The evidences for the inspiration of the scriptures may be plain for the eye of the believer to behold, but secular society does not grant the Bible its God-given authority. There is constant attack on the accuracy of the texts, and plenty of doubt about its inspiration. Secularists like to tell the public that the Bible is written by men describing myths. This attitude has affected many Christians because of the constant barrage of this message: the Bible is a man-made mythology like any other religious book.
Yet for centuries, the Bible was held in high esteem. Even in the U.S. Court system people placed their hand on it and swore to tell the truth. That is no longer the case today. So, Bible Scholars, Norman Geisler and William Nix defend the Bible by saying that “God is the Prime Mover”[1] prompting prophets to write. They explain it is the “desire of the Divine” to communicate with man. Sadly, man does not appear to want this communication. It’s well known that biblical literacy has continued to decline, as Gallup polls have tracked this descent to a current ‘record low.’[2] Some state busyness and distraction as the primary causes. I would say it’s skepticism. Outright falsities are perpetuated in mainstream media about the validity of the Bible. These challenges to the Word of God need to be defended, as there is much support for the Biblical claim of inspiration.
Geisler and Nix state there are two lines of evidence when considering inspiration: internal and external evidences. The Bible claims for itself to have divine origin, and many would affirm it seems to have a supernatural character.[3] A better point, in my opinion, is the inner witness in the heart of the believer upon reading the Bible. Thousands of believers have been healed from diseases, cured from addictions, or transformed from lives of hate to ones of love. Nevertheless, internal evidence is a bit harder to defend, since skeptics could state other religions tout the same “religious experiences.” Why should the Bible be singled out as divinely inspired?
External evidence is less subjective, and probably a better apologetic to a cynical person. The history of the Bible is the external evidence that provides a strong apologetic. Archaeological finds have confirmed details of historical statements made in the Bible.[4] This lends credibility of the Bible’s accuracy. Since the historicity of the Scriptures are accurate, it’s more believable to infer the claims of Christ’s testimony are also verifiable. As a religious leader, Jesus himself taught the Scriptures are God’s word.
Lastly, the witnesses of Jesus’ life events were men and women of integrity, and their testimonies were written while they were still alive (so they could have been refuted if untrue). These disciples were not brainwashed from infancy to believe the claims of Christ, but were converted as adults. Sadly, many were martyred for their faith. So, one must ask, “who willingly dies for a lie?”
Why is it so difficult to believe that the hand of the Creator, One so powerful to have generated the entire universe, could not simply inspire a few people to write His story? Just the few evidences listed here should make it much easier to believe it was the “desire of the Divine” to make Himself known. And He most certainly has!
[1] Norman Geisler & William Nix, A General Introduction to the Bible, Chicago, Ill: Moody Press, 1986, 194.
[2] Biola Magazine, The Crisis of Bible Illiteracy, Kenneth Berding, http://magazine.biola.edu/article/14-spring/the-crisis-of-biblical-illiteracy. Accessed 11-10-15.
[3] Geisler & Nix, 194.
