The world says, “The Bible is…” Only fascinating stories Only fascinating stories A good book A good book Outdated! Outdated! A myth A myth Guidelines.

The world says, “The Bible is…”The world says, “The Bible is…”

Impact from years of skepticismImpact from years of skepticism

““More Americans are moving toward an interpretation More Americans are moving toward an interpretation of the Bible as a book of fables, history, and moral of the Bible as a book of fables, history, and moral precepts…precepts…“…“…Attempts at demythologizing the Bible that have Attempts at demythologizing the Bible that have been ongoing in the academy for years seem to be been ongoing in the academy for years seem to be moving more and more from the classroom to the moving more and more from the classroom to the pews…pews…“…“…As recently as 1963, two persons in three viewed As recently as 1963, two persons in three viewed the Bible as the actual word of God, to be taken the Bible as the actual word of God, to be taken literally, word for word. Today, only one person in literally, word for word. Today, only one person in three still holds to that interpretation.”three still holds to that interpretation.”

George Gallup Jr. & D. Michael Lindsay, George Gallup Jr. & D. Michael Lindsay, Surveying the Surveying the Religious Landscape: Trends in U.S. Beliefs Religious Landscape: Trends in U.S. Beliefs (1999), p. 36.(1999), p. 36.

Contemporary Theories of the Contemporary Theories of the Bible’s Origin Bible’s Origin • The Liberal View of ScriptureThe Liberal View of Scripture– The Bible The Bible CONTAINSCONTAINS the Word of God the Word of God• In brief, the Bible merely contains the Word of God, along In brief, the Bible merely contains the Word of God, along

with many errors. One must use human reason and the with many errors. One must use human reason and the “spirit of Christ” to determine which parts are true and “spirit of Christ” to determine which parts are true and which are false.which are false.

• ““Strictly speaking, the Bible itself is not the pure Word of Strictly speaking, the Bible itself is not the pure Word of God” (God” (The Case for Theology in Liberal Perspectives, The Case for Theology in Liberal Perspectives, p. 17).p. 17).

• For “it is evident that the Bible is a collection of intensely For “it is evident that the Bible is a collection of intensely human documents.” In fact, “most of the events described human documents.” In fact, “most of the events described are activities of obviously fallible human beings. Many are activities of obviously fallible human beings. Many passages contradict one another or well-established passages contradict one another or well-established knowledge…” (knowledge…” (A Theology of the Living Church, A Theology of the Living Church, p. 73).p. 73).

Contemporary Theories of the Contemporary Theories of the Bible’s Origin Bible’s Origin • The Neo-Orthodox View of ScriptureThe Neo-Orthodox View of Scripture– The Bible The Bible BECOMESBECOMES the Word of God the Word of God– Karl Barth (1886-1968)Karl Barth (1886-1968)• The Bible is only a fallible human record of the revelation The Bible is only a fallible human record of the revelation

of Christ. In the Bible “there are obvious overlappings and of Christ. In the Bible “there are obvious overlappings and contradictions…The prophets and apostles as such…were contradictions…The prophets and apostles as such…were real, historical men as we are, and therefore sinful in their real, historical men as we are, and therefore sinful in their action, and capable and actually guilty of error in their action, and capable and actually guilty of error in their spoken and written word.” And the “vulnerability of the spoken and written word.” And the “vulnerability of the Bible, i.e., its capacity for error, also extends to its religious Bible, i.e., its capacity for error, also extends to its religious or theological content” (1.2: 509; 1.2: 529; 1:509). or theological content” (1.2: 509; 1.2: 529; 1:509).

• In short, the Bible is an errant human instrument used by In short, the Bible is an errant human instrument used by God as a witness of His divine Word who is Christ.God as a witness of His divine Word who is Christ.

Contemporary Theories of the Contemporary Theories of the Bible’s Origin Bible’s Origin • The Neo-Orthodox View of ScriptureThe Neo-Orthodox View of Scripture– The Bible The Bible BECOMESBECOMES the Word of God the Word of God– Emil Brunner (1889-1966)Emil Brunner (1889-1966)• ““Scripture is not a Scripture is not a formal formal authority which demands belief authority which demands belief

in all it contains from the outset, but it is an in all it contains from the outset, but it is an instrumental instrumental authority…The Scriptures possess this authority because authority…The Scriptures possess this authority because they are the they are the primary witnessprimary witness to the revelation of God in to the revelation of God in Jesus Christ…We believe in the Scriptures because, and in Jesus Christ…We believe in the Scriptures because, and in so far as they teach Christ. The authority of Scripture is not so far as they teach Christ. The authority of Scripture is not formal but material: Christ, the revelation” (formal but material: Christ, the revelation” (The Christian The Christian Doctrine of God, Doctrine of God, pp. 110, 45, 110).pp. 110, 45, 110).

Contemporary Theories of the Contemporary Theories of the Bible’s Origin Bible’s Origin • The Neo-Orthodox View of ScriptureThe Neo-Orthodox View of Scripture– The Bible The Bible BECOMESBECOMES the Word of God the Word of God– Emil Brunner (1889-1966)Emil Brunner (1889-1966)• The authority of the Bible is identified by Brunner with the The authority of the Bible is identified by Brunner with the

witness of the Holy Spirit. For “the word in Scripture, witness of the Holy Spirit. For “the word in Scripture, Christ, becomes the same as the word in the heart, the Christ, becomes the same as the word in the heart, the Holy Spirit…There is no such thing as revelation-in-itself, Holy Spirit…There is no such thing as revelation-in-itself, because revelation consists always of the fact that because revelation consists always of the fact that something is revealed to something is revealed to me…me…Revelation is…an act of God, Revelation is…an act of God, an event involving two parties; it is a personal address” an event involving two parties; it is a personal address” ((God and Man, God and Man, pp. 28, 32).pp. 28, 32).

Contemporary Theories of the Contemporary Theories of the Bible’s Origin Bible’s Origin • The Neo-Orthodox View of ScriptureThe Neo-Orthodox View of Scripture– The Bible The Bible BECOMESBECOMES the Word of God the Word of God– John Baillie (1886-1960)John Baillie (1886-1960)• ““All true knowledge is knowledge which is determined not All true knowledge is knowledge which is determined not

by the subject [God] but by the object [man]” (by the subject [God] but by the object [man]” (The Idea of The Idea of Revelation, Revelation, p. 20). p. 20). (This relegates God to a secondary role (This relegates God to a secondary role governed by the human recipient who may or may not governed by the human recipient who may or may not have a receptive disposition or who is otherwise unable to have a receptive disposition or who is otherwise unable to distinguish between essential truth and that which is distinguish between essential truth and that which is peripheral.)peripheral.)

Contemporary Theories of the Contemporary Theories of the Bible’s Origin Bible’s Origin • The Neo-Orthodox View of ScriptureThe Neo-Orthodox View of Scripture– The Bible The Bible BECOMESBECOMES the Word of God the Word of God– John Baillie (1886-1960)John Baillie (1886-1960)• When speaking of the inadequacy of the events portrayed When speaking of the inadequacy of the events portrayed

in Scripture to reveal God, Baillie asserts, “I could not know in Scripture to reveal God, Baillie asserts, “I could not know that God had revealed Himself to the prophets and that God had revealed Himself to the prophets and apostles through these events, unless through the apostles through these events, unless through the revelation of Himself to them He were now revealing revelation of Himself to them He were now revealing Himself to me. I could know indeed that they claimed to Himself to me. I could know indeed that they claimed to have received such a revelation, but I can know that their have received such a revelation, but I can know that their claim is justified only if, as I read what they say, I too find claim is justified only if, as I read what they say, I too find myself in the presence of God” (myself in the presence of God” (The Idea of Revelation, The Idea of Revelation, p. p. 105).105).

Contemporary Theories of the Contemporary Theories of the Bible’s Origin Bible’s Origin • The Neo-Orthodox View of ScriptureThe Neo-Orthodox View of Scripture– The Bible The Bible BECOMESBECOMES the Word of God the Word of God• ““The neo-orthodox view is that the Bible is a fallible human The neo-orthodox view is that the Bible is a fallible human

book. Nevertheless, it is the instrument of God’s book. Nevertheless, it is the instrument of God’s revelation to us, for it is a record of God’s personal revelation to us, for it is a record of God’s personal revelation in Christ. Revelation, however, is personal; the revelation in Christ. Revelation, however, is personal; the Bible is not a verbally inspired revelation from God. It is Bible is not a verbally inspired revelation from God. It is merely an errant human means through which one can merely an errant human means through which one can encounter the personal revelation who is Christ. In itself it encounter the personal revelation who is Christ. In itself it is not the Word of God: at best, the Bible only becomes the is not the Word of God: at best, the Bible only becomes the Word of God to the individual when he encounters Christ Word of God to the individual when he encounters Christ through it.” – Geisler & Nix, through it.” – Geisler & Nix, Introduction to the BibleIntroduction to the Bible

Contemporary Theories of the Contemporary Theories of the Bible’s Origin Bible’s Origin • The Neo-Orthodox View of ScriptureThe Neo-Orthodox View of Scripture– The Bible The Bible BECOMESBECOMES the Word of God the Word of God• ““But implied in the fact that the Bible is a testimony to and But implied in the fact that the Bible is a testimony to and

an interpretation of the Christ event is also the fact that it an interpretation of the Christ event is also the fact that it consists of words of men, contingent upon and determined consists of words of men, contingent upon and determined by historical, sociological, and psychological circumstances. by historical, sociological, and psychological circumstances. Thus we have in the Bible what is absolute only in and Thus we have in the Bible what is absolute only in and through what is relative. It is the work of the Spirit to through what is relative. It is the work of the Spirit to make the word of man in the Bible into God’s absolute make the word of man in the Bible into God’s absolute word for us” (Krister Stendahl, word for us” (Krister Stendahl, The Bible and the Role of The Bible and the Role of Women Women [1973], p. 16).[1973], p. 16).

Modern-Day Fruits of These Modern-Day Fruits of These Destructive Seeds SownDestructive Seeds Sown• Even some of the most religious and sometimes Even some of the most religious and sometimes

most knowledgeable men have wrongly concluded most knowledgeable men have wrongly concluded that the Bible is inspired, but not all of it.that the Bible is inspired, but not all of it.– Hard Sayings of the BibleHard Sayings of the Bible• Written by some of most scholarly menWritten by some of most scholarly men

in Christendom in Christendom • Designed to explain difficult passagesDesigned to explain difficult passages

and answer alleged contradictionsand answer alleged contradictions• Published in 1996Published in 1996• Pages 598-599 address allegedPages 598-599 address alleged

contradiction between 1 Cor. 10:8contradiction between 1 Cor. 10:8(23,000 killed in one day) & Num. 25:9(23,000 killed in one day) & Num. 25:9(24,000 killed in plague for disobeying)(24,000 killed in plague for disobeying)

Modern-Day Fruits of These Modern-Day Fruits of These Destructive Seeds SownDestructive Seeds Sown• ““The Bible is inspired, but not all of it.”The Bible is inspired, but not all of it.”– Hard Sayings of the Bible Hard Sayings of the Bible (MADE HARDER!)(MADE HARDER!)

It is possible that Paul, citing the Old Testament It is possible that Paul, citing the Old Testament from memory as he wrote to the Corinthians, referred to the from memory as he wrote to the Corinthians, referred to the incident in Numbers 25:9, but incident in Numbers 25:9, but his mind slippedhis mind slipped a chapter later in a chapter later in picking up the number.... We cannot rule out the possibility that picking up the number.... We cannot rule out the possibility that there was some reference to 23 or 23,000 in his local there was some reference to 23 or 23,000 in his local environment as he was writing, and that caused environment as he was writing, and that caused a slip in his a slip in his mindmind. .

Paul was not attempting to instruct people on Paul was not attempting to instruct people on Old Testament history, and certainly not on the details of Old Old Testament history, and certainly not on the details of Old Testament history. Testament history.

Modern-Day Fruits of These Modern-Day Fruits of These Destructive Seeds SownDestructive Seeds Sown• ““The Bible is inspired, but not all of it.”The Bible is inspired, but not all of it.”– Hard Sayings of the Bible Hard Sayings of the Bible (MADE HARDER!)(MADE HARDER!)

Thus, here we have a case in which Thus, here we have a case in which Paul Paul apparently makes a slip of the mind for some reasonapparently makes a slip of the mind for some reason (unless he (unless he has special revelation he does not inform us about), but the has special revelation he does not inform us about), but the mental error does not affect the teaching. How often have we mental error does not affect the teaching. How often have we heard preachers with written Bibles before them make similar heard preachers with written Bibles before them make similar errors of details that in no way affected their message? If we errors of details that in no way affected their message? If we notice it (and few usually do), we (hopefully) simply smile and notice it (and few usually do), we (hopefully) simply smile and focus on the real point being made… focus on the real point being made…

……As noted above, Paul probably did not have a As noted above, Paul probably did not have a written Bible to check (although at times he apparently had written Bible to check (although at times he apparently had access to scrolls of the Old Testament), but in the full swing of access to scrolls of the Old Testament), but in the full swing of dictation dictation he cited an example from memory and got a detail he cited an example from memory and got a detail wrongwrong (emp. added). (emp. added).

Modern-Day Fruits of These Modern-Day Fruits of These Destructive Seeds SownDestructive Seeds Sown• Even some of the most religious and sometimes Even some of the most religious and sometimes

most knowledgeable men have wrongly concluded most knowledgeable men have wrongly concluded that the Bible is inspired, but not all of it.that the Bible is inspired, but not all of it.– God’s Holy Fire: God’s Holy Fire:

The Nature and Function of ScriptureThe Nature and Function of Scripture• Written by three men who are facultyWritten by three men who are faculty

in the Graduate School of Theologyin the Graduate School of Theologyat Abilene Christian University. at Abilene Christian University.

• Published in 2002 by ACU PressPublished in 2002 by ACU Press• On pages 40-45, the following is foundOn pages 40-45, the following is found

Modern-Day Fruits of These Modern-Day Fruits of These Destructive Seeds SownDestructive Seeds Sown• ““The Bible is inspired, but not all of it.”The Bible is inspired, but not all of it.”– God’s Holy FireGod’s Holy Fire

““In numerous instances in the Bible, one finds apparent In numerous instances in the Bible, one finds apparent inconsistencies in the narratives” (p. 40). Examples they gave inconsistencies in the narratives” (p. 40). Examples they gave included: (1) the raising of Jairus’ daughter; (2) Jesus’ cursing of included: (1) the raising of Jairus’ daughter; (2) Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree; (3) the cleansing of the temple; and (4) Matthew’s the fig tree; (3) the cleansing of the temple; and (4) Matthew’s quotation of Jeremiah in 27:9. Following these alleged internal quotation of Jeremiah in 27:9. Following these alleged internal inconsistencies, they then stated: “Sometimes the narrative does inconsistencies, they then stated: “Sometimes the narrative does not correspond to the historical record” (p. 40)… “Because the not correspond to the historical record” (p. 40)… “Because the Bible has come to us through human beings, our view of the Bible has come to us through human beings, our view of the divine origin of Scripture is not a matter of mathematical divine origin of Scripture is not a matter of mathematical certainty, but ultimately an affirmation of faith” (p. 45). certainty, but ultimately an affirmation of faith” (p. 45).

Modern-Day Fruits of These Modern-Day Fruits of These Destructive Seeds SownDestructive Seeds Sown• ““The Bible is inspired, but not all of it.”The Bible is inspired, but not all of it.”– God’s Holy FireGod’s Holy Fire

Finally, these men described, not skeptics, but “well-meaning Finally, these men described, not skeptics, but “well-meaning Christians” who hold to Scripture as being the truthful Word of Christians” who hold to Scripture as being the truthful Word of God in God in allall that it says, as those who “in their attempts to provide that it says, as those who “in their attempts to provide absolute certainty,...have created a crisis of faith,” because they absolute certainty,...have created a crisis of faith,” because they are “always feeling a responsibility to provide an answer for are “always feeling a responsibility to provide an answer for every potential discrepancy” (p. 44). According to these writers, every potential discrepancy” (p. 44). According to these writers, Christians merely “Christians merely “assumeassume that God ensured the precise that God ensured the precise accuracy of the original versions” (p. 42, emp. added). accuracy of the original versions” (p. 42, emp. added).

What does the Bible say?What does the Bible say?

““All Scripture is given by inspiration of All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).