Why trust the Bible?

What does the Bible say about itself?

Old Testament - 2 Tim 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21

New Testament - John 14:24, John 14:26, 2 Peter 3:15-16

Circular Argument? - American Constitution

What other evidence?

- unity and consistency of the Bible

- historical and archaeological evidence

Jesus God’s Word!

John 1:1 – “..the Word was with God and the Word was God”

Hebrews 1 - God Speaks! Prophets, Jesus

Luke 24:44 - Who is the Bible about?

Common objections

The god of the OT is angry, I prefer the God of love and mercy in the NT…

God is immutable – he doesn’t change! (Ps 102:25-27, Heb 13:8)

The Gospel in the OT - Exodus 6:7, 34:6

Wrath in the NT - Matt 26:39, Rev 14:10 (the cup = God’s Wrath)

What did Jesus read? (Lk 24:44 again)

The Cross: God’s Love and Wrath

Isaiah 53:4 - God’s anger against Sin is poured out on Jesus

Romans 5:8 - God gives himself for his enemies

Islam: The Bible has been corrupted by the church…

- NT written AD 40-100 Plato 400 BC

- Earliest copy AD 125 Earliest copy 900 AD

- 24,000 copies 7 copies

Was the Bible corrupted before or after Muhammed?

Before? - Muslims are called to believe the Bible (Sura 4:136)

After? - What about the 24,000 copies? No evidence of corruption

Sexist? Homophobic? Outdated?

Paul’s writings aren’t inspired! It’s all down to interpretation!