These are a series of 1-1.5 page responses to questions for my ACBC counseling certification exams. I decided to include them on the blog (1) so you can see the base of orthodox theology from which I argue my more fringe opinions, such as those on dating (2) so people writing their own exams have a resource to (responsibly) use, and (3) often in conversation with people on spiritual topics, these will come up, so I think they’re generally useful for edifying one another. This first question I answered twice- the first time using argumentation based mainly in historical fact aimed at persuading unbelievers, the second time using arguments based in scripture which assume the God of the Bible, which are more persuasive to Christians.
It is known that scripture was physically written by men, most of whom we know the names of. To say that scripture is inspired is to say that its words are equally voiced by God, through these men. Since God is perfect in knowledge, character, and power it follows that the words of scripture are inerrant- perfectly in line with all truth: the laws of science and other physical realities, historical fact and future events, philosophically consistent etc. It also follows that scripture is authoritative– God has the right and the might to dictate commands through scripture, conveying the inerrant truth it contains into guides for life.
The Bible is remarkable in ancient literature not just in regards to its teachings and their impact on civilization, but in its historicity. The gospels were written too soon after Jesus’ death to be legends, and cite too many witnesses that would have contradicted what was in them if they had been falsified, including the over 500 people the resurrected Jesus appeared to (1 Cor 15:6). Moreover, attention to factual details in the gospels (the number of fish caught in John 21) throughout them conveyed to their original audience that these were literal happenings, not myths. With so much reliance on real people and real events, it would have been impossible to create the Christian church based on a real resurrection of a real messiah that ran so counter to the Jewish understanding to that point. Paul, for example, was completely unconvinced until his conversion on the road to Damascus. Without real evidence and testimonies, perhaps he could have been an isolated convert, but the numbers that did convert to Christianity could not have, they would quickly have been suppressed by the false facts they claimed.
Jesus the man was quite probably the most historical person to have ever existed, both in impact and in historical verification of his life. The miracles he performed, especially the resurrection, are chief elements of the historical account of his life, along with his own claims to be the messiah, the son of God, along with his fulfillment of prophecy and the life he lived, there is overwhelming support for his claim to Godhood. Because we cannot reject Jesus’ claim to Godhood, and there is ample support for that claim, believing that he is God means believing he is right, particularly about his view on scripture. Namely, that it is inspired (Matthew 22:29) that it is inerrant (Matthew 5:18) and that it is authoritative (Matt 4:4). Given the authority Jesus gave Paul (Galatians 1:12), John (Revelation 1:11) and others in the New Testament, and the consensus within the early church on what was scripture (2 Peter 3:16) the canonized new Testament is scripture as well.
2 Timothy 3:16 lays out the relationship between these characteristics of scripture. Inspiration: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” meaning God-breathed, the words are his words. Inerrancy: “and is profitable” it will outdo any competition because it reflects reality better, and never disappoint. Authority: “For doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” in any way that scripture teaches us how to think, act, or feel it has the credibility to do so, and the resources we need to carry out its commands.
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