FoundationsofChristianity

Review The Bible is Big. 6,000 years 1,100 chapter 30,000 verses How can we get a handle on all that?

Organize and Examine the teachings of the Bible by Topic The Systematic Approach Review

Revelation: God initiating communication Inspiration: How did God give us His word? Canonicity: What books were from God? Transmission: Do we still have what was originally written? Translation: Is my English Bible reliable? Review

“One topic the Bible thoroughly covers is itself” “The Bible tells us what God think about His very words.” Four Categories: 1) Authority of Scripture 2) Clarity of Scripture 3) Necessity of Scripture 4) Sufficiency of Scripture

1) Authority of Scripture: The Bible is God’s communication to us and it should govern our lives. “Thus says the Lord” OT, “Jesus said” NT

1) Authority of Scripture: The Bible is God’s communication to us and it should govern our lives. All the words in the Bible are God’s words (2 Tim. 3:16) Brought us by the process of… Inspiration is the process by which the Holy Spirit directed men to write exactly what He wanted. (2 Peter 1:20-21) Four Fingerprints of God on the Bible Internal Consistency: 66 Books with no contradictions External Consistency: The facts of archeology always confirm Fulfilled Prophesy: Detailed descriptions of events beforehand The Power the Change lives: Testimony Power Point Lesson at Four Fingerprints of God on the Bible Internal Consistency: 66 Books with no contradictions External Consistency: The facts of archeology always confirm Fulfilled Prophesy: Detailed descriptions of events beforehand The Power the Change lives: Testimony Power Point Lesson at

1) Authority of Scripture: The Bible is God’s communication to us and it should govern our lives. Three modes of inspiration: A) God spoke directly to the human author (Rev.2:1) B) The authors did research (Luke 1:1-3) C) The Holy Spirit brought to mind what Jesus taught (John 14:26)

1) Authority of Scripture: The Bible is God’s communication to us and it should govern our lives. “Scripture ultimately gains its authority from itself.” Circular Reasoning? Collection of 66 books, written by 40 Different authors, over 6,000 years with a consistent message about one God. the Bible is from God because… the Bible says it is from God and… God does not lie so…

1) Authority of Scripture: The Bible is God’s communication to us and it should govern our lives. As God’s word, the Bible is “final measure by which all supposed truth is to be gauged.” New scientific or archeological discoveries may cause us to reexamine our interpretation of Scripture but they will never directly contradict Scripture when understood correctly.

1) Authority of Scripture: The Bible is God’s communication to us and it should govern our lives. As God’s word, the Bible is “final measure by which all supposed truth is to be gauged.” Chapter Question #2 Will the Bible definitively answer every question that we bring to it? Why or Why not?

1) Authority of Scripture: The Bible is God’s communication to us and it should govern our lives. As God’s word, the Bible is “final measure by which all supposed truth is to be gauged.” The Bible does not attempt to answers all questions about all things. But all of it’s claims are consistent with the facts.

What does God say about His word? 1) Authority of Scripture: The Bible is God’s communication to us and it should govern our lives. to us and it should govern our lives. 2) Clarity of Scripture: God’s word is given to be understood.

1) Authority of Scripture: The Bible is God’s communication to us and it should govern our lives. As God’s word, the Bible is “final measure by which all supposed truth is to be gauged.” As we seek to understand the Bible, we understand God As we seek to understand the Bible, we understand God As we seek to trust the Bible, we trust God As we seek to trust the Bible, we trust God As we seek to obey the Bible, we obey God. As we seek to obey the Bible, we obey God.

2) Clarity of Scripture: God’s word is given to be understood. God is not hiding the truth. God want us to be able to know Him and know His will. While there are hard texts, everything necessary to become a Christians, live as a Christian and grow as a Christian is clear.

2) Clarity of Scripture: God’s word is given to be understood. God is not hiding the truth. God want us to be able to know Him and know His will. Chapter Question #3 What is one issue that the Bible speaks clearly on? What is one issue that the Bible does not speak clearly on? How does this effect the emphasis that you should place on these issues?

2) Clarity of Scripture: God’s word is given to be understood. God is not hiding the truth. God want us to be able to know Him and know His will. Understanding is spiritual and intellectual. Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14) Hard work and Good Hermeneutics: Principles of Biblical Interpretation #1 The Principle of Single Meaning A text of Scripture only has one correct meaning. One Interpretation Many Applications Thou shall not steal taxes, downloading Our Job: Seek to understand the meaning intended by the author. #1 The Principle of Single Meaning A text of Scripture only has one correct meaning. One Interpretation Many Applications Thou shall not steal taxes, downloading Our Job: Seek to understand the meaning intended by the author. Why disagreements? 2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” YOU CAN DO IT

What does God say about His word? 1) Authority of Scripture: The Bible is God’s communication to us and it should govern our lives. to us and it should govern our lives. 2) Clarity of Scripture: God’s word is given to be understood. 3) Necessity of Scripture: We need the Bible to know God and be reconciled to Him. and be reconciled to Him.

3) Necessity of Scripture: We need the Bible to know God and be reconciled to Him. -know the details of who God is -know salvation that is in Jesus -know what God expects from you 2 Timothy 3:15–17 “from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

What does God say about His word? 1) Authority of Scripture: The Bible is God’s communication to us and it should govern our lives. to us and it should govern our lives. 2) Clarity of Scripture: God’s word is given to be understood. 3) Necessity of Scripture: We need the Bible to know God and be reconciled to Him. and be reconciled to Him. 4) Sufficiency of Scripture: God’s word fully equips us to live the Christian life. the Christian life.

4) Sufficiency of Scripture: God’s word fully equips us to live the Christian life. -Begins the Christian life 2 Timothy 3:15–17 “from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

4) Sufficiency of Scripture: God’s word fully equips us to live the Christian life. 2 Timothy 3:15–17 “from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. -Begins the Christian life -Teaches us what is true

4) Sufficiency of Scripture: God’s word fully equips us to live the Christian life. 2 Timothy 3:15–17 “from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. -Begins the Christian life -Teaches us what is true -Shows us when we are on the wrong path

4) Sufficiency of Scripture: God’s word fully equips us to live the Christian life. 2 Timothy 3:15–17 “from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. -Begins the Christian life -Teaches us what is true -Shows us when we are on the wrong path -Shows us the way back to the right path

4) Sufficiency of Scripture: God’s word fully equips us to live the Christian life. 2 Timothy 3:15–17 “from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. -Begins the Christian life -Teaches us what is true -Shows us when we are on the wrong path -Shows us the way back to the right path -Trains us how to live to please God

4) Sufficiency of Scripture: God’s word fully equips us to live the Christian life. 2 Timothy 3:15–17 “from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. -Begins the Christian life -Teaches us what is true -Shows us when we are on the wrong path -Shows us the way back to the right path -Trains us how to live to please God -All we need

What does God say about His word? 1) Authority of Scripture: The Bible is God’s communication to us and it should govern our lives. to us and it should govern our lives. 2) Clarity of Scripture: God’s word is given to be understood. 3) Necessity of Scripture: We need the Bible to know God and be reconciled to Him. and be reconciled to Him. 4) Sufficiency of Scripture: God’s word fully equips us to live the Christian life. the Christian life.

Home Work 1)Review and Go Deeper: Read handout “What are the Basics of Bible Study” 2) Prepare: -Read Photocopied Ch 3 What is the Trinity? -Write short answers to the questions