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Thursday, August 21, 2014

How do we know (if) the Bible can be trusted?

Can it be be proven that the Bible is God's word? That's what one reader asks Billy Graham...
Q: I know you believe the Bible is God's word, but can you prove it? I haven't read the Bible much, but all it talks about are things that happened thousands of years ago, and that doesn't seem very important to me. -LSC
No, he can't... At least no Cristian has ever been able too. But I have to correct LSC. The Bible doesn't just talk about things that happened thousands of years ago. It also talks about a ton of things that never happened!
A: If the Bible were just like any other book of ancient history, then you'd be right. It wouldn't hold much importance for us today. But it's not just like any other book. Instead, the Bible tells us about God: who he is, what he has done for us, and most of all, how we can come to know him personally.
I hear a lot of claims but no proof. If Billy wants to impress anyone what he's going to need is some actual proof.
Can you imagine anything more important?
Easily!  How about a book that makes the claims Billy does and actually proves it? A book that tells us the secret to easily and safely create wormholes for interstellar space travel. A book that tells us how to achieve light speed travel. A book that tells us how to make solar panels so efficient we can stop using fossil fuels completely. Maybe an easy and immediate solution to climate change...
From the first verse of Genesis to the last verse in Revelation, the central theme of the Bible is God. He made this world — and someday, the Bible says, he will do away with all the evil that spoils it and bring about a perfect world of peace and justice.
And the proof is...? There are other holy books about other gods. How is this one any different?
As the Bible promises, "In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13).
And the Tipitaka promises Nirvana. What is the proof that the Bible's claims are true?
Why do I believe the Bible is God's word? One reason is that's what Jesus believed about it. Repeatedly he quoted from the Old Testament and said it was God's word. And the New Testament is likewise God's word, because it points us to the one who was the living word of God — Jesus Christ.
These guys believe and their religion centers around the Buddha.
So their religion and holy book are true too, right?
Really? That's all he has? So what if Jesus believed it? (If he even ever existed) Joseph Smith's followers believed him about Mormonism. Buddhists believe Buddhism. Hindus believe Hinduism. And so what if it points to Jesus? The Qur'an points to Mohammad. So far Billy has offered no proof.
But I also believe the Bible is God's word because its message has changed my life, and it can change yours as well. Begin reading one of the Gospels — I often suggest John — asking God to speak to you through its pages. I believe he will, and your life will never be the same.
Sigh... And other religions have changed other people's lives. It seems that Billy, like every other Christian who has ever lived, can not offer a single shred of evidence that the Bible actually is what it claims it is. Over two-thousand years and counting...


-Brain Hulk

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