We have been laying out a “Case for the Bible” over the past few months and the evidence collection has been based on a question that many have posed: How do we know the Bible is reliable? This question also covers concern over transmission, translation and canonicity. If we can confirm its accuracy in all these areas, which I think we’ve done, we can gain confidence that the Bible is truly the Word of God.

You can still be skeptical of the Bible after finishing this study, but in light of the avalanche of evidence you have to pause and ask yourself: Could it be true, could God have really made sure that His Word was passed down accurately to us over time? If there is even a 50/50 chance in your mind, based on the evidence you’ve seen here, that the Bible has been reliably transmitted you owe it to yourself to start a journey with God in the study of His Word and ask Him for the Holy Spirit be your teacher and guide.

If all of the evidence presented over the course of the last several months has not convinced you, then take a look at the people who have had their lives changed for the better because of the Bible and its teachings. If what the Bible teaches is true, that Jesus was the entire reason for the events in the Old Testament, and that Jesus died in our place to cover all of our sins, then it is of eternal importance to get this right. If you can at least say ‘maybe it is true’ (as I did) then ask God sincerely from your heart for help, He will give it.

MAPS-S: (The Last S)

Saved Lives

Over the centuries millions (possibly billions) of people have given their lives to Jesus and therefore are assured of salvation. Their stories and changed lives, along with your own story, cannot be denied. Jesus’ command to go and make disciples is for every follower of Christ.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  -Matthew 28:19-20

How are you letting God work through you to reach others using your story? For many people, the only Bible they will ever read, and the only Jesus they will ever know, is the one they see in you!

If you are not comfortable sharing your story, or you think your story is not impactful (but it probably is), use examples of others like former Muslim Nabeel Qureshi, or former atheists C.S. Lewis, Lee Strobel, or J. Warner Wallace to name a few. Share how they have helped your growth in the LORD!

J. Warner Wallace, Cold-Case Homicide Detective and former atheist turned Christian Apologist says: “There is so much evidence for the reliability of the Bible that it is like death by 1000 paper cuts,” and this is exactly the type of evidence he has used in prosecuting and winning cold-cases in the span of his career.

Compelling evidence for the Bible on trial can be laid out as follows:

Physical Evidence

• Consistent internal evidence of a cohesive historical document spanning at least 1500 years of time with 40 different authors from various walks of life, yet a singular mega-theme runs through all of the 66 individual books
• Confirmation by both Christian and non-Christian scholars as a reliable and valid historical document of antiquity
• Deemed a literary masterpiece by both Christian and non-Christian scholars
• Supported by Jewish history that was well established centuries before the time of Jesus
• Strict Scribal copying rules (4000+) over the centuries that contributes to the accuracy of transmission
• Massive amounts of early manuscripts and fragments in the original languages available for comparison (over 25,000 and growing)
• Strong archeological support from over 25,000 finds confirming Biblical accounts, none ever discounting any Biblical record
• Confirmed prophecy in Old Testament times and hundreds of fulfilled messianic prophecies in Jesus

Eyewitness accounts

• Multiple eyewitness testimony reported in primary sources both inside and outside the Bible for its historical accuracy
• Non-Christian testimony from historians and hostile witnesses that support the Biblical record
• Millions (possibly billions) of changed lives that evidence saved lives over the centuries that have been recorded in personal testimonies and experiences with Jesus through the Word of God

The Verdict: The Case for the reliability and authenticity of the Bible has been made well beyond a reasonable doubt!!!

To help you remember this landslide of evidence use this memory tool:

A Tool: MAPS-S

M=Manuscripts: Over 25,000 (and growing) early New Testament manuscripts with 5800 (and growing) in the original Greek language and the scholarly field of textual criticism finding 99.5% agreement within them indicating a match to the autograph, and with early lectionaries and quotations from the first through the third century A.D. leaders – we can assert 100% accuracy.

Remember: Bibles today, like NASB, KJV, NIV and others have only been translated once from the original language.

A=Archeology: Over 25,000 (and growing) archeology finds that have confirmed Biblical accounts – None have been found that disprove any historical account in the Bible.

P=Prophecy: 300 (plus) specific and incidental prophecies from the Old Testament that were fulfilled in the life and times of Jesus Christ.

If even 8 of these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus it would be equivalent to 1 chance in 10 to the 17^th power or 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000!

None of the Old Testament prophecies have been disproven and many are still to come.

S=Science: The Bible makes no claims that are considered scientific absurdities and has amazing scientific authenticity in the areas of cosmology, biochemistry, medicine, health, nutrition, geology, and the Laws of Nature vs. other so-called Holy Books.

The Creation account in Genesis is also supported by the evidence found in the “Cosmological and Teleological Arguments.”

S=Saved Lives: Millions (possibly billions) of saved lives are seen through the centuries (evidenced by changed lives) confessed by the saving work of Jesus’ death and resurrection—individual stories like yours cannot be disputed.

Going Deeper

Here are my top three picks for personal testimonies of changed lives through the power of God’s Word and His Son, Jesus:

“Seeking Allah Finding Jesus,” by Nabeel Qureshi

“Cold-Case Christianity,” by J. Warner Wallace

“Atheist Journalist Turns to Christ After Investigating Evidence” by Lee Strobel

Reflection

1. In your own words write a one sentence explanation for each of the letters in the acronym MAPS-S that you can commit to sharing with someone else.
2. What is your story? Write it out here and be challenged to share it with others!
3. PTRs: Prayer Focus—End your story with a prayer that you will be able to share your story, or someone else’s, with a person(s) that God will bring into your life.

Bible Study

Each week we have been doing a Bible study to practice our Bible study skills. Read/reread James chapter four and five, then answer the following questions to conclude our study in James:

Always remember to pray before reading and studying Scripture.

1.  How does James answer this question: What is the source of quarrels and conflict among you (Read 4:1-5)? Cross-reference by reading 1 John 1:15-17 – The Bible teaches that there are three main characteristics of evil that cause all the problems we see in our world. What does John say those three “worldly” characteristics are?

(Note these worldly characteristics were first expressed by Adam and Eve in the Garden – see Genesis 3, and Jesus overcame these same three things in the wilderness temptation – see Matthew 4)

2.  What is the cure for humanities’ evil desires (Read 4:6-10)?

3.  Word study: What is the difference between discernment and judgment? Keep this difference in mind as you answer the remaining questions…

4.  What does James have to say about “speaking against, and judging our fellow believers (Read 4:11-17)? Cross-reference by reading Matthew 7:1-5 – What does Jesus have to say about judging our brothers and sisters? Cross-reference by reading Matthew 18:15-20 – How are we supposed to handle conflicts amongst believers?

5.  What does James say about the characteristics of a rich person and consequences of misusing riches (Read 5:1-6)?

6.  Why are we to be patient, and what examples does James use for the importance of patience (Read 5:7-11)?

7.  What do you think James is saying, and why, in verse 5:12?

8.  List the things that James says are important for believers to be doing for each other (Read 5:13-16)

9.  How does James use Elijah as an example of a prayer warrior (Read 5:17-18)? Extra Credit: Who was Elijah (Cross-reference Elijah’s story by reading 1 Kings chapters 17 through 22 and 2 Kings chapters 1-2)?

10.  What are we supposed to do when a fellow believer strays and why (Read 5:19-20)?

Join us next week as we start a new series called: A Case for Creation and A Study in Genesis!