Why I Believe the Bible
Introduction. I believe the Bible because it is the inspired revelation from the Creator of the universe to man (highest of creation besides angels). Notice the various components of this affirmation: (1) the Bible is inspired; (2) the Bible is revelation; (3) there is only one Creator; and (4) that Creator’s greatest concern is man, His highest creation. Furthermore, not only do I believe that the Bible is that one inspired communication from God to man, but that assertion is provable. The honest seeker of truth can logically come to this conclusion without having to take a “leap in the dark”; that is to say, one is not obligated to arrive at conclusions in the absence of sufficient evidence.
This article assumes the existence of the Creator (God) and the existence of the universe. The doctrine of acosmism, which holds that the material universe as we perceive it does not actually exist but is merely an illusion, is denied.
When a person comes to the realization of God’s existence through the things made in this physical universe (Romans 1:19, 20), he is left with two options: He may either (1) refuse to retain that knowledge in his heart (Romans 1:21, 28) or (2) may “seek God, if haply they [he] might feel after him [“grope for him” (NKJ; NASB)] and find him . . .” (Acts 17:27).
Our present study appeals to that individual who has come to know that God exists by way of the evidence from the material universe and now seeks to determine God’s will for his life. How does he go about to discover God’s revelation (communication) to him? Where does he begin his search? What questions does he ask? What should he expect to find?
Though one could attempt to investigate all the evidence for the inspiration of the Bible, this article will consider only evidences that in and of themselves are necessary elements to biblical inspiration. The Bible contains some elements, though sufficient to prove its inspiration, that are not particularly necessary. Bible miracles, predictive prophecy, and scientific foreknowledge fall into this category. Some elements may be necessary but by themselves do not prove that the Bible is inspired. And then some elements are both necessary and conclusive. Our study will investigate only necessary elements that may either be conclusive or inconclusive. These characteristics are a priori (before sense experience).
Thus, this study proposes to set forth matters that an honest inquirer of divine revelation would inherently know to be true even before he begins his investigation of any proposed communication from God. What are some of these things he would expect to find?
God has Communicated with Mankind
There are some things one can know before he has any kind of sense experience regarding this subject. These are a priori (made before any examination) considerations. For instance, I know that a watch must have a maker before I examine a particular watch or meet its maker.
In the same way, one can know that if God exists and created His highest creation, man, that He would seek to communicate with that creation in some way. It is unthinkable that the Creator would create man with the ability to communicate with Him and then never make any attempt to contact man.
Since the only form by which man can communicate with others is through language, God must communicate with man by way of words. The Bible affirms this truth: “God, who at various times and in various ways SPOKE in time past to the fathers by the prophets, HAS in these last days SPOKEN to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds . . .” (Hebrews 1:1-2, emp added). Thus, one knows, before investigating any proposed communication from God, that the creator has somehow revealed Himself to man in words.
The Bible is Written Revelation
If you should learn that your rich uncle has recently died, what is your first question? Most likely you would want to know whether he left a will. What, then, would be your second question? Am I named in his will? The Bible reveals that someone has died, has left his will or testament, and you are included in that will.
Throughout history, civilizations have left written records to benefit both their own time and future generations. Today, if I want to make sure that certain things are done in a particular way after my death, I will commit my desires to writing and make certain that written language expresses exactly the manner in which I want to be understood. In our country we have two very important documents that express the beliefs and goals of our forefathers: they are the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution for United States of America. One branch of our federal government has the sole responsibility to see to it that another branch of government does not pass laws that violate the principles of the constitution.
The Bible reveals that the God of Heaven has established several covenants with men. God made a covenant with Abraham and its conditions are recorded in the book of Genesis. God made another covenant with Abraham’s descendants (the Israelites) and it is recorded (written) in the other four books of the Pentateuch. Consequently, Moses wrote “all the words of the Lord” (Exodus 24:3-4) which included the Law (Deuteronomy 31:9). The Ten Commandments were etched on stone and “written with the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18).
Finally, God has made a covenant with all people, both Jews and Gentiles, to replace the one He made only to the Israelites, and this new covenant is forever preserved in the pages of the New Testament (see Hebrews 9:15-17). In fact, the New Testament claims that the Old Testament was written (John 5:46-47; 10:33-36) and thus often appeals to what is written (as authoritative) from the Old Testament (e.g. John 2:17; 6:31; 10:34).
Why did God have His law and revelation of Himself to man put to writing? At least two reasons are here offered. First, if the words (truths) of God were manifested by historical acts alone and left unexplained, they could be misunderstood. Second, if God’s revelation were by speech only in the past and left unrecorded, it would soon be forgotten or confused.
In light of our present situation, if one can show that there are no miracles today, one must look for God’s words in permanent form. Words that are intended to be preserved are committed to writing. Thus, we know before we investigate any religion today that God has left His written word. Holy written communication from God is Scripture.
The Bible Adheres to the Laws of Thought and Rationality
After one discovers a document that claims to come from God, one must ask whether it makes any sense and is consistent even with itself. Logically, one asks whether the document under consideration consistently adheres to the laws of thought and rationality. This is a necessary attribute but is not a sufficient attribute by itself. (For example, a book on mathematics could possess this attribute but would not be God’s inspired message.)
There are three laws of thought: (1) the Law of Identity, (2) the Law of Excluded Middle and (3) the Law of Contradiction. (The following definitions for the Laws of thought are taken from Lionel Ruby, Logic: An Introduction. Chicago: Lippincott, 1950: 255-60.) For things, the Law of Identity asserts that “A is A” or “anything is itself” (and not something else). For propositions the law states, “If a proposition is true, then it is true.” The Law of Excluded Middle asserts that for things, “Anything is either A or is not A.” For propositions it says, “A proposition, such as P, is either true or false.” The Law of Contradiction asserts: (1) for things, “Nothing can be both A and not-A.” and (2) for propositions, “A proposition cannot be both true and false.” Without these three laws of thought communication is impossible.
Regarding the Law of Rationality, Ruby states, “Every person who is interested in logical thinking accepts what we call the ‘law of rationality,’ which may be stated as follows: We ought to justify our conclusions by adequate evidence” (126-27).
The claim that the Bible consistently adheres to these laws is of no little significance for in doing so it demonstrates that it is epistemologically acceptable and sufficient. Not only does the Bible explicitly affirms the Law of Rationality (1 Thessalonians 5:21; Acts 17:11; 1 Peter 3:15), but regarding truth, the Bible claims that: (1) It itself is truth (John 17:17; John 8:32); (2) Truth is objective and authoritative (Romans 10:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7; 2 John 9-11; 1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17); (3) Truth does not change to fit man (Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18, 19; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 13:8); (4) Truth is absolute and attainable (John 17:17; Romans 10:17; John 14:16); (5) Truth does not fear investigation but demands it (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:15; John 10:32-38; John 20:30, 31; (6) Truth is exclusive (John 17:17; Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 4:6) and (7) Truth is valuable (John 8:32).
When one says a proposed revelation from God “consistently adheres” to these laws, he means that said revelation does not just occasionally recognize the truth of these laws or appeals periodically to these laws for its own selfish purposes, but that it always and faithfully adheres to these laws without exception. A book that purports to come from God can never slip off into irrationality, for by mere chance alone, every person is rational at least some of the time.
The Bible is Continuously Relevant
Another a priori consideration of any communication from God is that the message that God has left in writing must have abiding relevance; i.e. it must have meaningful application and understanding for all people for all time (cf. Hardman 60-70).
As we observe man as he is, we realize that man has three basic needs: (1) the need to know who he (man) is and why he is here, (2) the need to love and be loved, and (3) the need to have something to look forward to. The Bible clearly satisfies each of these needs, for the Bible reveals that: (1) Man is created after God’s image (Genesis 1:26, 27) for the purpose to serve God (Ecclesiastes 1:13), to labor to the glory of his Creator (Hebrews 2:10), and live faithfully before the God in whom He trusts and loves (Ephesians 1:3-5); (2) God loves mankind and requires love (John 3:16; 1 John 3:10-12); and, (3) Man has hope (Romans 8:24) and lives with the great expectation to be with his fellow saints now (Hebrews 10:24-25) and with God in Heaven hereafter (1 Peter 1:3-5).
The Bible provides for man’s psychological needs: (1) freedom from anxiety (Matthew 7:25-34), (2) freedom from fear (Hebrews 13:5-6), (3) freedom from loneliness (Romans 8:31), and (4) helps one endure suffering (James 5:13).
The Bible is abidingly relevant socially: (1) In general principles of love and practicing the golden rule (Romans 12:10ff.; Matthew 7:12), (2) in the home (Ephesians 5:22-23; Ephesians 6:1-4, (3), on the job (Ephesians 6:5-9); (3) Christian to Christian relationships (Hebrews 13:1), (4) with enemies (Romans 12:20-21), (5) with the poor (Galatians 6:10), and (6) the civil state (Romans 3:1-5; 1 Peter 2:13-15).
The Bible is abidingly relevant morally: Morals as presented in the Scriptures (1) are revealed by God and are founded on His nature (Jeremiah 10:23; e.g. Titus 1:2); (2) are based on love for God and one’s fellow man (Matthew 22:34-40; 1 John 4:19); and (3) controls both soul and body (1 Corinthians 6:12-20).
The Bible is abidingly relevant spiritually: (1) reveals God’s nature (e.g. Isaiah 6:3; 1 John 4:8); (2) shows that mankind is lost in sin (Romans 3:23); and (3) makes known the way back to God (John 14:6; Romans 8:1).
Thus, the abiding relevance of the Bible is both necessary and sufficient. No other source can so guide and encourage men and women (Jeremiah 10:23).
The Bible Is Cosmologically Accurate
Cosmology is the science that deals with the study of the universe as a whole. It includes the totality of everything in this vast system of things.
To assert that the Bible is accurate cosmologically is to say that the Bible discusses/reveals without error the universe exactly as it is and how man relates to the universe as a whole. Though not sufficient in and of it itself, the Bible must possess this attribute if it is to be taken seriously as God’s revelation of Himself to man.
False religious systems, whether based upon false gods or false revelations of the one true God, do not offer an accurate view of the universe. Jeremiah 10:11-13 addresses the error of Judah who had not learned from the mistakes of her “sister” Israel (Jeremiah 3:6-8) and had gone after idols. She is a nation destined for destruction (Jeremiah 10:1-22). In contrast to these gods, “Jehovah is the true God; he is the living God, and everlasting King . . .” (Jeremiah 10:10). In the verses that follow, the prophet distinguishes the one true God of Heaven:
Thus, shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, these shall perish from the earth, and from under the heavens. He hath made the earth by his powers, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding hath he stretched out the heavens: when he uttereth his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings for the rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries.
Thus, Jeremiah contrasts the one true God with those of the heathen: (1) Their gods are non-living—God is alive; (2) Their gods are temporal—God is eternal; (3) Their gods are provincial—God is sovereign over all.
The Bible explicitly teaches that: (1) the cosmos came by guidance (Genesis 2:4: Psalm 24:1-2; Jeremiah 31:35; Amos 4:13); (2) an organic whole requires a control (a genius of the whole) and interacting parts (e.g. human body, head controls lower parts; see Psalm 8:3-8); and (3) the nature of the whole was created by Divine power (Psalm 33:9; Isaiah 45:12).
As one examines the world on which he lives, he discovers that the Bible is always accurate whenever it touches upon scientific fact. On the third day of creation, “. . . God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so” (Genesis 1:9). The Hebrew word place might also be translated bed. Oceanographers have only recently revealed that all the oceans are actually joined and constitute one bed (cf. Whitcomb and Morris 229-30).
Isaiah 40:22 declares, “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth. . . .” Only recent investigation has revealed that the Earth is circular. Compare this statement with the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians (by whom Moses was “learned in their ways, Acts 7:22) who believed the world was flat and supported by five pillars. The Greeks believed that Atlas supported the Earth on his shoulders. Hindu legend had the Earth resting on a large elephant standing on a gigantic turtle, which was swimming a cosmic sea. However, Job 26:7 states that God “hangeth the earth upon [or over; ASV footnote] nothing.” The water cycle is accurately described in Amos 5:8 and Ecclesiastes 1:7.
The Bible is also accurate when it comes to the subject of man. The Bible affirms that: (1) Man can know of God through God’s physical creation (Romans 1:18-20); (2) Man is created by God and after God’s image (Genesis 1:26, 27); (3) An organism’s life is found in its blood (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:11, 14; cf. 1 Peter 2:19); (4) God made from one blood every nation of men on the Earth (Acts 17:26); (5) Man can spread communicable diseases (such as leprosy; Leviticus 13:45-46); and (6) Man’s life is not the sum total of the things he possesses (Luke 12:15).
Conclusion. This article does not purport to discuss or even list all of the proofs for the inspiration of the Bible. However, this has listed some of the characteristics that any communication from the God who created the universe must have. If any proposed communication has at least these characteristics herein discussed, it is God’s inspired message to man. Thus, the Bible contains necessary properties that the honest seeker may find in order that he may know that the Bible is God’s inspired word.
Works Cited:
Hardeman, N. B. “Is the Gospel, as God Gave It, Adapted to Man, as God Made Him?” Hardeman’s Tabernacle Sermons. Vol. 4. Nashville: Gospel Advocate, 1938.
Ruby, Lionel. Logic: An Introduction. Chicago: Lippincott, 1950.
Whitcomb, John C. Jr., and Henry M. Morris. The Genesis Flood. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Reformed, n. d.