The Bible as the Word of God Doctrine 1, Unit 4

Why do you trust the Bible?

From Gospel to Bible Luke 24:25-26, 44-48, 1 Peter 1:10-11, John 5:39,46 Think of a theme that unites the Bible from Genesis to Revelation – put it into a sentence

What is the Bible? 0 The Bible is God’s Word 0 The Bible was written by human agents

The Divine Origin of Scripture 0 Matthew 22:31-32,43-44; John 10:35 etc 0 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21, Hebrews 3:7,4:7, Acts 4:25 etc 0 2 Peter 3:15-16, 1 Timothy 5:18 etc 0 John 14:25-26, 16:12-15

What is the Bible? 0 The Bible is God’s Word

What is the Bible? 0 The Bible is God’s Word 0 The Bible was written by people

The Human Origin of Scripture 0 God … through the prophets (Romans 1:1-3, 2 Peter 1:21) Exodus 24:4 Moses then wrote down everything the LORD had said. Various ways … OT NT

John 21:24 0 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

Luke 1:2-4 0 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Covenant & Scripture 0 A covenant is a promise or a series of promises … 0 …which bind us to another person in relationship. 0 Can be by mutual agreement, be one sided (eg someone leaves something to you in last will and testament) or imposed (eg victorious ruler) 0 They are verbal (ie use language) 0 They evoke faith (as they are promises). 0 The covenant is the instrument by which a king rules his people.

Covenant Scripture 0 Bible has a covenantal nature. 0 Gen 9:1-17, Gen 17:7-8, 2 Sam 7: OT – ‘Book of covenant’ (Ex 24:7 before), “Old Covenant (2 Cor 3:14). God’s promises ‘Yes’ in Christ (2 Cor 1:20). 0 Why Old Covenant? (Gal 3:15-26) 0 God’s people always ruled by God’s word. 0 Scripture not just a rule book or list of truth. Variety of material to help us live as part of the covenant.

Kingdom & Scripture The importance of God’s rule – Mark 1:14-15 Purpose of Covenant – To re-establish God’s rule over fallen humanity so as to save us! Thus, God now rules his people through the covenant made with them in Jesus Christ, a covenant which fulfils and interprets the Old Covenant

Scripture in Church God’s gift/A human witness but not inspired? - At Oakhill they worship the Bible - From the start God’s people ruled by words He gave them - God must not be separated from his words – can honour but ignore what he has to say? - Separating God from his words - impossible to relate to Him! - We give God’s word centre stage because of it’s nature as God’s Word!

Break Time

2 Timothy 3: Ti 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 2Ti 3:13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2Ti 3:14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 2Ti 3:15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Nature of the Bible as God’s Word 0 Authority 0 Truth: Infallibility & Inerrancy 0 Sufficiency 0 Clarity

Rivals for Authority 0 Institution (Tradition) 0 Reason 0 Experience

Infallibility 0 Does not fail to achieve its purpose – leading us to salvation through faith in Christ and building us up in the Christian life.

Inerrancy 0 Free from all falsehood or mistake 0 See Chicago statement

Sufficiency 0 2 Timothy 3: From the sufficiency of Christ – Hebrews 1:1

Clarity/Perspicuity

Interpretation 0 “Scripture interprets Scripture”

Approaching Scripture 0 Given all we have learnt tonight, how should be approach Scripture?

Home Study for Unit 4: “The Bible is one of the finest examples of ancient historical literature in which men and women from different societies and different times explain their own experience and understanding of God” How would you respond to this statement given what you have learnt so far from Doc 1 concerning the nature of scripture? (max 750 words) Read Unit 5 – The God we know (1) Extra mile – Read chapter 8 of The Revelation of God by Peter Jensen: The nature of scripture