The Problem of God
“The Problem of the Bible”
2 Timothy 3:16-17

Problem
	Looking for solutions or evidences to unsettling questions

The Problem of the Bible
	Its legitimacy

We all have questions about life and searching for truth, purpose, and meaning.

“There are existential realities that we cannot run from which drive us to find the answers to the existential problems or struggles we live with not just the philosophical ones. Existentialism came from the unpaid bills of the unanswered philosophical questions.” - Ravi Zacharias

Because we haven’t had life’s questions of life, reality, purpose, and meaning answered, we’re trying to answer them for ourselves.
	Our careers, talents, intellect (Identity)
	Accumulating material possessions and wealth (Security)
	Our hobbies, pleasure, passions (Satisfaction)

The Bible is a very distinctive book.
	66 books
	40 different authors
	Written over 1,500 years

John 14:1-6

The Problem of the Bible
	Its accuracy

Hasn’t it changed throughout history? Aren’t there contradictions and mistakes?

“Historians tell us that the Bible is actually one of the most, if not the most, reliable documents from antiquity.” - F.F. Bruce

Mistakes?
	“Inerrant” - incapable of being wrong; the content is not false to what was originally stated
	2 disputed passages in the entire New Testament: Mark 16:9-20, John 7:53-8:11
	“The earliest manuscripts do not include this passage.”

Contradictions?
	Stories are for a truth being communicated
	Details may change depending on emphases or audience
	To be critical by demanding perfection in word is not demanded of other ancient texts

2 Case Studies
	Judas’s death - Matthew 27:5, Acts 1:18
	Angels at the resurrection - Matthew 28:5, John 20:12

The Problem of the Bible
	Its reliability

Can the Bible be trusted? Isn’t the Bible outdated in moral teaching about stoning, chauvinism, homosexuality, etc?

Arguments of reliability
	Date of authorship
		Gospel of Mark written around 70 AD
		Paul’s letters written 15-20 years after Jesus
	Eyewitnesses
		Why not wait until eyewitnesses are gone?

1 Corinthians 15:3-6

If you are skeptical, go ask them!
	Why have so many public details? - Mark 5:1-20, 21-43; 6:3-44
	Why mention names? - Mark 15:2
	Why include “counter-productive content?” - Mark 6:5; 13:32; 14:32-42; 15:34
	Why are the key leaders portrayed negatively? - Mark 10:37; 14:31, 66-68
	Cultural disconnects from our modern world - Colossians 3:22
	Explaining vs. affirming - Genesis 29:15-30
	Archaeologists can’t find it - John 5:1-2

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Why read the Bible?
	Discover the ultimate glory of God
	Be moved to worship more intensely
	Aim to be transformed like Jesus
	Trust God!

Further Reading
 
Systematic Theology - Wayne A. Grudem

Christian Beliefs - Wayne A. Grudem

Evidence for God - William Dembski & Michael Licona

The Books and the Parchments: How We Got Our English Bible - F.F. Bruce

When Skeptics Ask: A Handbook on Christian Evidences - Norman L. Geisler

The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict - Josh McDowell

The Reason for God - Timothy Keller

“Slave, Slavery” in Dictionary of Paul and his Letters - A.A. Ruprecht

The New Testament and the People of God - N.T. Wright

Ravi Zacharias Q&A How Do We Know the Bible is True, YouTube