Fruit of the Spirit

For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth...Eph 5:9

Fall 2001                                                            Volume 2, Issue 4

The Fossil Record

The Fossil Record      Studies in Christian
     Evidences

         By Carl Garner

There Are No More Significant Questions For Man To Answer Than:
"Does God Exist?"    and    "Is The Bible His Inspired Word?"



What Would The Bible Be Like
If From Man Alone?

If the Bible came from man alone, without the Holy Spirit's inspiration, what would we expect to find in it?

1. It would likely contain the discarded scientific views of ancient civilizations in which the human author lived.

2. It would be very sketchy, with little detail, often mistaken concerning historical, geographical and scientific details.

3. Ethical codes reflecting the views of the generation and culture from which the human author came.

4. "Prophecy" would be exceedingly vague, erratic,and based upon prevailing superstitions.

5. Narratives, science, history, from different writers and eras of time would vary, widely, contradicting itself, history and science often.

6. Heroic characters would be revered; described in the most flattering ways; flaws would either be ignored or down-played.

 

· However, we find none of these characteristics in the Bible. To the contrary, we find that the Bible has characteristics that are harmonious with it being divinely inspired by an omniscient, omnipotent being; and completely reliable.



What Would The Bible Be Like
If It Were Inspired By God?

If the Bible really came from God by means of Inspiration, what would we expect to find in it?

1. It would contain scientific views that are constantly being validated by scientific discovery, evidence, etc.

2. It would contain detailed descriptions of people, customs, nations, geographical and historical details, and correct even when touching matters of science.

3. Its ethical codes would indicate origin from one authoritative source, that source being non-cultural.

4. Prophecy would be detailed, discernible and accurate when interpreted contextually and properly.

5. Biblical narratives, including those that imply scientific facts and historical details, would be capable of verification, always in harmony with itself.

6. Bible heroes would be described objectively; their character would be consistent with ordinary human beings, including realistic imperfections and weaknesses.

 

· Interestingly, these are exactly the characteristics we find in the Bible. This indicates, to an honest and objective student, that the Bible must have come from God. “Man would not have written the Bible even if he could; and he could not have written the Bible even if he would."




Inside...
Page 1 - The Fruits Of The Spirit | Page 2 - Vengeance |
Page 3 - Prison Report | Page 4 - Old Testament Studies | Page 5 - How Can I Tell If I Am Strong |
Page 6 - Mission News | Page 7 - Christian Evidences | Page 8 - Hearing Of Their Faith |
Page 9 - The Christian Home | Page 10 - Continuations | Page 11 - The Children's Page |
Page 12 - Announcements |

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