PvBibleAlive.com Parkview Baptist Church 3430 South Meridian Wichita, Kansas 67217

Bible Defense

The defense of the Bible begins with a simple question; Did God inspire this book?  There are many books that people claim have come from supernatural sources.  

For example;

* The Bible says about itself in 2 Timothy 3:16 that  "Every Scripture is God-breathed and[a] profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,"

* The Quran is the sacred scripture of the Islamic faith.  Muslims believe that it was written by Mohammed as a revelation from the angel Gabriel.

* Buddhism has no single book that is regarded as of divine origin, but they have a collection of  stories about Buddha and his teachings that they consider to be profitable for spiritual instruction.

* Hinduism also has a collection of writings that they believe are the source of spiritual truth.


People Who Speak for God

In addition to these types of "inspired" writings, some religious movements claim that certain individuals in their movement speak for God, or some other other-worldly being.

* Roman Catholic theology claims that when their Pope speaks ex cathedra (from the chair) he is proclaiming an infallible teaching.  The Catholic church also places the traditions of the Church at the same level as the Bible in terms of their truth.

* The Latter Day Saints elevate the words of the "The Book of Mormon," "The Doctrine and Covenants," and "The Pearl of Great Price," to an equal place of inspiration as they regard the Bible.

So how can a person judge all of these claims?  Is it even possible to know what "sacred" writing represents the truth?  Can a defense of the Bible be made on the basis of facts, not just faith? 


Defense of the Bible: The Answer

The answer to "Can the Bible, or any book, be defended as inspired?" is a loud and resounding "yes."  There are a number of ways that a book that claims to be supernaturally authored can be judged.

The Book Should Accurately Describe History 

First, if God, or a god wrote the book, about real events and places in history, then there should be archaeological and historical evidence that those events and places really existed.  The Biblical account of the events of history have been vindicated over and over again.

The Book's Predictions / Prophecies Should Come True

Second, if the Bible is "God's Word" given to prophets in the ancient world, and those prophecies should have actually happened.  Unlike any other book, the Bible has reliably foretold the future.  

A Book that Promises a Changed Life, Should Change Lives

Third, if the Bible is a book that claims to change the heart and lives of those who believe, there should be evidence of some people with changed lives.  The Bible stands alone as a book that has not only changed individual lives, but history, and the course of nations.

A Book that Squares with Science

Fourth, a book that is supposed to come from God should stand the test of scientific knowledge.  Although the Bible does not present itself as a science text, it's truths do not contradict what we have discovered about nature. 

A Book Affirmed by Miracles

Fifth, if God does indeed talk to people, and works to change their lives, you would expect that verifiable miracles would happen occasionally.   And these miracles should have a basis in historic fact.

A Book that Introduces a Person to God

Sixth, if this book is designed to be a revelation of God to people, the God should, at some point, reveal God in some spectacular manner.  Jesus, who the Bible describes as  God in flesh, lived a spectacular and miraculous life, died a world-changing death, was raised from the grave, and still is named as personal Savior and Friend by millions upon millions around the world.  

A Book with a History

In short, the Bible is a book with a very distinguished history.  It's origin story stands alone in literature. And it's history, characters, prophecies, and impact on the world have been astounding.   

So actually, the defense of the Bible is straight-forward and simple.  It asks and answers the question; Did the Bible come from God?

If you want a more thorough look at any of these evidences, click on the underlined links above.