Expert: Phillip Senn - 6/13/2011

Question
Hello Phillip, "Good day to you"
We know that the Bible was written by man under the divine inspiration and guidance Of God. I am having a discussion with my daughter about the validity of the Bible and could use some suggestions based on scripture so I can better explain it to her.

She maintains that since the Bible was written by man and man is imperfect, that the Bible therefore must be imperfect. Her view is that the Bible is a book of moral values written by man so that man will live a more rightious life.

In layman terms that she will understand along with scripture, how can I convince her that she can trust what the Bible teaches and that it truly is the word of God.

Your help is appreciated !!
Thanks,
Ron

Answer
Ron,

I praise the Lord for your question. I also praise the Lord that you are seeking, not my opinion on this matter, but answers from God's Word.

There are many places in Scripture that testify to the validity of God's Word. The prophecies that have been fulfilled in Christ Jesus, also testify to the validity of God's Word. The fact that He was raised from the grave, as prophesied by all of the prophets in the Old Testament, validates their message. Jesus, in the story concerning Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31#, said that Abraham spoke to the rich man and declared that, "they have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them."  Then the rich man, wanting better confirmation said, "Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent." Then Abraham said unto him, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." If the resurrection of Jesus Christ does not convince men/women of the validity of God's Word, then they have nothing else to stand on.

There is also a passage in 2 Timothy, verses 15-16, that deal with the validity of Scripture. Paul declares to young Timothy, "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." The phrase "inspiration of God" does not mean that God inspired the men to write what He wanted them to write. What it literally means is "God breathed" the words that they wrote, and they heard it and simply penned the words.

The Apostle Paul declared to the Thessalonians in 1 Thess. 2:12, "For this cause also thank we  God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."

Finally Ron, you must rely upon the Lord to do the convincing. Pray fervently for her and for your testimony before her, then present the truth to her. Then trust the Lord to use the truth to convince her. His Word will not return void #Isaiah 55:11#... "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

I hope this is indeed helpful, and I will be praying for your daughter in advance of the word that you will share with her.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn