Exploring the Bible's Authority and Historical Reliability

 

Summary

In this engaging dialogue, the focus is on the nature and authority of the Bible, exploring whether it can be considered the Word of God. The conversation begins with a challenge to the assumption that the Bible is divinely inspired, questioning the validity of accepting it purely on faith without evidence. The discussion then shifts to the historical reliability of the Bible, particularly the Gospels, as a source of information about Jesus Christ. Dr. Gerstner argues that the Gospels, written within a generation of Jesus' life, provide credible historical evidence of His existence and His miraculous works.

The conversation delves into the nature of miracles, with Dr. Gerstner asserting that miracles, while extraordinary, are possible if one accepts the existence of a Creator who can intervene in the natural world. He argues that Jesus' miracles serve as divine credentials, affirming His authority and the truth of His teachings, including His affirmation of the Bible as the Word of God. The dialogue also touches on the limitations of Jesus' human knowledge, suggesting that while Jesus, in His humanity, may not have known everything, His teachings about the Bible's divine inspiration are trustworthy because they are backed by His divine authority.

The discussion concludes with an exploration of the logical progression from accepting the Bible as a generally reliable historical document to recognizing it as divinely inspired, based on the authority of Jesus. This progression is not circular but rather a movement from basic reliability to supreme reliability, grounded in the authoritative testimony of Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Faith and Evidence: Faith in the Bible as the Word of God should not be blind but informed by evidence. While faith is essential, it is strengthened by understanding the historical and rational basis for the Bible's authority. This approach encourages a deeper engagement with Scripture, moving beyond mere acceptance to a reasoned belief. [01:46]

2. Historical Reliability: The Gospels are historically reliable documents that provide credible evidence of Jesus' life and works. This reliability forms the foundation for understanding Jesus' teachings and the miraculous events attributed to Him, which are integral to the Christian faith. [05:32]

3. Miracles as Divine Credentials: Miracles, while extraordinary, serve as divine credentials that affirm Jesus' authority and the truth of His message. Accepting the possibility of miracles opens the door to recognizing the divine nature of Jesus' mission and teachings. [11:18]

4. Jesus' Authority on Scripture: Jesus' affirmation of the Bible as the Word of God is rooted in His divine authority. His teachings about Scripture are trustworthy because they are backed by His unique position as the Son of God, who performed miracles and fulfilled prophecies. [19:53]

5. Progression from Reliability to Inspiration: The journey from accepting the Bible as a reliable historical document to recognizing it as divinely inspired is a logical progression based on the authority of Jesus. This progression is not circular but a deepening understanding of the Bible's supreme reliability. [25:46]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Questioning Biblical Authority
- [01:09] - The Challenge of Higher Criticism
- [02:21] - Comparing Religious Texts
- [03:52] - Rational Basis for Belief
- [04:39] - Starting with Jesus
- [05:17] - Historicity of Jesus
- [06:49] - Miracles and Credibility
- [08:34] - Jesus as a Miracle Worker
- [10:21] - The Possibility of Miracles
- [12:00] - Eyewitness Accounts
- [14:04] - Jesus' Divine Credentials
- [16:14] - The Creator's Power
- [19:53] - Jesus' Authority on Scripture
- [25:46] - From Reliability to Inspiration

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 14:9 - "Jesus answered: 'Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?'"
2. John 3:2 - "He came to Jesus at night and said, 'Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.'"
3. Matthew 5:17 - "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

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Observation Questions:

1. What reasons does Dr. Gerstner give for considering the Gospels as historically reliable documents? [05:32]
2. How does Dr. Gerstner describe the role of miracles in affirming Jesus' authority? [11:18]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus' divine authority in relation to the Bible's inspiration? [19:53]
4. What is the logical progression described in the sermon from accepting the Bible as a reliable document to recognizing it as divinely inspired? [25:46]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the historical reliability of the Gospels impact the credibility of Jesus' teachings and miracles? Consider the implications of this reliability on one's faith. [06:49]
2. In what ways do miracles serve as "divine credentials" for Jesus, and how might this influence a believer's understanding of His teachings? [11:18]
3. How does Jesus' affirmation of the Bible as the Word of God, based on His divine authority, challenge or support modern views of biblical inspiration? [19:53]
4. What are the potential challenges or benefits of moving from viewing the Bible as a reliable historical document to seeing it as divinely inspired? [25:46]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own faith journey. How has evidence or historical reliability played a role in your belief in the Bible as the Word of God? [01:46]
2. Consider a time when you witnessed or heard about an event that seemed miraculous. How did it affect your faith or understanding of God's power? [11:18]
3. How do you reconcile the limitations of Jesus' human knowledge with His divine authority when it comes to His teachings about the Bible? [21:55]
4. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the Bible's historical and divine reliability? How might this impact your daily life and faith practices? [25:46]
5. Identify a specific teaching of Jesus that you find challenging. How does His divine authority influence your willingness to accept and apply this teaching in your life? [19:53]
6. How can you engage with others who may question the authority of the Bible, using both faith and evidence to support your beliefs? [04:17]
7. Reflect on a time when you accepted something on faith without evidence. How did that experience shape your understanding of faith and evidence in your spiritual journey? [03:52]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Informed by Evidence
Faith in the Bible as the Word of God should be informed by evidence, not blind acceptance. While faith is essential, it is strengthened by understanding the historical and rational basis for the Bible's authority. This approach encourages a deeper engagement with Scripture, moving beyond mere acceptance to a reasoned belief. By examining the historical context and evidence supporting the Bible, believers can develop a more robust and resilient faith. This process involves exploring the historical reliability of biblical texts and understanding the reasons behind their divine inspiration. [01:46]

Hebrews 11:1-3 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."

Reflection: What specific evidence or historical context can you explore today to deepen your understanding and faith in the Bible as the Word of God?


Day 2: The Gospels' Historical Reliability
The Gospels are historically reliable documents that provide credible evidence of Jesus' life and works. This reliability forms the foundation for understanding Jesus' teachings and the miraculous events attributed to Him, which are integral to the Christian faith. By recognizing the Gospels as trustworthy historical accounts, believers can confidently explore the life and teachings of Jesus. This understanding allows for a deeper appreciation of the Christian narrative and the transformative power of Jesus' message. [05:32]

Luke 1:1-4 (ESV): "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught."

Reflection: How can you incorporate the historical reliability of the Gospels into your daily study of Scripture to enhance your understanding of Jesus' life and teachings?


Day 3: Miracles as Divine Credentials
Miracles, while extraordinary, serve as divine credentials that affirm Jesus' authority and the truth of His message. Accepting the possibility of miracles opens the door to recognizing the divine nature of Jesus' mission and teachings. By acknowledging the role of miracles in the biblical narrative, believers can appreciate the ways in which God intervenes in the natural world to reveal His power and purpose. This understanding encourages a deeper trust in the divine authority of Jesus and His teachings. [11:18]

John 14:11-12 (ESV): "Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father."

Reflection: What is one miracle from the Gospels that you find particularly compelling, and how does it strengthen your faith in Jesus' divine authority?


Day 4: Jesus' Authority on Scripture
Jesus' affirmation of the Bible as the Word of God is rooted in His divine authority. His teachings about Scripture are trustworthy because they are backed by His unique position as the Son of God, who performed miracles and fulfilled prophecies. By recognizing Jesus' authority, believers can confidently trust in the divine inspiration of the Bible. This trust encourages a deeper engagement with Scripture, allowing believers to explore its teachings with confidence and conviction. [19:53]

Matthew 5:17-18 (ESV): "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."

Reflection: How can you actively seek to understand and apply Jesus' teachings about the authority of Scripture in your daily life?


Day 5: From Reliability to Divine Inspiration
The journey from accepting the Bible as a reliable historical document to recognizing it as divinely inspired is a logical progression based on the authority of Jesus. This progression is not circular but a deepening understanding of the Bible's supreme reliability. By exploring this journey, believers can develop a more profound appreciation for the divine inspiration of Scripture and its role in guiding their faith and life. This understanding encourages a holistic approach to studying the Bible, integrating historical reliability with spiritual insight. [25:46]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your understanding of the Bible's divine inspiration and its impact on your faith journey?

Quotes


I would certainly agree with you that if there were no argument for this book being absolutely unique and the Word of God, you shouldn’t believe it’s the Word of God. I couldn’t agree with you more. And when you say that some Christians – and, I’m afraid a great many of them do in a fact, take it as you say on faith, not only without any evidence but, as you mention, in spite of evidence to the contrary. [00:02:34]

I agree with you that that’s gratuitous argument or a lack of argument, and that I don’t think anybody in the world ought to believe this book is the Word of God just because the Bible says it is, or because my mother says it is. [00:03:30]

There are different ways I could go about it, but the way I prefer most of all because it’s more easily acceptable by most people, is I would begin with Jesus Christ. [00:04:32]

There was a being called Jesus of Nazareth as a matter of historical fact. [00:05:43]

Most scholars today – I’m not trying to throw any scholastic weight around – but just as a simple – this would have been a much more vital argument a hundred years ago than it is now. Most scholars, unbelieving scholars – they don’t have any credibility of the inspiration of this book at all, would nevertheless grant you that we have no reason for doubting that a person named Jesus of Nazareth did live. [00:08:13]

If it’s historically possible, if this is a basically reliable document, if this Jesus of Nazareth did die – did live, then He was a miracle-worker as well according to the record, and why not accept the records as it’s given by eyewitnesses, and there is no theoretical objection about it, and it happens to fit in with the general characteristic of this Jesus of Nazareth. [00:12:21]

This man, if He does miracles that are events in the external world – which could only be empowered by the Creator of that world that we were talking about in earlier debate and so on – if there be a God, He is the Creator of this world, and the controller of this world. And it would be infinitely easy for Him to stop a storm on the lake or to have somebody walk on the water or rise from the dead, but no one could do that, no creature could do that, unless God enabled Him to do so. [00:15:56]

We have an authoritative messenger, right? In Jesus Christ. He’s got divine credentials. The one thing we want to know is the inspiration of this book. You asked me to prove it, and I’m proving it to you. We’ve got a messenger, and I don’t know anybody on the face of the earth no matter how anti-Christian and unbelieving he is who would deny that Jesus Christ – Jesus taught that the Bible – the Old Testament canon completed and the New Testament canon He was going to bring about by His inspired apostles – Jesus taught that the Bible is the Word of God. [00:19:50]

I started with a reliable Bible. I come with an authoritative Jesus Christ from this reliable Bible, to the indication by this authoritative Jesus that more than reliable, generally reliable, actually inspired and infallible. [00:25:20]

You’re starting with the category of basic reliability and moving to supreme reliability. [00:25:46]

The authority of the Bible rests upon the authority of Jesus. [00:26:15]

If the Bible is contradictory in one place, it would seem to me it suffers from intellectual hemophilia. If there’s one contradiction in there, it’s not – it bleeds to death – it’s not the Word of God. [00:26:44]

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