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PART ONE – THE BIBLE AS A WHOLE
Resource – “Did God Write the Bible” Dan Hayden
WEEK THREE – April 2008
INTRODUCTION
Purpose of this teaching – to give us the knowledge to communicate with non-christians
about our faith. We show them no respect if we don’t have answers for the hope that we
have.
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for
the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
Our aim is to help you articulate the HOPE THAT YOU HAVE!!!
REVIEW
Week one
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What impact has the Bible and its values had throughout history?
Sanctity of human life
Priority and empowerment of forgiveness
Role of law
Importance of work
Justice as a priority
Value of leadership
Sanctity of marriage and family
Value of freedom
Compassion for the weak
Preciousness of creation
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Is the Bible just a good book or does it claim to be something more?
Bible claims to be the inspired Word of God 2 Timothy 3:16
Bible consistently claims to have transformative power Hebrews 4:12
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Week Two
What evidence is there to support a single, unified voice in the Bible – the voice of God?
1/
UNITY IN DIVERSITY - 66 books
40 authors
1500 year span
but INCREDIBLE THEMATIC UNITY
The Jewish oral tradition and traditions of Scribes ensured that the story comes to us
accurately
2/ FULFILLED PROPHECY
DON’T FORGET THE SCRIPTURES!!!!!!
“For the WORD of God is living and active”
HEBREWS 4:12
“All Scripture is inspired by God “
2 TIMOTHY 3:16
BUT other religious traditions claim to have holy books written by God. How do they
compare?
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HOW DO OTHER RELIGIOUS WRITINGS COMPARE WITH THE BIBLE?
KORAN
 For Muslims, the revelation of divine truth- given by God to Muhammed
 Received when he was 40 – AD 610 – in private in a cave – angel appeared to him
and spoke wisdom – continued over 23 years
 Teachings not accepted in Mecca so he fled to Medina and grew a band of
followers. Later rode back into Mecca and forced them to believe! Military might
became trademark of spread of Islam
 Muhammed spoke wisdom to followers who remembered and wrote it down in many
places
 20 years after his death, all sayings compiled into Koran
 Almost as long as NT. Collection of instructions on worship, marriage and family,
economics, politics, community affairs, hygiene
 Entire process took 43 years
COMPARISON WITH BIBLE
 CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING PRODUCTION OF THE BOOKS RADICALLY DIFFERENT
Bible produced by 40 authors/ 1500 years/ 3 continents / 3 languages – Ample
opportunity for corroborating evidence to substantiate the claim to divine origin
Koran – one man/ 2 cities / 23 years / one language. No other person received a
similar revelation or witnesses angelic appearances. It contradicts a lot of what the
Bible says
 NO EVIDENCE OF DIVINE PRESENCE IN THE KORAN – no miracles / no prophecy
Muhammed was not a man of miracles like Jesus was recorded to be
 NO SAVIOUR OF MANKIND – Pleasing Allah is ultimate goal. A strict moral code must
be adhered to and you must follow prescribed rituals. THE MUSLIM IS HIS OWN
SAVIOUR. Koran is a book of law and judgement. The Bible is a book of grace and
salvation
 EFFECT ON THE WORLD – Comparison of societies dominated by Islam – Iran, Iraq,
Pakistan
With those dominated by Christianity – Britain, America, Australia
THE VEDAS – HOLY WRITINGS OF HINDUISM
 13% OF WORLD IS HINDU
 India is epicenter
 Writings produced in 2000-500BC but other writings are constantly being added- not
a set holy text
 Hymns, prayers, mythic stories and chants
COMPARISON WITH BIBLE
 Hard to grasp the Hindu concept of “God” as there is no transcendent, personal God
but about 330 million gods and goddesses. The Vedas teach that the human and
the divine are all one in essence – so what they believe to be the “WORD OF GOD” is
actually the word of MAN who has become GOD- they are the speculations of men
who believe they are in tune with something they call divine.
We are not comparing apples with apples. This is very different form the Bible- which
claims to be the personal communications to man from a personal, transcendent
God.
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Truth does not exits – reality is an illusion. We have to get past it and commune on
another plan
EFFECT ON THE WORLD – Bible emphasizes human dignity- all life is precious. Vedas
sets up a caste system – if you are in a low caste that’s where you stay. Only hope is
reincarnation.
CONCLUSION
Christian faith is the only one that lays claim- not to mystical revelation, but to EYE
WITNESS account of historical events. When it comes to what God has said and done in the
past, the God of the Bible is the only one who does not ask for blind faith, but instead asks
for REASONED FAITH.
WHY IS THIS EVEN AN ISSUE? CAN’T WE ACCEPT ALL THE FAITHS AS
TRUE?
Only if we decide to suspend logic and say that conflicting ideas can both be true.
PREDOMINANT VIEW – All paths lead to God??????
HINDU
ISLAM
GOD
1000’S
One - ALLAH
JESUS
Could be a God- not the only
way
Reincarnation
prophet
AFTER LIFE
Heaven or hell- based on
your behaviour
CHRISTIANITY
One God –
Father/Son/Spirit
God-way to salvation
Heaven or hell- based on
our acceptance of God’s
grace
At base level some similarities – loving your neighbour, doing good. BUT THEY LEAD TO
DIFFERENT MOUNTAIN TOPS
EITHER THEY ARE ALL WRONG OR ONE IS RIGHT
“To insist that all religions are equally true, even if they contradict each other is a
trivialization of religious claims. If the Koran says that Jesus lived but did not die and the
Christian Bible says that he lived and did die, anyone who respects both religions can
investigate whether one or the other or neither is right at this point. But to say that both
religions are equally true is disguised disrespect. It means that what they are saying is not
important enough to seriously consider. Religious belief cannot be reduced to pure
subjectivitism.” Rev John Woodhouse – Sydney Morning Herald March 2003
SCRIPTURE FOCUS
“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father
except through me.”
John 14:6