Reliability of Scripture - Doctrine of the Bible # 5 | Dr. Sam Thomas #theology #bible #apologetics

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the reliability and divine inspiration of the Bible, presenting three key arguments. First, the Bible’s perennial freshness, providing new insights every time it is read, suggests it is divinely inspired. Second, the brutal honesty of biblical historians in recording both the successes and moral failures of Israel indicates its divine authorship. Lastly, the unique character of biblical teachings about God, humanity, sin, and salvation further affirms the Bible’s divine origin. These arguments collectively support the belief that the Bible is the inspired word of God, offering profound insights into faith and life.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Bible’s divine inspiration is foundational to Christianity, ensuring its authority and reliability.
• 😀 Arthur W. Pink’s concept of the Bible’s *Perennial Freshness* highlights its continuous ability to offer new insights, regardless of how often it is read.
• 😀 The Bible’s ability to remain fresh and relevant across generations points to its divine origin, as human literature would not possess such enduring richness.
• 😀 The brutal honesty in the Bible’s historical accounts is a key proof of its divine inspiration, as it never seeks to cover up the flaws or sins of its people.
• 😀 The Bible’s portrayal of Israel’s victories and defeats, often as consequences of their disobedience to God, demonstrates a level of honesty rarely seen in other historical accounts.
• 😀 The Bible presents a unique and consistent depiction of God’s holiness, which sets it apart from other ancient religious texts that portray their gods as flawed or morally corrupt.
• 😀 Unlike human-made philosophies that exalt human virtues, the Bible humbles humanity by acknowledging the sinful nature of mankind and the need for redemption.
• 😀 The Bible’s depiction of sin and salvation, especially the atonement through Jesus Christ, offers a divine understanding that transcends human reasoning.
• 😀 The ethical teachings of the Bible, focusing on holiness and righteousness, reveal the character of God and provide guidance on how to live in accordance with His will.
• 😀 Pink’s arguments—*Perennial Freshness*, *Brutal Honesty*, and the *Character* of the teachings—serve as strong evidence for the Bible’s divine authorship and reliability.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the video?

The central theme of the video is the reliability and inspiration of the Bible, with a focus on proving that the Bible is the inspired word of God. The video explores three main arguments: the perennial freshness of the Bible, the brutal honesty of biblical historians, and the character of biblical teachings.

Why is the doctrine of the inspiration of the Bible considered crucial?

The doctrine of the inspiration of the Bible is crucial because if the Bible is not the inspired word of God, then Christian beliefs and practices would lack a solid foundation. It would be viewed merely as a human creation, with no divine authority.

What does Arthur W. Pink mean by 'the perennial freshness of the Bible'?

Arthur W. Pink describes the perennial freshness of the Bible as its ability to provide new spiritual nourishment every time it is read. Despite being studied for thousands of years, the Bible continues to reveal fresh insights and truths to readers, indicating its inexhaustible nature.

How does the 'perennial freshness of the Bible' relate to its divine inspiration?

The perennial freshness of the Bible suggests that it cannot be a mere human creation. Human-made works would eventually become exhausted or repetitive, but the Bible continually offers new insights, which points to its divine origin and inspiration from an infinite mind.

What is the argument behind the brutal honesty of the biblical historians?

The brutal honesty of the biblical historians is evident in their unflinching portrayal of Israel's moral and spiritual failures. Unlike other historical accounts, which tend to glorify their people and nations, the Bible’s authors openly reveal the shortcomings and sins of the Israelites, showcasing the authenticity of its historical record.

Why does Arthur W. Pink emphasize that the biblical historians did not glorify Israel's victories?

Arthur W. Pink emphasizes that the biblical historians did not glorify Israel's victories because the Bible consistently attributes success to God, not to human military strategy or bravery. This lack of self-exaltation in the Bible's historical accounts contrasts with other nations' tendency to magnify their own achievements.

How does the portrayal of Israel’s defeats in the Bible differ from other historical accounts?

In the Bible, Israel’s defeats are not attributed to military failures or bad strategies but to their spiritual disobedience and breaking of the covenant with God. This self-critical perspective is unique and reflects the Bible's focus on the moral and spiritual lessons to be learned from history.

What does Pink argue about the character of the biblical teachings?

Pink argues that the character of the biblical teachings is unique because the Bible describes God, man, sin, and salvation in ways that no other literature does. The Bible presents God as holy, describes humanity as sinful, and emphasizes salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which sets it apart from all other religious or philosophical writings.

Why does Arthur W. Pink claim that no human could have invented the description of God in the Bible?

Arthur W. Pink claims that no human could have invented the description of God in the Bible because it is far beyond human conception. The Bible’s portrayal of God as holy, pure, and morally perfect contrasts sharply with the gods of other ancient religions, which were often depicted as flawed and human-like.

What does the Bible teach about the nature of man and sin according to Pink?

According to Pink, the Bible teaches that humanity is inherently sinful and separated from God. Human righteousness is not praised but regarded as worthless ('filthy rags'), and the Bible emphasizes the enormity and heinousness of sin. The Bible's unflattering view of mankind’s moral condition points to its divine inspiration, as no human author would voluntarily write such a damning description of humanity.