Why do Christians believe the Bible?

[jwanders]

Hi All,

Simple question for anyone who feels like answering: what are some of the reasons Christians give for believing the Bible?

This isn't an attack; I'm of course not planning to jump on and try and poke holes in any of the reasons given (though I may ask for elaboration). Just looking to satisfy my curiosity.

Cheers,
Jwanders

[ilovemetal]

because my parents told me to.






no?


for real though. my breakdown is this (forgive me if it's not the same as yours)

1)does A god exist-yes
2)what type-thiestic
3)how would a god who made everything and still was a relationship with us communicate-bible
4)why do you believe the bible-can i just reccomend a book, or this post will be 400 pages.

evidence that demands a verdict-by josh mcdowell

i first thought it reliable because of the huge ammount of prophicies that it contained. no other source of anything can come close. of course, after much research i can say because of the manuscrpis, historic relability etc...

[Gulah Papyrus]

Now there's a loaded question!

If I had to give one reason it would be the person of Jesus Christ. When I read the Gospel I see/hear/feel truth. I would like to go deeper but I am beat and my pillow is calling my name.

It's funny, I used to ask Christians the same question, now i ask the opposite question of non-Christians.

"Why don't non-Christians believe the Bible?"

Stick around jwanders, you're going to get some real good answers to this one.

[Dani H]

The deeper my relationship with God gets, the more I understand that the Bible is really His Word. When I put it up against real life situations, it holds up, every single time. When I read it, it imparts life to me, and gives me understanding about how things really do work.

That's why.

And, curiosity is good. Unless you're a cat, of course.

[apothanein kerdos]

Because it's true.


(Not the scholarly answer most would expect, but I figured to go with the simple reason)

[ph33r]

Because out of all the self-help books, the counslers, ect ect. The bible is the only book that gave me advice that changed my soul. Also, I can feel the holy spirit working through me when I use the words of the bible in my prayers. I wish I could give more detail but it has to be experienced to be understood.

Alot of people look at as we are nuts and according to the social norms we probably are but let me tell you once you have God in your life it is like nothing else.

[renthead188]

Hi All,

Simple question for anyone who feels like answering: what are some of the reasons Christians give for believing the Bible?

This isn't an attack; I'm of course not planning to jump on and try and poke holes in any of the reasons given (though I may ask for elaboration). Just looking to satisfy my curiosity.

Cheers,
Jwanders

A friend approached me one day and said "What do you believe?" I told him "I know that God's real, I just don't know about anything else." He offered me a copy of C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity in which Lewis explains some of the logical evidences of Christianity. He said a lot that I found myself in agreement with. After reading his (short) book I said "Well, I've never actually READ the Bible, and if it IS true, well then that's a pretty big deal. I better give it a read."

I started reading the New Testament and I found a whole bunch of things that Jesus said thrat were TOTALLY opposite of what I had been taught as a kid. Most notably, the resemblence of the religious leaders to those that I had grown up with, and Jesus' rejection of their faith! There was loads more, but Jesus seemed to be standing against all of the hypocracy that had turned me away as a child! I started reading more and more and found that I agreed with the morales that Jesus taught as well. At this point I began to read the Old Testament and I began to research the accuracy of the Bible. I learned about all of the ways in which history lines up with Scripture. So much of this made sense to me, but I wasn't convinced enough to take that leap. I was at that point where I thought Christianity was cool and I wanted it but I didn't know Christ. I only knew Christianity.

What happened next, and my full testimony is here and this is really why I trust in Scripture 100% now. Since I first believed (a year ago tomorrow!) He's done so much in my life, He's given me so much and He's answered me on so many things that I now know for sure that His Word is truth.

If you have the time, check out the full testimony. It's a tad lengthy, but He did a lot in my life.

in His Love

Chris

[David161099]

I think it's a matter of 'agreement'.

What I mean is this: Christians choose to agree with the council of Nicea that the Trinity Exists.

Christians Agree that the bible is not in error in terms of it's 'spiritual teachings'.

It's an agreement that helps you walk the path.

Ask yourself: What is the purpose of the bible?
My Answer is that it's purpose is Spiritual in nature - to teach you the spiritual lessons of God.

I do not believe that the bible is a manual for medical texts, or how to run Microsoft Windows, which Basketball team is best, to list all DNA sequences etc etc.

The Bible was written by prophets and teachers to impart the spiritual laws and teachings of God.


If you start arguing things like how old the earth is in terms of science etc - then you have lost the idea of what the bible is there for.

God never intended us to be materialistic and athiestic - don't interpet the teachings of the bible through materialistic eyes - it's uselss.

[Literalist-Luke]

I believe it because it has been verified as a supernaturally authored book by virtue of the many prophecies that were fulfilled to the letter in exactly the way they were supposed to be. That is the greatest proof of the Bible's authenticity as the real Word of God.

[markinro]

Hi All,

Simple question for anyone who feels like answering: what are some of the reasons Christians give for believing the Bible?

This isn't an attack; I'm of course not planning to jump on and try and poke holes in any of the reasons given (though I may ask for elaboration). Just looking to satisfy my curiosity.

Cheers,
Jwanders

John 1 and many other passages

[Evangelist Smith]

[quote=jwanders;1838398]Hi All,

Simple question for anyone who feels like answering: what are some of the reasons Christians give for believing the Bible?

This isn't an attack; I'm of course not planning to jump on and try and poke holes in any of the reasons given (though I may ask for elaboration). Just looking to satisfy my curiosity.

Cheers,
Jwanders{/quote}


My reason is -I BELIEVE GOD

Why do I believe Him

Because He is a God of truth and has proven that very fact

And not only did I find truth I found life-love mercy and grace, peace and hope and rest and instruction, and wisdom and knowledge and the tool to build my faith

And no other book on the face of this earth that I have read has done this for me..NOT ONE

Only the Bible

God's Holy and infalable (unfailing)Word


The words of the LORD [are] pure words: [as] silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Psa.12:6

The Word of God convicts the heart of a sinner and also brings conviction on the hearts of God's children when they are out of the will of God

And Nehemiah, which [is] the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day [is] holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

Sanctify (cleanse)them thru Thy Word, Thy word is truth John17:17

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away Luke 21:33

God' Holy Word has stood the test of time and will continue forever

Great is our God and Great is His Word

Amen!!!!!!


In His Service
Evang.dare

[Whispering Grace]

I believe the Bible because God graciously opened my heart and mind to believe it.

[ilovemetal]

[wrong link]


also, another reason i believe it it because when i read it it seems that i've heard it all before, only i haven't. everything, as i read i know to be true, even if i don't like it. and as i follow it/Jesus my life my life constantly changes. there's literally an infinite ammount of knowedge that can be taken from the bible. pastors have done entire sermons on even ONE word from the bible.

one time i was asked how come i go to church? isn't it the same thing over and over every week? but it isn't. it's life altering sermond every week, it's food for the soul. and i grow as i learn.

and because i've been changed thought Jesus i now know it to be true, despite all the rebuttles agaist it and God. it's true enough that i'd die for what i believe.

[Scruffy Kid]

Hi, jwanders!
We haven't met before I guess, though you've been here 4 months or so, so I want to welcome you to Bibleforums!
It's great to have you here!!

Why do I believe in the Bible?

The main reason that I believe in the Bible is that I believe in Jesus Christ.

That is, I believe God exists, and I encounter the figure of Jesus in the Scriptures. His person, and his teaching, is unlike anything else I know: I am utterly convinced by this person: I believe what he says. He says, among other things, that He is the one sent by God to bring the truth. He, and those He taught testify that Jesus is the eternal Word, the Son of God. I believe Him. Thus, I believe the testimony that he chose to leave, which is found in the Bible.

Here's an objection -- and please feel free to voice any objections or questions you may have! -- which someone might raise to my thinking: "You are reasoning in a circle -- maybe Jesus wasn't like that at all. That is just how the New Testament documents depict him!" My reply would be that the figure of Jesus as depicted by the writers of the New Testament is a figure and a teaching so stunning that this Jesus, as pictured, is unlike anything else in the world -- and it must have come from someone. Jesus clearly is the one it came from

In fact, this Gallilean peasant made such an impact upon his followers that they were prepared to die for him, gladly and in hope. Their descriptions of him presented a person so compelling that many many millions of people worldwide have come to put their trust in him. Where did this this arresting and powerful teaching come from. Obviously from some incredible figure. It's silly to suppose that it came from someone other than Jesus, for why would such a genius not have put forth that teaching in his or her own name; and why would those who followed it to death have died for a lie?

Some Additional Reasons

Of course, there are many other reasons I believe the Bible, and believe in Jesus. I don't want to make the post too long by giving details, but here are some.

1) I think that Christian doctrine -- especially the doctrine of the trinity -- i s the most compelling and sensible philosophical account of the universe

2) I think the moral psychology of the Bible gives a more insightful account of human nature, by far, than any other source

3) The more I read and study the Bible the more I am impressed by the profound coherence and wisdom of this book penned by many authors over many centuries and this I think is only accounted for by God's superintending and inspiring the whole

Just for instance, I think that the philosophical, poetic depth of the Genesis account, and especially its opening chapters is a work so thoughtful and cogent that its fundamental truth is clear. This is true of parts of the Exodus narrative as well.

4) The coherence between the theological teaching of the Bible and the moral teaching of the Bible, and the narrative of Christ's life (and other events) which it gives profoundly confirms the depth, insight, and truth of the biblical witness.

There are other reasons which are, IMO, cogent, and which add to my conviction, but which I would not necessarily expect to convince those who have not come to know Christ.

4) I have seen how God works in the lives of believers, and especially in my own life.

5) I encounter God in prayer

6) The presentation of the basic worship of the church -- the eucharistic worship -- again presents Christ, and the truths of the Bible, with such power that I find it an important testimony in itself.

7) The same is true of the theology of the Fathers, and the creeds of the church, and in general the Christian witness through the ages -- the mere Christianity of which Lewis writes.


There are other reasons too, but these are some of the main ones.
Thanks for asking! Feel free to say whatever you think or feel in response! I won't be offended!

In friendship,
Scruffy Kid

[BroRog]

Hi All,

Simple question for anyone who feels like answering: what are some of the reasons Christians give for believing the Bible?

This isn't an attack; I'm of course not planning to jump on and try and poke holes in any of the reasons given (though I may ask for elaboration). Just looking to satisfy my curiosity.

Cheers,
Jwanders

Personally, I believe the Bible because it rings true to me.