FAQs Mondays: Can We Trust the New Testament?

We began our look at the integrity of the Bible by answer in the question, "Can we trust the Old Testament?". You can read the post here. Now we turn attention to the New Testament.

What evidence is there that we have the New Testament as it was at first written, or free from corruption?

The multiplication of copies in the original language, and of versions or translations, and their frequent private and public reading, rendered it impossible that any material and general alteration should have been made.

Have not Christians, from the first, entertained a reverence for the Scriptures, and a sense of the guilt of adding to or taking from them?
 

They have.

You know that, from an early period, there have been sects or parties among professed Christians; would not an attempt on the part of one to mutilate the word of God, have been surely noticed and made known by those who differed from them?

It would.

Can you mention any other evidence of the uncorruptedness of the Scriptures?

There is a remarkable agreement between them and all the quotations made from them by early writers.

Is there also a general agreement of all the manuscripts and versions of the New Testament now extant?
 

There is: so close is this agreement, that the worst manuscript extant does not misrepresent one article of faith, or destroy one moral precept.

Will You now state, in their order, the Proof's in support of the integrity or uncorruptedness Of the sacred Scriptures?

Ques. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Note: Questions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11 are on the previous post. You can read them here. Questions 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 are the first 5 questions of this post. 

Does it not become us to be very thankful that we possess the word of God in its original purity?

It does.

Again we see that the evidence points to the integrity of the Bible. What we have today reflects what was written by the biblical authors. We have a sure Word that is worthy of trust. Next week, we will look at the completeness or excellence of Scripture. Feel free to leave a comment.

Sunday Recap 10-30-11

Morning: The message, "R-E-S-P-E-C-T," focused on 1 Timothy 5:1-2. In this passage, Paul reminds Timothy to treat others in the church with love, humility, and respect. 

Timothy is not to issue a harsh rebuke to older men, but to encourage them as a son would a father. He is to treat younger men as they were his brother. Older women should be treated like mothers, and younger women should be treated, with all purity, as sisters.

The church is a family, and should act like it. We walk through this world together. We should treat each other with love, humility, and respect.

Evening: We had our fall fellowship tonight. It was a fun time.

Thursday Humor: "Morning People" John Branyan

Here's a funny clip about morning people. I hope you enjoy it.

Excellence of Character

In 1 Peter 1:5, Peter encourages us to add goodness to our faith. The type of goodness Peter had in mind is moral excellence. But what is moral excellence? Moral excellence is not only doing what is right, but it is also desiring right over wrong, good over evil, and holiness over commonness.

How do become morally excellent? Do we get it by hard work? Do we get it by following the rules? Paul tells us that we get it through faith in Christ, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor. 5:21, NIV). Peter expresses it similarly, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and grace" (2 Pet. 1:3).

Moral excellence is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ. It is his righteousness that is credited to us by God's grace. Apart from Christ, all of our moral acts are like filthy rags before the Lord.

But moral excellence isn't perfection. It is a process through which we increase in our likeness to Christ. Job was a good example of this. God says of Job that he was "blameless and upright," and that he feared God and shunned evil (see Job 1:8).

In Christ, we are called to walk in faith. True faith has an obedience component. We cannot truly say we trust Christ if we don't obey him. As we walk in the Spirit by faith, we learn to put off the old things. We learn to say no to ungodliness (shun evil) and delight in righteousness (fear God).

Galatians 5:16-26 does an excellent job of contrasting a life devoted to the flesh against a life devoted to Christ. Colossians 3:1-14 also paints a powerful picture of a life fixed on Christ.

There is no doubt that Christ's followers are to walk in moral excellence. The good news is that Christ enables them to do so. We have everything we need for life and godliness. Are you pursuing excellence of character?

Hymns: In Christ Alone

Several years ago, Delia and I heard this song at a marriage conference. I found the lyrics so powerful. It moves through the story of salvation displaying the work of Christ on our behalf with such elegance. I hope you enjoy it.

FAQs Mondays: Can We Trust the Old Testament?

We begin our look at "the integrity or uncorruptedness of the Scriptures," this week. We are going to look at the first 12 questions from Lesson II, Part VI in Henry Clay Fish's Baptist Scriptural Catechism. They focus on the Old Testament. It is important to remember that this document was written in 1850. Since then, there have been several more discoveries that further demonstrate the integrity of Scriptures.

Have we conclusive evidence that the books of the Bible have been preserved free from material errors or alterations, since they justify the hands of their respective authors?

We have.

Were not the Jews extremely sedulous (diligent) in their efforts to preserve the manuscripts of the Old Testament in their original integrity?

They were.

Did they exercise the utmost care in transcribing them?

They did, comparing the transcriptions with the original, and even numbering the words and the letters.

What is the testimony of Josephus on this point?

He asserts that there was such a veneration of the Jews for the sacred Scripture that no one down to his time dared to add or take away from them, or even to make the least alteration. (See Josephus Against Apion, b. 1, 8). 

You know that Christ, and the later prophets before him brought many serious charges against the Jews; but did they ever charge them with mutilating the Scriptures?

They did not.

Did they even intimate that they were guilty in this respect?

They did not.

Had they been guilty of it, would so great a sin passed unrebuked?

It would not.

Do the different versions and manuscripts of the Old Testament, now extant, agree, in all essential particulars?

They do. (Of these manuscripts there are now extant about 1200). 

Is it supposeable that good men, since the time of Christ should have altered the Old Testament?

It is not.

Have Christians ever charged the Jews with doing it?

They have not.

Is it possible that it should have been done by any individual or company of individuals, and not detected by either Christians or Jews; especially since copies have been so numerous and so widely scattered?

It is not.

Is not all this satisfactory evidence to the purity and integrity of the Old Testament?

It is.

The Baptist Scriptural Catechism was written at a time when the Bible was coming under attack. The author moves his students to consider the evidence and the logical implications of that evidence. The first question concerning "conclusive evidence" of the lack of errors in the Bible anticipates the following questions. The remaining questions are the evidences.

A lot of accusations are thrown around. Believers are expected to doubt the accuracy of the biblical text, but as these questions demonstrate the opposition can show no real proof that Bible contains errors. Those who disbelieve the Bible operate from their own belief systems. Disbelievers are no less biased than believers. They are just biased in a different direction.

This catechism encourages believers to question the assumptions of their opposition. Next week, we will look at the questions concerning the integrity of the New Testament. Feel free to leave a comment.

Sunday Recap 10-23-11

Morning: The message, "Keep On Keeping On," focused on 1 Timothy 4:11-16. In this passage, Paul encourages us to persevere in the faith and service of the Lord. Speaking to Timothy, he explains what a pastor has to persevere in.

The pastor must continue to "command and teach these things." What things? Paul is pointing back to everything previously stated. We can sum them up in two statements: there is truth which must be followed, and there is error which must be avoided. This requires the people to obey and learn.

The pastor needs to be an example. He is to be an example in speech. His words are to be seasoned with salt. He must speak the truth in love. He must be an example in life. He must live in a way that is worthy of imitation. He must be an example in love. He must love others who are different from himself. He must be an example in faith, pointing others to Christ. He must be an example in purity, both in his life and in his motivations. The church must honor men who live in such a way, and follow their example.

He must devote himself to the Word. He must read it publicly. He must preach it. In doing so, he must encourage and rebuke. He must teach his people the Word and how to live. They in turn must learn how to listen to, apply, and learn the Scriptures.

He needs to be diligent in the gospel ministry. He is to immerse himself in the gospel. Thus, the church must provide him with time for study and prayer.

The pastor needs to watch his life and doctrine closely. The church should encourage him to take prayer retreats, attend conferences, have times of silence and solitude, and extended times of prayer. They need to test what is preached against the Scriptures. Where error is present, they need to correct. Where correction is unheeded, they need to remove the minister. When the message is faith to the Scriptures, they need to obey it.

Ministers are called to lead God's people, and God's people are called to follow. The author of Hebrews says, "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account" (Heb. 13:17).

Evening: The message, "Attention Deficit Discipleship," looked at the struggle to maintain focus in our prayer and Bible study. We started by looking at Luke 10:38-42. In this passage, Martha confronts Jesus over his willingness to allow Mary to sit and listen when there was work to be done. Jesus tells her she is to anxious about to many things. He calls her to focus on him. Other places in Scripture calls us to seek the Lord wholeheartedly (See 1 Timothy 4:15; Psalm 46:10). We looked at an attention challenges screening, and add a few questions:
How easily distracted are you? 1 to 10 (1 = Man, watching this grass grow sure is exciting; 10 = I'm sorry, I thought I saw a squirrel)

• Does your mind ever wonder when you pray?
• Does your mind ever wonder when you read your Bible?
• When are you most focused?
• When do you face the least amount of distractions?

Understanding the attention challenges we face (if any), helps us to develop strategies that improve our focus. 

Thursday Humor: Bob Smiley on Childcare

Here is a video on childcare. I thought it was pretty funny.

What Is Faith?

We talk a lot about faith in the church. We talk about "the faith," that is, the doctrinal truths of Christianity. We encourage each other to have faith. We acknowledge that we are saved by faith. But what is faith?

Here are some ways Baptists have defined faith:

• What is faith in Jesus Christ? Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace whereby we receive and rest upon him alone (Baptist Catechism).

• What is faith? Faith is the cordial belief of the testimony God has given us in his word (John Sutcliff, The First Principles of the Oracles of God).

• What is Faith? It is believing what the Bible tells us about Jesus, and trusting our salvation into his hands. Is this belief an act of the mind only? No; it is with the whole heart, so that we are led to love and obey Christ (James P. Boice).

• What do the Scriptures mean by faith in Christ? By faith in Christ, the Scriptures mean believing Christ to be the divine savior, and personally trusting him for our salvation (John Broadus).

• What is the meaning of faith? It is belief or confidence in the declaration of God (Henry Clay Fish).

The author of Hebrews says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). While these definitions help us to understand what faith is, that doesn't mean they make faith any easier to explain. Models can be helpful tools. They make it easier to grasp concepts more quickly.

Abraham is a great model of faith. The author of Hebrews points out, "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going" (Heb. 11:8). Hebrews 11:8-19 is an amazing picture of faith. The author of Hebrews uses three events in Abraham's life to flesh out faith. He recounts Abraham's call, God's covenant with Abraham, and Abraham's test.

Through Abraham's example, we learn what faith is. Biblical faith, saving faith, is a trust that produces obedience without regard to the cost. Abraham had to walk away from his family (and inheritance), he had to face the weakness of his aging body, and he had to offer up his son. Yet, he was willing to do this because he was confident in the One who was making these demands on his life.

Abraham understood that the LORD is a holy God. He is a faithful God. He is a God with the power to do as He wills. Abraham rested in that knowledge. God's promises cannot fail. Since they cannot fail, they will not fail.

I heard it said, "Faith is taking God at his word." Can we trust God? Yes, without question. We may not understand the circumstances in which we find ourselves, but we can always trust God's providence. Have faith, friend. God is worthy of such trust.

Hymns: "I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary"

I discovered this hymn several years ago, while thumbing through a hymnal. It is a very beautiful song with deep meaning. Although I thought of it as an "old" hymn, it is really relatively modern. It comes out of the Southern Gospel tradition, and has that country church feel. I hope you enjoy it.

FAQs Mondays: What is Inspiration? Part 3

Last week, we looked at question 8-14, from the Baptist Scriptural Catechism (Lesson 1, Part V). You can read that post, "What is Inspiration? Part 2," here. Now we are going to finish out this section of the catechism.

Question seven is still our guide. It reads, "Can you mention some of these truths; and show that no one, uninspired, could have known and recorded them?".

Did many of perform miracles? Can you mention some of them?

Note: The "them" refers to biblical authors. Notice that the question is open ended. The student is to supply a list of names and miracles. For instance, Moses parted the Red Sea, and Paul raised a young man from the dead.

What is a miracle?

An effect, or event, contrary to the established constitution, or course of things; or a deviation from the know laws of nature.

Will you give an example of what would be a miracle?

Note: Again, we have an open ended question. The students are being prompted to study and recall the miracles recorded in Scripture.

Of what where the miracles proof?

The divine authority of one's mission and teachings.

Since, then, the prophets and the apostles wrought miracles, is it not equivalent to God's own testimony that their doctrines were divine origin?

It was.

Did not the writers of the Scripture often predict future events?

They did.

Have many of these events already come to pass?

They have.

Will you specify some of them?

Note: Yet another open ended question. Students are being encouraged to interact with this catechism.

Is not this another proof of their inspiration?

It is.

Do not the blessed effects of the Bible upon individuals and national character, prove it to be from heaven?

They do.

Is not the believer's own consciousness or internal conviction of its heavenly origin, a proof in point?

It is. Note: We should be careful with this question. Unbelievers may try to turn it around and suggest that their lack of conviction is proof that it is not of "heavenly origin." This question, more so than any of the others, focuses on a subjective proof.

This concludes our look at the inspiration of Scripture. More could be said, but this catechism is not a systematic theology. It is an introduction to the concepts and proofs that accompany the doctrine of inspiration. It was designed to give students a working knowledge of what is meant by "inspiration," and a structure from which to give the reasons for their beliefs. Next week, we'll begin looking at "The integrity or uncorruptedness of the Scriptures."

Thursday Humor: "Worship Styles and Family Sundays"

I find it funny how a 15 minute job can turn into a day long ordeal. Well, funny isn't exactly how I would find it. Here is a video that is funny. I hope it makes you laugh.

Hymns: "Rock of Ages"

I love this old hymn. Rock of Ages reminds us of the timelessness of God. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I love this song.

FAQs Mondays: What is Inspiration, Part 2

Last week, we begin looking at the inspiration of Scripture in the Baptist Scriptural Catechism. You can find part 1 here. If you still haven't looked up Henry Clay Fish's catechism, you can find it here.

Question 7 frames the rest of the discussion for this portion of the catechism. So we'll begin by restating the question which is answered by the questions that follow it.

Can you mention some of these truths; and show that no one, uninspired, could have known, and recorded them?

Did not the writers of Scriptures claim to be inspired?

They did. 2 Sam 13:2; Jer. 1:4; Ezek. 1:3; 2 Cor. 2:13; Gal 1:10

What is the testimony of Paul on this subject?

He declared that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God" 2 Tim. 3:16 (KJV).

We have already proved that the writers of Scriptures were honest men, and spoke the truth; they could not there for have intentionally asserted what was not true. Could they have been deceived in respect to their being inspired?

They could not.

Is not their testimony, then, positive proof of their inspiration?

It is.

Is not the remarkable preservation of the Scriptures, for so long a time, and amid so many effort to destroy them, and evidence they are from God?

It is. (It is a remarkable fact, that, had the New Testament been early banished from the earth, nearly the whole of its contents [all but 7 or 11 verses, at the most] could have been gathered from the controversial writings of the first five centuries. In proof, see "Bible Evidences," &c, p. 101, and "Life of Dr. Campbell.") Note: I am unfamiliar with either of these texts mentioned. They were probably cutting edge research in 1850 when this catechism was compiled. Today, Josh McDowell's book, Evidence that Demands a Verdict, would be a good resource.

Can we account for the sublimity of their style, and the purity of their doctrines, on any other ground?

We cannot. Note: Sublimity means nobility in thought or feeling or style.

The writers of the Bible lived in different centuries, and different places; and yet their is a perfect agreement between them all in what they have written. Is this not proof  of their inspiration?

It is.


 The questions lead the reader. This catechism is as much as training in thinking as it is in inspiration. The learners are being taught to question the presuppositions (opinions) of those who would reject the doctrine of inspiration, and how to frame response to those objections. Next week, we will finish looking at the inspiration of the Scriptures. Tune in for part 3. Feel free to leave a comment.

Sunday Recap 10-9-11

Morning: The sermon, "The Marks of a Good Servant," focused on 1 Timothy 4:6-10. In this passage, Paul urges Timothy to pursue godliness in order to be a good servant. Having warned Timothy of the realities facing him, Paul now turns back to Timothy's task. Timothy must make people aware of the truth even though many will resist him. Jesus said, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19, NIV). Timothy has to shine a light in the darkness, and warn the people not to run. A good servant of the Lord will have these marks:

1. They must point out the truth, and urge people to walk in it.

2. They must point out error, and warn people not to walk in it.

3. They must nourish themselves with the "truths of the faith" and "good teaching."

4. They must ignore myths and legends.

5. They must train themselves for godliness.

6. They must put their hope in the living God.

Evening: The message, "Things Excellent and Profitable," focused on Titus 3:3-8. In this brief, but deep, reflection on the gospel, Paul reminds Titus on the things that are excellent and profitable for all people. The gospel has not only brought forgiveness, but it has changed us as well. Paul begins by looking at our life before Christ, then he moves to our life in Christ, and then he encourages us to live life for Christ.

1. Life before Christ

• foolish
• disobedient
• deceived and enslaved to every kind of passion and pleasure
• living in malice and envy
• hated and hating everyone

2. Life in Christ

• We enter this life not through our work, but through God's mercy.
• It comes through the washing of the rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
• It makes us heirs with Christ.

3. Life for Christ

• We must recognize the importance of the gospel.
• We must be careful to devote ourselves to doing good.

Thursday Humor: "Wal-mart, Christians, Homeschoolers" By Tim Hawkins

There is some pretty funny stuff in this video. I hope it makes you laugh.

A Brief Meditation of God's Grace

Here is something worthy of meditation:

But when the goodness of God and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us--not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:4-7).

I recently heard someone say, "Mercy is us not getting what we deserve." I don't know where that line originated, but I found it intriguing. Paul states pretty much the same thing here. We were saved, not by our works of righteousness, but "according to His mercy." In spite of all of our sin, God still had compassion on us.

This is all an act of God's grace. Every blessing that accompanies new life is ours in Christ Jesus. He has bound us to himself in love, and he will not let us go. In Christ, the goodness of God is manifest. His love has been demonstrated. Now, it must be embraced.

He has made us, who believe, new creations. We are justified before God. We are washed of our sin by the Holy Spirit. We are heirs with hope of eternal life. Grace has been shown to us in abundance, and that is something to think about.

Spiritual Songs: "Word of God Speak" by MercyMe

I didn't realize how big of a fan of MercyMe I was until some friends took us to see them in concert. I found myself singing along to nearly every song. There music reflects heartfelt worship. The song, "Word of God Speak," expresses the longing every believer feels when they are studying the Word of God. As we read the Word, we find ourselves longing for understanding and direction. I like how it drives the listener to wait upon God. I hope you enjoy it.

FAQs Monday: What is Inspiration? Part 1

We begin our look at Henry Clay Fish's Baptist Scriptural Catechism this week. The copy I have is an abridgment that I found at The Reformed Reader website. You can view it here. This catechism leads the reader to think about the answers, and encourages them to defend their faith. Today, we ill begin by looking at part of Lesson 1, part 5, dealing with the inspiration of Scripture. We will look at the first 7 questions.

What is the meaning of inspiration?

It literally means the act of breathing into; but, as applied the the Scriptures, it means the supernatural influence of the Spirit of God on the minds of the writers, by which they were enabled to communicate the divine will.

May a book be genuine and authentic, but, at the same time, not inspired?

Will you give me an example? Note: This question is answered by a question. It reminds the learner that the responsibility of proof is on the person asking the question. If someone wants a believer to disbelieve the Bible, they should be forced to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the Bible is in error.

Will you now state, definitely, what is meant, when the writers of the Scriptures are spoken of as having been inspired?

It is meant that they were specially guided and instructed by God in what they spoke and wrote.

Is it meant that they were always or at all times under the special influence from God?

It is not; but as such times only as they were communicating the will of God.

You know the language of wicked men, and Satan is, in some instances found in the Bible: is it meant that this was inspired?

It is not; but only that holy men recorded it under the direction and influence of the Spirit. Note: John Broadus put's it this way: "Does the Bible contain any errors? The Bible records some things said by uninspired men that were not true; but it is true and instructive that these men said them" (A Catechism of Bible Teaching, Lesson 3, part 1, question 13). View it here.

What are the proofs or evidences by which we know that the Scripture is inspired?

The nature of the truths which they communicated was such that must have been taught to them by God. Note: I modernized this answer, the emphasis is in the original.

Can you mention some of these truths; and show that no one, uninspired, could have known, and recorded them?

Note: The remaining questions deal with these truths. I will give you a summary, and then next week we will begin looking at them in detail.  Fish lists the testimony of the writers, the preservation of Scriptures, the sublimity of their style, the purity of their doctrine, the unity of the Bible, the miraculous powers of some of the authors, prophecy, the Scriptures power to convict and convert.


I hope this has whetted your appetite for further study. Next week, will delve deeper into the subject. I think these questions approach this important subject in a manner that encourages investigation. I hope you find these posts helpful. Feel free to leave a comment.

Sunday Recap 10-2-11

Morning: The sermon, "Dangerous Times," focused on 1 Timothy 4:1-5. In this passage, Paul expresses the dangers of falling away from the truth. Every day we stand a crossroads. We must choose obedience or disobedience.

The choice is four-fold. We either:

• Choose to listen to the Spirit of Christ (the Holy Spirit) or we listen to deceiving spirits.
• Choose to be students of Christ's or students of demons.
• Choose to follow holy men (and women) or hypocritical liars who are so wicked they are immune to the truth.
•  Trust Christ's work to save us or we trust our own work.

There is much at stake when it comes to following Christ. Our words are not enough to save us. We must be transformed by the renewing work of the Spirit in our hearts.

Evening: Business meeting.