Can the Bible be Trusted?

Lesson 1: Did God Really Say?

Why does it matter?

Satans first attack on the human race was to question the Word of God.
Indeed, has God said, You shall not eat from any tree of the garden? - Genesis 3:1b

Why does it matter?

Trustworthiness of God Salvation and Eternity Earthly things, heavenly things Making sense of reality

What is Truth?
Jesus was born to testify of the truth (John 18:37) We are saved through the truth (2 Thess. 2:13, 1 Titus 2:4) Makes us free (John 8:32)

What is Truth?
Conformity to reality Must be objective and absolute If the universe is subject to it, then it must come from outside.

Truth and Worldview

Coherent - logical; forumlated Consistent - without contradiction; predictive Epistemology - Where does our truth come from?

Worldview - How truth applies to everything

How can we know if the Bible is True?

Self-authentication External proofs Predictive power Transformative capability

Self-Authentication
Internal evidence of the Bibles authenticity

Consistency; lack of contradiction

Quotations

Affirmation of authority
Textual criticism

External Proofs
Evidence outside the text of its accuracy

Archaeological discoveries
Parallel histories

Consistency
Historical criticism

Predictive Power
The accuracy of Scriptural prophecy

Verification of historical prophecy

Consistency of its claims with reality

Usefulness

Transformative Capability
Impact on the human race

The power of Scripture throughout history

The Bottom Line

If the Bible cannot be trusted, if it contains any error at all, then neither can the God of which it speaks be trusted. Christ and Christianity are left in a shambles. The world is left with nothing to guide it.