____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ July 12, 1998 ____________________________________________________ In Defense of the Bible The Inspired Book by Bob Buchanon We are living in an age of great skepticism, ridicule, agnosticism and atheism. In most of our state-supported schools, especially in the colleges and universities, it seems that a deliberate effort is being made by some to destroy faith in the Bible as the word of God. In many cases this effort is successful. It is easy to see why many of our young people are swept away with this. A college professor, an expert in his field, skillfully argues against the integrity of the Bible. The young men and women whom he teaches, being unable to answer his arguments, that there is no answer, and their faith is shaken. With the many attacks being made against the integrity of the Bible we need to consider evidence of its inspiration that our faith may be strengthened. Believers have nothing to fear from an honest investigation of the question whether or not the Bible is the inspired word of God. It always has and will continue to stand the test. The Bible is the most remarkable book in the world. This great volume contains the only factual account of man's origin, purpose in life, and destiny. The sixty-six books of the Bible were written by some forty writers over a period of about 1600 years, and although there is development within the book, there is a consistent unity throughout its wonderful pages. George DeHoff has written: ''...when all the books of the Bible are brought together they blend into one great whole. They are a unit, hence THE BOOK. There are no contradictions; there is no discord. It is never necessary to rewrite the Bible and bring it up to date. It is always up to date and was free of error from the beginning. These men could have written such a book only by divine guidance. Just as the materials were prepared under the direction of a great architect, so the books of the Bible blend harmoniously because they were written under the direction of the Holy Spirit of God'' (Why We Believe The Bible, page 103). The following is from the pen of Rene Pache: ``To what can one attribute this unity running through the whole Bible: unity of vision, structure, message and doctrine--in spite of the long centuries and the many individuals used as instruments for its completion? To this question there can be only one answer: in reality, Scripture has but one Author, the Holy Spirit'' (The Inspiration And Authority Of The Bible, page 119). Arthur W. Pink expressed it this way: ``The more one really studies the Bible the more one is convinced that behind the many human mouths there is One overruling, controlling Mind. Imagine forty persons of different nationalities, possessing varying degrees of musical culture visiting the organ of some cathedral and at long intervals of time, and without any collusion whatever, striking sixty-six different notes, which when combined yielded the theme of the greatest oratorio ever heard: would it not show that behind these forty different men there was one presiding mind, one great Tone-Master?'' (The Divine Inspiration Of The Bible, page 87). The Bible makes the claim for itself that it is inspired of God. Paul said, ``All scripture is given by inspiration of God...'' (2 Tim. 3:16). Paul once commended some people because they received his message as ``the word of God'' and not as the mere ``word of men'' (1 Thess. 2:13). New Testament writers quoted the Old Testament Scriptures in such a way as to demonstrate their belief in the complete inspiration of the very words of the sacred writings. David explained, ``The Spirit of Jehovah spake by me, and his word was upon my tongue'' (2 Sam. 23:2). The Bible is not only consistent within itself, it is completely in harmony with all external facts upon which it touches. There is not one known fact in the fields of science, history, geography, or any other area of academic attainment, that contradicts or is at variance with the Holy Bible. ___________________________________________ Unity In Understanding Can We See The Bible Alike? by Bob Buchanon The Bible is the only book in all the world that can tell us for certain what to do to be saved. One might read all of the books of history, science and poetry ever written, and find not one word on what to do to be saved. Does the Bible tell us plainly enough what to do, so that any ordinary man can understand it? Did God want us to understand His message? Can we all see the Bible alike? Why is it that some people read and study the Bible for a lifetime and still know very little about it? The explanation is simple. They read the same passages over hundreds of times and get the same wrong or inadequate picture each time. Unless we can break out of our misunderstandings and get into the original meaning of these key words and concepts, we may never understand the Bible. God has given us a book full of rich meanings. I believe He expects every serious child of His to try to get the true picture of what He has revealed. We need to remember that for a thousand years of church history the Bible was not allowed to speak. Men read the Scriptures in search of proof texts to support the authoritative teachings of the Catholic Church. They resorted to methods of interpretation that would make the Bible say what fitted their theological, social, and political systems. Their minds were closed to the plain meaning of the Bible, and its words of truth were not allowed to judge and reform a corrupt church and social order. The very key to Bible interpretation was lost. While the Protestant Reformation led to a rediscovery of the Word of God, a tragic and familiar pattern soon developed among the non-Catholics which was just as bad as what the Catholics were doing. Hundreds of competing denominations and sects read the same Bible and agreed that it was the one sure rule of faith and order. But each of them claimed to be the true expression of the faith revealed in the Scriptures and condemned other as heretics. As one theologian sadly commented: ``The Bible is the book in which everyone seeks and promptly finds his own dogmas.'' Look at the confusion, strife, and division in the religious world today. We disagree, come to different conclusions and think we are both right. The problem is with man, not God. God has given us a book that we can understand. The Bible was written for this purpose (Eph. 3:2-4), and we are commanded to understand it (Eph. 5:17). If we are able to understand the Bible at all, we will understand it alike. There will not be the 350 or more denominations with the varied teachings. If we do not understand alike, we misunderstand. One of us, or both of us, will have to admit error. We cannot have different answers and both be right. Disagreement is evidence of misunderstanding. When we understand we are alike. When we misunderstand we are different. We misunderstand, we disagree. We understand, we agree. To say we cannot understand alike is to charge God of being the author of confusion. The Bible says, ``God is not the author of confusion'' (1 Cor. 14:33). ___________________________________________ Write Today For Free Bible Course! ___________________________________________ Only God's Word Determines Truth USING GOD'S THERMOMETER by Bob Buchanon A chemistry teacher asked his class, ``At what temperature does water freeze?'' One student replied, ``It freezes at 32 degrees.'' Another responded, ``No, it freezes at zero degrees.'' The teacher then explained that both of them were correct. The first answer was based on the Fahrenheit thermometer and the second answer was according to the Centigrade thermometer. This little story might help to explain the great differences in the religious world. People are using different ``thermometers.'' Divine authority is the real issue at the base of all religious differences. The solution to the problem of religious division if we want to please God is to go to His Word for the only standard of authority. The Bible is the only true and reliable ``thermometer'' for us to use. Where there is no scripture there is no divine authority. Trusting in human wisdom is always wrong. We are told to walk by faith, not by what just seems to be best in our own eyes (1 Cor. 1:18-ff; 2 Cor. 5:7). Many false ``thermometers'' are used by many in the religious world. Let us consider some of these. EMOTIONALISM Some people try to determine truth by the way they feel about it. A kind attitude or sympathy toward certain things causes some to just ignore what God's Word might say about it. One woman said, ``I wouldn't give my feelings for all of the Bibles in the world.'' We need to be mindful of the fact that our feelings depend on what we believe. Saul of Tarsus is a perfect example. He hunted, persecuted and imprisoned Christians. He did it with a clean conscience and actually felt good about it (Acts 26:9), but he was wrong in doing it. FAITH comes by our hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). Emotionalism is a false standard. The Bible says, ``He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool'' (Proverbs 28:26). TESTIMONY OF GREAT MEN When I asked one man for authority for one thing that he was engaged in, he named three preachers that believed in doing it. My first thought was, ``So what?'' Our faith must not stand in man's wisdom but in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:5). The authority of God makes a practice right or wrong and not how many great men have believed in that practice. One might find one thousand great men that believe a certain doctrine, but that does not make it truth. The Bible is what makes a thing truth. Several use the creedbooks and writings of men as their spiritual ``thermometers.'' Conferences are held and these man-made creeds can be changed at a majority vote. They write what their group is to believe and/or practice. By what authority can they do that? NONE! Writers of the Bible were empowered with the Spirit of God and knew the will of God. Modern men coming up with these modern doctrines have no power. FAMILY TRAINING Most people are what they are, religiously and politically, because that is what their parents were. Very few have ever stopped to consider that their ancestors could have been wrong. One woman on the call-in radio program said, ``My daddy was a member of the same church that I am. He died a member of that church, and what was good enough for him is good enough for me.'' There is too much hand-me-down religion today. It is the wrong ``thermometer'' to rely upon tradition and family training. After practicing something for five or six years, many people think that is the way it has always been done. This is why the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship, sprinkling infants, calling the preacher titles like Reverend, etc., are used in many churches. Tradition is used instead of book, chapter, and verse. THE ``DO GOOD'' POLICY Some people seek to justify their unscriptural practices by saying, ``Look at all of the good that it does.'' Their feelings are that if it does good it must be right. This theory is that the end justifies the means. There are many things that are within themselves good, but that should not be practiced by the church. God's work must be done so as to please Him or good is not done. The only way we can know that it pleases Him is to have authority from His Word to do it. His Word is the standard of authority that furnishes us unto every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Promising a child a candy bar if he will come to Bible class, providing a soft-ball league, or a Sunday-night pizza party cannot be brushed off with a ``look at all of the good that it does.'' There must be book, chapter, and verse or else one is using the wrong ``thermometer.'' ONLY ONE ``THERMOMETER'' Friends, let us be content to do God's will because God wants it that way. His Word is the only standard that can be appealed to for our decisions. It is a genuine ``thermometer'' for all of us. Paul said it is ``profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works'' (2 Tim. 3:16-17). ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________