Why do you believe that?
I’m hoping to add a regular series titled “Why do you believe…?” where those who wish can discuss their reasons for adhering to certain beliefs and doctrines. I don’t intend for the discussion to become controversial but to be informative. I am convinced I don’t know everything. It maybe that I know more than anyone else, but still not everything. ;-)
Please feel free to address others that comment in these discussions but please refrain from making reference to character or qualifications and address only the reasoning.
For my first question I would like to ask, why do you believe the Bible (or not)?
offered by Kc | 10/27/2006 05:41:00 AM
18 Comments:
I confess that I first believed it because I “felt” it true. I now attribute that feeling to the Holy Spirit and I am now persuaded it is true by faith.
The Bible claims to be the Word of God.
The inductive evidence indicates that its writers are reliable.
Hence, it can be relied upon that the Bible is truthful in its claim to be the Word of God.
Every Blessing in Christ
Matthew
Thanks Matthew. Given that the original proposition is by faith alone then wouldn’t the inductive evidence be supported only by faith?
Hi KC.
Great series idea.
I believe the Bible because ...
I first believed it because I was presented with its many prophecies that had been fulfilled to a T. I was explained the law of prophets - where they get stoned if they are not right in an immediate prophecy. Only after that, they are listened to on far-reaching matters. I was shown the prophecies regarding the first coming of Messiah and I was convinced that it was true - there was some "inside information" given to those who wrote them. At this time, I decided to read the whole thing - it seemed a very special book! I think after that (and during, of course) the Holy Spirit showed me that this was God's Word.
In addition to some of the excellent answers already given, I would say that I believe the Bible because I have tested it and found it to be true.
There are over 10,000 promises in the Bible. I am nowhere near that mark yet, but so far, every one I have tried has come through.
The farther I go, the funner it gets.
It's a choice I make by faith... it has been a powerful influence on my life and each it resonates within me. God's very word... spoken to us.
There's no other book that has moved so many hearts and lives like the bible has...
Good topic for thought and discussion!
Btw... I am new to your blog :-).
Ryan, that's simply beautiful.
Rose, thanks. I think if anyone reads it with an open mind they will be unable to dispute the wisdom in its pages but I agree that in the end it must be revealed by the Holy Spirit.
Great thoughts Preacher. The scripture never fails in any of God's promises contained therein.
Ken, a warmest welcome! Thanks so much for the visit, the link (I will return it soon) and the wise words. You have a beautiful site and I look forward to reading there. ;-)
Jayne, it's great to hear from you! We're still so thankful for God's great blessings on you and I trust Him to continue to guide and direct you in all.
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I believe the Bible to be true for the same reason that I believe there is a God. I was not proven that the Bible would withstand all tests of the skeptics, but simply accepted it as truth.
On a side note, not to take away from the discussion at all, but where is the Bible referred to as the Word of God?
Adam that highlights an important distinction that Gordon brought out and I failed to make. Even though we believe the bible is true by faith, that faith is strengthened as it is tried. (This also relates to the difference between temptation and the trying of our faith). The question, “Why do you believe the bible?” is different from, “Why did you first believe the bible?”
Your side note shall be my next “Why do you believe” question on Friday. ;-)
Well I may not know more than you but this will be a good opportunity to see if Matthew, Rose, Nathanial, Ken, Jayne and Gordon know as much as I do.
By the way, the post above this one was just to convicting to post on. I was left speechless and am still trying to lick my egregious, ogreish, egorious(is there such a word?) wounds.
I heard today that when Martin Luther was standing in front of the Pope with all his entourage to be tried someone asked him something like, "Luther, are you not afraid of the Pope?"
To which he replied, "I am afraid of that great Pope...Self!"
Brian I will concede to you all not only in knowledge but most times in understanding as well!
With respect to your second paragraph I think you can now understand why I'm one of your most devoted and mostly SILENT readers.
You're a great blessing here brother. ;-)
I used to believe that the Bible was a myth, a bunch of stories written about God by different authors. I used to believe that there were other equivalent sources of authority. I was even formally trained and engrained with this information. I used to doubt what God said because I couldn't trust what others important in my life said either. I did not like what it said in many cases and felt justified in rejecting those parts and living how and believing what I wanted.
Then, I heard the Gospel for the first time in my heart and I believed in Christ for salvation. I believe the Bible because the Holy Spirit testified to my soul of it's validity, truth, infallibility, and authority over my life. Now, it has one voice when I read it. It helps me to learn more about my Father and Jesus whom I love. It also shows me how very little I really do know and am capable of understanding on my own. It, through the Holy Spirit, convicts me of my sin and then assures me of my pardon. It is precious.
Thats a convicting compliment!
Thanks.
Elisa, thanks so much. That's such a beautiful testimony!
YVW Brian. ;-)
Chalk me up with those who love the Prophecy/fulfillment stuff.
When I first started studying the Bible with a coupla Christians, it was very easy to point out that I was a sinner and that I needed to change. They didn't need the Bible to prove that! MAN I was messed up!
But anyway, I studied with them about the Church, Sin and Righteousness, who was Jesus, the Word of God, and a host of other studies. But when they did a study that walked through the OT prophecies and where in the NT they were fulfilled, I was blown away! What an amazing book!.
I have learned a thing or two about Jesus over the last 19 years. I can tell you that now, Jesus is why I believe the Bible. That and the fact that there are so few references to Jesus outside of the Bible from the writings of the people His day. I believe the fact that there are so few is because God didn't want us to believe in Jesus based on things outside of Scripture.
Christains only need Scripture.
Non-believers want more proof, and so will never "get it."
'Zat make sense?
I understand Jeff. For a believer the scripture proves itself. Thanks for adding your thoughts. ;-)
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