is the bible reliable?. giving evidence i was there. i saw it happen

Is the Bible reliable?


Giving evidenceI was there.I saw it happen.


“The cyclist was wearing a dark navy jacket.”

“The cyclist had his hand out to turn left.”


Giving evidenceWe were there.We saw it happen.


“He was wearing a black anoraka green jacketWas it a coat?I couldn’t see what he

was wearing.“He was going straight ahead.He made some hand movement.He was riding carefully.His back light was bright.


Who would you believe: one, or four?


Many witnesses mean details may differ. But many witnesses are more reliable than only one witness.


Many witnesses mean details may differ. But many witnesses are more reliable than only one witness.The facts: There was an accident

The cyclist was hit by the carThe cyclist was injured


1. Were the Bible writers reliable? - The Text

2. Is the Bible we have today reliable? - The Translations

3. Is the Bible reliable for me?- The Bible in my life



• More evidence – the Dead Sea Scrolls• More context – papyri• Less prejudice – the Oral Tradition



• More evidence – the Dead Sea Scrolls, 1946-56



• More evidence – the Dead Sea Scrolls• More context – papyri: only 9 in 1900, now 127.



• More evidence – the Dead Sea Scrolls• More context – papyri• Less prejudice – the Oral Tradition




Word for Word MeaningKJV/AV ESV NIV Good News, CEV



There’s no such thing as a ‘totally literal’ translation

Exodus 11.8, ESV:Moses went out from Pharoah in hot anger


‘Moses went out from Pharoah in hot anger’ Literally “in heat of nose”


‘Moses went out from Pharoah in hot anger’ Literally “in heat of nose”

Pharaoh was a “nosey heat” person





It all depends who it’s for




3. Is the Bible reliable for me?- The Bible in my life


Is the Bible reliable for me: the Bible in my life

Listen – Read – Study - Memorise – Meditate




Listen: ‘the public reading of Scripture’ 1 Timothy 4.13

Read: ‘I understood from the Scriptures’ Daniel 9.2 Study: ‘studying the Scriptures daily’ Acts 17.11

Memorise: ‘These words shall be on your hearts’ Deut 6.6

Meditate: ‘Meditate on it day and night’ Joshua 1.8




How?

[Don’t beat up on yourself…]




How?

Feel the need Make the time

Set a place




It’s not, “What do I make of the Bible?”But, “What does the Bible make of me?”

is the bible reliable?. giving evidence i was there. i saw it happen

Documents

bible reliable

bible writers reliable

textmore evidence

hot anger

carthe cyclist

accidentthe cyclist

oral tradition

heat of nose pharaoh