Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 5/29/2010

Question
QUESTION: Pastor Don,
   How do we "KNOW" that the Bible is the word of God, and not just another book written by man?
         Thanks
         Bob

ANSWER: Hi Bob,

Thanks for this great question.  The truth is we do not "know" because it is taken on faith.... however, there are several things that make this faith seem very reasonable.

1.  The Bible was written by 40+ human authors, over a period of 1600 years in three languages, and yet has one unifying theme all through out scriptures.  This is strong evidence of Divine inspiration.

2.  The Bible has suffered many attacks by the enemies of God through out the centuries, but it remains pure, unchanged, and stronger than ever in world influence.

3.  There are many things in the Bible that were advanced hundreds and even thousands of years before the rest of the world caught up.  The Bible mentions ocean currents, the water cycle, the fact that the earth was round and hangs on nothing... many many other things are in this great book.

4.  The Bible has changed lives all through out history.  As people interact with the truths in scriptures, unifying concepts have rescued countless lives from destruction and changed cultures, saving them from implosion.

This is a brief description, I hope it helps.

2 Timothy 3:16
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Psalm 12:6-7
6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.  
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Pastor Don

      Thanks for your answer. Where in the bible does it say that the earth is round? I know there is a verse that talks about the 4 corners of the world. and people sometimes use this to discredit the bible, as being written by ignorant people.
         thanks
         Bob

Answer
Hi Bob,

Thanks for this follow up question.  Here are a couple of verses that can help.

Job 26:7
7 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Isaiah 40:22
22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:  
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I found a great web site that may help you, especially with the science of the Bible.

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/wow/does-the-bible-say-anything-about-a

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ,
Pastor Don