The Ring FingerĪ wedding ring, symbolic of marital unity, reminds us of the second evidence for the Bible’s supernatural origin-a remarkable unity of purpose and plan despite its diverse origins. Even so, it’s an important piece of a cumulative case for the Scripture’s Divine authorship. Is fulfilled prophecy sufficient in itself to make our case for divine authorship? Maybe not for some. 5 His own prediction that the temple would be destroyed stone by stone (Luke 21:5–6) was dramatically fulfilled 40 years later when Roman legions under Titus razed Jerusalem. There were dozens of specific prophecies fulfilled in Jesus’ life alone. Identifying the specific time of Messiah’s advent and subsequent execution, it was fulfilled in the exact 173,880-day time period he predicted (Daniel 9:24–25, cf., Luke 19:41–44). 29:10), Daniel is given the amazing “70 weeks” prophecy. For one, at the threshold of the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy of 70 years of Babylonian captivity for Judah (Jer. 3 The “Pinky”įor the first evidence, think “pinky-prophecy.” The Bible has fulfilled prophecy-detailed, precise, predictions relating to individuals and entire empires given with hairsplitting accuracy.ĭaniel gives prophecy so exact it reads like history written after the fact. I want to offer six reasons I think the Bible is God’s book, six evidences of supernatural authorship conveniently paired with parts of the hand so you won’t forget. Further, being essentially a supernatural book, it would likely bear supernatural marks, God’s fingerprints in a sense.ĭo we have any good reasons to think God has spoken supernaturally in the Bible? Or have men merely opined? The way to answer this question is to look at the book itself. 2 If the second, then God is the ultimate author and His word is the last word. If the first, then the Bible is a record of human wisdom marked by human limitations. The Bible is merely a book by man about God, or it is a book given by God through man, to man.

The challenge can be reduced to a simple question: “What kind of book is the Bible?” I submit there are only two plausible answers. How do we know? Do we have any evidence God has spoken in the Bible? Of course, just claiming it’s so doesn’t make it so. Paul reminds us that all Scripture is profitable precisely because it is “inspired” ( theopneustos, “God-breathed”), the very counsel of God. Jesus and the Apostles constantly affirm the authority of the Old Testament with the simple statement, “It is written.” The words of a text are attributed equally to the writers (“Moses said.”) and to God (“God said.”). The writer of Hebrews affirms, “God.spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways” (Heb. Hundreds of places in the Old Testament we find the phrase, “Thus saith the Lord,” or its equivalent. God has spoken in the ancient words of the Bible. Which is the true Jesus? What objective authority separates wheat from chaff? Classically, Christians have turned to details recorded in Scripture as authoritative, objective grounds for truth. New Ager’s experience Jesus the Ascended Hindu Master.Įach has an experience, but each can’t be right.

Jehovah’s Witnesses experience the incarnation of Michael the Archangel.

Any Mormon can tell you of his experience with Jesus, the created spirit brother of Lucifer. Lots of people have spiritual experiences. Why any words at all, though? Isn’t experience with God enough? As the songwriter says, “You ask me how I know he lives: He lives within my heart.”Įxperience has its place (Paul used his own dramatic Damascus Road encounter as evidence for skeptical Jews), but it also has its liabilities. In His case, though, the map is not made of symbols, but of words-ancient words. Going somewhere with God is no different. Lewis noted, 1 but if you want to go anywhere on that sparkling sea, you must have a map. Smith’s song, “Ancient Words,” I am always moved:īeing aware of God while gazing on the ocean is all well and good, C.S. Whenever I hear the opening lines of Michael W. Has God Spoken? Can the Bible Be God’s Revelation?

Ancient words rock version