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Godspace A space to grow in order to give 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 1/ 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 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 2/ 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? . 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. 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