books attributed to Moses.
Now let us consider some of the other books found in the Old Testament and what claims are made in them regarding the source of their inspiration and authority. Samuel states, “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my mouth.” (2 Samuel 23:2). Isaiah, in regards to what he wrote, states, “Hear, O Heaven and give ear oh earth for the Lord hath spoken.” (Isaiah 1:2). Jeremiah opens the book which bears his name with the proclamation in 1:4 that what he was preparing to write would be the word of the Lord and states a few verses later “The Lord put his words in my mouth.” (Jeremiah 1:9). In a similar manner it is recorded in Ezekiel 2:7 and 3:4 that the Lord said to him “Speak with my words unto them.”
For the sake of space, let us consider only one more from the Old Testament. In Amos 1:3-13 it is recorded a remarkable five times “Thus saith the Lord.” This same statement is repeated again in Amos 3:1 and 4:6. Furthermore, in Amos 7:1, the declaration is made “Thus hath the Lord God shewed to me.”
Just as the writers of the Old Testament clearly claimed that they were inspired and directed by God, the writers of the New Testament made the same claim. Throughout the various books comprising the New Testament, the guidance provided by the divine source is referenced time and again, as can be surmised from the following few examples.
Acts 2:4 makes the claim that they spoke as the Spirit gave them utterance. In Acts 4:29, it is recorded that they prayed to God to provide the boldness they needed to speak His word. The Apostle Paul (one of the chief contributors to the New Testament writings) referred to that which he taught as being the Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:15-16), the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 14:14-37), and the Word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:1). In Galatians 1:11-12 it is revealed that Paul received all his teachings by revelation from God. Revelation 1:1 states that John wrote the book according to divine inspiration. 1 Corinthians 2:6-13 and Ephesians 3:5 say that the New Testament was revealed to the Apostles and Prophets by the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 1:10-12 asserts that all those who had a part in giving us the gospel of Christ did so by the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven.
If these repeated claims crediting God as the ultimate source of the scriptures as well as the supreme authority behind them, then one should pay serious heed to the words and warnings given by Peter in 2 Peter 3:14-16. Here he warns, either by instability or ignorance, if one alters the teachings of the scriptures, they do result in their own destruction. Words of mere men do not carry much weight, but the words of God certainly do.
As the exploration of this topic continues in the next article, evidence will begin to be presented that will clarify the true source of the Bible…is it simply of men or truly of God?
Carl Hartman is the Minister at Main Street Church of Christ in Lockney
