Transcript FOUNDATIONS IN THEOLOGY

The Study of the Bible
Dr. Henry D. Wells JR.
BIBLIOLOGY
In any discussion of a Christian's
personal belief system, Bibliology
must be the beginning point.
The Bible is the source of Christian
belief.
Arthur W. Pink wrote, "Christianity is
the religion of a Book. Christianity
is based upon the impregnable rock
of the Holy Scripture. The starting
point of all doctrinal discussion must
be the Bible."
Christianity is only as credible as its
foundation.
More Than Just A Book
The Bible is not a natural book because it claims divine revelation as penned by human
authors.
The Bible claims dual authorship.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they
were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:21)
This makes the Bible a worthy guide in this life.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works.(2 Tim.3:16)
Bibliology answers the
following questions:
Is the Bible the Word of God?
(A QUESTION OF REVELATION)
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Are the words of the Bible accurate and without error?
(A QUESTION OF INSPIRATION)
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Are the words of the Bible authoritative?
(A QUESTION OF INERRANCY)
Do the present books in the Bible belong there?
(A QUESTION OF CANONICITY)
Can we interpret the meaning of the Bible in today's language?
(A QUESTION OF HERMENEUTICS)
Can we understand and apply the spiritual nature of the Bible to our life?
(A QUESTION OF ILLUMINATION)
1. Is the Bible the Word of God?
(A QUESTION OF REVELATION)
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METHODS OF GOD'S SELF REVELATION
Visions -- Isa.6
8. Miracles -- Jn.6
Dreams -- Dan.2
9. Parables -- Lk. 15
Poetry -- Psa.139
10. Inner Compulsion -- Acts 21:10-13
Biography -- The Gospels
11. History: 1&2 Chron.
Sermons -- Matt. 5
12. Angels -- Lk. 1:26-38
Face to Face Dialogue -- Deut. 5:4
13. Historical Research-- Lk.1:1-4
Wrote on Stone -- Deut. 10:4
14. Jesus Christ -- Jn. 1:14
Revelation is the act whereby God gives humanity knowledge
about God that they could not otherwise know.
God's self-revelation can be divided into two areas:
1. General Revelation (which include Nature, Conscience and
History)
2. Special Revelation (the Bible and Jesus Christ)
THE BIBLE IS THE WORD
OF GOD BECAUSE.......
1. The unique revelation of Jesus Christ
2. The extraordinary claims that the Bible is from God
3. The empirical fulfillment of prophecy
4. The convicting, convincing, converting power of the
message
5. The inexhaustible infinity of its message
6. The unity of the message from diverse human
sources
7. The Trans-cultural appeal of the message
8. The unmistakable honesty of the Bible
9. The immeasurable superiority to other literature
10. The pragmatic test of experience.
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Are the words of the Bible accurate and
without error?
(A QUESTION OF INSPIRATION)
Inspiration is the supernatural guidance
of the writers of Scripture by the Spirit
of God, whereby they wrote the divine
Word of God, transcribed accurately
and reliably.
The word "inspiration" literally means
God breathed out. Inspiration involves:
1. Inspired guidance by the Holy
Spirit
2. Inspired personality of the
authors
3. Inspired Words
4. Resulting in inspired text.
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Are the words of the Bible authoritative?
(A QUESTION OF INERRANCY)
Does the Bible contain errors?
If you think it does, Where are They?
?
4. Do the present books in the Bible belong
there?
(A QUESTION OF CANONICITY)
Canonicity answers the question of the standards, which was used to
place books in the Bible.
The word Bible come from the Greek term "bibilos" which means library.
The canon is the standard by which the 66 books in the Bible were
determined and the basis by which they were included in Scripture.
THE BASIS FOR INCLUDING A BOOK IN SCRIPTURE
1. It must be prophetic (written by a prophet) or
2. It must be authoritative (claims to be God's message... "Thus saith the
Lord")
3. It must be authentic (written by the person who claimed to be its
author)
4. It had life-transforming power
5. It was widely recognized as the Word of God
6. It was reliable (content was consistent with the rest of scripture, data
was accurate, no inconsistencies in the book)
FOUR GUIDES IN THE TEST OF CANONICITY OF NEW
TESTAMENT BOOKS
1. It must written by an apostle
2. It must have spiritual content
3. It must have universal acceptance by the early church
4. Was there evidence that it was divinely inspired?
WHY THE APOCRYPHA IS REJECTED?
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The 66 books in the Holy Bible contain all that God has chosen to
reveal about God and all humanity needs to know concerning God's
person, attributes, works, and salvation.
The fact that salvation is limited to God's self-revelation rejects the
necessity or possibility of additional books of Scripture that include
further revelation.
WHY IS THE APOCRYPHA REJECTED?
1. They are generally weak in style and organization
2. They contain historical and geographic errors
3. They are mostly Old Testament in nature and are written in Greek rather than
Hebrew
4. They are not quoted by Christ
5. The plan of salvation runs through the Old Testament but is not evident in them
6. There are no messianic prophecies in them
7. They do not claim divine inspiration
8. They were not included in the original canon
9. The church fathers did not refer to them
10. They have a low spiritual level
11. They imply doctrine and histories contrary to Scripture
12. It did not become apart of Roman Catholic Canon until 1546
5. Can we interpret the meaning of the Bible in
today's language?
(A QUESTION OF HERMENEUTICS)
FIVE BASIC ELEMENTS OF HERMENEUNTICS
1. Interprets the Bible in light of its historical background
2. Interprets the Bible in light of the author's purpose and plan
3. Interprets the Bible verses in light of their context
4. Interprets the Bible within the author's meaning of words
{Original meaning, use within the context, common meaning)
5. Interprets the Bible according to grammar
Hermeneutics is the science of biblical
interpretation.
6. Can we understand and apply the spiritual
nature of the Bible to our life?
(A QUESTION OF ILLUMINATION)
Illumination is the work of the Holy Spirit in
helping the believer understand and apply the
spiritual meaning of Scripture.