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How much time do we spend making the most important decision of our life?
According to research, we spend about 30 minutes on average deciding on the purchase of a home--the largest financial decision most people make. But what about the decision of whether God exists as revealed in the Bible? Does He, or doesn't He? Reality or myth? It's a decision that will affect not only your physical life on earth, but all of eternity.
If Christians believe in a book of myths as some people claim, then it matters little what you believe. Perhaps one of the other faiths have the correct approach to the spiritual dimension. But what if the Bible is right? What then?
We can't prove scientifically whether or not God exists, though we can use legal-historic evidence. That comes from the pages of history in the form of archeological records, surviving manuscripts and eyewitness accounts. But you can't prove scientifically that God doesn't exist, either. Anyone willing to make a decision about their eternal soul based merely on hearsay and opinion is taking a pretty significant chance with his or her life. The question deserves deeper research and analysis. So what kind of evidence exists regarding the so-called "Book of Books"?
After years of study from a deeply critical perspective, I came to the conclusion that God has in fact authenticated His Word by providing undeniable evidence, knowledge, and phenomenon in the text of the Bible that no human could have put there without supernatural help. The Scriptures contain astonishing evidence that no one apart from a divine intelligence could possibly create.
The Bible claims to be many things. It claims to be the Word of God. It claims to be suitable for all generations and all cultures. It claims to foretell the future. It claims to be a guide to living a life pleasing to God. And it claims to point directly to redemption for mankind through the Maschiach Nagid, a Messiah who would arise from the Jewish people.
"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous."
(Psalm 19:7-9)
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
How can we trust these claims made by the Bible itself? Are they completely accurate? Or were they perhaps distorted over time? The next few sessions of this curriculum will explore the legal historic evidence that exists for the authenticity and accuracy of the Bible. Let's see how well these claims hold up under closer scrutiny.
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