Bible Study Fundamentals

What is Bible Study?

• Bible study is more in-depth than a devotional or casual reading of the Bible, aiming to determine the scripture's meaning and application to daily life.
• The Bible instructs its readers to "study" and "search" through it diligently (2 Timothy 2:15; John 5:39).

The Importance of Bible Study

• Bible study is crucial because it is literally God's Word to mankind, uniquely inspired and infallible (2 Timothy 3:16).
• The Bible is not man's ideas about God, but God's very Word about Himself to mankind.
• The Greek word "theopneustos" means "God-breathed," implying that every word in the Bible is from the very heart and mind of God Himself.

Commanded by God

• God has commanded the study of His Word (Deuteronomy 11:18-20, 32:46-47).
• The Bible is not to be read and rehearsed casually or infrequently, but rather repeatedly discussed and taught daily.

Revelation of Jesus Christ

• The central message of the Bible culminates in the person of Christ, revealing who Jesus is, what He taught, and the work He has done (Hebrews 10:7).
• The Bible is the only source of knowledge about Jesus' ministry, message, miracles, and mission.

Developing a Relationship with God

• Studying the Bible is essential for developing an ever-growing relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
• The Bible reveals how mankind can fulfill God's plan and purpose by the power of the Holy Spirit and through ongoing faith in Him.

What is the Bible?

• A collection of 66 books written over 1,600 years
• Covers experiences, narratives, and culture of over 4,000 years of human history
• 39 books of the Old Testament written over 1,000 years (1400-400 B.C.)
• 27 books of the New Testament written in 50 years (A.D. 45-95)
• Nearly 40 writers involved in producing these 66 books

The Word "Bible"

• Originated from the name of the papyrus or Byblos reed used in ancient Egypt (1100 B.C.)
• Word "Bible" comes from the Greek plural "ta biblia," meaning "the books"
• Term "Bible" is often used synonymously with "Scripture" and "Word of God"

The Testaments

• The Bible is divided into two parts: Old Testament (39 books) and New Testament (27 books)
• The term "Testament" means "covenant" in Hebrew (berith) and Greek (diatheke)
• Old Testament written and preserved by the Jewish Community before Christ's time
• New Testament composed by followers of Christ during the 1st century A.D.

The Covenants

• Old Testament associated with the "old covenant" established with Israel in the wilderness
• New Testament associated with the "new covenant" foretold in Jeremiah 31:31
• New Testament writers see Jesus' work as fulfilling the prophecy of the new covenant
• Terms "Old Testament" and "New Testament" came into Christian use in the 2nd century A.D.

Correlation between the Covenants

• The Old Testament reveals Christ in shadow, while the New Testament reveals Him in substance
• The New Testament is in the Old, contained, and the Old is in the New, explained

The Formation of the Biblical Structure

• The Bible has reached its present stature through gradual and almost imperceptible stages of growth.
• God's communication with humankind was initially oral, but later written records were made for future generations.
• The first person mentioned in the Bible to have written anything is Moses, who lived around 1500 B.C.
• Moses is considered the primary compiler and author of the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch.

The Old Testament Structure

• The Old Testament is categorized into four major sections: Law, History, Poetry, and Prophets.
• The Law section consists of five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers.
• The History section consists of 12 books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.
• The Poetry section consists of five books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
• The Prophets section consists of 17 books, divided into Major Prophets and Minor Prophets.

The New Testament Structure

• The New Testament came into being gradually, with books written in a relatively short period of time (A.D. 50-100).
• The New Testament is categorized into four major sections: Gospels, History, Epistles, and Prophecy.
• The Gospels section consists of four books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
• The History section consists of one book: The Acts of the Apostles.
• The Epistles section consists of 21 books, divided into Paul's Epistles and General Epistles.
• The Prophecy section consists of one book: Revelation (or The Apocalypse).

The Topical Reason for the Structure of the English Bible

• The categorical order of the modern English Bible is not arbitrary, but presents the historical unfolding of the drama of redemptive revelation.
• The major sections of both the Old and New Testament Scriptures form a 'Christocentric' structure, centered around the Person and Ministry of Jesus Christ.
• Each section of the Bible forms a meaningful and purposeful whole, conveying the progressive unfolding of the central theme of the Bible, which is the person of Christ.

The Mandate of the Bible (Scriptural Authority)

• The concept of authority is often rejected in modern culture, and moral tolerance is dominant, leading to a worldview that asserts that everything is relative and nothing is absolute.
• Biblical authority refers to the fact that the Bible's teachings guide our actions, thoughts, and lives, and we must submit to its authority.

Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)

• The Protestant Reformation emphasized the principle of sola scriptura, which holds that scripture is the final authority.
• Biblical examples of this principle include the prophets stating "Thus says the Lord" and Moses exhorting the people to follow the Law of God.

Jesus and Scripture

• Jesus accepted the authority of Scripture, and His attitude towards Scripture was one of unquestioning acceptance.
• Adolph Harnack and John Knox agree that Jesus taught the infallibility of Scripture.

The Basis of Biblical Authority

• Biblical authority is built on three unchangeable realities: inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy.

Inspiration

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
• The Greek word "theopneustos" means "God-breathed," indicating that the scriptures were "breathed out" by God.
• Inspiration implies that God is the ultimate author of Scripture, and that human writers were used as mediums to convey God's message.

The Mechanics of Inspiration

• Verbal Inspiration is the correct view of inspiration, which holds that God inspired human authors, using their own personalities and writing styles, to produce the sacred Scriptures.
• Other views of inspiration, such as Divine Dictation, Natural Inspiration, Conceptual Inspiration, and Spiritual Illumination, are incorrect.

Infallibility

• The infallibility of the Bible refers to the absolute truth and moral teachings of Scripture in theology, doctrine, and historical events.

• Minor discrepancies in language translations and oral transmissions do not alter the divinity of the Bible or the consistency of its teachings.

• The original autographs of Scripture are considered infallible, and the copy process has preserved the trustworthiness of the original texts.### The Infallibility and Inerrancy of the Bible

• The Bible is considered infallible and inerrant because it derives from God, who is perfect and cannot deceive.

• Infallibility does not apply to human errors in copying or translating the original autograph texts, but rather affirms the coherence and accuracy of the Bible's moral teachings and truths.

The Authority of the Bible

• The Bible's authority is based on its claim to be both infallible and inerrant, which is a critical and essential claim that must be asserted by an infallible source and proven through intense scrutiny.
• The only infallible source that can declare the inerrancy of a document is God, who is inerrant and infallible.

Inerrancy and Its Definition

• Inerrancy means "without error" or "freedom from error or untruths", and is slightly different from infallibility.
• Inerrancy affirms that the actual information in the Scriptures is factual and true in the original autographs, while minor details and narrative perspectives may differ.
• Inerrancy does not mean statistical and factual accuracy of each literary detail of the scripture.

Critical Inerrancy

• Critical inerrancy, also known as full or complete inerrancy, holds that each word in Scripture is as God would have it.
• This view affirms the truth of everything in the Bible to the degree of precision intended by the author.
• Biblical references to scientific matters are often understood as phenomenological descriptions (how they appeared to the writer).

The Importance of Inerrancy

• The truth of the Bible's teachings relies on the accuracy of the information it presents.
• If a Biblical character is invented, or an event is exaggerated, or a quotation is fabricated, the truth that those details lead to becomes unreliable.
• Inerrancy is essential to ensure the reliability of the Bible's moral and spiritual truths.

Conclusion

• The authority of the Bible rests on the importance of every word that is found in Scripture.
• All Scripture is authoritative, and we must conclude that the Bible is wholly authoritative for our lives.
• Living under biblical authority means living in submission to and seeking to obey the teachings of Scripture.

The Mandate of the Bible (Scriptural Authority)

• The concept of authority is often rejected in modern culture, and moral tolerance is dominant, leading to a worldview that asserts that everything is relative and nothing is absolute.
• Biblical authority refers to the fact that the Bible's teachings guide our actions, thoughts, and lives, and we must submit to its authority.

Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)

• The Protestant Reformation emphasized the principle of sola scriptura, which holds that scripture is the final authority.
• Biblical examples of this principle include the prophets stating "Thus says the Lord" and Moses exhorting the people to follow the Law of God.

Jesus and Scripture

• Jesus accepted the authority of Scripture, and His attitude towards Scripture was one of unquestioning acceptance.
• Adolph Harnack and John Knox agree that Jesus taught the infallibility of Scripture.

The Basis of Biblical Authority

• Biblical authority is built on three unchangeable realities: inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy.

Inspiration

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
• The Greek word "theopneustos" means "God-breathed," indicating that the scriptures were "breathed out" by God.
• Inspiration implies that God is the ultimate author of Scripture, and that human writers were used as mediums to convey God's message.

The Mechanics of Inspiration

• Verbal Inspiration is the correct view of inspiration, which holds that God inspired human authors, using their own personalities and writing styles, to produce the sacred Scriptures.
• Other views of inspiration, such as Divine Dictation, Natural Inspiration, Conceptual Inspiration, and Spiritual Illumination, are incorrect.

Infallibility

• The infallibility of the Bible refers to the absolute truth and moral teachings of Scripture in theology, doctrine, and historical events.

• Minor discrepancies in language translations and oral transmissions do not alter the divinity of the Bible or the consistency of its teachings.

• The original autographs of Scripture are considered infallible, and the copy process has preserved the trustworthiness of the original texts.### The Infallibility and Inerrancy of the Bible

• The Bible is considered infallible and inerrant because it derives from God, who is perfect and cannot deceive.

• Infallibility does not apply to human errors in copying or translating the original autograph texts, but rather affirms the coherence and accuracy of the Bible's moral teachings and truths.

The Authority of the Bible

• The Bible's authority is based on its claim to be both infallible and inerrant, which is a critical and essential claim that must be asserted by an infallible source and proven through intense scrutiny.
• The only infallible source that can declare the inerrancy of a document is God, who is inerrant and infallible.

Inerrancy and Its Definition

• Inerrancy means "without error" or "freedom from error or untruths", and is slightly different from infallibility.
• Inerrancy affirms that the actual information in the Scriptures is factual and true in the original autographs, while minor details and narrative perspectives may differ.
• Inerrancy does not mean statistical and factual accuracy of each literary detail of the scripture.

Critical Inerrancy

• Critical inerrancy, also known as full or complete inerrancy, holds that each word in Scripture is as God would have it.
• This view affirms the truth of everything in the Bible to the degree of precision intended by the author.
• Biblical references to scientific matters are often understood as phenomenological descriptions (how they appeared to the writer).

The Importance of Inerrancy

• The truth of the Bible's teachings relies on the accuracy of the information it presents.
• If a Biblical character is invented, or an event is exaggerated, or a quotation is fabricated, the truth that those details lead to becomes unreliable.
• Inerrancy is essential to ensure the reliability of the Bible's moral and spiritual truths.

Conclusion

• The authority of the Bible rests on the importance of every word that is found in Scripture.
• All Scripture is authoritative, and we must conclude that the Bible is wholly authoritative for our lives.
• Living under biblical authority means living in submission to and seeking to obey the teachings of Scripture.

The Mandate of the Bible (Scriptural Authority)

• The concept of authority is often rejected in modern culture, and moral tolerance is dominant, leading to a worldview that asserts that everything is relative and nothing is absolute.
• Biblical authority refers to the fact that the Bible's teachings guide our actions, thoughts, and lives, and we must submit to its authority.

Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)

• The Protestant Reformation emphasized the principle of sola scriptura, which holds that scripture is the final authority.
• Biblical examples of this principle include the prophets stating "Thus says the Lord" and Moses exhorting the people to follow the Law of God.

Jesus and Scripture

• Jesus accepted the authority of Scripture, and His attitude towards Scripture was one of unquestioning acceptance.
• Adolph Harnack and John Knox agree that Jesus taught the infallibility of Scripture.

The Basis of Biblical Authority

• Biblical authority is built on three unchangeable realities: inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy.

Inspiration

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
• The Greek word "theopneustos" means "God-breathed," indicating that the scriptures were "breathed out" by God.
• Inspiration implies that God is the ultimate author of Scripture, and that human writers were used as mediums to convey God's message.

The Mechanics of Inspiration

• Verbal Inspiration is the correct view of inspiration, which holds that God inspired human authors, using their own personalities and writing styles, to produce the sacred Scriptures.
• Other views of inspiration, such as Divine Dictation, Natural Inspiration, Conceptual Inspiration, and Spiritual Illumination, are incorrect.

Infallibility

• The infallibility of the Bible refers to the absolute truth and moral teachings of Scripture in theology, doctrine, and historical events.

• Minor discrepancies in language translations and oral transmissions do not alter the divinity of the Bible or the consistency of its teachings.

• The original autographs of Scripture are considered infallible, and the copy process has preserved the trustworthiness of the original texts.### The Infallibility and Inerrancy of the Bible

• The Bible is considered infallible and inerrant because it derives from God, who is perfect and cannot deceive.

• Infallibility does not apply to human errors in copying or translating the original autograph texts, but rather affirms the coherence and accuracy of the Bible's moral teachings and truths.

The Authority of the Bible

• The Bible's authority is based on its claim to be both infallible and inerrant, which is a critical and essential claim that must be asserted by an infallible source and proven through intense scrutiny.
• The only infallible source that can declare the inerrancy of a document is God, who is inerrant and infallible.

Inerrancy and Its Definition

• Inerrancy means "without error" or "freedom from error or untruths", and is slightly different from infallibility.
• Inerrancy affirms that the actual information in the Scriptures is factual and true in the original autographs, while minor details and narrative perspectives may differ.
• Inerrancy does not mean statistical and factual accuracy of each literary detail of the scripture.

Critical Inerrancy

• Critical inerrancy, also known as full or complete inerrancy, holds that each word in Scripture is as God would have it.
• This view affirms the truth of everything in the Bible to the degree of precision intended by the author.
• Biblical references to scientific matters are often understood as phenomenological descriptions (how they appeared to the writer).

The Importance of Inerrancy

• The truth of the Bible's teachings relies on the accuracy of the information it presents.
• If a Biblical character is invented, or an event is exaggerated, or a quotation is fabricated, the truth that those details lead to becomes unreliable.
• Inerrancy is essential to ensure the reliability of the Bible's moral and spiritual truths.

Conclusion

• The authority of the Bible rests on the importance of every word that is found in Scripture.
• All Scripture is authoritative, and we must conclude that the Bible is wholly authoritative for our lives.
• Living under biblical authority means living in submission to and seeking to obey the teachings of Scripture.

The Mandate of the Bible (Scriptural Authority)

• The concept of authority is often rejected in modern culture, and moral tolerance is dominant, leading to a worldview that asserts that everything is relative and nothing is absolute.
• Biblical authority refers to the fact that the Bible's teachings guide our actions, thoughts, and lives, and we must submit to its authority.

Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)

• The Protestant Reformation emphasized the principle of sola scriptura, which holds that scripture is the final authority.
• Biblical examples of this principle include the prophets stating "Thus says the Lord" and Moses exhorting the people to follow the Law of God.

Jesus and Scripture

• Jesus accepted the authority of Scripture, and His attitude towards Scripture was one of unquestioning acceptance.
• Adolph Harnack and John Knox agree that Jesus taught the infallibility of Scripture.

The Basis of Biblical Authority

• Biblical authority is built on three unchangeable realities: inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy.

Inspiration

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
• The Greek word "theopneustos" means "God-breathed," indicating that the scriptures were "breathed out" by God.
• Inspiration implies that God is the ultimate author of Scripture, and that human writers were used as mediums to convey God's message.

The Mechanics of Inspiration

• Verbal Inspiration is the correct view of inspiration, which holds that God inspired human authors, using their own personalities and writing styles, to produce the sacred Scriptures.
• Other views of inspiration, such as Divine Dictation, Natural Inspiration, Conceptual Inspiration, and Spiritual Illumination, are incorrect.

Infallibility

• The infallibility of the Bible refers to the absolute truth and moral teachings of Scripture in theology, doctrine, and historical events.

• Minor discrepancies in language translations and oral transmissions do not alter the divinity of the Bible or the consistency of its teachings.

• The original autographs of Scripture are considered infallible, and the copy process has preserved the trustworthiness of the original texts.### The Infallibility and Inerrancy of the Bible

• The Bible is considered infallible and inerrant because it derives from God, who is perfect and cannot deceive.

• Infallibility does not apply to human errors in copying or translating the original autograph texts, but rather affirms the coherence and accuracy of the Bible's moral teachings and truths.

The Authority of the Bible

• The Bible's authority is based on its claim to be both infallible and inerrant, which is a critical and essential claim that must be asserted by an infallible source and proven through intense scrutiny.
• The only infallible source that can declare the inerrancy of a document is God, who is inerrant and infallible.

Inerrancy and Its Definition

• Inerrancy means "without error" or "freedom from error or untruths", and is slightly different from infallibility.
• Inerrancy affirms that the actual information in the Scriptures is factual and true in the original autographs, while minor details and narrative perspectives may differ.
• Inerrancy does not mean statistical and factual accuracy of each literary detail of the scripture.

Critical Inerrancy

• Critical inerrancy, also known as full or complete inerrancy, holds that each word in Scripture is as God would have it.
• This view affirms the truth of everything in the Bible to the degree of precision intended by the author.
• Biblical references to scientific matters are often understood as phenomenological descriptions (how they appeared to the writer).

The Importance of Inerrancy

• The truth of the Bible's teachings relies on the accuracy of the information it presents.
• If a Biblical character is invented, or an event is exaggerated, or a quotation is fabricated, the truth that those details lead to becomes unreliable.
• Inerrancy is essential to ensure the reliability of the Bible's moral and spiritual truths.

Conclusion

• The authority of the Bible rests on the importance of every word that is found in Scripture.
• All Scripture is authoritative, and we must conclude that the Bible is wholly authoritative for our lives.
• Living under biblical authority means living in submission to and seeking to obey the teachings of Scripture.

The Mandate of the Bible (Scriptural Authority)

• The concept of authority is often rejected in modern culture, and moral tolerance is dominant, leading to a worldview that asserts that everything is relative and nothing is absolute.
• Biblical authority refers to the fact that the Bible's teachings guide our actions, thoughts, and lives, and we must submit to its authority.

Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)

• The Protestant Reformation emphasized the principle of sola scriptura, which holds that scripture is the final authority.
• Biblical examples of this principle include the prophets stating "Thus says the Lord" and Moses exhorting the people to follow the Law of God.

Jesus and Scripture

• Jesus accepted the authority of Scripture, and His attitude towards Scripture was one of unquestioning acceptance.
• Adolph Harnack and John Knox agree that Jesus taught the infallibility of Scripture.

The Basis of Biblical Authority

• Biblical authority is built on three unchangeable realities: inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy.

Inspiration

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
• The Greek word "theopneustos" means "God-breathed," indicating that the scriptures were "breathed out" by God.
• Inspiration implies that God is the ultimate author of Scripture, and that human writers were used as mediums to convey God's message.

The Mechanics of Inspiration

• Verbal Inspiration is the correct view of inspiration, which holds that God inspired human authors, using their own personalities and writing styles, to produce the sacred Scriptures.
• Other views of inspiration, such as Divine Dictation, Natural Inspiration, Conceptual Inspiration, and Spiritual Illumination, are incorrect.

Infallibility

• The infallibility of the Bible refers to the absolute truth and moral teachings of Scripture in theology, doctrine, and historical events.

• Minor discrepancies in language translations and oral transmissions do not alter the divinity of the Bible or the consistency of its teachings.

• The original autographs of Scripture are considered infallible, and the copy process has preserved the trustworthiness of the original texts.### The Infallibility and Inerrancy of the Bible

• The Bible is considered infallible and inerrant because it derives from God, who is perfect and cannot deceive.

• Infallibility does not apply to human errors in copying or translating the original autograph texts, but rather affirms the coherence and accuracy of the Bible's moral teachings and truths.

The Authority of the Bible

• The Bible's authority is based on its claim to be both infallible and inerrant, which is a critical and essential claim that must be asserted by an infallible source and proven through intense scrutiny.
• The only infallible source that can declare the inerrancy of a document is God, who is inerrant and infallible.

Inerrancy and Its Definition

• Inerrancy means "without error" or "freedom from error or untruths", and is slightly different from infallibility.
• Inerrancy affirms that the actual information in the Scriptures is factual and true in the original autographs, while minor details and narrative perspectives may differ.
• Inerrancy does not mean statistical and factual accuracy of each literary detail of the scripture.

Critical Inerrancy

• Critical inerrancy, also known as full or complete inerrancy, holds that each word in Scripture is as God would have it.
• This view affirms the truth of everything in the Bible to the degree of precision intended by the author.
• Biblical references to scientific matters are often understood as phenomenological descriptions (how they appeared to the writer).

The Importance of Inerrancy

• The truth of the Bible's teachings relies on the accuracy of the information it presents.
• If a Biblical character is invented, or an event is exaggerated, or a quotation is fabricated, the truth that those details lead to becomes unreliable.
• Inerrancy is essential to ensure the reliability of the Bible's moral and spiritual truths.

Conclusion

• The authority of the Bible rests on the importance of every word that is found in Scripture.
• All Scripture is authoritative, and we must conclude that the Bible is wholly authoritative for our lives.
• Living under biblical authority means living in submission to and seeking to obey the teachings of Scripture.

The Miracle of the Bible

• The Bible is considered a miraculous book because of its unified message despite being written by many people over a period of nearly 2,000 years.
• The message of the Bible is one of divine redemption, stating that God cannot condone sin, but offers forgiveness to those who turn to Him in repentance and faith.

The Miracle of Revelation

• Revelation refers to God's deliberate manifestation of His plans, character, and Himself.
• There are two types of revelation: general revelation and special revelation.
• General revelation refers to God's disclosure of Himself through creation, history, the conscience of man, and Scripture.
• Special revelation involves Jesus Christ and the Scriptures, and is narrower in focus than general revelation.

General Revelation

• General revelation is God revealing certain truths and aspects about His nature to all humanity through:
  • Physical nature (e.g., Psalm 19:1-6, Romans 1:18-21)
  • Human nature (e.g., Romans 2:14-15)
  • Human history (e.g., Acts 17:26, Daniel 4:17)
  • Divine providence (e.g., Matthew 5:45, Acts 14:15-17)

Special Revelation

• Special revelation involves Jesus Christ and the Scriptures.
• Ways of special revelation include:
  • The Lot (e.g., Proverbs 16:33, Acts 1:21-26)
  • The Urim and Thummim (e.g., Exodus 28:30, Numbers 27:21)
  • Dreams (e.g., Genesis 20:3, 31:11-13, 40-41)
  • Visions (e.g., Isaiah 1:1, 6:1, Ezekiel 1:3)
  • Audible voice (e.g., 1 Samuel 3:4, Luke 9:35)
  • Theophanies (e.g., Genesis 16:7-14, Exodus 3:2)
  • Angels (e.g., Daniel 9:20-21, Luke 2:10-11)
  • Prophets (e.g., 2 Samuel 23:2, Zechariah 1:1, Ephesians 3:5)
  • Miracles and events (e.g., Exodus 14:13-31)
  • Jesus Christ (e.g., Hebrews 11:2)
• The Bible is the most comprehensive avenue of special revelation, encompassing all other avenues.

The Miracle of Preservation of the Scriptures

• The preservation of the Scriptures is a phenomenon that began from the earliest introduction of the written revelation of God.
• Examples of preservation include:
  • Moses' books being collected and preserved beside the Ark (Deuteronomy 31:26)
  • Samuel's writings being collected (1 Samuel 10:25)
  • Daniel's collection of prophetic writings
  • The preservation of the "law of Moses" during Josiah's day (2 Kings 23:24-25)
  • The preservation of Solomon's proverbs (Proverbs 25:1)
  • The preservation of the Bible during the Babylonian captivity (Ezra 7:6)

Response to Criticisms of Biblical Preservation

• Criticisms argue that the Bible has been significantly changed over time and therefore cannot be trusted.
• Rebuttals to this argument include:
  • The miraculous number and textual accuracy of scripural manuscripts
  • The pervasive unity of the biblical message over the life of its production
  • The overwhelming, and specific evidence for content credibility in both Old and New Testament manuscripts### The Preservation of the Bible
• The early church had many copies of the original texts in various churches, which helped to identify authentic and non-authentic texts.
• The numerous copies and fragments of the Bible allow scholars to compare and reconstruct the text as closely as possible to the original writings.

The Unity of the Bible

• The Bible contains a harmonious message without actual contradictions, despite being written over a period of 1,600 years by 40 different authors from diverse backgrounds.
• The Bible's unity is a testament to the power of God in communicating and preserving the Word of God over the centuries.

The Central Message of the Bible

• The underlying unifying theme of the Bible focuses on the revelation of God's glory and His purpose in exalting His glory through Jesus Christ.
• This theme is evident from creation to the redemption of mankind and the ultimate defeat of evil.

The Credibility of the Old Testament Manuscripts

• The earliest Old Testament translation into Greek is the Septuagint, which dates back to the third century B.C.
• The most significant Hebrew Old Testament manuscripts date from between the third century B.C. and the fourteenth century A.D.
• The quality of the Old Testament manuscripts is extremely good, with relatively few variants due to the systematic destruction of old manuscripts by the Masoretes.
• The fidelity of the Old Testament text is ensured by the ability and reliability of the scribes who transmitted it.

The Accuracy of the Old Testament Manuscripts

• The comparison of duplicate passages in the Masoretic Text shows substantial textual agreement and, in some cases, almost word-for-word identity.
• Archaeological discoveries have confirmed the historical accuracy of the biblical documents, including the use of obsolete names of foreign kings.
• The Dead Sea Scrolls provide an overwhelming substantiation of the fidelity of the Masoretic Text, with many and early manuscript fragments dating back to around 1,000 years before the tenth-century A.D. Masoretic manuscripts.

The Credibility of the New Testament Manuscripts

• The fidelity of the New Testament text rests on a multitude of manuscript evidence, with some 5,366 partial and complete manuscript portions dating from the second to the fifteenth centuries.
• The New Testament manuscripts are very early, with a few fragments dating from the second century, and many variant readings that can be compared and correlated to arrive at the correct text.
• In contrast, most other ancient books survive in only a few and late manuscript copies.

The Miracle of the Bible

• The Bible is considered a miraculous book because of its unified message despite being written by many people over a period of nearly 2,000 years.
• The message of the Bible is one of divine redemption, stating that God cannot condone sin, but offers forgiveness to those who turn to Him in repentance and faith.

The Miracle of Revelation

• Revelation refers to God's deliberate manifestation of His plans, character, and Himself.
• There are two types of revelation: general revelation and special revelation.
• General revelation refers to God's disclosure of Himself through creation, history, the conscience of man, and Scripture.
• Special revelation involves Jesus Christ and the Scriptures, and is narrower in focus than general revelation.

General Revelation

• General revelation is God revealing certain truths and aspects about His nature to all humanity through:
  • Physical nature (e.g., Psalm 19:1-6, Romans 1:18-21)
  • Human nature (e.g., Romans 2:14-15)
  • Human history (e.g., Acts 17:26, Daniel 4:17)
  • Divine providence (e.g., Matthew 5:45, Acts 14:15-17)

Special Revelation

• Special revelation involves Jesus Christ and the Scriptures.
• Ways of special revelation include:
  • The Lot (e.g., Proverbs 16:33, Acts 1:21-26)
  • The Urim and Thummim (e.g., Exodus 28:30, Numbers 27:21)
  • Dreams (e.g., Genesis 20:3, 31:11-13, 40-41)
  • Visions (e.g., Isaiah 1:1, 6:1, Ezekiel 1:3)
  • Audible voice (e.g., 1 Samuel 3:4, Luke 9:35)
  • Theophanies (e.g., Genesis 16:7-14, Exodus 3:2)
  • Angels (e.g., Daniel 9:20-21, Luke 2:10-11)
  • Prophets (e.g., 2 Samuel 23:2, Zechariah 1:1, Ephesians 3:5)
  • Miracles and events (e.g., Exodus 14:13-31)
  • Jesus Christ (e.g., Hebrews 11:2)
• The Bible is the most comprehensive avenue of special revelation, encompassing all other avenues.

The Miracle of Preservation of the Scriptures

• The preservation of the Scriptures is a phenomenon that began from the earliest introduction of the written revelation of God.
• Examples of preservation include:
  • Moses' books being collected and preserved beside the Ark (Deuteronomy 31:26)
  • Samuel's writings being collected (1 Samuel 10:25)
  • Daniel's collection of prophetic writings
  • The preservation of the "law of Moses" during Josiah's day (2 Kings 23:24-25)
  • The preservation of Solomon's proverbs (Proverbs 25:1)
  • The preservation of the Bible during the Babylonian captivity (Ezra 7:6)

Response to Criticisms of Biblical Preservation

• Criticisms argue that the Bible has been significantly changed over time and therefore cannot be trusted.
• Rebuttals to this argument include:
  • The miraculous number and textual accuracy of scripural manuscripts
  • The pervasive unity of the biblical message over the life of its production
  • The overwhelming, and specific evidence for content credibility in both Old and New Testament manuscripts### The Preservation of the Bible
• The early church had many copies of the original texts in various churches, which helped to identify authentic and non-authentic texts.
• The numerous copies and fragments of the Bible allow scholars to compare and reconstruct the text as closely as possible to the original writings.

The Unity of the Bible

• The Bible contains a harmonious message without actual contradictions, despite being written over a period of 1,600 years by 40 different authors from diverse backgrounds.
• The Bible's unity is a testament to the power of God in communicating and preserving the Word of God over the centuries.

The Central Message of the Bible

• The underlying unifying theme of the Bible focuses on the revelation of God's glory and His purpose in exalting His glory through Jesus Christ.
• This theme is evident from creation to the redemption of mankind and the ultimate defeat of evil.

The Credibility of the Old Testament Manuscripts

• The earliest Old Testament translation into Greek is the Septuagint, which dates back to the third century B.C.
• The most significant Hebrew Old Testament manuscripts date from between the third century B.C. and the fourteenth century A.D.
• The quality of the Old Testament manuscripts is extremely good, with relatively few variants due to the systematic destruction of old manuscripts by the Masoretes.
• The fidelity of the Old Testament text is ensured by the ability and reliability of the scribes who transmitted it.

The Accuracy of the Old Testament Manuscripts

• The comparison of duplicate passages in the Masoretic Text shows substantial textual agreement and, in some cases, almost word-for-word identity.
• Archaeological discoveries have confirmed the historical accuracy of the biblical documents, including the use of obsolete names of foreign kings.
• The Dead Sea Scrolls provide an overwhelming substantiation of the fidelity of the Masoretic Text, with many and early manuscript fragments dating back to around 1,000 years before the tenth-century A.D. Masoretic manuscripts.

The Credibility of the New Testament Manuscripts

• The fidelity of the New Testament text rests on a multitude of manuscript evidence, with some 5,366 partial and complete manuscript portions dating from the second to the fifteenth centuries.
• The New Testament manuscripts are very early, with a few fragments dating from the second century, and many variant readings that can be compared and correlated to arrive at the correct text.
• In contrast, most other ancient books survive in only a few and late manuscript copies.

The Unity of the Bible

• The Bible contains an amazingly harmonious message without actual contradictions despite being written over a period of approximately 1,600 years by 40 different authors from diverse backgrounds.
• The central theme of the Bible is the revelation of God's glory and His purpose in exalting His glory through Jesus Christ, from creation to the ultimate defeat of evil.

The Credibility of the Old Testament Manuscripts

• Although no manuscripts exist from before the Babylonian captivity (586 B.C.), there was a great flood of copies of the Scriptures dating from the Talmudic period (c. 300 B.C.–A.D. 500).
• The most significant Hebrew Old Testament manuscripts date from between the third century B.C. and the fourteenth century A.D.
• The earliest Old Testament translation into Greek is the Septuagint (LXX) begun in Alexandria, Egypt, during the third century B.C.
• The quality of the Old Testament manuscripts is extremely good, with relatively few variants due to the systematic destruction of old manuscripts once they were carefully copied by the Masoretes.
• The Masoretic Text has a reverent and meticulous approach to copying the Scriptures, with rules governing the kind of skins to be used, column sizes, ink, and spacing of words.

The Credibility of the New Testament

• The accuracy of the New Testament text depends on the multiplicity of manuscripts, with some 5,366 partial and complete manuscript portions preserved.
• Many New Testament manuscript fragments are very early, dating from the second century.
• Although there are many variant readings in New Testament manuscripts, there are a multitude of manuscripts available for comparison and correlation of readings.
• The New Testament is constructed from the witness and usage of almost 5,700 Greek manuscripts in existence.

The Accuracy of the New Testament Manuscripts

• The accuracy of any ancient manuscript copy depends heavily upon the lapse of time between the original autograph composition and the earliest manuscript copy.
• The New Testament has a large number of early manuscripts, with some books dating from little over a hundred years after their composition.
• New Testament scholar John A.T. Robinson stated that the wealth of manuscripts and the narrow interval of time between writing and the earliest extant make it the best attested of any ancient writing in the world.

The Miracle of Illumination by the Holy Spirit

• Illumination is the Holy Spirit's work in assisting the reader to achieve clarity in both understanding and applying the content of the Word of God to their life.
• Spiritual factors, such as commitment and lack of hatred, influence a person's ability to perceive spiritual truth.
• The Holy Spirit's illumination is limited to the clear and certain meaning of the words and teachings of the Holy Scriptures.
• The Spirit gives life and assurance to the scripturally inspired Word, and enables fallen human beings to see the truth of God for what it truly is.

Importance of Illumination in the Reformation Period

• The illumination of the Scriptures by the Holy Spirit was a critical aspect of Biblical interpretation held by many of the early church Reformers of the 15th and 16th centuries.
• Reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin believed that spiritual illumination was necessary if one was to fully understand the heart and nature of the meaning of Scripture.

Role of Illumination in Spiritual Conviction

• The primary purpose of the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit is to bring men to inner conviction of their hearts to the truth of the Gospel.
• The illumination of the heart brings a man to full conviction of his sin, and the Holy Spirit authenticates the Scripture to us by His inward witness and opens our minds to understand its meaning.

The Mission of the Bible

• The mission of the Bible is to reveal God to mankind and show His plan of redemption for the world.
• The Bible reveals God's character and nature, and explains how to have a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.

Who God Is

• God is self-existent, meaning He has no cause or source and depends on no other event, circumstance, or being.
• God is omnipotent (all-powerful) and can do everything (Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17).
• God is omniscient (all-knowing) and knows everything (Psalm 139; Romans 11:33).
• God is omnipresent (everywhere at all times) and is equally present in all places (Psalm 139:7-10; Jeremiah 23:24).
• God is love (1 John 4:8) and His love is proclaimed in the Old Testament narratives.

What God Cares About

• God cares about redemption, which means making free by payment of a ransom.
• God cares about love, which is the perfect expression of His unconditional love.
• God cares about justification, which is being reckoned as righteous by God due to faith in Jesus Christ.
• God cares about the restoration of His divine image within mankind, which is fulfilled through faith in Jesus Christ.

How to Develop God's Character in Us

• Love is a choice to be good to someone without distinction, reciprocation, or precondition.
• Goodness is one of the fruits of the Spirit and is in keeping with the goal of the Christian life (Galatians 5:22).
• Justice is the pursuit of what God declares to be fair and equitable (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
• Righteousness is following God's example of how He relates to us and how He expects us to treat one another.
• Faithfulness is trustworthiness or dependability (Matthew 25:21).

Key Facts

• God's divine qualities designate Him as God and are not transferrable or possessed by mankind or any other being.
• God's omnipotence is that attribute to which human faith addresses itself.
• The love of God is proclaimed in the Old Testament narratives, declared in the messages of the prophets, and embodied in the person of Jesus Christ.
• The Bible teaches that God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth (Exodus 34:6, 7).

The Mystery of the Bible

• The Bible's message and spiritual content have had a significant impact throughout time, making it unlike any other book.
• The author of the Bible is God, not man, with Peter stating that holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:21).
• The Apostle Paul informs Timothy that the scriptures are "given by inspiration of God", with the Greek word "theopneustos" meaning "god-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16).

Six Components of the Scriptures

• Timelessness: The truths and verities of the Bible remain true and accurate today as they were thousands of years ago when they were first written.
• Prophetic Accuracy: The Bible is the only book that has accurately predicted the rise and fall of nations, the conquest of empires, and individual prophecies.
• Transgenerational & Global Wisdom and Morality: The wisdom and life principles of the Bible have maintained their relevancy throughout generations and cultures, with principles like the 10 commandments garnering near-universal agreement.
• Spiritual Growth Stimulation: Reading, studying, and applying the Bible's teachings are critical for personal spiritual growth, with the Word of God described as "perfect", "sure", "right", "pure", "clean", "true and righteous" (Psalm 19:7-11).
• Divine Revelation: The Bible is the Self-revelation of God to mankind, with Romans 1:19-20 teaching that God has revealed Himself through nature, creation, and innately within ourselves, but the scriptures provide a more complete revelation of God.
• Life-Changing: The Bible has the unparalleled ability to produce life-changing, significant change in a person's life, worldview, and understanding and relationship with God.

The Bible and Its Authority

• The Bible claims to be a book from God, with divine authority and morality.
• Biblical writers were moved by the Holy Spirit to write God's words, which are breathed out by God Himself.
• The Bible is considered holy and sacred, set apart from other books.

The Nature of Scripture

• The Bible is able to make us holy and wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
• Jesus prayed for His followers to be sanctified by the truth, which is the Word of God.
• The Bible is able to cleanse and save, and is essential for salvation.

The Unity of God's Word

• The Bible's morality is the same as God's morality.
• The core meaning of "doctrine" is the moral base and standards of any faith system.

Doctrinal Theology

• Doctrinal Theology is divided into 12 categories:
  • Theology Proper (the study of God)
  • Christology (the study of Christ)
  • Pneumatology (the study of the Holy Spirit)
  • Bibliology (the study of the Bible)
  • Anthropology (the study of mankind)
  • Hamartiology (the study of sin)
  • Soteriology (the study of salvation)
  • Ecclesiology (the study of the Church)
  • Eschatology (the study of end times)
  • Angelology (the study of angels)
  • Demonology (the study of demons)
  • Satanology (the study of Satan)

The Nature of God

• God is one, eternal, and existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• Each person in the Godhead is fully and completely God, self-existent, and equal in essence and nature.

Jesus Christ

• Jesus Christ is the incarnate Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
• He is both fully God and fully human, with two distinct natures inseparably joined in one Person.
• Jesus lived without sin, suffered voluntarily, and died on the cross to atone for sin.

The Holy Spirit

• The Holy Spirit is God, with the same essence and deity as the Father and Son.
• He has the attributes of God, such as life, truth, love, holiness, eternality, omnipresence, and omniscience.
• The Holy Spirit is a Person, with a mind, will, and emotions.
• He has been at work in the world, sharing in creation, awakening faith, and inspiring Scripture.

Scripture

• The Bible is the infallible Word of God, verbally inspired by God, and without error in the original manuscripts.
• God's intentions, revealed in the Bible, are the supreme and final authority in testing all claims about what is true and what is right.
• The meaning of Biblical texts is a fixed historical reality, rooted in the historical intentions of its divine author and human writers.

The Creation and Nature of Man

• God directly created Adam and Eve, the historical parents of the entire human race.
• They were created in the image of God, without sin, to glorify and enjoy God's presence.

Man's Sin and Fall

• Adam and Eve fell from their original innocence and communion with God through sin, and became corrupt by nature.
• All persons are thus corrupt, enslaved to sin, and morally unable to delight in God.

The Redemptive Work of Salvation

• Jesus Christ obtained forgiveness of sins and the gift of perfect righteousness for all who trust in God.
• Christ's atonement warrants and impels a universal offering of the gospel to all persons.
• Justification is a free act of righteous grace, apart from works, in which God pardons sins and reckons believers as righteous.

The Church

• The Church is the universal body of all believers, united to Christ through faith by the Spirit.
• The ultimate purpose of the Church is to glorify God in the everlasting and ever-increasing gladness of worship.
• Local churches are expressions of the universal Church, gathering to hear the Word of God, worship, and engage in ministry and evangelization.