Why do you believe the Bible?

First I believe it from the heart outward toward my intellect.
I would suggest anybody who does not understand that statement to please read "Evidence That Demmands a Verdict" by Josh McDowell,he explains it in greater detail than I can here on the board.

 

Because the Bible is historically accurate, scientifically accurate, prophetically accurate.

It is also accurate concerning human nature.

It is absolutely accurate in every way we can test it. Human nature cannot do this. Only God can do this. It claims to be God's Word. It is accurate in every other area, therefore there is no logical reason to doubt that it is right there as well.

That is looking at it from the 'outside'.

From the inside?

Everything in me has responded to it. My heart and my mind know it is my Father's Word to me.

 

I knew Christ before I really knew the bible, so I suppose I have to give Christ credit for helping me know it was the truth.

When I got a little older, and started hearing the nay-sayers, I noticed that the nay-sayers were not Christians, and they weren't even good secular people. The people I respected, respected God's word.

Then, when I was a teenager I heard the things that agnostics will say to discredit God's word, I went to Dr. Ralph Smith, former president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I explained to him that I knew God's word was real, but that I didn't know how to answer the taunts of athiests, and I knew that there must BE an answer. He explained to me that no answer will really satisfy a non-Christian, but agreed there ARE answers, and with great patience, he gave me my first theology lessons on the floor of his private study.

He showed me that what some called contradictions are in fact not. For instance - Genesis and creation are not contradictions - one is a summary, another is a detailed account. The same story, with different emphasis on different areas.

By the time I was 16, I understood that God's word could survive any test man could throw at it. I once started tracing Christ's lineage backwards, using scriptures. When I hit a "snag", Dr. Smith smiled, and showed me how a name changed here, and then there, all recorded in scripture.

When I wanted to do a "time line" of historical events - Dr. Smith reminded me that calendars change, and helped me create an accurate time line that compared the calendars. Once I understood that - he told me to "rebuild" the biblical time line. Every prophecy I traced happened exactly when the prophets had forewarned it would.

He taught me to look to the Greek before anyone ever put out an NIV or an RSV.

When I finally graduated and got out of his hair long enough to pursue college credits I'm sure he was relieved, though he was far too kind to have ever said so.

I continue to search for the truth.

When people told me "Nazareth doesn't exist," I spent a few weeks in libraries, and talking to professors. I was thrilled to find out that they found a "fishing village" with a plaque that said "Nazareth," right where Christ said it would be.

Things the nay-sayers hate to admit, is that no other historical document in the entire history of the world has as much supporting evidence as the bible has.

Look at the old testament - The Amarina Letters of 16th Century written by Canaite scribes show the social, political and religious relationships between Canaan and Egypt - and support the biblical recordings of the same.

Amenemope's Wisdom, an Egyptian text from the 1st millennium BC has 30 chapters that refelct the wisdom of Proverbs, and provding the closest external parallels to the Old Testament of any outside literature.

Ever study Gilgamesh in school? Is Akkadian, from the 2nd millennium B.C.. It is, for the most part, the adventures of Uruk, but it contains the Great Flood. Compare Gilgamesh to Genesis 6-9.

The 7 years of famine recorded in our bible is also recorded in Egyptian Records that date back to 2nd century B.C. These records state that Egypt experienced 7 years of low Niles and famines, and that a contractual agreement was made between Pharoah Djoser (28th Century B.C.) and "a god", to provide 7 years of prosperity. Compare this to Genesis 41.

Shishak's Geographical List - an Egyptian Document of the 10th Century B.C. is where Pharoah Shishak lists the cities he captured or made tributary during his campaign into Judah and Israel. Compare it to 1 Kings 14:25 and 26.

The Akkadian "Nabonidus Chronicle" of the mid 6th century b.c., tells about the absence of Nabonidus from Babylong, and how his son Balahazzar was the regent in charge. Compare that to Daniel 5:29-30.

There are, that I know of, at least 39 similar non-biblical documents that support the biblical accounts, or confirm the bible's description of social structures, or politics of the age. You would think that would convince an agnostic, but it doesn't. They just say, "That proves it is a legend." Which I will never understand.

No other document has as much "cross referenced" historical evidence as the bible.

Then, to look at the bible itself - It is written, literally over a span of centuries, and records thousands of years of history. There are 66 books if you look at the King James, and they are written by people from all walks of life - fishermen, Scholars, Kings, simple men who were prophets.. BUT - they all tell the same story. They don't contradict one another, they all tie in, God is unchanging in all that time.

Then there is, despite what the nay sayers tell you, archeological evidence.

 

I was given heros, they have fallen.
I was given a country, it has, on occassion, stumbled.
I was given democracy, the best of the imperfect, but imperfect still.
I was given loving parents, they are no longer with me.
I was given life, but it is now ebbing away.
I was given health, but my strength is fading.

Then, my friend, I was given of His Spirit that I might KNOW Him.

1Jo 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

His Spirit convinces me that the Bible is true as are His promises contained within.

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

The Bible stands like a mountain towering,
Far above the works of men;
Its truth by none ever was refuted,
And destroy it they never can.

 

Helen took the words right out of my mouth, but said it better.

 

it's true

 

I believe the Bible because I have faith that this is the Word of God.

Joseph Botwinick

 

That's the essence of it, alright. I grew up with Bibles in the house, some quotes therefrom being said and sung about, then later going to 'Sunday School' being taught it further, then later still having that experience I was convinced was what it talks about in being "born again." It's little wonder your mind gets into a pattern that is hard to break, and therefore we orient our thinking on the basis of the Bible being true, so that we interpret any other stimuli to our brains with that 'filter' well in place.

And then, in my particular case, when I was in a wreck and torn up physically, cut off from school and normal activities for a 14-year-old and having been given a new Living Bible, I started reading and really learning it as I searched for meaning. Of course that truth filter was in place, even though I didn't know that much about the Bible before, even with all the lessons and sermons I had heard. So searching for meaning in the down times of life, with the axiom of biblical truth, is often a step up in further developing that conviction.

And finally, since the question was asked so plainly, I will answer plainly that the third level of my conviction of biblical truth is not really a good one. It can be characterized as an excuse to be arrogant or argumentative, or perhaps compared to 'secular' subjects as being something like an "intellectual bully." I know I'm not the only one who has this quality, as it is so much in evidence on this board. In order to feel 'superior' to someone with a different point of view, we may try so hard to convince ourselves of the truth of what we want to believe. I know it's not a positive thing at all, this constant arguing over points of theology, but I am convinced a big reason we do it is to feed that feeling of superiority to which we become psychologically addicted, and our view of the Bible is the unchanging standard on which this is based.

I don't really like what I have just written, and I don't expect readers thereof to like it either, but it is an honest answer to the question posed in this thread.

 

TexasSky,

Feel the same way, but wish I could of known Dr. Smith too.

 

From the time I got saved I just knew it. Nobody told me, and I've never doubted it. However, it was many years later before I could lay out a decent apologetic for it since it was a very long time before I realized there were Christians who doubted it. What a sad thing to contemplate.

 

I believe that "I believe" because I was given to believe. I was "given ears to hear", so to speak.

Now I happen to think that sauerkraut tastes horrible. I have tried it on different occasions, on different foods, ie... hot dogs, rhuben sandwichs, etc... "It don't taste good!" Now you can tell me that if I will only believe that it tastes good, it will. And I can set my mind to savor the flavor, but somewhere between the fork and the stomach there are other senses that come into play and it doesn't seem to matter what I set my mind to or decide to belive, sauerkraut tastes bad.

Now I believe this is the same way with God's word. There is something given the child of God that makes his word sweet as honey in our mouth. The bible also says it can be bitter in our belly, but nontheless we percieve it's truth by spirital means. Without being given these abilities ie.... eyes to see, ears to hear..... we react to the gospel by our nature which is corrupt.

The entire debate that rages over this topic and these pages all boil down to one simple thing, and that is the state of man, and is he or is he not, totally depraved. And does he have the ability to come to God of his own self. Does God have to do some work in the man to give him the ability to percieve the thing of God!!!!!!!

 

Sin and a rebellious heart. No other book provides the truth about what I am and the absolute solution to remedy that state. That Jesus died for me is incomprehensible, and that His death healed my soul, a truth that circumvents anything the world has to offer.

Cheers, and thank you Jesus!

Jim

 

Rufus believes the Bible because Jesus said the OT was the Word of God and promised to give through the Spirit, the NT as the Word of God.

Rufus

 

I've read it through several times and I'm convinced it's the Lord's Word. By His grace, the Lord has convinced me of this in my soul and mind. Faithful preachers have communicated why the Bible is true, but they are not the primary reason why I believe it.

 

Because the Bible tells me to.

Seriously...I've heard it said and I agree...the Bible is the one book that man would not write on his own. It has to be from God.

It is historically accurate. Like it was said above it accurately portrays human nature. For some reason you just know when you read the Bible it is true.

Any members of the peanut gallery who may show up...please do not accuse me of being a Mormon with a "burning bosom". When I read the book of mormon, I know it is not true.

 

Nothing really unexpected in this thread so far.

That's the question; not the answer.

If you can really defend what you said here, go ahead--> You got saved without anyone telling you the Bible is true? Then just what was done or said for you to become saved?-- absolutely nothing about the Bible? And then, after getting saved, you knew the Bible was completely true even though still absolutely no one told you? I am completely unconvinced.

You were "given to believe?" Who gave you to believe? Was there, or was there not, a person or persons who made attempts to persaude you? If so and he, she, or they were successful, then that's the reason.

This 'circumventing anything the world has to offer' is one major reason a lot of people refuse the gospel. But do you really base your convictions upon something you absolutely cannot comprehend? How does anyone who thinks it is "incomprehensible" that Jesus would have died for him really believe it?

Alright, you believe in the OT because the NT says it's true, and there is a promise contained therein (NT) that what you are reading about the promise in is itself the promise. What happened the last time you tried to convince an unbeliever of the truth of scripture with that kind of reasoning?

Is pi exactly equal to 3?

What is there besides the Bible that says Belshazzar was a king of Babylon? [There might be some such historical designation, but I am unaware of it.] But this contention that the Bible is "historically accurate" is based on the idea that it has to be, therefore any historical discrepancy is decided automatically in favor of the Bible. This is another point which does not answer the question.

That's another rephrasing of the original question.

 

My guess, Mr. Alcott, is that you may never know.
Sorry. That one man would die for me, a sinner of sinners, remains incomprehensible in my human mind. Wonder of wonders, the Lord saved me!

Cheers,

Jim

 

TomMann hit the nail on the head

I believe the Bible because Gods Holy Spirit in me has enabled me to believe the Bible. In my old nature I would have never been able to comprehend the things of God. Nor the desire to read his word.

 

I have been a skeptical person for long as I can remember. In my youth, I dismissed the Bible as a book of legends about a people that had a large number of thieves, whores, pimps, dishonest merchants among their numbers, who also practiced genocide. I hadn't bothered to check out its veracity whatsoever.

Even before I was saved, my mom & dad presented me with little facts, such as certain archaeological discoveries, but I said, "Hitler told the truth 99% of the time. So someone added a little truth to the legend." This went on for awhile, during my navy service('66-'70) and afterwards. I had a THICK skull, plated with skepticism!(For awhile, I was an "Oakland Rider"-type cop, dispensing justice according to MY ideas of what justice was.)

Then one day I was visiting my parents and dad said, "Have you ever thought about why man has come so far in just 200 years when you, as a history buff, know man has existed MUCH-longer than that? And did you know that the godless Napoleon, when asked if he believed in miracles, immediately answered,'Yes...the JEWS!'?" That's all he said, but it got me digging. More and more I began to see the veracity of the Bible, and at the same time I believe the Holy Spirit was softening my heart to come to Jesus. I was saved Thanxgiving Day, 1979.

Since then, I've found many, MANY things proving the Bible's veracity.(We must keep in mind that it contains many SUMMARIES of events, rather than detailed accounts) For example, a Russian Jew scientist named named Immanuel Velikovsky set out to prove the bible wrong, beginning with the account of the sun and moon standing still in the sky for Joshua. Instead, he found this event had been recorded worldwide, as one would expect for an event so profound. I've also found the Scriptures to usually be quite literal, and I entirely dismiss such junk as Numerology, the Da Vinci Code, hidden Biblical codes in general, and similar man-made jive. God is using my skepticism in the RIGHT way now, teaching me His messages line upon line, precept upon precept, as He said.

Something about the Bible that only Christians know, something I didn't know till I was saved...GOD'S POWER IS BEHIND THE SCRIPTURES, and He teaches us about Himself through them. It's not like just reading a book and memorizing it...GOD implants His truth in us through His written word.

I have come to defend God's word against the man-made sallies against it such as the KJVO myth and the even-more-deadly heresy of Universalism. And I stand ready to defend any point of Scripture against the naysayers. God is thus using me, as I'm certainly not smart enuff on my own to find the answers to the points raised by the pseudo-Christian cults.