A couple days ago, I posted a question on the LIFE facebook
page - how do you know the Bible is real and/or true? Generated some great discussion, although
most of the answers were the same - "faith".
Faith is a great answer and is obviously one of the absolute
cores of Christianity, but is there more?
What about physical proof? I'll
explain what I mean in my answers below.
Here's how I personally know the Bible to be true:
1) Common sense - the world around us is too perfect, the
universe too incredible, the human body too complex for it all to be an
accident. Science has been studying them for thousands of years and continues
to do so , and with all the modern advances we have, we still don't know how
the human body works (what makes the heart tick), how the universe started (the
big bang is a theory), etc. And the more we discover, the larger and more
complex we realize everything is. And
them more that comes to light, the more it seems to me that it can't be an
accident - and that it's more proof that God exists. (It's funny how science always changes too -
one day this is 'the truth', the next day we've made a new discovery and it's
actually 'this' instead...and tomorrow it will be something new. The Bible doesn't change like that)
2) Faith - I know I
was saying above that there could be more, but to be honest, this is the most
crucial part of it. No one can disprove
your story. That's your PERSONAL experience of what God has done in your life,
and that can't be argued. If God has changed your life, helped you to break a
habit, done miracles in, through, and around you...then tell it! People can't argue that God miraculously
healed you, or brought you out of an addiction, or saved you from suicide. Tell your story of God's work and touch on
you. And live it, people will see the change.
"Your life is the only Bible some people will read."
And finally, but where I think we are lacking:
3) Research - I truly
believe that as Christians we don't know enough about what proof exists TODAY
of the Bible, myself included. There are
lots of great resources like Answers in Genesis, Creation.com, Louie Giglio
(looks at creation and the universe), and Ravi Zacharius (he's apologetics, but
good stuff!) Archaeologists are
constantly making discoveries that reaffirm the Bible. And, the bible we have today is remarkably
identical to what was written in the dead sea scrolls (found in 1947).
*** One key note though - BE CAREFUL with research. There will always be someone smarter than you
who will win an argument. And regarding
the body of proof, not everything has been discovered. I've been told that proof of King David
wasn't found until 1993. Does that mean
he didn't exist before that proof was found?
Of course not. But trying to
argue based on evidence alone before the '93 discoveries would have been a lot
more difficult. Same deal today for things that have not been discovered yet.
In the end, I think all of these are crucial aspects to
have. They all complement each
other. And it's good to be well rounded,
to be able to discuss on many different fronts instead of just one. I write these things based on where I am, and
I know I could be a lot more educated.
What about you?
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