 |
Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms |
|
|
|
BIBLE ANSWERS... |
|
|
INTERNAL EVIDENCES OF THE BIBLE The Unusual Style Of The Bible Intro. 1. 1 Pet. 3:15 — Evidences that the Bible is the special, divine revelation to mankind. 2. Review Lesson #2: Unity of the Bible despite many differences (~40
writers, 1500 yr., backgrounds, places, languages -- structure, theme, doctrines) supports
its claim. 4. At least 4 areas in which the style of the Scriptures is impressive: Brevity, Omissions, Impartiality & Calmness (simplicity).
I. THE BREVITY OF THE BIBLE. A. Brevity Of Books (cf. Eccl. 12:12; Eph. 3:3). 1. Human tendency to be verbose (cf. Lincoln, Civil War, WWII, etc.). Bible writers not this way. 2. cf. Genesis - First 2500 yrs. of world history in 50 chapters (less than one Reader’s Digest!). a. Remarkable condensation of history! b. Creation - 34 verses (cf. average sports report on the Super Bowl!). 3. cf. Gospels on the life of Jesus - Relatively short when compared to other important people. (Life & Times of Jesus The Messiah, Edersheim, ~1500 pages) 4. cf. Acts - History of early church. (Life & Epistles of the Apostle Paul, Conybeare & Howson, ~750 pages) B. Brevity Of Bible Events. 1. Fall of man - Gen. 3:1-24: Origin of sin, shame, suffering, sickness, death, toil, need for Messiah. 2. Flood - 3 chapters. 3. Life of Jesus: a. Baptism - 10 vss. b. Transfiguration - Matt. 17:1-8. (Total of 24 vss.) c. Death - Total of about 8 chapters. d. Resurrection & ascension - About 6 chapters. 4. Persecutions of Saul & conversion - Parts of 3 chapters. 5. 1st apostle martyred - 11 words! (Acts 12:2) 6. One wonders why the brevity?! Men, on their own, do not write with such restraint!
II. THE OMISSIONS OF THE SCRIPTURES - Jno. 20:30-31; 21:25. A. The Life of Christ. 1. Life totaled over 12,000 days (ministry - 1,270) - Yet only the events of 31-34 days are mentioned! 2. The selective nature of gospels in amazing: a. cf. John - One third covers one day (Jno. 13-19) - Whole book only covers 20 days. b. Mark & John - Nothing of first 30 years of His life. 3. No physical description of Jesus! B. Omission Of The Events Of Most Of Apostles - Acts. (mostly Peter & Paul) C. Omission Of Details About Personal Trials & Triumphs - cf. 2 Cor. 11:23-27. There was an obvious restraint upon the writers!
III. THE IMPARTIALITY OF THE BIBLE. A. Sets Forth Both The Virtues & Follies Of Its Characters With Equal Frankness And Forthrightness. 1. Abraham’s deception with its potential to cause others to sin (Gen. 12:10-20; 20:1-12). -Yet, Jas. 2:23! 2. David’s adultery, deception & murder (2 Sam. 11-12). -Yet, Acts 13:22. 3. Peter’s denial (Matt. 26:69-75) & hypocrisy (Gal. 2:11-14). -Yet, Matt. 16:16-17 [cf. 16:21-23]. 4. Judas' betrayal with no vindictive reproaches! B. Facts, Not Editorials.
IV. THE CALM SIMPLICITY OF THE BIBLE. A. The Magnificent & The Commonplace Are Described Alike. (Striking lack of emotional excitement). 1. Buying food & feeding 5000 - Mk. 6:35-44. 2. Boat ride & walking on water - Mk. 6:45, 48. 3. Absence of adjectives (amazing, astounding,…) B. Absence Of Human Tendencies, i.e. Anger, Vanity, Egotism, Ambition. 1. Acts of Christ’s betrayal told without malice toward Judas (Matt. 26:14-16, 47-56). 2. Murder of John the Baptist without hatred (Matt. 14:6-12). 3. Events of Transfiguration without pride (2 Pet. 1:16-18).
Conclusion 1. Men do not write like the Bible is written! 2. Which is more reasonable: 40 men, all independently choosing to write this way... .Or, that they were all guided in their writing by the living God?! 3. Truly, the Bible is God’s book! (2 Tim. 3:16)
|
Send mail to webmaster@bibleanswer.com with questions or comments about this web site.
|