1. Is the Bible reliable?

2. Giving evidence I was there. I saw it happen.

3. Is the Bible reliable? “The cyclist was wearing a dark navy jacket.” “The cyclist had his hand out to turn left.”

4. Is the Bible reliable? Giving evidence We were there. We saw it happen.

5. Is the Bible reliable? “He was wearing a black anorak a green jacket Was it a coat? I couldn’t see what he was wearing. “He was going straight ahead. He made some hand movement. He was riding carefully. His back light was bright.

6. Is the Bible reliable? Who would you believe: one, or four?

7. Is the Bible reliable? Many witnesses mean details may differ. But many witnesses are more reliable than only one witness.

8. Is the Bible reliable? Many witnesses mean details may differ. But many witnesses are more reliable than only one witness. The facts:There was an accident The cyclist was hit by the car The cyclist was injured

9. Is the Bible reliable? 1.Were the Bible writers reliable? - The Text 2.Is the Bible we have today reliable? - The Translations 3.Is the Bible reliable for me? - The Bible in my life

10. Is the Bible reliable? 1.Were the Bible writers reliable? - The Text More evidence – the Dead Sea Scrolls More context – papyri Less prejudice – the Oral Tradition

11. Is the Bible reliable? 1.Were the Bible writers reliable? - The Text More evidence – the Dead Sea Scrolls, 1946-56

12. Is the Bible reliable? 1.Were the Bible writers reliable? - The Text More evidence – the Dead Sea Scrolls More context – papyri: only 9 in 1900, now 127.

13. Is the Bible reliable? 1.Were the Bible writers reliable? - The Text More evidence – the Dead Sea Scrolls More context – papyri Less prejudice – the Oral Tradition

14. Is the Bible reliable? 1.Were the Bible writers reliable? - The Text 2.Is the Bible we have today reliable? - The Translations

15. Is the Bible reliable? 1.Were the Bible writers reliable? - The Text 2.Is the Bible we have today reliable? - The Translations Word forWordMeaning KJV/AV ESV NIVGood News, CEV

16. Is the Bible reliable? Word for WordMeaning KJV/AV ESV NIVGood News, CEV There’s no such thing as a ‘totally literal’ translation Exodus 11.8, ESV: Moses went out from Pharoah in hot anger

17. Is the Bible reliable? ‘Moses went out from Pharoah in hot anger’ Literally “in heat of nose”

18. Is the Bible reliable? ‘Moses went out from Pharoah in hot anger’ Literally “in heat of nose” Pharaoh was a “nosey heat” person

19. Is the Bible reliable? 1.Were the Bible writers reliable? - The Text 2.Is the Bible we have today reliable? - The Translations Word for WordMeaning KJV/AV ESV NIVGood News, CEV It all depends who it’s for

20. Is the Bible reliable? 1.Were the Bible writers reliable? - The Text 2.Is the Bible we have today reliable? - The Translations 3.Is the Bible reliable for me? - The Bible in my life

21. Is the Bible reliable? Is the Bible reliable for me: the Bible in my life Listen – Read – Study - Memorise – Meditate

22. Is the Bible reliable? Is the Bible reliable for me: the Bible in my life Listen – Read – Study - Memorise – Meditate Listen: ‘the public reading of Scripture’ 1 Timothy 4.13 Read: ‘I understood from the Scriptures’ Daniel 9.2 Study: ‘studying the Scriptures daily’ Acts 17.11 Memorise: ‘These words shall be on your hearts’ Deut 6.6 Meditate: ‘Meditate on it day and night’ Joshua 1.8

23. Is the Bible reliable? Is the Bible reliable for me: the Bible in my life Listen – Read – Study - Memorise – Meditate How? [Don’t beat up on yourself…]

24. Is the Bible reliable? Is the Bible reliable for me: the Bible in my life Listen – Read – Study - Memorise – Meditate How? Feel the need Make the time Set a place

25. Is the Bible reliable? Is the Bible reliable for me: the Bible in my life Listen – Read – Study - Memorise – Meditate It’s not, “What do I make of the Bible?” But, “What does the Bible make of me?”