Unit1 Session4 Leade

About the Writers

Matt Chandler lead pastor of The Village Church in Dallas, Texas The Gospel Project® Adult Leader Guide ESV Volume 2, Number 2 Winter 2013-14 Marty Duren social media strategist at LifeWay in Eric Geiger Nashville, Tennessee Vice President, Church Resources Ed Stetzer Christian George General Editor professor of religious education at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma Trevin Wax Managing Editor

Philip Nation J. D. Greear lead pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh- Director, Adult Ministry Publishing Durham, North Carolina Faith Whatley Director, Adult Ministry Adam Harwood professor of theology at New Orleans

Send questions/comments to: Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisiana Managing Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Leader Guide, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0102; Michael Kelley director of discipleship at LifeWay in or make comments on the Web at www.lifeway.com. Nashville, Tennessee

Printed in the United States of America Philip Nation adult publishing director at LifeWay and The Gospel Project®: Adult Leader Guide ESV teaching pastor of The Fellowship in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee (ISSN pending; Item 005573550) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President. © 2013 LifeWay Christian Resources. Mary Jo Sharp professor of apologetics at Houston Baptist For ordering or inquiries, visit www.lifeway.com, or University in Texas write LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. For subscriptions or subscription address changes, e-mail [email protected], fax (615) 251-5818, or write to Trevin Wax managing editor of The Gospel Project at LifeWay the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, e-mail [email protected], fax in Nashville, Tennessee (615) 251-5933, or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any Keith Whitfield mixture of error, for its matter and that all professor of theology at Southeastern Baptist Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay’s doctrinal guideline, please visit Theological Seminary in Wake Forest www.lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the English Standard Version® (The Holy Jarvis Williams professor at The Southern Baptist Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Afshin Ziafat lead pastor of Providence Church in Frisco, Texas

WRITERS Session 4 By Keith Whitfield The Bible (Part 2) Can We Trust the Bible?

Summary and Goal

In this session, we will examine three common questions about the Bible’s truthfulness. First, we will consider the claim that there are contradictions between the biblical accounts. Then, we will examine the claim that historical and scientific research have proven the Bible untrue. Finally, we will look at several reasons why we can and should trust the Bible as truth without any mixture of error.

Steps to Prepare

1. Read the main passages for this lesson, recording your insights and questions: --Matthew 1:1-17 --Luke 2:1-3; 3:23-38 2. Study the Expanded Lesson Content (pp. 46-53). --Determine what elements of this lesson are most applicable to your particular group. --Consider ways to personalize the lesson content for you and your class. 3. Review the Teaching Plan (pp. 44-45). --Refine the lesson plan based on your group’s particular needs. --Adjust the plan if necessary. 4. Pray for the Lord’s guidance as you lead your group through this material.

Lesson Outline

1. Doesn’t the Bible contradict itself? (Matt. 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38) 2. Hasn’t the Bible been proven untrue? (Luke 2:1-3) 3. Why should I trust the Bible?

Session 4 43

Introduce the Lesson For Further Begin by telling the story of Herman Rosenblat and the “fake memoir” he Discussion created about the Holocaust and his wife (leader p. 46; personal study p. 37). What is the connection between a person’s Do you enjoy reading memoirs? In what ways does knowing trustworthy character a story is true enhance your reading? What are the signs a and the validity of their testimony? person’s testimony is true? Exaggerated or imagined?

Connect the story about Rosenblat to the common claim that the Bible contains errors. Summarize the goal of this lesson (leader pp. 46-47; personal study p. 37). For Further Discussion 1. Doesn’t the Bible contradict itself? What objections to the List some of the common objections people have when it comes to the Bible’s Bible’s trustworthiness do you encounter most often? trustworthiness: That just can’t happen. That’s not the way the world works. That contradicts what someone else says over here (leader p. 47; personal study p. 38).

What objections or apparent contradictions have you seen For Further cause doubts in the trustworthiness of the Bible? Discussion Use “Further Commentary” Return to the objection about the Bible’s contradictions. Ask your group to (p. 47) to discuss the look carefully at the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38 differences between the accounts of Jesus and (leader pp. 47-49; personal study p. 38). the centurion. What are the biggest differences between the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke? What other differences between accounts have you found in the Bible?

Explain the differences between these two genealogies by appealing to the purpose of each author as well as the different ways lineages could be traced (leader pp. 49-50; personal study p. 39).

How does understanding the author’s purpose help us make sense of apparent differences between biblical accounts?

Walk through the six “Recommendations for Dealing with Difficult Texts in the Bible” (leader p. 49; personal study p. 38).

44 Leader Guide | Winter 2013-14 2. Hasn’t the Bible been proven untrue? Some skeptics believe the Bible has been proven untrue historically and For Further scientifically. Start with the historical objection by using Luke 2:1-3 and the Discussion setting for Jesus’ birth (leader p. 50; personal study p. 40). What are some charges made against Christianity Let’s say you’re having a conversation with a friend who that often come around Christmas and Easter? has seen a documentary questioning the biblical account of Christ’s birth. How would you respond? What resources would you turn to in order to answer the charge? For Further Explain the possible solutions to the Quirinius reference (leader p. 51; Discussion personal study p. 40). In what ways does focusing on Jesus (keeping the Have you ever been tempted to question the authority and “main thing” the main thing) help us avoid endless truthfulness of the Scriptures? What was your view of God debates over little details during that time? of the Bible?

Now turn to the objection that miracles do not and cannot happen. Explain how this objection assumes the Bible’s testimony is untrue from the start, and emphasize the importance of one’s posture and approach to God’s Word (leader pp. 51-52; personal study p. 41).

How does your view of who God is affect the way you approach the Scriptures?

3. Why should I trust the Bible? Highlight the main reason we as Christians trust the Bible’s testimony— because Jesus Himself did (leader p. 52; personal study p. 42).

How does Jesus’ perspective on the Scripture’s reliability help us trust the Bible in places we don’t understand?

Mention three additional reasons we trust the Bible: its remarkable unity, its central message, and its transforming power (leader p. 53; personal study p. 42).

In what ways does the transforming power of the Scripture lead us to greater missionary fervor? Why is it important for Christians to be equipped to deal with difficult passages as we share the gospel?

Conclusion Close the lesson by referencing this classic line from Francis Schaeffer— God is there and He is not silent. These assumptions are essential before we can trust the Bible and engage in God’s mission (leader p. 53; personal study p. 42).

Session 4 45 Expanded Lesson Content The Bible (Part 2) Session 4

Opening Illustration and Introduction In recent years, publishers have dealt with the problem of “fake memoirs.” While literary forgery is nothing new, this particular form draws a great deal of attention. People present details from their lives that simply are not true. Readers believe the stories and sometimes are personally affected by them. Then, when the lies are revealed, there is a public outcry. One of the most famous examples was a story told by Herman Rosenblat, Voices from a Holocaust survivor. He developed a love story about a little girl throwing the Church apples to him over the fence of his concentration camp every day for a few “Trusting testimony is months. Years later, he went on a blind date and discovered the woman was not an irrational act of the same little girl. He proposed to her on the spot, and they were married. faith that leaves critical rationality aside; it is, on Rosenblat’s story earned him an invitation to “The Oprah Winfrey the contrary, the rationally Show.” Later, he sought to publish his memoir. Plans for a movie were in appropriate way of responding to authentic the works. Before the memoir was released, however, it became clear that testimony. Gospels although he had met his wife on a blind date, many other details of the story understood as testimony are the entirely appropriate were false—no little girl; no apples. Rosenblat had developed a love story means of access to the that tugged at the heartstrings of America. Unfortunately, it wasn’t real. historical reality of Jesus.” 1 –Richard Bauckham Do you enjoy reading memoirs? In what ways does knowing a story is true enhance your reading? What are the signs a person’s testimony is true? Exaggerated or imagined?

Some today question the integrity of the Bible’s historical accounts. They see the Gospels as exaggerated fables based on a true person (in this case, Jesus) who never would have sanctioned the authors’ portrayals. Or perhaps they see apparent contradictions in the Gospels and question the truthfulness of the authors. If we are to embrace a biblical worldview, it’s important that we answer the question “Can we trust the Bible?”

46 Leader Guide | Winter 2013-14 Lesson Summary In this session, we will examine three common questions about Further the Bible’s truthfulness. First, we will consider the claim that there are Commentary contradictions between the biblical accounts. Then, we will examine the “Serious readers of the claim that historical and scientific research have proven the Bible untrue. Gospels notice various differences between Finally, we will look at several reasons why we can and should trust the them. One difference Bible as truth without any mixture of error. involves geographical arrangement. In [Matthew, Mark, and Luke], Jesus 1. Doesn’t the Bible contradict itself? visits Jerusalem only once during His entire ministry… (Matt. 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38) John records Jesus visiting As Christians, we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. We Jerusalem several times throughout His ministry believe the Old and New Testament authors wrote under the direction of (2:13–4:45; 5:1-47; 7:1–10:40; the Holy Spirit (2 Sam. 23:2; Matt. 22:43). The apostle Paul declared, “All and 12:12–20:31), including an early temple cleansing Scripture is breathed out by God” (2 Tim. 3:16). Jesus Himself described the (John 2:13-22)…It seems Scripture as the very word that comes from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4). the authors chose different ways of using geography While the Bible attests to being God’s Word, not everyone believes as a tool for arranging their it is truly from the mouth of God and true in all it teaches. People accounts of Jesus’ life… claim there are contradictions and errors in the Bible. Here are a few Another reason for differences involves common objections: the literary style of • That just can’t happen. This objection looks at miraculous events recorded individual evangelists. In Matthew 8:5-13 and in Scripture and concludes that because these types of things don’t Luke 7:1-10 we have two happen around us every day, these events could never happen according accounts of Jesus healing a centurion’s servant. In to the natural world order. This reasoning leads people to conclude that Luke the conversation what the Bible says about miracles must be false. takes place between Jesus and the Jewish elders who • That’s not the way the world works. This objection criticizes the biblical speak on behalf of the descriptions of natural phenomena, such as the sun rising (Ps. 19:6), and centurion. In Matthew the conversation is directly concludes the Bible is untrue in its descriptions of this sort. After all, we between Jesus and the all know the sun does not really rise; the earth moves around the sun. centurion. There is no conflict in these accounts • That contradicts what someone else says over here.This objection analyzes when we realize Matthew and points out the conflict between two statements or descriptions. It has abbreviated the story (103 words compared could be two biblical statements that seem to contradict each other or to 186 words in Luke). a biblical statement held up against a contradictory statement from a Matthew omitted material unessential to the story, historical source. and the elders (serving as go-betweens) are the What objections or apparent contradictions have you seen least important element in the story. Thus, just as cause doubts in the trustworthiness of the Bible? modern-day journalists report on meetings between heads of state Let’s start with the objection about contradictions in the Bible. At first without mentioning the go- glance, sections in the Bible may appear to contradict each other. A case in betweens, Matthew makes no mention of the elders.” 2 point are the birth narratives of Jesus. Both Matthew and Luke trace the –Robert Stein, lineage of Jesus through history. Let’s take a look at these genealogies of HCSB Study Bible Jesus side by side and see where the differences are.

Session 4 47 Matthew 1:1-17 Luke 3:23-38 1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the 23 Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about son of David, the son of Abraham. thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29 the the king. son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, And David was the father of Solomon by the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of the wife of Uriah, 7 and Solomon the father of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, and Abijah the father of Asaph, 8 and Asaph the the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 and of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 12 And after the deportation to Babylon: 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, of God. and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

48 Leader Guide | Winter 2013-14 Matthew’s account traces the line of descent from Abraham to Jesus, Recommendations for while Luke’s account begins the ancestry with Jesus and works backward Dealing with Difficult all the way to Adam. Texts in the Bible 1. Be sure that you are What are the biggest differences between the genealogies interacting with real texts, not uninformed of Jesus in Matthew and Luke? What other differences accusations from others. between accounts have you found in the Bible? 2. Approach the text in trust, not as a skeptic. Matthew’s Gospel traces the lineage from Abraham to Jesus in 42 3. Pray about the difficult generations, while Luke records the ancestral line from Adam to Jesus in text in question. 4. Don’t demand that 76 generations. Why are there differences? To understand this issue, it’s ancient writers conform to important to remember the purpose in the mind of each author. your expected standards (demanding perfectly Matthew’s genealogy is concise. It is organized in three groups of 14, parallel, verbatim connecting the line to three time periods. The first group lists the patriarchs, quotations, for example). the second names the kings, and the third contains ordinary citizens. The 5. Seek counsel when intent was not to give a strict record but rather to present the historical dealing with difficult texts. 6. Be willing to set aside progression. It begins by highlighting the family origin, then the rise to a text for further power through David’s throne, and eventually the decline from royalty to consideration rather than 3 the humble birth of the Messiah. By relating Jesus to David and Abraham, force harmonization. Matthew’s genealogy shows the relationship of Jesus to all Jews—He is their Messiah. This coincides with the overarching theme and purpose of the Book of Matthew—to prove that Jesus is, in fact, the long-awaited Messiah. Voices from Luke’s account, however, begins in a unique way for a genealogy. It the Church begins with Jesus and moves backward through history to Adam. Some “Even as a mighty cathedral suggest that Luke’s purpose in ordering the genealogy this way is to would be unduly darkened and underappreciated if emphasize the grand significance of Jesus. Perhaps another purpose in illuminated by only one Luke’s order is to highlight that the Messiah is a fully human Savior. His pinhole window, so too the intricacies and beauty of genealogy of Jesus is traced all the way back to Adam, demonstrating the God’s revelation in Jesus relationship of Jesus to all of mankind. the Christ deserve a flood of light from all sides of the While the two genealogies are nearly identical from Abraham to building. Our four Gospels David, they are entirely different from David to Jesus. After David, all open onto the same inner sanctum and altar, only three names appear on both lists. Even more significant is that the but with different and grandfather and father for Joseph are different in the two accounts. complementary angles of light.” 4 Skeptics usually attribute the differences between these two –Jonathan Pennington genealogies to biblical errors. But there are additional ideas on how to resolve the apparent contradictions. • Luke supplies Jesus’ human lineage through Joseph, while Matthew gives his legal lineage by which He is the legitimate successor to the throne. This explanation points us to the custom of the kinsman redeemer—if a man died without bearing a son, then his brother would marry his widow and their firstborn son would carry on the name of the deceased husband. This would make Matthan’s son, Jacob, Joseph’s legal father and Matthat’s son, Heli, Joseph’s biological father. Matthew’s account would trace Jesus’ legal lineage, and Luke’s record would follow Jesus’ biological lineage.

Session 4 49 • Luke presents Mary’s genealogy, while Matthew relates Joseph’s genealogy. Voices from This possible explanation would account for the different names for the the Church grandfather and father of Joseph. “As ancient biographers, These are two of the more popular explanations for the apparent the gospel writers felt contradictions between Matthew’s and Luke’s genealogies, yet even these free to paraphrase or summarize what Jesus are not without their difficulties. Certainty of explanation may be beyond said and to arrange the us, but certainty of the message is clear—Jesus is the true heir to the throne events according to a particular theme rather of David, no matter how you trace His lineage. And it should be noted that than according to a strict the early Christians overwhelmingly accepted the divine authority of these chronological sequence.” 5 two Gospels, meaning the perceived contradiction is just that—perceived. –J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays How does understanding the author’s purpose help us make sense of apparent differences between biblical accounts?

Further 2. Hasn’t the Bible been proven untrue? (Luke 2:1-3) Commentary We’ve looked briefly at the charge that the Bible contradicts itself. “ ‘Augustus’ (meaning What about apparent contradictions in the matter of science? Or history? ‘Exalted,’ a title approved Biblical authority is challenged today from every conceivable perspective, by the Roman Senate in 27 b.c.) was the Roman from scientific, to religious, to historical objections. Caesar from 31 b.c. to a.d. 14. But let’s go back to the Christmas account for another look at This ‘decree…that the whole empire should be another common objection. In Luke 2:1-3, Luke tells us the historical registered’ was a census for circumstances surrounding Joseph and Mary’s trip to Bethlehem. the purposes of taxation and military service.” 1 “It is thought that ‘Quirinius’ In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all served two terms as the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Roman governor of 3 ‘Syria’: from 6-4 b.c., and Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to then a.d. 6-9. Jesus was his own town. born during the period of the ‘first registration’. There was also a census This account raises a significant historical problem. Luke connects the registration in Quirinius’s second term (Acts 5:37).” 6 circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth to the census of Quirinius. Some A. Boyd Luter, scholars find multiple problems with this account: HCSB Study Bible 1. There is no historical evidence that Quirinius ordered a census during the time of Jesus’ birth. According to Josephus, he ordered one in a.d. 6, and it was considered innovative. 2. There is no record of an empire-wide census while Augustus was emperor. 3. A Roman census would not have required Joseph to return to Bethlehem. 4. The well-known records of the Roman governors do not list Quirinius as governor at the time of Jesus’ birth. 5. Thus, there would have been no census in Palestine during the time of Herod the Great.

Let’s say you’re having a conversation with a friend who has seen a documentary questioning the biblical account of Christ’s birth. How would you respond? What resources would you turn to in order to answer the charge?

50 Leader Guide | Winter 2013-14 Scholars may find Luke’s account to be historically implausible, but that’s usually because they’re discounting Luke’s testimony from the start, Further as if they assume Luke to be less reliable than other historical sources. Commentary Furthermore, there are a number of explanations that back up Luke’s “The New Testament account. First, the possibility of the census occurring at this time (and is filled with accounts of miracles that Jesus Joseph needing to travel to Bethlehem) is supported by the fact that performed during the Augustus issued three censuses during the time of Jesus’ birth, and the course of his ministry. Scientific mistrust of Romans would allow people to follow their own customs when it came the Bible began with the to registering. Enlightenment belief that miracles cannot be What’s more, there are numerous solutions to the reference to reconciled to a modern, Quirinius. One of the strongest is that there is evidence that Quirinius was rational view of the world. Armed with this serving as governor of Syria in 6-4 b.c. and also in a.d. 6-9. While we may presupposition, scholars not be certain of the exact dates, we can be sure the proposed solutions are turned to the Bible and said, ‘The Biblical accounts as credible, if not more so, than the objections on this point. can’t be reliable because What we discover from these two accounts surrounding Jesus’ they contain descriptions of miracles.’ The premise incarnation is that there are multiple perspectives by which we can behind such a claim is approach a text. How we approach the Bible affects what we see and how ‘Science has proven that there is no such thing as we understand what the text is saying. miracles.’ But embedded No one should ignore the questions these texts raise. But we must be in such a statement is a leap of faith. It is one careful not to examine the questions from a perspective that limits us from thing to say that science is seeing possible ways to resolve the issues. What we’ve discovered time and only equipped to test for natural causes and cannot again with these objections is that these criticisms often arise from a set of speak to any others. It commitments, a set of preconceived notions about the world, that are in is quite another to insist that science proves that conflict with the biblical view of the world. no other causes could possibly exist.” 7 Have you ever been tempted to question the authority and –Tim Keller truthfulness of the Scriptures? What was your view of God during that time?

Another common objection is the one we mentioned earlier—that science has disproved the Bible and the miracles described there. But this objection begins with the unproven assumption that God does not exist or that miracles simply cannot occur. In other words, the starting point is one that declares the Bible to be false in its testimony regarding the existence and power of God. But what if we start with the Bible? There we see the world was designed with a purpose and was created by an all-powerful, personal God. God’s personal nature makes a difference in how we understand our world. A personal God acts with purpose. He is loving. He provides. He makes Himself known to His creation. He is all-powerful. Thus, He can do whatever He wants to do, and nothing stops Him. These are big truths that have implications in how we see the miracle stories of the Bible. First off, miraculous works are no challenge at all to an all-powerful, personal God.

Session 4 51 Second, accurately describing the way the world works is no challenge Voices from to the Creator of all things. We recognize that in some cases the Bible may Church History be using language the way we often use language—figuratively. When “If Christianity is false we say we watched the sunrise at the beach, no one accuses us of lying, of it cannot be saved by putting forth a scientific study that claims the sun rises above the eastern theology, if it is true it cannot be destroyed horizon. Expressing a truth from our human vantage point is not error. by science.” 8 Finally, if the Bible comes from a personal, all-powerful God, then –E. Y. Mullins (1860-1928) possible contradictions within the biblical stories or with historical documents cannot easily be dismissed as errors. Instead, we ought to see how the Bible coheres and, when in doubt, give the Bible the benefit of Voices from the doubt. the Church These responses do not answer all the objections that people raise “When we come to the against the Bible, but what they do show is that one’s approach to the Bible and try to listen to Scriptures (whether they are suspicious or humble) has a great deal to do its claims, we can easily misjudge those claims if with their view of God and His relationship to the world. we hear them only from It’s good to remember that providing evidence for the truthfulness of within the framework of our own modern Scripture will probably not convince a skeptic. Most of the time, the one assumptions. Letting the who doubts the biblical account also doubts the fundamental claim of Bible speak for itself, that is, letting it speak in its own Scripture—that there is a personal, all-powerful God at work in the world. terms, includes letting the Jesus gave us an example of how our view of God affects our approach Bible speak from within its own worldview rather than to His Word. In John 17, He prayed to His Father to protect His people merely our own.” 9 with His Word. The way the Word protects them is by sanctifying them, –Vern Poythress freeing them from “the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life” (1 John 2:16). Jesus prayed this way because He knew the One who gave the Word, and He knew that the power of the Word would protect God’s people.

How does your view of who God is affect the way you approach the Scriptures?

3. Why should I trust the Bible? Why trust the Bible? Throughout the Scriptures, the biblical authors recognized that their writing was under the direction of the Holy Spirit (2 Sam. 23:2; Matt. 22:43; 2 Pet. 1:21). But the biggest reason we as Christians trust the Bible is because Jesus Himself did. Because Scripture is the Word of God, Jesus honored and cherished it. He said it was imperishable (Matt. 5:17-18). He claimed it would not fail in its purpose and could not be broken (John 10:35). He held up its supremacy over human tradition (Matt. 15:3,6). And He considered the Bible to be historically reliable (Matt. 12:40; 24:37-38).

How does Jesus’ perspective on the Scripture’s reliability help us trust the Bible in places we don’t understand?

52 Leader Guide | Winter 2013-14 The Bible is a historical book. The events it describes took place in history. The Bible does not contain theological truths unrelated to history. Voices from History matters! It is for this reason Paul argued that if Christ’s bodily Church History resurrection did not happen in history, then our faith is futile (1 Cor. 15:17). “The Bible is the Word of Just as the resurrection has never been disproved, neither has the God given in the words of [people] in history.” 10 Bible been disproved. We have many reasons to believe the Bible is what it –George Eldon Ladd claims to be—the very Word of God. Here are three: the Bible’s unity, its (1911-1982) central message, and its transforming power. First, we trust the Bible because of its unity. The biblical story is one grand story from Genesis to Revelation. This story unfolds through multiple References 1. Richard Bauckham, Jesus and plots and subplots. In the midst of all the themes, all the people, and all the the Eyewitnesses (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006), 5. stories, there is one central theme through the Scriptures—the promise and 2. Robert H. Stein, “Differences in the Gospels” in HCSB Study Bible fulfillment of a messianic King who is establishing an eternal kingdom for (Nashville: B&H, 2010), 1612. God. This grand story points to one Person, Jesus Christ (Luke 24:27). In 3. Adapted from 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible, by the Old Testament, Christ is promised to the people of God. In the New Robert L. Plummer (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2010), 44-45. Testament, He arrives (Matt. 5:17-18). The detailed nature of the prophecies 4. Jonathan Pennington, Reading the Gospels Wisely (Grand Rapids: fulfilled in Jesus is one of the clearest signs that the Bible is no ordinary book. Baker, 2012), 71. Next, related to the unity of Scripture is the central message of 5. J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays, Grasping God’s Word (Grand Scripture for the people of God. From the fall of Adam and Eve in the Rapids: Zondervan, 2012), 272. 6. A. Boyd Luter, HCSB Study Bible garden to the coming of Jesus at the end, the Bible teaches one clear (Nashville: B&H, 2010), 1733, n. 2:1; central message. All humanity has sinned and is in need of a Savior n. 2:2. 7. Timothy Keller, The Reason for (Gen. 6:5; Rom. 3:23), and salvation through Christ is the only solution God (New York: Penguin, 2008), 85. 8. E. Y. Mullins, Christianity at the (Mark 10:45; Luke 19:10). Cross Roads (New York: George H. Doran Company, 1924), 81. Finally, we should trust the Scripture because of its transforming 9. Vern Poythress, Inerrancy and power (John 20:31; Heb. 4:12). The story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Worldview (Wheaton: Crossway, 2012), 21. Acts 8 is only one example of how the proclamation of Scripture changes 10. George Eldon Ladd, quoted in How to Read the Bible for All the heart and brings new life. Many of us know this from our own Its Worth, by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart (Grand Rapids: personal experience and the experiences of those around us. The Bible tells Zondervan, 1993), 17. a story that through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, God can change a heart of stone into a heart that loves and worships our Creator.

Conclusion Trusting the truthfulness of the Scripture is first a matter of trusting that God is there and He is not silent, as Francis Schaeffer liked to say. These two beliefs not only help us explain how God speaks, but they also guide us as we seek to understand and engage the questions that come up in reading the Bible. We may stumble over certain things we read, but we humbly seek to understand what is being said because we believe it comes from God Himself and for the empowerment of our mission.

Session 4 53 Additional Resources The Bible (Part 2)

Devotional Material Encourage your group to read the three devotional readings included in the Personal Study Guide.

Study Material --“Does the Bible Contain Error?”—Chapter 4 from 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible by Robert L. Plummer --“Science Has Disproved Christianity” and “You Can’t Take the Bible Literally”—Chapters 6-7 from The Reason for Godby Tim Keller --“The Gospels: One Story, Many Dimensions”—Chapter 7 from How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart --“Who Was Jesus’ Grandfather?”—Article by Grant Osborne; find a link to this article at gospelproject.com/additionalresources --“Can we really trust the Bible?”—Article by Chuck Colson; find a link to this article at gospelproject.com/additionalresources

Sermon Podcasts

Peter Williams: “Why Trust the Bible?” Video

Vaughan Roberts: “You can’t trust the Bible, can you?”

Find links to these at gospelproject.com/additionalresources

Tip of the Week Expectations for Christmas Attendance

No doubt, there will be many in your class who will be away for the holidays spending time with family and friends. However, at the same time, there will be others hosting their out of town family and friends who may attend Sunday School on this day. Some of these guests will be regular church attenders in their hometowns, but others may not be. As you prepare, be reminded of the possibility of out of town guests and the opportunity/stewardship you have as a teacher on this special Sunday.

54 Leader Guide | Winter 2013-14