Can we Trust the Bible?
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 19 May 2007 in From Steve's Study ::
Today, myriad voices claim to tell us the truth in the spiritual realm. So many, in fact, that the search for truth can be confusing. Some may even be tempted to give up the search.
Christianity stands alone in that its claim to reveal the truth relies not on private mystical revelations to a prophet or teacher, but on public events, which happened just 28 lifetimes ago in the Middle East.
The New Testament writers assert that at a time and place (we can know where and when) God became man. he was born, grew up, taught with great authority, was crucified and rose again from the dead and promised that he would bring the judgement day. That these events happened is a matter of public record. They were subject to eyewitnesses, as are other historical events… There is evidence for us to make a decision. There is no more important question than, ‘is the New Testament history?’”
So begins the foreword to Bishop Paul Barnett’s book, “Is the New Testament History?”, and he has hit upon something quite profound. There are so many religions; so many people who claim that their belief system is the only way, or at least one of the ways, to understand God, the universe & everything. But how can we know if these claims are valid? I could start up my own religion tomorrow based on worship of carrots, but is it valid for me to put the carrot up on such a high pedestal? Do carrots hold the key to the meaning of life?
Christianity is one of the few faiths that stands or falls on verifiable historical events. The Apostle Paul himself said that “if Christ was not raised, your faith is futile, you are still in your sins” (1 Cor 15:17). In other words, if the historical facts of the resurrection of Jesus nearly 2000 years ago are actually a fabrication, a figment of someone’s fertile imagination, then the whole of the Christian faith falls to the ground. It should be thrown out immediately!
On the other hand, if these things really did happen, then Christ really is who he said he was – the Son of God – and he does hold the key to eternal life.
There can be no more important question than whether one believes that the content of the New Testament is based on actual historical events. With open minds and hearts, we need to settle this matter once and for all… Can we Trust the Bible?
{Many helpful books have been written on this topic, Is the New Testament History? & The Christ Files (by John Dickson) are two recent helpful ones that are both in the library at the back of the Church.}
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