Cross Points 10.31.21
Cross Points 10.31.21
Just a Story? - Rick Willis
Some people just don’t buy into the whole Bible and Jesus story. They believe the Bible is just a product of men, not from God, and that Jesus was just a man (maybe a good teacher), not the Messiah.
This has a lot to do with the individual’s worldview, which is typically developed over years, maybe growing up, or as beliefs are developed in school or during college. That creates the starting point, and it’s a funnel for things processed as topics are examined going forward. But let’s look for a moment at what the Bible offers, and what Jesus offers us, that might make us take the Christian worldview seriously.
There is really no other book in the world, or in history, like the Bible. Written by over 40 men during an approximate 1,500-year period, as a series of books or letters, with a string of history linking together the times of creation, with that of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the nation that comes from Jacob (Israel). Moses, the prophets, and it leads to Jesus, who fulfilled all kinds of prophecies from the Old Testament period, and who claimed clearly to be the Messiah. How could such a thing be coordinated; how could it result in any organized history documented like this? Maybe when done by the God who inspired those who wrote (2 Tim.3:16)?
If you study the Bible and its detail about places and events, you’ll discover that it is extremely reliable. It does not consist of details that are “made-up” as other stories that are indeed fabricated tend to do. Even in the areas that critics seem to doubt, archeology often will eventually prove the biblical text true. One example. Critical scholars thought for years Luke had entirely missed the boat with events surrounding the birth of Jesus. They argued there was no census, that Quirinius was not governor of Syria at the time, and that people did not have to return to their ancestral homes (Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem). Archeological finds have proven Luke was accurate on all this. Such just isn’t true for any story that is made-up, let alone the 66 “books” over 1,500-years of the Bible.
Was there really a worldwide flood, as the Bible tells us? Seems impossible to the critics. But there’s all kinds of evidence that would suggest it happened. Fossils of fish found in rock on mountain tops, canyons (like the Grand) that make more sense if extreme water washed away the sediment quickly, not over millions of years, etc. etc. (Ever thought about how the Colorado River, which like all rivers runs downhill for its path, would have had to run uphill in the beginning to start the path that resulted in the Grand Canyon? How could that work?) Would it take a miracle to manage such a flood? Yes, but we are talking about the God who created the universe (see Genesis 1:1), so I think he could handle that.
And then there’s Jesus. He gives us confidence of the Bible’s accuracy. Repeatedly he says, “It is written…” and then adds meaning to what the Old Testament stated. His miracles were often done publicly, obviously not slight of hand. Ultimately his resurrection, after a cruel crucifixion, witnessed by many (I Cor. 15:3-8), proves he is the Messiah. He died for our sins and rose from the grave to provide hope for eternity. His apostles were all willing to suffer and die without once denying the truth of his resurrection. Multiple people don’t do that for a lie.
There is so much more, you can research and study it yourself (check The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel). But it may come down to your worldview. Do you choose not to believe it? Then you probably won’t, regardless of the evidence. But if you have a little bit of curiosity, if you are pursuing truth, give this biblical worldview a chance. Some people love their selfish ways, love doing what they want without God interfering. But if you aren’t one of those, take a fresh look at the Bible and at Jesus. Just a story? It’s a story alright, one I’m betting my life on!
Cross Point: “I am not ashamed of the gospel (good news), because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). “Believing” indicates faith driven discipleship, more than mental assent. But for those who recognize their sin, recognize their need for a Savior, their need to reconnect with God, indeed this is good news to believe in and follow the Messiah!
This has a lot to do with the individual’s worldview, which is typically developed over years, maybe growing up, or as beliefs are developed in school or during college. That creates the starting point, and it’s a funnel for things processed as topics are examined going forward. But let’s look for a moment at what the Bible offers, and what Jesus offers us, that might make us take the Christian worldview seriously.
There is really no other book in the world, or in history, like the Bible. Written by over 40 men during an approximate 1,500-year period, as a series of books or letters, with a string of history linking together the times of creation, with that of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the nation that comes from Jacob (Israel). Moses, the prophets, and it leads to Jesus, who fulfilled all kinds of prophecies from the Old Testament period, and who claimed clearly to be the Messiah. How could such a thing be coordinated; how could it result in any organized history documented like this? Maybe when done by the God who inspired those who wrote (2 Tim.3:16)?
If you study the Bible and its detail about places and events, you’ll discover that it is extremely reliable. It does not consist of details that are “made-up” as other stories that are indeed fabricated tend to do. Even in the areas that critics seem to doubt, archeology often will eventually prove the biblical text true. One example. Critical scholars thought for years Luke had entirely missed the boat with events surrounding the birth of Jesus. They argued there was no census, that Quirinius was not governor of Syria at the time, and that people did not have to return to their ancestral homes (Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem). Archeological finds have proven Luke was accurate on all this. Such just isn’t true for any story that is made-up, let alone the 66 “books” over 1,500-years of the Bible.
Was there really a worldwide flood, as the Bible tells us? Seems impossible to the critics. But there’s all kinds of evidence that would suggest it happened. Fossils of fish found in rock on mountain tops, canyons (like the Grand) that make more sense if extreme water washed away the sediment quickly, not over millions of years, etc. etc. (Ever thought about how the Colorado River, which like all rivers runs downhill for its path, would have had to run uphill in the beginning to start the path that resulted in the Grand Canyon? How could that work?) Would it take a miracle to manage such a flood? Yes, but we are talking about the God who created the universe (see Genesis 1:1), so I think he could handle that.
And then there’s Jesus. He gives us confidence of the Bible’s accuracy. Repeatedly he says, “It is written…” and then adds meaning to what the Old Testament stated. His miracles were often done publicly, obviously not slight of hand. Ultimately his resurrection, after a cruel crucifixion, witnessed by many (I Cor. 15:3-8), proves he is the Messiah. He died for our sins and rose from the grave to provide hope for eternity. His apostles were all willing to suffer and die without once denying the truth of his resurrection. Multiple people don’t do that for a lie.
There is so much more, you can research and study it yourself (check The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel). But it may come down to your worldview. Do you choose not to believe it? Then you probably won’t, regardless of the evidence. But if you have a little bit of curiosity, if you are pursuing truth, give this biblical worldview a chance. Some people love their selfish ways, love doing what they want without God interfering. But if you aren’t one of those, take a fresh look at the Bible and at Jesus. Just a story? It’s a story alright, one I’m betting my life on!
Cross Point: “I am not ashamed of the gospel (good news), because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). “Believing” indicates faith driven discipleship, more than mental assent. But for those who recognize their sin, recognize their need for a Savior, their need to reconnect with God, indeed this is good news to believe in and follow the Messiah!