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It happened on one of my flights to conduct a seminar on spiritual giftedness. Not long into a
conversation with a fellow passenger I began to turn our “talk” from a secular topic to a spiritual one, and then into a discussion about salvation. As we
began to discuss issues about the simple plan of salvation found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ by faith alone in
Christ alone, I sensed he had serious doubts about the credibility of the Bible.
In other words, my fellow traveler did not believe the Bible was trustworthy. This is not an uncommon view held by many
unchurched people today. However, I also find that many Christians believe the Bible to be inspired of God and valid, but do not
know why it is. And thus they are not “…always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for
the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” 1 Peter 3:15.
I asked my friend if he would be interested in hearing why I believe my Bible to be trustworthy. His response was classic when
he said, “I’d be willing to hear if you could use facts rather than opinions or emotions to explain your reasoning.”
Too many times Christians share their ‘opinions’ or the opinions of others to make a point instead of using facts or evidences.
Some even get so “emotionally charged” in their defense of Scripture that they lose touch with using logic and facts to be
convincing with truth.
Because the flight was long and he was interested, I had the time to go through five main reasons I can trust the Bible. You can
use less or more of these reasons depending on how much data you want to give in each point and depending on how much time
you have to share it.
I used the following: OBJECTIVE REASONING - SCIENCE, HISTORY, PROPHECY, and LITERATURE.
SUBJECTIVE
REASONING – HOW IT WORKS IN MY LIFE.
There is no particular right or best order to present this information. Just be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and the
needs of the person with whom you are sharing it.
IT IS SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE?
Personally I like to start with scientific statements found in Scripture because often people do not know how “scientific” the Bible
can be. While it is not a science book, it does make statements that are scientifically accurate. For example:
The Earth Hangs on Nothing. Almost 3500 years ago Job stated in chapter 26 verse 7 that the earth hangs upon nothing.
However, various civilizations recorded that either the earth was situated on the back of Atlas (in Greek mythology), or that it was
on the back of an elephant which was standing on the back of a turtle, which was supposed to be swimming in some kind of a
cosmic sea (in the culture of India), or that the earth was flat being held up by pillars (in the Egyptian culture). However, as true
science progressed, it is now proven that the earth really does hang upon nothing. Which means nothing physically holds it up.
The Earth Is Round. The prophet Isaiah wrote in chapter 40 verse 22 about the “circle of the earth”. I am told that the word
“circle” does not refer to being circular like a coin, but rather spheroid like a ball. Of course today we know the earth is not a flat
circle.
The Earth Has Four Corners. Isaiah the prophet also wrote in chapter 11 verse 12 about the “four corners of the earth”. Some
Bible scholars say this is referring to the four directions – north, east, south, and west. Others who are more scientific state that
it refers to the shape of the earth – that there are four ‘bulges’ to the globe. The geological ‘bulges’ are in the areas of Ireland,
Peru, Australia, and South Africa. (I am told John Hopkins Laboratory reported this in 1964 and it was recorded in a 1966 edition
of Science Digest) I also used to hear as a young person that the earth was shaped more like a pear than an apple!
The Center of the Earth Is Hot. Job wrote about this in chapter 28 verse 5. Obviously we can see this when volcanoes erupt as
did Job saw in his day. But volcanologists make it clear that the center of the earth is definitely fiery hot, in fact over 2000
degrees!
The Stars Cannot Be Numbered. The prophet Jeremiah, referring to the stars in chapter 33 verse 22, wrote that they could not be numbered. Yet it has only been
in the last few centuries that astronomers agree it is impossible to know how many stars there are. The Hubbell telescope with
all its scientific technology is even causing many scientists to think that the galaxies cannot be numbered either!
All Flesh Isn’t The Same. The apostle Paul stated almost 200 years ago in 1 Corinthians 15:39 that “All flesh is not the same
flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fish, and another of birds.” Unbelievers for many
years have attacked that verse as being unscientific. Since they were under the impression that all flesh is made up of
protoplasm, they criticized the Bible as being wrong in 1 Corinthians 15. They believed there was no distinction between different
kinds of flesh. However, today, scientists are well aware of the cytoplasm and the nuclei of cells by which four kinds of flesh can
be distinguished.
There are many, many more scientific statements found in Scripture than I have space to write. I suggest you obtain a copy of
Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics by Norman Geisler published by Baker Book House. Besides being loaded with
helpful and accurate information, it also has a tremendous bibliography.
I will continue the series of CAN WE REALLY TRUST OUR BIBLE? in the next edition of
CLEARLY FROM THE WORD. Until then, let us keep in mind two points…the power in evangelism is in the Holy Spirit using the Word of God. And for us to be
effective in evangelism, we must not only share the Word correctly, clearly, and courageously, but also
COMPASSIONATELY!
DIGGING DEEPER: What other scientific statements can you find in Scripture? When you find them forward them to me. I’d
like to add them to my list!
Until next time, remember…it is all about Jesus!
Making It Clear,
Stan Ponz, D. Min.
MAKE IT CLEAR MINISTRIES
225 Lookout Drive
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
(706) 492-5262
StanPonz@MakeItClear.org
www.makeitclear.org
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