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You Can Believe the Bible

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You Can Believe the Bible YOU CAN BELIEVE THE BIBLE BY Dr. Willis C. Newman (B.A., M.Ed., M.Div., Ph.D., D.Min.) © Copyright 1994, Polynesian Missions; © Copyright 2008, Willis & Esmeralda Newman. Published by Newman International, LLC Tacoma, WA USA Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface . 4 Foreword . 4 Comments/endorsements . 4 Introduction . 5 About the author . 5 Dedication . 6 Acknowledgements . 6 Update (2008) . 6 How to be saved . 7 CHAPTER 1. General background information/Introduction . 9 Purpose of the Bible . 10 Structure of the Bible . 11 Old Testament books . 16 New Testament books and emphasis . 16 Relationship between the Old and New Testament . 18 2. Sequence of God’s communication to humanity . 20 Sequence of God’s communication process . 20 Central importance of Bible teaching/preaching . 23 12 reasons to preach/teach the Bible . 24 3. Proofs for Bible as God’s revelation . 32 The Bible claims . 33 The nature of the Bible . 37 The Bible’s transforming power . 38 The internal witness of the Holy Spirit . 39 4. Proof for the Bible (continued) . 41 Fulfilled prophecy proves the Bible . 41 Does God exist? . 43 Daniel’s prophesy of 70 weeks . 45 Old Testament predictions of Christ . 48 5. Proofs for the Bible (continued) . 51 Historical accuracy of the Bible . 51 Reliability of the New Testament documents . 54 The testimony of Jesus Christ . 59 6. Proofs for the Bible (continued) . 63 The miracles of the Bible . 63 Christ’s Resurrection . 64 2 The influence of the Bible . 71 The indestructibility of the Bible . 71 The alternative possibilities . 72 The character of God . 72 One final consideration . 73 7. Revelation from God . 75 Methods of revelation . 75 The Bible as God’s revelation . 77 End of revelation . 82 8. The inspiration of Scripture . 93 Inspiration defined . 93 Theories of inspiration . 93 Verbal plenary view of inspiration . 95 Theories evaluated . 98 Selection of writers . 99 Process of inspiration: 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Luke 1:1-4 . 100 9. Inerrancy and infallibility . 104 Inerrancy and infallibility defined . 104 Dealing with alleged discrepancies . 106 The Chicago Statement of Biblical Inerrancy . 115 10. The Canon of the Bible . 120 The Canon of Scripture defined . 120 Key consideration of Canon . 120 The tests of Canon . 120 The formation of Canon . 122 The Apocrypha and Canon . 122 11. Various Church documents on the Bible . 126 Westminster Confession of Faith . 126 The Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England . 128 Methodist Articles of Religion, 1784 . 129 Suggested readings . 131 Author index . 133 Subject index . 135 Selected Scripture verses . 138 3 PREFACE It has been my privilege to know Dr. Newman and to know the burning desire he has for people to know the truth. In this book, Willis outlines the truth which can only be based on the inerrant, infallible, Word of God, the Bible. I recommend this book to all who are seeking the truth and pray that it will lead you to a deeper and personal relationship with our LORD JESUS CHRIST. The Hon. Kinikinilau Tutoatasi Fakafanua, B. Com, LLB, LLM (Hon). Minister for Labour, Commerce, Industries & Tourism, Kingdom of Tonga FOREWORD It is my honor to introduce this book and its author. I have known Dr. Willis Newman for many years. I have also lived with his family on the great mission field of the South Pacific. Dr. Willis Newman is a modern pioneer in missions, writing, and theological education. Led by God to Tonga, he has excelled in all three areas. Polynesian Missions has moved from dream to reality largely through his perseverance. The same is true for Tonga Bible College and Faith Seminary, now training scores of students from many Pacific islands. The testimony is clear: the gospel is for everyone. Of course, Dr. Newman is quick to give God the glory for any accomplishments. This book will be a blessing to the work of evangelism and training. The introduction on How to be Saved shows where the author’s heart is. Dr. Newman has written a thorough defense of the absolute reliability of Scripture. He has also pointed the material toward the South Pacific audience in a most appealing way. Many readers from afar will also profit from this refreshing approach. The book will be a permanent resource manual for many Christian leaders. May it also serve to hold fast the historic Christian faith in a rapidly changing world. Don B. DeYoung, Ph.D. (Physics) Scientist. Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana (USA), Fall, 1994 COMMENTS I know Dr. Newman both as a friend and teacher. I highly recommend this book to be read by everyone. Rev. Dr. T. Feke Mafi Director of Youth & Sunday School Dept., Church of Tonga This book is quite clear, informative and written in a simple, easy to understand style. It speaks directly to the needs of the South Pacific. I have found the book very helpful in personal studies and recommend it for all to read. Rev. Dr. Liufau Saulala President, Tokaikolo Christian Church 4 INTRODUCTION This book is a small, compact overview of the Bible. It is more a book on what the Bible is, rather than what the Bible says. We live in a day when this great Book is considered a relic of the past, irrelevant or in some cases a danger to society. Contrary to the opinion of many, however, we believe the Bible to be The Book from God, a source of information that tells us how to prepare for the next life and how to live in this life. We believe the Bible is from God, without mistake, up to date, a joy to study and a treasure of timeless truths. Our understanding of the Bible is vital, for from its charming yet authoritative pages flow all the other grand doctrines of the Christian Faith. Our view of the Bible, then, is fundamental, and the starting place for all religious study. This little book is designed to give the reader an overview of the nature of the Bible and its place in society. Many reasons, based on solid evidence, are listed demonstrating why we can take the Bible at face value. The objective of this work is to challenge the non-believer to take the Bible seriously and to give a boldness and confidence to the believer. We can proclaim the Bible with assurance that it is truth from God to the human race. We can trust the Bible with decisions in our own personal life. It is a Book that we can use to form the foundation of our life, family, society, and nation. From Halley’s Bible Handbook we offer the opinions of some great men of history regarding the Bible. Napoleon: “The Bible is no mere book, but a living Creature, with a power that conquers all that oppose it.” Queen Victoria: “That book accounts for the supremacy of England.” Immanuel Kant: “The existence of the Bible, as a book for the people, is the greatest benefit which the human race has ever experienced. Every attempt to belittle it is a crime against humanity.” To these words we heartily agree. One more thing: the central Person of the Bible is Jesus Christ, and it is our desire that He be glorified by this labour of love to the peoples of the south Pacific. ABOUT THE AUTHOR I was born and raised in America on a cattle ranch in central Idaho. I was saved in 1965. An ordained minister, I am a graduate of the University of Portland (B.A., M.Ed.), Multnomah School of the Bible (Certificate), Western Conservative Baptist Seminary 5 (M.Div.), California Graduate School of Theology (Ph.D.), and Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary (D.Min.). I pastored for eight years, taught a number of years at International College and Graduate School of Theology (Hawaii), and am presently adjunct Professor of Theological Studies at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary (USA). I was guest lecturer for International School of Theology – Asia (Campus Crusade for Christ in Manila). I was Principal and Professor of Theology of Tonga Bible College, and was the Director of Polynesian Missions. DEDICATION This book I dedicate to Rev. Mel Erickson who went home to be with the Lord in the summer of 1994. This dear man brought me the gospel of Jesus Christ, led me to a saving faith in our Saviour then grounded me in the most precious Faith. I will be eternally grateful for his faithful witness to me. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I give thanks to Dr. Don DeYoung and the Honourable Kinikinilau Tutoatasi Fakafanua for reading the manuscript and offering helpful suggestions. My appreciation goes to my wife for her proof reading and help. My gratitude goes to Esmie Newman for sifting through the details and making the indexes. Of course, I take full responsibility for any mistakes in the final product. UPDATE (2008) Much has happened in the past 14 years since I wrote this book. My good friend, the Hon. Fakafanua (Tasi), has gone home to the Lord. His passing was a great loss. After his encouragement to me in this book, he was appointed by the King to be Minister of Finance for Tonga. Dr. Feke Mafi is now President of the Church of Tonga. I had the wonderful privilege of leading him to Christ in the summer of 1994. Dr. Saulala is still President of the Tokaikolo Christian Church. He has started a university in Tonga. Dr. DeYoung is still with Grace College, and writing books on creation and science.
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