Just turn it loose; it will defend itself.
C.H. Spurgeon
The basis for this blog’s approach: THE BIBLE IS TRUE… There is just overwhelming evidence for the veracity of Scripture (The Bible). Christian Apologetics (a defense of – or argument for – Christianity and the Bible) is a robustly researched and compelling field of study. However, I trust that you can do your own follow-up and research on the matter.
Regardless of the apologetics involved, what has made it most powerful in my life is that I have finally just submitted to the fact that it is true. 1
Years of study and searching for true life freedom have led me to a radical conviction. The entire Bible is true.2 The Jewish Scriptures (what I would call the Old Testament) and their fulfillments in the New Testament are simply true. There is way-more-than-adequate historical, scientific, archeological, textual, prophetical, contextual, theological, devotional and experiential evidence that allows me to fully commit my fate to its tenets. 3 The evidence, for me, has put me beyond a shadow of a doubt. And even if I were only looking to be convinced by a preponderance of the evidence, I have no problems with that. I have been comprehensive in this study and have been willing to come to other conclusions.
But the bottom line is this: Stick a fork in me reader. i’m done. i’ve done the research. The G_d of the Bible is real, and He has a plan for each individual life. He spoke the universe into existence. 4 He made man from the dust of the earth. 5 The Bible stories (like Noah and the ark, David and Goliath, etc.) are true. Man is fallen and needs a Savior. 6 God loves us. 7 He has provided a redeemer named Jesus Christ. 8 Jesus lived a perfect life 9, died for our sins 10, rose from the grave (to conquer death) 11, ascended to heaven 12, and is returning one day to make the world right His way 13.
It seems helpful to note an example of the incredible transformational power of God in people’s lives. I asked a Colony of Mercy resident why he had so whole-heartedly dedicated his life to belief that the Bible was true and why it could transform lives. I asked him what it was that had convinced him. (Now, please understand. About six months ago, this man was living out of a dumpster, involved in witchcraft, alcohol abuse, and homosexual prostitution. His life was dominated by addiction and hopelessness.) His answer: This one man, Jesus, single-handedly changed the course of human history. His influence is just too overwhelming for Him to be anything other than God in the flesh – the God that the Bible says He is. This single conviction, has led to a stunning chain reaction and transformation in this man’s life. He is now spiritually, mentally and physically healthy, works full time and is reaching out to other Colony men as a Peer Counsel Member. He will be entering the discipleship program here and will begin ministering to other addicts. After this, he intends to attend Bible college and go into the ministry.
One last note: Regarding cultural relevance, let’s let an expert handle this one:
“Brethren, we shall not adjust our Bible to the age; but before we have done with it, by God’s grace, we shall adjust the age to the Bible. “We shall not fall into the error of that absent-minded doctor who had to cook for himself an egg; and, therefore, depositing his watch in the saucepan, he stood steadfastly looking at the egg. The change to be wrought is not for the Divine chronometer, but for the poor egg of human thought. We make no mistake here; we shall not watch our congregation to take our cue from it, but we shall keep our eye on the infallible Word, and preach according to its instructions.
“Our Master sits on high, and not in the chairs of the scribes and doctors, who regulate the theories of the century. We cannot take our key-note from the wealthier people, nor from the leading officers, nor even from the former minister.
“How often have we heard an excuse for heresy made out of the desire to impress “thoughtful young men”! Young men, whether thoughtful or otherwise, are best impressed by the gospel, and it is folly to dream that any preaching which leaves out the truth is suitable to men, either old or young. We shall not quit the Word to please the young men, nor even the young women.
“This truckling to young men is a mere pretence; young men are no more fond of false doctrine than are the middle-aged; and if they are, there is so much the more necessity to teach them better. Young men are more impressed by the old gospel than by ephemeral speculations.
“If any of you wish to preach a gospel that will be pleasing to the times, preach it in the power of the devil, and I have no doubt that he will willingly do his best for you. It is not to such servants of men that I desire to speak just now.
“I trust that, if ever any of you should err from the faith, and take up with the new theology, you will be too honest to pray for power from God with which to preach that mischievous delusion if you should do so, you will be guilty of constructive blasphemy.
“No, brethren, it is not our object to please men, but our design is far nobler.”
C.H. Spurgeon
See the Ps. 16:11 Statement of Faith for more in depth discussion.
ENDNOTES:
1
Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
2
2Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
3
There is a mammoth body of material available on this subject (known in academia as “Christian Apologetics”), but some suggestions for further reading are:
- https://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Carpenter-Josh-McDowell/dp/1414326270/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523102238&sr=8-1&keywords=more+than+a+carpenter+josh+mcdowell
- https://www.amazon.com/Case-Faith-Journalist-Investigates-Christianity/dp/0310339294/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523102289&sr=8-1&keywords=the+case+for+faith
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
- Anything about Apologetics by Ravi Zacharias
- Anything by Ken Ham
- The list really goes on and on. The evidence is in. The question is not whether we can believe, it is whether we will obey.
4
He spoke the universe into existence.
Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
5
He made man from the dust of the earth.
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
6
Man is fallen and needs a Savior.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
7
God loves us.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
8
He has provided a redeemer named Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9
Jesus lived a perfect life,
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
10
Christ died for our sins,
1Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
1Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
11
Jesus rose from the grave (to conquer death),
Acts 2:32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
1Corinthians 6:14 And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.
1Peter 1:21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
12
Jesus ascended to heaven,
Acts 1:9,10 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, …and is returning one day
1:11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Ephesians 4:10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
13
He will return to make the world right His way.
Revelation 19:12-16 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
