Denver Seminary

Because of Scripture's divine source (2 Tim. 3:16), it is completely trustworthy and holds absolute authority over our lives. Yet many contemporary voices question this view of the Bible, asking questions like these: Can a group of books written over 2,000 years ago still be relevant today? What can it possibly say about our modern debates and issues? Aren't there numerous contradictions in the Bible? How can the Bible be God's word when Christians cannot even agree on its interpretation? 1 Can a group of books written over 2,000 years ago still be relevant today? In answer to those concerns, we will start by giving Scripture a sympathetic hearing. What does the Bible say about itself? Referring primarily to the Old Testament, 2 Timothy 3:16 claims that Scripture is "God-breathed," the very utterance of God. Proverbs 30:5 tells us that "the word of God is flawless," and according to Psalm 19:7, the statutes of the Lord are perfect and trustworthy. Jesus gives the Old Testament His divine seal of approval, affirming that no part of the law or prophets will pass away until it is fulfilled in Him (Matt. 5:17–19). In the New Testament, we already find one author treating a collection of Paul's letters (we are not told which ones) as Scripture on par with the Old Testament (2 Pet. 3:16). Paul claims his words come from the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 7:40). They are the Lord's command (1 Cor. 14:37), ignored by readers at their own peril (v. 38). In the book of Revelation, John writes with the authority of an Old Testament prophet, commending those who obey his words (1:3) and cursing those who add to or subtract from it (22:18–19). So the whole Bible testifies to its divine origin. God has made Himself known in a group of writings that we confess as Scripture. As a reflection of God's own character, His word is absolutely reliable. CONTRADICTIONS AND CONFLICTING INTERPRETATIONS But what about the alleged errors and contradictions? It does us no good to sweep these under the rug. Such avoidance is unnecessary, since qualified Christian scholars have provided plausible solutions to nearly all of these objections. Given the ongoing research and frequent archaeological, historical, and manuscript discoveries, more solutions are likely imminent. At the very least, critics should admit that our knowledge is incomplete and that future findings may clear up sticky problems. In the meantime, Craig Blomberg's The Historical Reliability of the Gospels offers solutions for numerous such problems in the Gospels. 2 Lest we get too hung up in the minutia, we should marvel at the Bible's consistency across documents written over hundreds of years in various literary genres by different authors from diverse cultures. The Old and New Testaments weave a coherent narrative, starting with God's creation of humanity in His image to spread His rule and glory over all creation. Creation was scarred by the fall, but God began to restore His purposes for humanity through Abraham and Israel, His priestly nation, chosen to accomplish what Adam and Eve did not. Yet because of sin, Israel failed too. In spite of this, God accomplished His redemptive purposes for Israel and the whole world in the person of Jesus Christ and His people, the church. This grand biblical narrative climaxes where Genesis 1 and 2 left off: humanity dwells in a new creation with God and the Lamb living in their midst. Can any other set of books that disparate boast of such a coherent, consistent story? The Old and New Testaments weave a coherent narrative, starting with God's creation of humanity in His image to spread His rule and glory over all creation. But if the Bible is the word of God, why do Christians disagree on its interpretation? Why are there so many different views on the role of women in ministry, on the interpretation of the book of Revelation, and on the events surrounding creation in Genesis 1 and 2? It appears this was an issue from the start. Peter admits that some of Paul's writing is difficult to understand (2 Pet. 3:16). Yet when we focus on Christian disagreements, we overlook the remarkable unity found in the ancient creeds and in church doctrinal statements. When it comes to God's existence and attributes, the character and authority of Scripture, the deity and humanity of Christ, the atoning death of Christ on the cross, His resurrection, the second coming of Christ at the culmination of history, the presence and work of the Holy Spirit, and many other areas, the agreement is far more striking than the discrepancy. Even then, those Christians who disagree work hard to justify their positions from Scripture. Disagreement in some areas is to be expected when interpreting a collection of ancient documents written in cultures very different from our own. ENGAGE 13 1 For a response to other objections, see Craig L. Blomberg, Can We Still Believe the Bible? An Evangelical Engagement with Contemporary Questions (Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2014). 2 Craig L. Blomberg, The Historical Reliability of the Gospels, 2nd ed (Downer's Grove: IVP, 2007). Enterline Design Services LLC

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