To Understand What the Bible Means....

2 TIM 2:14-18; 2 PET. 1:20

THEME: Today We Want to Focus on the Character of the Bible as a Reason to Interpret Scripture.   

                                                                                                           

RELEVANCY: Why do I Need to Know About why we should Interpret Scripture?

Without solid principles for interpreting the Bible, we can easily misunderstand even the simplest and most forthright passage. With such guidelines we can discern the intent of some of the more difficult passages. Many differences over doctrine are rooted in the method used to decide the meaning of a passage; thus, it is awfully important to be skilled in the basic principles for discovering the meaning of Bible passages.

INTRODUCTION: One reason we must interpret is the very character and nature of the Scriptures. They are removed from us by thousands of years, a vastly different cultural setting, customs that seem strange to us, and places we have never visited. To be confident about our grasp of any passage, we must consider these factors and use interpretive strategies that examine these characteristics. Because this involves serious work many will dismiss the significance of this point. I encourage you to consider these factors as they will guide you to understanding the truth.

LESSON:

THE NATURE AND CHARACTER OF SCRIPTURE DEMANDS THAT WE INTERPRET THE BIBLE

Interpretation is necessary not only because of God’s clear commandments and who we are as readers but also because of the nature of Scripture itself.

1.  The Bible Is the Message of a Changeless God And, as Such, Is Timeless and Always Relevant. However, as Fee and Stuart explain,

The Bible is not a series of propositions and imperatives; it is not simply a collection of “Sayings from Chairman God,” as though he looked down at us from heaven and said: “Hey you down there, learn these truths. Number 1, There is no God but One, and I am he. Number 2, I am the Creator of all things, including humankind”—and so on, all the way through proposition 7,777 and imperative 777.  

Although the Bible does contain these truths, they are not recorded in this form. Throughout the Bible God becomes personally involved in people's lives. He does not offer stale remedies and pious platitudes but rather speaks directly to their needs in ways that are appropriate to their situations. The Holy Spirit, through human penmen, wrote the biblical texts to be timely to their original recipients. Therefore, the biblical texts address specific situations and questions. This historical particularity makes interpretation of the Bible challenging and fascinating. (Anders)

2.  The Goal of Bible Interpretation must be to Understand What the Author Was Trying to Say to His Original Readers. 

As Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart note,

God's Word to us was first of all his Word to them”. To elaborate: “A text cannot mean what it never meant. Or to put it in a positive way, the true meaning of the biblical text for us is what God originally intended it to mean when it was first spoken. This is the starting point.

To understand what the Bible means, we must first understand what it meant to the original readers. This is hard, however, because of the distance of time, culture, and language between us and the first readers.

3. The Characteristics the Student Must Consider:

A. Time

The sixty-six books of the Bible were composed over a 1,500-year period that ended nineteen centuries ago. The world has changed a great deal since the last words were written, and without study we simply do not know what the world was like then. Without that knowledge, it is hard for us to understand what is at stake in many parts of the Bible.

For example, it is hard to understand Jonah’s unwillingness to obey God and preach in Nineveh until we learn that Nineveh was the most hated nation (and not just by Israel) of the eighth century b.c. It was a cross between Nazi Germany and the Mafia. Why should he want to help them?

One can find in Manners and Customs of the Bible information about the people, language, customs, and peculiarities of the Bible peoples.  The book moves through each book of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation highlighting and relating information regarding the religious, political, social, civil, military, and domestic customs.  This tool allows the student to understand more of the Bible's historical context which often sheds much light on a passage of Scripture.  It is a great help to understand the way people lived and taught in ancient times and cultures.

B. Culture

Significant cultural distance separates us from the world of the biblical texts. We must not overlook the importance of the life and times, the culture and conditions, the background of code and custom against which the Bible was written. An understanding of the way people lived in their culture and climate is extremely valuable to the Bible student. Since we are from the Western world and belong to a different time, another culture, with non-identical values and idiosyncrasies, we must seek to avoid interpreting the Bible within the framework of our own world. Therefore, it is essential that we possess a strong grasp of the times and culture of the specific biblical text in consideration.

For example, we cannot understand the book of Ruth apart from understanding the right and responsibility an available relative had to redeem the land of his dead relative and raise up a child to the childless widow.

In addition, Matthew 24:41, says, “Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”   This interesting verse portrays two women working in near proximity with each other and then at the coming of Christ they are severed the one from the other.  Grinding at the mill was a lengthy tedious pain staking task that the women managed in preparation for the meals and the baking of bread. In Matthew 24:41 the Savior spoke of two women grinding at the mill and suddenly one is taken away and the other is left behind.  The mill itself consisted of two stone slabs probably shaped like wheels and placed on top of each other. Grain was placed in a center hole in the top stone and ground as the wheels are turned.  It took two ladies to operate the mill.  One would hold the handle in the top stone with both hands and the other will hold with one hand and continually feed the mill with the grain.  Round and around they would move the stone upon the other one thus, effectively crushing the grain.  They would position a container to catch the flour as it poured out of the sides of the mill.  This fatiguing type work was often relegated to the lowest of servants, slaves or even captives.  The idea of the Lord’s return dividing these two workers at the mill is powerful and arresting. His coming will be so decisive and exacting that even this very intimate association and interactive work will be abruptly interrupted precisely taking away one while distinctly leaving the other. (J. Phillips)

Also, writers living before the discovery of germs or molecules did not express truth in the ways and manners of modern scientists. If they had, their writings would have made no sense to anyone until our age arrived.

C. Geography

We are also geographically distant from the authors and recipients of the biblical books.

A knowledge of geography clarifies a passage. 

Consider John 2:11–13, in which Jesus had just been to a wedding in the Galilean town of Cana: This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.  [12] After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. [13] And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem (John 2:11-13).

Why did John say they went down to Capernaum from Cana, when Capernaum is north of Cana? And why did he say they went up to Jerusalem when Jerusalem is south of Capernaum? The answer is that we, in the modern world, are oriented to looking at maps with north being up and south being down. If we are in Louisiana, we say we are going up to New York. If we are in Washington, we say we are going down to California. But the peoples of Bible times did not have maps the way we do. When they said they went down from Cana to Capernaum, they meant they went down! That is, they descended in altitude. Cana is in the hills. Capernaum is on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, lower in altitude than Cana. When they went up to Jerusalem from Capernaum, John meant they went up! Approximately a thousand feet! When you are walking, you are acutely aware of what up and down are (down is easier).

Knowing the location of the towns, the approximate terrain, the major bodies of water, and so forth helps a person visualize these verses, and they come to life. Without a knowledge of geography, these verses tend to lie lifeless on the page.  (Anders)

D. Language

         1) Types of Language.  Linguistic distance separates us from the biblical texts. The Old Testament was primarily written in ancient Hebrew, although there are a few passages in the related tongue of Aramaic. The New Testament was composed in Greek. The authors in each use words and phrases with which we are not totally familiar. 

         2) Types of Literature.  To communicate His message as clearly as possible, God used many different forms of literature, including formal instruction, narration, parables, poetry and proverbs, and prophecy. Each of these literary forms has special principles that must be followed for proper interpretation. (Heb. 1:1-2)

The writer may use personifications which is, “the most interesting and prolific figure of speech in the Bible.” This is a literary form in which one ascribes human characteristics to a non-human thing. This can be expanded to include human actions or emotions credited to inanimate objects or even animals. This feature makes them easier to recognize. Some examples in the Bible would include Deuteronomy 13:8, “Neither shall thine eyes pity him” and then another example is, “Let not thy left hand know,” (Matthew 6:3). Other excellent examples can be found in Isaiah 35:1; 55:12; Joel 1:10; Judges 5:20; Psalm 85:10, and James 1:15. (J. Phillips)

E. Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Key to Understanding the Entire Bible!

When interpreting the Bible, it is extremely important to maintain a sharp look out for any information or details about the person and work of the Lord Jesus. He is the ultimate key to interpreting the Bible accurately.  For example, in the book of Genesis He appears as the mighty Creator, the seed of the woman promised to Adam, He is also the star that would rise out of Jacob, and the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.  In the book of Exodus, He appears as the Passover lamb, He is in the detail of every facet of the Tabernacle, He is the Shekinah glory in the Holy of Holies, He is the manna and the smitten rock.  In the book of Leviticus, He is each offering and the great high priest, as well as the goats on the Day of Atonement.  In the book of Ruth, Christ is the kinsmen redeemer. And in the book of Isaiah, He is the Servant of Jehovah and the lamb lead to the slaughter and the wonderful Messiah who will reign in power, justice, and glory. (J. Phillips)

Christ is wonderfully revealed in the books of Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Solomon. In Psalm 1, He is the blessed man, in Psalm 2, He is the Son that man should kiss before it is too late and in Psalm 23, He is the good divine Shepherd who leads and satisfies. In Psalm 22, and 69, we find Him as the suffering Savior and then in the 24th division He is the King of Glory.  Then back in Psalm 8, we find Him as the perfect man and in the 45th division He is the awesome and mighty God. The Psalm are filled with prophetic and Messianic snapshots and expositions of Christ.

In the book of Proverbs, He is wisdom personified and incarnated. Then in the Song of Solomon he is the handsome shepherd who wins the heart of the Shulamite girl and is victorious over all worldly attractions.

The Lord Jesus Christ is seen in the New Testament books of Matthew through 2 Timothy.  For example, in Matthew He is the king of Israel, the nation of the Jews; in Mark he is portrayed as the servant of Jehovah; in the Gospel of Luke he is the Son of Man; then John presents him as the Son of God.  In the book of Acts, Christ is active through His Spirit and the Apostles as the ascended head of the churches.  In Paul's letter to the Romans, Christ is our righteousness; in 1Corinthians Jesus is the firstfruits from the dead. The Book of Galatians presents him as the end of the Law of Moses and in Ephesians He is the head, the bridegroom, and the foundation of his churches. In Philippians He is in the form of God and is the supplier of all our needs.  In the book of Colossians, he is the creator, sustainer, owner of the universe, and the preeminent one over all.  In I Thessalonians, He is coming again for the redeemed in the Rapture; then in 2 Thessalonians He is the coming judge of all the earth. Then in 1 Timothy he is seen as the One Mediator between God and man; in 2 Timothy he is described as the judge of the both the living and the dead. (J. Phillips)

The Lord Jesus Christ can be seen in the New Testament books of Hebrews through the Revelation. In Hebrews He appears as the great antitype to all the types: son, priest, sacrifice, heir, greater than Aaron or Melchisedec, greater than both Moses, Joshua, and the angels.  He is both the Son of man and the Son of God.  Therefore, we are encouraged to keep our eyes on Jesus. James depicts him as the Lord of Sabaoth and the one great healer.  In 1 Peter He is the inheritance of the believer and the Chief Shepherd of the flock.  In 1 Peter he appears as the One from the excellent glory. Then in 1 John, Jesus is the Word incarnate; in 2 John he is the One who enables our souls to prosper and the name in which the Gospel is preached. Jude tells us that Christ is the preserver, the only Lord God, the only wise God, he is our Savior, and he is glorious in majesty.  In the book of the Revelation, Jesus is the coming king, and the one who uphold all things by the word of His power, the sustainer of all forces and factors in the universe, and the Great Sovereign bending the atom and the cosmos to the pattern of His will. (J. Phillips)

CONCLUSION:

As we have said, the meaning of a given passage in the Bible is not always clear to us. There are three reasons. First, we bring to the interpretation certain assumptions that might not be correct. Second, a great gap of time, culture, and language results in some things written in the Bible being perfectly clear to the ones to whom it was written, and perfectly incomprehensible to us two or three thousand years later. Finally, all communication needs to be interpreted. I have even read things that I have written, and I no longer know what I meant by them. How much more might I be confused by someone else's writing! Oral language is usually accompanied by facial expressions, non-verbal cues, body language, vocal inflections, and so forth. But you do not have these clues to interpretation with the written Word. Therefore, when trying to master the Scriptures so that the Word of God can master us, we must work hard at discovering what the Bible says and what it means.

Was Adam a Real Person?

GEN. 1:26-28; ROM. 5:12-21; 1COR. 15:22, 45

SUBJECT: THE BIBLE VERSUS EVOLUTION

THEME: if our Christian foundation, specifically the biblical account of our origin, can be undermined by evolutionary teaching, then all other convictions, beliefs and doctrines stand suspect and are reduced to myths and mere fantasy.

INTRODUCTION:

So, was Adam a historical figure or an outdated spiritual symbol for humanity from a past era?

The theory of evolution has dominated our society for about a century, especially in our educational institutions. The media has been most influential in promoting the “fact” of organic evolution with some television programs and magazine editorial sections loyally devoted to the evolutionary viewpoint. Usually this indoctrination is obvious and insistent, but even when it is more subtle, it is nevertheless unmistakably effective.

Our current social and moral problems are largely a result of the humanistic philosophy which has been spawned by evolutionary thinking. The so-called “new morality” we are presently witnessing is actually “no morality,” the inevitable result of the atheistic, evolutionary philosophy. Indeed, there are virtually no areas of thought and life today which have remained untarnished by the effects of this popular viewpoint. (Cloud, D.)

Consider this thought from Huse,

Evolution has been universally accepted as fact while at the same time Biblical creationism has been generally discarded as an antiquated belief of a former age. Organized Christianity has spent the past century or so retreating and compromising before the onslaughts of the evolutionists. Consequently, the faith of many Bible-believing Christians has been seriously affected and countless sincere people have been deceived.—Scott M. Huse

My basic purpose in this article is three-fold:

        — First, to expose some of the fallacies of the theory of organic macro-evolution

        — Secondly, to present scientific evidence for Biblical creationism  

        — Thirdly, to prove that evolution and Biblical creationism are mutually exclusive and cannot be reconciled

LESSON:

I.  The Significance of a Historical Adam in The Bible

ADAM (red) is portrayed as the first man (Ge. 2-3). A number of New Testament references support this idea: Rom. 5:14; 1 Cor. 15:22, 45; 1 Tim. 2:13.

It is clear that the Apostles considered Adam to be a historical man, not merely a symbolic figure. “Adam is probably so called either from the red earth of which he was formed, or from the blush or flesh-tint of the human countenance” (Treasury).

A. TO DENY ADAM AND EVE AS HISTORICAL PERSONS IS TO DENY THE BIBLE.

   1.  Adam and Eve Are Mentioned 34 Times in the Bible.

   2.  Adam and Eve Are Mentioned in at Least Four Books of the Old Testament (Ge. 2- 4; De. 32:8; 1 Ch. 1:1; and Job 31:33).

   3.   Adam and Eve Are Mentioned in at Least five books of the New Testament (Lk. 3:38; Ro. 5:12, 14; 1 Co. 11:3; 15:22; 1 Co. 15:45; 1 Ti. 2:13-14; and Jude 14).

   4.  No One Who Believes the Bible Is the Infallible Word of God Can Doubt That Adam and Eve Were Created as the First Human Beings by a Special Act of God.

B. THE FIRST FIVE CHAPTERS OF THE BIBLE ARE WRITTEN AS HISTORY.  

   1.  THERE IS NOTHING IN THE RECORD TO INDICATE THAT IT IS TO BE INTERPRETED NON-LITERALLY, AS POETIC OR SYMBOLIC.

   2.  When the Bible uses symbolism, it plainly distinguishes that it is such, and it gives the keys for interpreting the symbols.

For example we can see this in Revelation. In chapter 17; John describes a woman sitting on a beast, and he plainly tells us that this is a mystery and he gives the interpretation of the symbolic language in the passage itself (vv. 7-18). The same is also apparent in the Kingdom Parables chapter 13 of Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus gives us the parable in verses 3-9 and then He gives the keys to interpreting this parable and the others in verses 18-23 of the same chapter. 

   3.  Genesis Ch. 1-5, though, is written as history. Much like other historical passages it conveys some of the details of what actually transpired. Our faith is rooted in real history.

   4.  Gen. 5:5 says that Adam lived 930 years and then died! If Adam only represented mankind, what happened to “mankind” after Adam died! This is obviously a reference to a very real person who literally died.

C. IF ADAM AND EVE WERE NOT HISTORICAL PEOPLE, THE FALL IS A MYTH.

Therefore, Redemption Through the Cross of Christ Is Nonsense. See Romans 5:12-19, for the details and explanation. Paul clearly views Adams as a real person.

D. TO DENY THE HISTORY OF ADAM IS TO DENY JESUS CHRIST.

  1.  Christ’s Genealogy Is Traced from Adam (Lk. 3:23-38).

  2.  Further, the N.T. makes a direct comparison between Christ and Adam (Ro. 5:17; 1 Co. 15:22, 45). Adam was just as real as the Lord Jesus is.

II. Evolution and the Historical Account of Creation in The Bible (Gen. 1 – 3)

A.  THE MEANING OF EVOLUTION.

     — Evolution: The idea that the world and all existing things came into being through a process of gradual change and progression.

     — It has even been said that a person can believe the teaching of evolution and the teaching of the Bible without any serious contradiction. In other words, some say God used evolution as His means of making the world.

     — This, though, is impossible according to Hebrews 11:1-6!

B.  THE CHIEF MOTIVE FOR DENYING THE HISTORY OF ADAM . . . 

IS THE CHALLENGE OF SCIENCE AND THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION, BUT THE BIBLE AND EVOLUTION ARE IN DIRECT CONTRADICTION.

Let me list five of the plain Bible statements which directly contradict the theories of evolution.

         1. Genesis Says God Created the World and Everything in it in Six Literal "Morning and Evening" Days.

                — To read “eons” of time into the six days of creation is to turn language on its head and to make the Bible incapable of being dogmatically interpreted. This is clearly an accommodation of this misguided theory.

               — If the Bible does not mean what it says, there is no way to know what it does mean (Gen. 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31). Creation unfolded over a period of six days and no other explanation appreciates what the Scripture undoubtedly states. (Cloud, D.)

         2. Genesis Says All Creation Was Made in a Mature State to Reproduce after its Kind.

              — The statement “after their kind” is found nine times in Genesis chapter one.

              — This is precisely what we observe in the world. Dogs reproduce dogs and frogs reproduce frogs and birds reproduce birds and peanuts reproduce peanuts.

              — This is biblical, but it is strictly contrary to what evolution requires.

         3. Genesis Says Man and Animals Were Distinctly Different Creations.  Gen. 1:24-28

               A.  The animals were made to reproduce after their kind, but man was made in the image of God and made a living soul.

               B.  Man has a spiritual aspect which no animal has. The animals were made to relate to man and to provide his enjoyment and needs.

               C.  Man was made to relate to God, to fellowship with, serve, worship, and glorify Him.

John Leslie wisely noted,

Now, if it has been found impossible—a question which I have put from time to time, but which still waits an answer—if it has been found impossible to change one species of bird into another species of bird, or one kind of animal into another kind of animal, how much more impossible would it have been to have changed an animal into a man? Or if, in other words, the blood or life of one species of animal is so radically different from the blood or life of another kind of animal, how much greater must the difference be between the blood of an animal and that of a man?—John Leslie

         4.  Genesis Says the World Was Created Perfect, Then Fell under Sin and God’s Curse (Gen. 3:11-24). This is consistent with everything we can observe. Everything is winding down. Everything is proceeding from order to chaos. Everything is corrupting. Evolution would require the exact opposite.

        5.   Genesis Says Everything Was Created to Fulfill God’s Purposes, the World and Everything in It, as Well as the Planetary Universe. 

             — Teleology is the study of final causes, of the purposes of nature.

             — It is a fascinating study, because regardless of how minutely one studies the creation, one is struck with a sense of wonder at the brilliant purpose behind every detail.

ILLUSTRATION:  Study the eye, the ear, the leaf, the atom, light, sound, air—everywhere you find purpose and design. That is what one would expect if God created the world precisely as the Bible says He did, but it is not what we would find if evolution were true.

             — If the latter were true we would find incredible chaos and happenstance and haphazardness. We would have a world filled with monsters and  unpredictable madness, part one thing and part another, a fish becoming a bird, a frog becoming a rat, a lizard becoming a bird, partially formed beaks which do not yet have a purpose, partially formed feet, partially formed wings, partially formed eyes, partially formed brains.

             — We would have no fixed absolutes from which and with which to work. We would have no atomic clock because the atom would not be stable. We would have no sure guide across the trackless oceans because the heavenly bodies would be in fluctuation. Praise the Lord that evolution is a lie and the Bible is true. (Cloud, D.)

III. Why We Should Hate Evolution as Lovers of Truth

Popular opinion says the Christian is not supposed to hate anything. The Bible, though, says differently. In Psalm 119:128, we are impressed with these words, “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; AND I HATE EVERY FALSE WAY.”

The godly Psalmist hated those things which were contrary to the inspired Scriptures. A Christian that does not hate sin and error is a Christian who does not love truth and righteousness. One of the things I hate as a Christian is evolution. Why?

    A.  FIRST, WE SHOULD HATE EVOLUTION BECAUSE IT DENIES THE BIBLE.

         — Some make silly statements that there is no proof of contrast between the Bible and evolution, that they can be reconciled.

         — Kitty Ferguson, in The Fire in the Equations published in 1995 by Eerdmans, claims that "one is free to believe that God invented the process of evolution in order to create."

         — That is nonsense. Evolution denies the plain and literal statements of the Bible.

         — Let me list seven of these plain Bible statements which directly contradict the theories of evolution.

How Evolution Differs from the Bible:

         1. The Bible Says God Made the World and All Things Therein in Six Days.

              A.  That these were six normal days by man's reasoning—24-hour days rather than 1,000-year or million-year days—is proven in Genesis chapter one by the repeated use of the phrase “the evening and the morning were the first day.” God would not have chosen this expression if He had not desired to communicate the idea of a normal day.

              B.  Also, in Exodus, the Lord revealed that the days of creation were the same kind of days as those kept by the Israelites for Sabbaths (Ex. 20:8-11; 31:16-17). Genesis and Exodus were written by the same person. He understood what he wrote in each book.

             C.  Evolution, on the other hand, says the present world is the product of millions of years of evolutionary process.

         2. The Bible Says God Made Plants and Animals in Such a Way That They Are Divided into Distinct Categories.

              A.  The dividing lines between “kinds” of animals cannot be crossed.

                   — One kind cannot be successfully interbred with another.

                   — Fish cannot become birds; bats cannot become eagles; dogs cannot become cats.

                   — It is true that there can be crossing over and interbreeding within kinds--one type of dog can be bred with another type of dog. But the major kinds of animals cannot cross over into other kinds (Ge. 1:21, 24, 25).

                   — Evolution teaches that all animals grew from some type of common stock. One kind produced another kind. Fish became land animals; lands animals became birds; and animal became a man.

                

              B.  This is directly opposed to the Bible. It is also contrary to the impassable gulf we observe existing today between animal species.

         3. The Bible Teaches That Man Is Not an Animal. Man Is the Only Creature on Earth Made in God's Image in Order to Have Direct Fellowship with God.

            A.  Man did not grow out of the animal kingdom.

                  — He was created directly by God to rule over the creation and to walk and talk with God (Ge. 1:19-31).

                  — Man was man the very hour he was made by God (Ge. 2:7; 5:1-2).

           

            B.  As soon as man was created, he had the ability to name all the animals of the world (Ge. 2:18-20).

            C.  Man was never an unintelligent animal.

            D.  Evolution, though, teaches that man arose from the animal kingdom, gradually becoming more and more intelligent, civilized, and self-conscious.

         4. The Bible Teaches That Mankind Was Made Perfect and Rebelled Against God.

           A.  Ever since that day, the human race has been growing increasingly more perverse and corrupt.                          

           B.  According to the Bible, man is not evolving, he is devolving (Ge. 1:26-31; 6:5-7; Ec. 7:29; 2 Ti. 3:13).

           C.  Evolution teaches that the human race began as dumb animals and has been growing increasingly better and higher. Please do not confuse clever technological advances and inventions with the improvement of humanities essential nature and behavior.

         5. The Bible Teaches That Man Was Created Intelligent and Inventive.

            A.  Adam’s children, in the very first centuries after creation, knew how to make music, keep cattle, farm, and work with brass and iron (Ge. 4:1-4, 16-22).

            B.  Evolution says it took men thousands or millions of years to learn these things. Also see Gen. 1:26-28, for more evidence of this.

         6. The Bible Teaches That the Origin of the World Must Be Understood by Faith Because the Process Is No Longer Visible (He. 11:3).  Heb. 11:3, says, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

Evolutionists, though, are attempting to learn the process or origins through observing present conditions. The process is no longer evident; it cannot be studied because of this. It is possible to make observations about the visible world and its nature, but how it came into existence cannot be observed today.

         7. The Bible Says Divine Interventions Have Altered the State of the World since Creation—Noah’s Flood (2 Pet. 3:3-4). Evolution assumes a process unaltered from without—a closed system. Yet, the Scriptures repeatedly claim marvelous and extraordinary interventions and even judgments from God.

2 Pet 3:3-7, Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.  5, For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6, Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7, But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Simply put the world we live in today is vastly different from the original creation because of catastrophic events and divine judgments. We cannot assume the world we live in came about merely by long slow processes of change. Without this kind of insight we assume such ridiculous notions as the Colorado River creating the Grand Canyon over long periods of time.

B.  SECONDLY, WE SHOULD HATE EVOLUTION BECAUSE IT DENIES GOD.

   1.  The God of Evolution Is Certainly NOT the God of the Bible.

The God of the Bible is intimately involved with His creation. He did not make some primordial soup and then invent some strange evolutionary process and stand back and wait for pre-man to slither out of it.  If that is your idea of God, you do not know the God of the Bible.

   2.  The God of the Bible Lovingly Formed Man from the Dust of the Ground and Breathed into Him the Breath of Life So That He Became a Living Soul (Gen. 1-3). The God of the Bible walked and talked with that man from the beginning, and He lovingly and patiently prepared the way for man's salvation after his fall (having prepared it in eternity).

   3.  The God of the Bible Not Only Created the World, He Intimately Sustains the World.

“And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17).

       A.  The God of the Bible is involved with every detail of creation. He says, “I know all the fowls of the mountains” (Psalm 50:11).

       B.  It is God who “visiteth the earth, and waterest it” (Psalm 65:9).

       C.  Jesus said not even a sparrow falls without His knowledge.

       D.  Every detail of creation was designed to bring glory to God. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalm 19:1). This, friends, is not the strange god of evolution. This is clearly the work of a Creator and Sustainer!

C.  THIRDLY, WE SHOULD HATE EVOLUTION BECAUSE IT DENIES SALVATION.

    1.  If Genesis 1-3 is Not Literal History, the Rest of the Bible, the Doctrine of Christ and Salvation are Fairy Tales—because these are based on a supposition that these were real historical events.

    2.  The Lord Jesus Christ Referred to the Creation of Woman and the Institution of Marriage (Matthew 19:8). He views these as real history. He spoke of them as real events and activities that truly took place. Adam and Eve were real people to the Lord Jesus and they should be perceived as such by us today.

    3.  Paul Said That Sin Entered the World Through One Man, Adam (Romans 5:12-14). Paul said Adam was first formed, then Eve, and Eve was deceived (1 Timothy 2:13, 14).

    4.  There Is Not a Hint Anywhere in the Bible That Genesis 1-3 Is Not Literal History.

    5.  Man Was Created in God’s Image on the Sixth Day of Creation and Placed in the Garden of Eden as the Master of the World. Man was given a commandment not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The man and the woman disobeyed; they sinned; they fell. They were judged by God and evicted from the Garden and condemned to toil and to suffer and to die. But they were also given the offer of salvation through the Atonement which would be provided for them by God’s own Son. If Genesis 1-3 is not literal history, there was no fall. If there was no fall, salvation is a myth. Yet, the Lord Jesus died for our sins precisely as the Scriptures predicted He would!

    6.  I Hate Evolution, but I Love the Bible and the Lord Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION:

If our Christian foundation, specifically the biblical account of our origin, can be undermined by evolutionary teaching, then all other convictions, beliefs and doctrines stand suspect and are reduced to myths and mere fantasy.

The irony of this whole situation is that the very concept of organic macro-evolution is completely absurd and impossible. It is absolutely astonishing that an idea which is so devoid of any legitimate scientific evidence could have attained a position of such prestige in the name of science.

Biblical creationism, however, has recently been revived and is gathering impressive momentum. Literally thousands of distinguished scientists are rejecting evolution in favor of creationism. Many states are considering including creationism in the science curricula, and numerous lectures and debates have been hosted on university campuses to clarify these matters.

Yes, Adam was a real man, and when we get to Heaven we will meet Him there. Our Bible is absolutely true in every degree. Trust it, believe it, walk in its precepts, and build your life on this solid foundation. Yes, we (every single one of us) are accountable to a Living God of Creation! As a fellow creature, I know He will hold us accountable for the life and opportunities He gave to each of us. 

The Indestructible!

PS. 12:6-7; 33:11; 100:5

                                                                                   

On numerous occasions, Satan has attempted to remove the Bible from the face of the earth. There have been brazen decrees by godless individuals, religious groups, and atheistic governments endeavoring to ban, burn, and banish the Word of God.  Throughout history scornful critics have done their best to discredit and nullify the Scriptures. Yet, the Bible has endured!

This is important because in the final analysis, the same Bible claiming to be perfectly inspired also claims to be providentially preserved. Our Lord inspired the Scriptures, that is He moved certain individuals to write down His revelations, truths, and words for the benefit of His people. What these penmen wrote is the very perfect mind of Almighty God and it was free of any errors in its recording and teachings. God also promised repeatedly that He would guard the Scriptures in their purity and perpetuity. God Himself would ensure the Scriptures survive on earth for our continual usage. Our faith in this is not based on common sense (though it is sensible to believe that if God gave a perfect Bible He would preserve that very Bible); our faith is based on the promises of the God that cannot lie.

Today we will discover that the perfectly inspired Word of God has also been completely preserved for all generations. We will also endeavor to set forth God’s clear testimony and express will regarding the continuation/endurance of the pure Word of God.  In doing this, we will establish the biblical teaching of an indestructible Bible and boldly declare that God has keep his promise to play the role of Preserver of his holy book. I believe it is vital for each Christian to come to the conclusion that we do have a complete and perfect Bible today.

       

This teaching that God has preserved his Word pure through the ages is a clear biblical statement. The same God that perfectly inspired the Scriptures has promised to perfectly preserve the Scriptures—not merely its teachings, but its very words. If inspiration was perfect but preservation is only general, this entire issue is foolish. To argue for an inspired Bible which no longer exists is empty and meaningless. Except we have a divinely preserve Bible we have nothing at all! The whole doctrine of inspiration becomes totally meaningless if we fail to grasp the doctrine of preservation. Let’s take a closer look at the associated issues.

LESSON:

I. THE MODERN ISSUES REGARDING THE DOCTRINE OF PRESERVATION.

Ps. 12:6-7, The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

Ps. 33:11, The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

   A.  MANY BELIEVE IN INSPIRATION BUT NOT PRESERVATION.

Many evangelical and even fundamental men write volumes defining and defending what the Bible says about its own inspiration, but they are strangely silent on what the same Bible says about preservation. They take the position of faith in regard to inspiration but retreat to the position of skepticism in regard to preservation. Many have struggled and failed to believe God on this point.  Yet, the scriptures are extremely clear about this matter of God preserving His Word.

Ps. 100:5, For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Ps. 111:7-8, The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.

Jack Moorman, in his excellent manual “Forever Settled,” states the solution to this problem plainly: "A far better principle is given in Ro. 14:23--`Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.' If I cannot by faith take the Bible in my hand and say this is the preserved Word of God, then it is sin. If we do not approach the study of how we got our Bible from the standpoint of faith, then it is sin. If I cannot believe what God says about the preservation of His Word, then I cannot believe what He says about its inspiration either--all is sin."

   B.  MANY BELIEVE THAT WE NO LONGER HAVE A PRESERVED BIBLE TODAY.

Many Christians use the expression, "I believe in the divine, verbal, plenary, and inerrant inspiration of the original Scriptures," -a true statement, to be sure.

But, We DO NOT HAVE the original Scriptures in our possession, and likely never will! So, making such a statement without qualification can be rather convenient. Believing in the inspiration of the originals frees preachers, teachers, and professors to “correct” the Bible when it suits their purposes. (R. J. Sargent)

II. THE HISTORICAL TRIUMPH OF THE INDESTRUCTIBLE BIBLE.

Ps. 100:5, For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

God, through the Psalmist, declares His truth will endure for the benefit of all generations. While this is a rather general declaration because the term “truth” is employed, it is vital that we understand that truth is couched in thoughts, terms, and even words.

Dr. H. L. Willmington, a conservative theologian, wrote,

The story is told of a visitor who toured a blacksmith shop. Viewing heaps of discarded hammers but only one huge anvil, he asked: “How often do you replace your anvil?” With a smile the owner replied, “Never! It is the anvil that wears out the hammers, you know!”So it is with the Word of God. The hammers of persecution, ridicule, higher criticism, liberalism, and atheism have for centuries pounded out their vicious blows upon the divine anvil, but all to no avail. There they lie, in rusting piles, while the mighty anvil of the Scriptures stands unbroken, unshaken, and unchipped.   

     A.  ITS INDESTRUCTIBILITY IN SPITE OF POLITICAL PERSECUTIONS (from the Roman Emperors).

In A.D. 303, Emperor Diocletian thought he had destroyed every hated Bible. After many tireless years of ruthless slaughter and destruction, he erected a column of victory over the embers of a burned Bible. The title on the column read: "Extinct is the Name of Christian." Twenty years later, the new Emperor Constantine offered a reward for any remaining Bibles. Within twenty-four hours no less than fifty copies were brought out of hiding and presented to the king.

     B.  ITS INDESTRUCTIBILITY IN SPITE OF RELIGIOUS PERSECUTIONS.

         1.  As Seen Through the Persecutions by Roman Catholic Popes.

Almost without exception, the early popes opposed the reading and translating of the Bible. In 1199, Pope Innocent III ordered the burning of all Bibles.

         2.  As Seen Through the Persecutions Leveled Against John Wycliffe and William Tyndale.

Of all the heroes in church history, no two other names are so closely associated with the Word of God as the names of Wycliffe and Tyndale. The very mention of these two men was no doubt sufficient to turn the devil livid with rage. It is therefore no surprise to read of the vicious attacks leveled against them.

    C.  ITS INDESTRUCTIBILITY IN SPITE OF PHILOSOPHICAL PERSECUTION.

Here several cases come to mind:

           1.  Voltaire.  He once said, "Another century and there will be not a Bible on the earth." The century is gone, and the circulation of the Bible is one of the marvels of the age. After he died, his old printing press and the very house where he lived was purchased by the Geneva Bible Society and made a depot for Bibles.

On December 24, 1933, the British Government bought the Codex Sinaiticus from the Russians for half a million dollars. On that same day, a first edition of Voltaire's work sold for eleven cents in Paris bookshops.

          2.  Thomas Paine. He once said, "I have gone through the Bible as a man would go through a forest with an axe to fell trees. I have cut down tree after tree; here they lie. They will never grow again." Tom Paine thought he had demolished the Bible, but since he crawled into a drunkard's grave in 1809, the Bible has leaped forward as never before.

          3.  Joseph Stalin. This bloody butcher took over all of Russia at the death of Lenin in the late twenties. From this point on until his death in the fifties, Stalin instituted a “ban the Bible” purge from the U.S.S.R. such as had never been witnessed before. This miserable man literally attempted to wipe the Word of God and the God of the Word from the Russian minds. Did he succeed? A recent poll taken in Russia shows that today more people than ever believe in God and his Word.

Today we have learned that the perfectly inspired Word of God has also been completely preserved for all generations. We have also set forth God’s clear testimony and express will regarding the continuation/ endurance of the pure Word of God.  We have established the biblical doctrine of Scripture preservation.  Resultantly, we have boldly declared that God is keeping his promise as “preserver” of his holy book. Every Christian then should come to the conclusion that we do have a complete and perfect Bible today.

Professor Holy Spirit

Once a person comes to Christ for salvation, a life of discipleship begins. Teaching converts the things of God is another fundamental ministry of the Holy Spirit. A great deal is to be discovered about God, the Christian faith, life, and the Bible.  Even though a person may be intellectually exceptional, they still must not presume to be fit to unravel divine truths. God’s thoughts and ways are often infinitely different from the notions of a new convert.  The values and priorities of the world system are culturally incompatible with Christ’s in most regards. Though a person is indeed saved, they will not automatically think God’s thoughts. They must be educated in the truths, doctrines, and principles of the Christian Faith. This is true of the average convert; even for those reared in good Christian homes where the Bible is taught with accuracy and clarity. Simply put the new convert much still grasp and experience Christianity firsthand after conversion.

Because new converts are substantially uneducated in spiritual matters, God must undertake the function of Teacher.  Sonship to God is a whole new unexplored and fascinating reality for new believers.  Thus it is nothing short of a monumental undertaking to bring believers to maturity where they think God’s thoughts, live His values, and exercise themselves in His principles and priorities.  In fact this task is so tremendous, that none but God can do it. 

This is where the Holy Spirit plays the role of Professor. The Lord Jesus said in John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” Christ referred to the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of truth” Who will “guide” believers “into all truth.” The Spirit’s ministry is to guide in learning, instruction, and explanation of all truth concerning the faith. The Lord Jesus also said in John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” The Holy Spirit works in the office of a Teacher giving believers insight into the wisdom of Christ, instilling doctrines, and explaining the meaning for practical adherence.

But, how does the Spirit of God teach the Christian?  The short answer is the Spirit of the Living God divinely enables a Christian to understand Scripture in a way that he could not before becoming a Christian. Consider the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2 to note this. Paul said,

 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. ¹⁰ But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. ¹¹ For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. ¹³ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴ But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵ But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. ¹⁶ For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:9-16).

THE SPIRIT WILL TEACH THE BIBLE

Clearly the Spirit of Grace uses the Bible to train believers in the Faith. This is not only a basic ministry of the Spirit but an essential one as well. Though the Scriptures are infallible and inspired, people need help understanding them. The illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit makes this possible. Because the Bible must be spiritually discerned, the natural mind unaided by the Spirit cannot grasp its truths (D. Williams, 1994, pp. 39-41). The believer can learn and grow under God’s direct tutelage. Without the Spirit’s ministry, people absolutely cannot know spiritual things.

I can recall when I was a pre-teen my pastor gave me a New Testament and instructed me to read it diligently every day.  Well, since this encouragement came from my preacher, I felt it was important to obey him.  Therefore, all through my teen years as a young person I read my New Testament and latter my grandmother’s Bible at the very least five to six days each week.  It was a part of my bedtime ritual.  I can recall understanding some of what I read and other parts simply went over my head.  Though I did not make many decisions based on what I was reading each day I still felt it important to read my Bible.  I still have that New Testament, and it has many places where I highlighted verses or placed them in brackets to indicate their significance.  Apparently I was impressed to some degree with the statements of the Lord Jesus and the passages on salvation.  Though I was not saved at the time, God was still communicating to me through the Bible and laying a foundation for my salvation.

But there was much that confused me; I could not make heads or tails of some passages. I can even recall debating the Bible’s instructions about sexual experimentation, heavy teen petting, and fornication among youths!  Though I attended church regularly, I evidently did not attend to learn the Bible. I was basically missing more than I was taking in from the Word.

Finally, I was saved August twenty-first in the year 1990 in Plattsburgh, New York.  I was now a young man serving in the Air Force on Plattsburgh Air Force Base.  After trusting Christ as Savior, God gave me a hunger for the Bible and a sense of obligation to read His Word and obey His requirements. I remember being deeply convicted about Bible reading a week after my conversion experience.  According to my recollections, I had not been instructed to do this through the church I was currently attending.  I believe it was God’s Spirit prodding me and directing me in this essential exercise. My girlfriend and I went to the local Christian book store and purchased two King James Bibles. My reading soon took off like a rocket.  Naturally, I started reading in the Book of Genesis.  But, now when I read the Bible, it comes alive with meaning.  No, I did not understand it all, far from it, but the stories and remedial lessons in them absolutely occupied my mind and deeply encouraged my reading. I could not get enough of it. I read on and on each day, consuming large portions at a time. I did not understand everything I read, but I was ecstatic with what I did know. So I read and read, not worrying about what I did not grasp, just trying to increase my knowledge of what I did.  I was seeing elementary truths like never before.  It became natural and normal for me to discuss what I was learning with fellow believers. I firmly believe the Spirit of God was teaching and training me with His Word.

I do not mean to imply that everyone will experience this exact kind of difference upon conversion. But it is an example of the illumining and teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. What made the difference between my Bible reading in my teen years and when I tried to read the Bible as a new convert? As a convert I had the Holy Spirit living inside me, teaching me, opening my mind to the truths of Scripture, helping me understand.  I still deeply treasures this wonderful experience and Bible based reality. If you are serious about learn spiritual matters, I can hardily recommend the Professor Holy Spirit. He is a Teacher like no other...absolutely peerless!