The Bible: From God or Man, The Beginning of the Journey

The Bible: From God or Man
The Beginning of the Journey
   

    Consider this to be our starting point in our study of whether or not the Bible is from God.  As I previously posted this is, in my estimation, the second most important question that we can ask.  If we get the answer to it wrong, it can have tremendous consequences for us.  Of course the primary one being our eternal destiny.  But before we begin our exploration, I would like to quote from J.W. McGarvey.  In his book, Evidences for Christianity, He writes  beginning on page 3,

    “ In order that our conclusions on any subject be safe and satisfying, our investigation of it must be conducted in a proper frame of mind.  Inquires into the evidence of Christianity are exposed to dangers at this point, varying according to their preconceptions on the subject.  Unbelievers are in danger of so earnestly wishing that the evidence shall appear inconclusive, as to underestimate the force of every proof, and to overestimate the force of every objection.  Such a frame of mind is inimical to the reception of the truth.  Unfortunately, many persons who are not committed to unbelief, approach this subject more or less affected by this bias; for the Bible condemns all men who are not obedient believers, and thus it arouses a degree of antagonism within them at the very time that they are investigating its claims.  He who will avoid an unjust judgement against the Bible must suppress this tendency, and be perfectly willing that the Bible shall prove itself the word of God.
    The Believer, on the other hand, is in danger of pursuing the inquiry with so fixed a determination that the Bible shall be found true, as to lead him to accept shallow sophisms for sound arguments, and to disregard the force of serious objections.  Such and inquirer, should he afterwards exercise a calmer judgement, must look back with distrust upon his former conclusions and experience a consequent weakening of his faith.
    There is a proper place and work for the zealous polemic on the subject, especially in the field of controversy where bold and often unscrupulous assailants are to be met; but the student and the teacher should assume the spirit of an inquirer or a judge, rather than that of an advocate.  By this must not be understood a spirit of indifference.  The judge before whom a man of previous good character is being tried under the charge of an infamous crime, would be unfit for his high office, if, while enforcing with impartiality the rules of evidence, he should have no wish to see the man’s innocence established.  So, in prosecution and inquiry into the evidences of Christianity, while the student must guard vigilantly against self-deception, he should most earnestly wish that a religion which confers upon men so much good in this life, and promises so much more in the life to come, may prove to be unquestionably true.
    Many persons, in studying the claims of Christianity, take up the objections that are urged against it before they learn what it is, or examine the evidences in its favor.  They hear the negative in the debate before the affirmative; they allow the witnesses for the defendant to testify before they hear the plaintiff state his case; they read books and attend lectures in opposition to the Bible, when they know little of its contents and still less of its evidences.  They often decide the question question after hearing only one side, and that the side which should be heard last, not first.  This is a reversal of the order established in all courts of justice, in all well conducted discussions, in all scientific investigation.  Common sense and the maxims of justice alike demand that we hear first the arguments in favor of a proposition, and afterward those against it.  He who reverses this order prejudges the case, and comes to the consideration of the affirmative evidence in a frame of mind unfavorable to a candid hearing or a just decision.  If we hear much evil said of a man before we form his acquaintance, we are prejudiced against him; whereas, had we known him first the evil speech that we heard might seem to be only calumny.  Unfortunately for the great majority of unbelievers, they have pursued this improper method, and then after forming their opinions, have either neglected the Bible and its evidences entirely, or have come to the study of them with an unfriendly spirit.”

    So what is Mr. McGarvey stating here?  Simply this, check our prejudices at the door.  Whatever we have heard about the Bible, whatever we have been taught, whatever we may think needs to be taken out of the way.  We need to start fresh and with the proper frame of mind, devoid of all considerations as to what the Book is and let the evidence lead us to wherever it may and to accept it no matter what it may imply.  This is the only way that we can answer this question soundly.

    With these thoughts in mind, I plan on conducting this study as follows.

1) We will look at the transmission of the texts.  It makes no sense to investigate The Bible if it has been totally corrupted and full of copyist errors.  We will look at the manuscriptal evidence, what variants or changes have occurred, how many, how significant are they, and textural criticism. 
2) We will then look at the canonicity of both the Old and New Testements.  This will include the following:
    1) Cannonicity defined
    2) Canonicity described
    3) Canonicity determined
    4) How the canon was discovered   
    5) O.T. Development
    6) An examination of the O.T. Testement apocrypha and pseudepigrapha
    7) N.T. Development
    8) An examination of the N.T. Testament apocrypha and pseudepigrapha
3) Examine the evidence for the inspiration of both the Old and New Testaments


    This will be a long study, but I pray that you continue with it and leave a comment or two to let others and myself know your thoughts on this important matter.

     

Introduction and Why it is Impotant for Us Today

In the world that we live in today, we see all sorts of things happening that give us concern.  We see the wars in the Middle East, gun violence, drug abuse, the political environment, the list goes on.  These issues seem to not have an answer to them.  Many are trying through legislation and indoctrination of our youth.  The question that has to be asked is simple, "Is there an answer or are we just spinning our wheels?".  I believe there is an answer to these and the many other issues that we face.  It is the Scriptures, the inspired writings found in the Bible.  Ask yourself this question, "What would the world be like if everyone followed the commands and principles that are set forth within it's pages?".  If everyone, say, followed the command not to commit a criminal act which would include stealing, murder, assault, abuse, etc...  We would no longer have a need for the police saving billions of tax payer dollars.  We could go on with other examples but I believe that you, the reader, get the picture.  As one stated to me when I presented this question to them, they stated, "It would be heaven on earth.".

I believe this question "Is the Bible from God?", is the second most important question that mankind must answer.  The first is the question of "Does God exist?".   In order to help us see the importance of this question I wish to discuss the oft times misrepresented "Pascal's Wager".  Pascal's Wager is what may be called a quadralema.  It consists of 2 objective truth statements and 2 subjective truth statements.  In Pascal's Wager we would see this as follows

Objective truths                                                               Subjective truths
1) God does exist                                                            1) I believe that God exists
2) God does not exist                                                      2) I believe that God does not exist

Depending upon how we combine the objective truths and subjective truths we have 4 possible conclusions.

1) God does exist and I believe that God exists
2) God does exist and I believe that God does not exist
3) God does not exist and I believe that God exists
4) God does not exist and I believe that God does not exist

4 possible conclusions with only one right answer.

Contrary to some, this is not a proof of the existence of God.  I have heard some, even from the pulpits, assert this.  What we have is a 25% chance of getting the correct answer.  Not very good odds at all.  If I were to try and sell you one of 4 cars and informed you that only one would last for the rest of your life, what would you do.  I believe that most would  do a serious investigation of the vehicles in question before we made our decision.  Pascal's wager is the same in that we should give this question a serious investigation before we make a decision since our eternal happiness or eternal torment are at stake.  We should dispel all previously held beliefs and assumptions.  The price is to high.  What if we have the incorrect conclusion?  Something that needs to be seriously comprehended in our day and age.

The same applies to the question as to whether or not the Bible is from God.  Again we can put this into the same formulation.

Objective truths                                                                  Subjective truths
1) The Bible is inspired of God                                            1) I believe that the Bible is inspired of God
2) The Bible is not inspired of God                                      2) I believe that the Bible is not inspired of God

First lets do a little defining of our words.  What I mean when I say the Bible are the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments.  Inspired means that every word of those 66 books God has put there and not one word has not come from him, verbal plenary inspiration.  Just as with the existence of God so we have with this.  Again depending on how the two columns are combined we come up with 4 possible conclusions.

1) The Bible is inspired of God and I believe that the Bible is inspired of God.
2) The Bible is inspired of God and I believe that the Bible is not inspired of God.
3) The Bible is not inspired of God and I believe that the Bible is inspired of God.
4) The Bible is not inspired of God and I believe that the Bible is not inspired of God.

Again, we have a 25% chance of getting the correct answer.  A wrong answer to the question can have serious consequences and this is the main reason for this blog.  If the correct answer is #1 above then the words of Jesus are of great significance.  In John 12:48 Jesus said, "He that rejecteth me, and recieveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."
If the Bible is from God and it contains the words of Jesus then it will be by the words of the Bible that we will be judged, if #1 is the correct answer.  If the Bible is from God then there is an Eternal Heaven and an eternal hell.

Our eternal destination could depend on how we answer this question.  Dear reader, would you not consider taking a serious look, a thorough investigation, a critical analysis of whether or not the Bible is from God?  Again, this is the reason that I have started this blog.  Not to force my beliefs onto you, but to simply put forth arguments for your consideration.    I invite you to follow along as we look at this question, not only for your benefit but also for my own edification in the matter.  I plan to put forth in this blog some items for your consideration about the Bible, many you probably have not considered before.  Please follow along and give your input.  It is my pray to God, and my plea to you that we all seriously consider the question "Is the Bible from God or Man?". 

God bless