Is The Bible Relevant? (James 1:19-27)

Is It Outdated? Just as true as the day it was written Drunkenness is still harmful, and murder is still wrong. (Galatians 5:19-21) We need civil government (Romans 13:4) Basic needs and problems are the same New technology . . . same old sins Problems are with the heart (Mark 7:21-23) New generation . . . Same basic needs (Ecclesiastes 1:8-10)

Answers Life’s Basic Questions Origin Answer is simple, yet profound (Genesis 1:1) Atheist rejects the Bible, but still wonders (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

“Eternity in Their Hearts” “The author means to say that God has not only assigned to each individually his appointed place in history, thereby bringing to the consciousness of man the fact of his being conditioned, but that He has also established in man an impulse leading him beyond that which is temporal toward the eternal: it lies in his nature not to be contented with the temporal, but to break through the limits which it draws around him, to escape from the bondage and the disquietude within which he is held, and amid the ceaseless changes of time to console himself by directing his thoughts to eternity.” (Keil & Delitzch Commentary on Ecclesiastes, p. 261)

Answers Life’s Basic Questions Origin Answer is simple, yet profound (Genesis 1:1) Atheists are left to wonder (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Purpose Bible gives the answer (Ecclesiastes 12:13) Atheist has no logical answer Destiny Nothing beyond this life

Robert Ingersoll “My creed is this: Happiness is the only good. The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now. The way to be happy is to help others so.” (12,000 Religious Quotations by Frank Mead)

Karl Marx “Religion is the sign of the oppressed creature, the feeling of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of unspiritual conditions. It is the opium of the people.” (12,000 Religious Quotations by Frank Mead)

Answers Life’s Basic Questions Origin Answer is simple, yet profound (Genesis 1:1) Atheists are left to wonder (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Purpose Bible gives the answer (Ecclesiastes 12:13) Atheist has no logical answer Destiny Nothing beyond this life Bible answer (Psalm 23; Philippians 4:4-7)

Deals With Modern Problems It impacts our family life Husband-wife relationship (Ephesians 5:22-31) Parent-child relationship (Ephesians 6:1-4) It impacts our economic life Necessity of work (2 Thessalonians 3:6-10) Providing for others (Ephesians 4:28) Honesty and respect (Romans 12:17; 13:8)

Deals With Modern Problems It impacts our lives as citizens Respect for government (Romans 13:1) Obedience for conscience sake (Romans 13:5) It impacts our lives in the community Working to benefit our neighbors (Romans 15:1) Defines “neighbor” (Luke 10:25-37)

Regulates Our Conduct Live a decent life, one of restraint Abstain from evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22) Deny ourselves (Titus 2:11-14) Live a responsible life Vine says of soberly that “it suggests the exercise of that self restraint that governs all passions and desires, enabling the believer to be conformed to the mind of Christ.” (Titus 2:12) Treat others as we should, showing respect for God

Regulates Our Conduct Live a hopeful life Something better awaits us (Titus 2:13) This is something the world doesn’t have