Hi friends! Hope you’ve had a great week! As a Bible girl (and a Bible major) I have always loved the Word of God. I was so intrigued and and blown away by this week’s chapters! So, let’s get started!
Here are this week’s discussion questions:
Chapter 7: For The Bible Tells Me So?
*Have you had any doubts about the reliability of the Bible? Did the author’s research refute any of those doubts?
*How would you personally defend the reliability of the Bible?
Chapter 8: Was It True Only For Them?
*“While it’s true that the disciples of Jesus represent the first Christians, they were also the ones closest to Jesus. They knew him. They walked with him. They learned personally from God in the flesh. For us to assume that we know more about than they do seemed very arrogant and shortsighted to me” (pg. 139). Do you agree with the author? Why is it important the disciples were eyewitnesses to Jesus? Why is it arrogant for us to assume we know more than those who walked with Jesus?
*After reading this chapter, are you fully reassured about the reliability of the four Gospels?
Chapter 9: Authority Problems
*The author distinguished that for progressive Christians, the Bible is compelling but not the authoritative word of God. Compare and contrast this view with the view she lays out that Jesus held of scripture.
*As Alisa asked at the end of the chapter, how much authority does the Bible hold for you?
Scriptures of the Week
1 Corinthians 2:14
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Prayer of the Week
Father God, thank You for Your Word. We know that it is reliable and trustworthy and believe it to be true. Would You help us to live by it and to know You better through it. Thank You for Your faithfulness and that You never cast us away because of any doubts we might have. We pray that any doubt would lead us to seek You more and lead us closer to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
For Next Week
*Finish “Another Gospel?” (read chapters 10-12)
I found this week’s chapters to be very helpful in determining the Bible’s reliability. I especially appreciate the research the author explained she did as well as providing the terms (textual criticism, meaningful/meaningless variants) associated with her research.
I’ve never really had doubts about the Bible’s reliability, but like the author, never have had an “intellectual reason to explain why” (page 120). Honestly, I grew up thinking faith didn’t include intellect or evidence – wasn’t supposed/didn’t need to include intellect or evidence – so it never crossed my mind to question the Bible.
Eventually I started questioning why I really believed; “the Bible tells me so” answer wasn’t as comforting as it used to be because that generic statement didn’t seem to provide any proof on its own. But I really didn’t dive into it too much even then – that’s where this book has really helped!
Remembering the Bible is a historic account of real stories (and knowing there are manuscripts!) has been key in helping me know it’s reliable – it’s so easy to see it as a fairytale because so much of it is bizarre.
Also I really appreciate how the author connects the authority and inspired aspect of the Bible to the reliability of the Bible!
I don’t think we know more than the disciples did about Jesus. God is always revealing Himself to His people and that communication looks different for everyone…that doesn’t mean He changes though. It is very important that the disciples (I’m specifically referring to the 12) were eyewitnesses to Jesus because if they weren’t, then Scripture isn’t reliable…who was Jesus really with then for three years and who penned a lot of the books (via divine inspiration)?
As humans, we like to know the facts about things, and as Christians, why doesn’t this often include knowing the facts about the Bible? Faith can, and should, include intellect and evidence of some type. They don’t have to be on two opposite sides of the spectrum (as I’ve originally been taught). From reading this book, the Bible is starting to hold more authority for me. I’ve felt it to be true in my heart and yet feeling it in my mind strengthens my faith in a way. Ultimately,
“Jesus is God’s final word” (page 138) – He reveals Himself to us even if we can’t see Him like the disciples did. He can be trusted.