As Christians, we are told to be ready to give a defense (an apologia) of our faith. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…”

In this video (starting at around the 21 minute 30 second mark), Dr. James White provides answers to questions raised by critics concerning seven Bible verses.

An not all of those answers have been as cogent as we might hope. Some answers make very little sense at all. Others have some merit but fall short of proving the truth of the Bible with certainty. Let’s consider some of the arguments that have been put forth by Christians.

The Bible is an extraordinary work of literature, and it makes some astonishing claims. It records the details of the creation of the universe, the origin of life, the moral law of God, the history of man’s rebellion against God, and the historical details of God’s work of redemption for all who trust in His Son. Moreover, the Bible claims to be God’s revelation to mankind. If true, this has implications for all aspects of life: how we should live, why we exist, what happens when we die, and what our meaning and purpose is. But how do we know if the claims of the Bible are true?

A Subjective Standard
Some Christians have argued for the truth of the Scriptures by pointing to the changes in their own lives that belief in the God who inspired the Bible has induced. Receiving Jesus as Lord is a life-changing experience that brings great joy. A believer is a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). However, this change does not in and of itself prove the Bible is true. People might experience positive feelings and changes by believing in a position that happens to be false.

At best, a changed life shows consistency with the Scriptures. We would expect a difference in attitudes and actions given that the Bible is true. Although giving a testimony is certainly acceptable, a changed life does not (by itself) demonstrate the truth of the Scriptures. Even an atheist might argue that his belief in atheism produces feelings of inner peace or satisfaction. This does not mean that his position is true. Continue reading →

Mike Matthews writes:

The debate about the Bible’s accuracy is not a secondary, theoretical concern. The integrity of Jesus Christ Himself is at stake. He accepted the Old Testament’s historical accounts as real, and He built His teachings on those facts of history. Here is a list of Christ’s references to various Old Testament events. Interestingly, these are the very events that skeptics have often considered myth:

God’s recent Creation (Mark 10:6–9)
Adam and Eve (Matthew 19:4–5)
Cain’s murder of Abel (Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51)
Noah’s Ark (Luke 17:26)
God’s judgment on the world by a global Flood (Matthew 24:37–39)
Abraham (John 8:56–58)
Lot (Luke 17:28)
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by fire (Luke 17:29)
Lot’s wife turned to salt (Luke 17:32)
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—not only historical people but still living in Jesus’ day (Matthew 22:32; see John 4:12)
God spoke to Moses in a burning bush (Mark 12:26)
God fed Israel with manna in the wilderness (John 6:32)
Moses’ authorship of Genesis (Luke 24:27; John 5:46–47)
Moses’ brass serpent healed Hebrew believers of snake bites (John 3:14)
David’s great deeds (Matthew 12:3; Mark 2:5; Luke 6:3)
David’s authorship of psalms (Matthew 22:42–45; Mark 12:35–37; Luke 20:42–44)
King Solomon’s glorious rule (Matthew 12:42)
Elijah’s and Elisha’s unique miracles (Luke 4:25–27)
God delivered Jonah from a great fish (Matthew 12:39–40)
Isaiah’s authorship of the prophetic book bearing his name (Matthew 13:14 citing Isaiah 6:9–10 and John 12:38 citing Isaiah 53:1)
Daniel’s authorship of the prophetic book bearing his name (Matthew 24:15)