NAVIGATING IN HISWORD
CHAPTER ONE
The first chapter is an overview. It researches globally why God chose to
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reveal His word to us. We see from early times how God defined his people as being "People of the Book" [Heb. 9:19-20].
As I researched this subject I saw evidence of the way God desired to give His people a pathway to Him in an otherwise confusing polytheistic world.
From the earliest books we see God revealing himself as being Holy in his being. He told Moses to remove his sandals because even the surrounding grounds were a holy place.
While we see God as being Holy we seldom see holy people responding to God. Because of that God instituted from the beginning a sacrificial system that required animal blood to be shed. In the Law, people were instructed to bring their animals to the altar where a priest would offer it to God. But the priest first examined the animal for correctness as a proper sacrifice not the person. People were sinners from the beginning. The Biblical record showed even the priests had sin and were in need of atonement before ministering to the people.
A key message my research found was the way the entire Old Testament looked forward to a New Testament Messiah who would fulfill that sacrificial system. The Bible is practical in the way it offers salvation to every reader who believes.
CHAPTER TWO
This chapter undertakes a sweeping overview of the way God transmitted His Word to the world. It begins by researching what is unique about a thought from God and how He could possibly ever transmit such perfection into and through very human instruments.
CHAPTER THREE
This chapter looks at the technical use of the word "revelation" as it applies to
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the way God transmitted his thoughts to human beings. Since God is infinitely free of imperfection there can be nothing lacking in his thought. Its origin is always God and not man. If we carefully study how God chose and then spoke to his prophets they all have some things in common from Moses to Paul. None were out looking for a prophetic word. They were out going about their business when they were surprised by God's revelation. This chapter researches some of the unique qualities of genuine revelation as compared with false prophets and false revelation.
CHAPTER FOUR
This chapter researches the technical use of the Biblical term "inspiration" as
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it applies to the way God transmitted His Word to humanity. Prophets have said "all Scripture" is inspired by God. We will examine this meaning to see how it effects the way we interpret and apply God's Word in our lives. While revelation defines the way God transmitted his thoughts, inspiration describes the way God had them record those thoughts on paper or stone. Not all that God reveals is meant to be written down or inspired. We see the way human instruments are importantly a part of this process. We never see the human author being mentally inactive in this process. No two human authors has the same writing style and we see the evidence of great diversity of style which evidences God did not use automatic writing.
CHAPTER FIVE
This chapter begins with the way the canon was defined in the Old Testament.
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It begins by defining the Biblical words from the original language. Seven ancient tests were used to determine canon anciently, can we learn from this process as we examine the canon as compared with expanded works others include.
CHAPTER SIX
This chapter researches the idea of canon as it pertains to New Testament Gospels and various letters. This body of literature is very different from that in the Old. We see the Old Testament Law closed in multiple passages in Deuteronomy. But we actually see later prophets claim there will be a New Covenant or Testament which will require new prophetic material to define. At the close of the New Testament we see John using language from Deuteronomy to close the New Testament.
CHAPTER SEVEN
This chapter researches the Hebrew texts behind the Old Testament. While many
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claim there has been great variance and damage done from earlier periods, now that we have the Dead Sea Scrolls we no longer see that being said by modern conservative Hebrew scholars. While there are many theories about the orignin and development of the original autographs no one currently living was there to observe exactly how these things were accomplished. Many try and disqualify certain texts just because they contain miracles. The Old Testament is fully inspired by God and his protection is evident to all who love his Word.
CHAPTER EIGHT
One of the wonderful evidences for the New Testament are the thousands of manuscripts available to scholars today. For much of the history of the Christian church original language Greek texts were locked up by the Roman Catholic Church in vatican and monastary libraries. Thankfully this is not the case today. But in the early days of the Reformation a process of textual restaration was begun. Click on this page and observe photos of some texts going back to within a few years of the "autograph" or original document. Because there are so many copies a process of textual
CHAPTER NINE
This chapter researches the work of the Holy Spirit in "illuminating" the text
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of the Bible to students and readers. This examines this work in both Testaments of the Bible. No one could profitably study, apply and communicate God's word without this reality that lies behind Scripture.
CHAPTER TEN
This chapter examines the history and development of the way God's people have been studying His Word through the centuries. Writings from ancient rabbis are examined from earlier than the New Testament. Now that we have the Dead Sea Scrolls we can also learn much about how they studied and interpreted Biblical literature. Many before the Reformation were using non literal methods for interpreting literal passages. We will examine that history and development in the Middle Ages. Luther, Erasmus, and Calvin did much to hold onto the idea that each passage only has one meaning yet unlimited applications.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
This chapter goes into the way students and readers apply the meaning of God's Word in their lives. Some safe methods of study are examined.
CHAPTER TWELVE
This chapter examines preaching, teaching and communicating what has already been illuminated, and interpreted and applied to modern context.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Biblical literature is unique in offering prophetic evidence of its
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inspiration. Because this is not something that can be "faked" most bodies of holy literature avoid making predictions about the future. The Bible however has a remarkable record of making remarkable predictions which can be tested by historians. This chapter quotes several important historians who note some of these events. This chapter examines the work and personality of the Biblical prophet as contrasted to the false prophets. A large list of Messianic prophecies is included.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
This chapter examines the way historians teat the Bible. It begins with an
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examination of the historicity of the Bible itself. I found evidence that some ancient historians had a high view of the Bible themselves. Flavius Josephus and Philo are included. Modern humanist historian and author Will Durant is quoted extensively in this chapter as well as in the chapter on Biblical prophecies.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
This chapter examines supporting evidence of archeology. When systematic
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scientific studies are made what are the scientists saying about the Bible? I quote dozens in this chapter as well as site some of the major finds through the centuries.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
This chapter examines Truth claims made about the Bible as evidence for its inspiration. A reality test, the standard test, and the bibliographical tests are introduced. The internal evidence test is examined as is the external evidence test.
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