Authenticity and Authority of The Bible

Thomas Fuller, an English parson of the 17th century, was probably the first man ever to make a full-time living as a professional author. In one of his numerous books he wrote -

Before the invention of printing, (books) came but singly into the public, which since that mystery is made common, (now) come swimming into the world like shoals of fishes, and one edition spawneth another . . . Indeed, the press, at first a virgin, then a chaste wife, is since turned common, as to prostitute herself to all scurrilous pamphlets . . . Some will say, the charge (of too many books) may most justly be brought against yourself, who have loaded the land with more books than any of your age. To this I confess my fault, and promise amendment, that, God willing, hereafter I will never print book in the English tongue, but what shall tend directly to divinity.

My writings are not so prolific as Fuller's, but a similar complaint against me may be raised: why more books upon such well-travelled subjects? My excuse will be the same as his: there can never be too many books on divinity! Especially is that true of the subject covered in the following pages, which deal with the source of all true religion, the Bible. Our task, however, is not merely to eulogise scripture, but also to test it, for a faith that cannot stand the test of searching examination is not faith but fiction. If our faith is true it will triumph over every trial brought against it by scientist, philosopher, historian, or theologian. But since Christianity is inextricably bound to the Bible, attacks on our faith usually become attacks on the Bible. As Virgil R. Trout has written :

"The basic problem confronting Christianity can be expressed in one word: verification. Is Christianity true? Is Christianity possible?"

But in practice those questions really become, "Is the Bible true? Is the Bible possible?" For if the Bible is proved false, then the fabric of our faith will shred like rags in a garbage disposal. However, the purpose of the following study is not to arm the Bible against its foes. The Bible does not need any defence. As C. H. Spurgeon once said: "Defend the Bible? I should as soon defend a lion. Turn it loose and it will look after itself!" Rather, my purpose is to show why the Bible has been able to withstand every attack made upon it, and why it will continue to triumph. This requires me to establish three things:

the authenticity of the Bible (it is accurate and true in the things it asserts about itself)
the authority of the Bible (it is divinely inspired, and its demands are mandatory)
the reasonableness of the Christian world-view (relating the Bible to science and modern thought).

Those are the questions that occupy the following chapters - although in writing them I feel rather like Sirach, who lamented: "I have had many experiences during my travels, and now I find that I understand things better than I can express them with words!" (34:11) I can only hope that my pen will not fail me, but will fairly write what I know in my spirit, so that you will encounter here, not just cold ideas, but the fiery life of God's wonderful word!

"1004386791"
Authenticity and Authority of The Bible

Thomas Fuller, an English parson of the 17th century, was probably the first man ever to make a full-time living as a professional author. In one of his numerous books he wrote -

Before the invention of printing, (books) came but singly into the public, which since that mystery is made common, (now) come swimming into the world like shoals of fishes, and one edition spawneth another . . . Indeed, the press, at first a virgin, then a chaste wife, is since turned common, as to prostitute herself to all scurrilous pamphlets . . . Some will say, the charge (of too many books) may most justly be brought against yourself, who have loaded the land with more books than any of your age. To this I confess my fault, and promise amendment, that, God willing, hereafter I will never print book in the English tongue, but what shall tend directly to divinity.

My writings are not so prolific as Fuller's, but a similar complaint against me may be raised: why more books upon such well-travelled subjects? My excuse will be the same as his: there can never be too many books on divinity! Especially is that true of the subject covered in the following pages, which deal with the source of all true religion, the Bible. Our task, however, is not merely to eulogise scripture, but also to test it, for a faith that cannot stand the test of searching examination is not faith but fiction. If our faith is true it will triumph over every trial brought against it by scientist, philosopher, historian, or theologian. But since Christianity is inextricably bound to the Bible, attacks on our faith usually become attacks on the Bible. As Virgil R. Trout has written :

"The basic problem confronting Christianity can be expressed in one word: verification. Is Christianity true? Is Christianity possible?"

But in practice those questions really become, "Is the Bible true? Is the Bible possible?" For if the Bible is proved false, then the fabric of our faith will shred like rags in a garbage disposal. However, the purpose of the following study is not to arm the Bible against its foes. The Bible does not need any defence. As C. H. Spurgeon once said: "Defend the Bible? I should as soon defend a lion. Turn it loose and it will look after itself!" Rather, my purpose is to show why the Bible has been able to withstand every attack made upon it, and why it will continue to triumph. This requires me to establish three things:

the authenticity of the Bible (it is accurate and true in the things it asserts about itself)
the authority of the Bible (it is divinely inspired, and its demands are mandatory)
the reasonableness of the Christian world-view (relating the Bible to science and modern thought).

Those are the questions that occupy the following chapters - although in writing them I feel rather like Sirach, who lamented: "I have had many experiences during my travels, and now I find that I understand things better than I can express them with words!" (34:11) I can only hope that my pen will not fail me, but will fairly write what I know in my spirit, so that you will encounter here, not just cold ideas, but the fiery life of God's wonderful word!

7.99 In Stock
Authenticity and Authority of The Bible

Authenticity and Authority of The Bible

by Ken Chant
Authenticity and Authority of The Bible

Authenticity and Authority of The Bible

by Ken Chant

eBook

$7.99 

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
WANT A NOOK?  Explore Now

Related collections and offers

LEND ME® See Details

Overview

Thomas Fuller, an English parson of the 17th century, was probably the first man ever to make a full-time living as a professional author. In one of his numerous books he wrote -

Before the invention of printing, (books) came but singly into the public, which since that mystery is made common, (now) come swimming into the world like shoals of fishes, and one edition spawneth another . . . Indeed, the press, at first a virgin, then a chaste wife, is since turned common, as to prostitute herself to all scurrilous pamphlets . . . Some will say, the charge (of too many books) may most justly be brought against yourself, who have loaded the land with more books than any of your age. To this I confess my fault, and promise amendment, that, God willing, hereafter I will never print book in the English tongue, but what shall tend directly to divinity.

My writings are not so prolific as Fuller's, but a similar complaint against me may be raised: why more books upon such well-travelled subjects? My excuse will be the same as his: there can never be too many books on divinity! Especially is that true of the subject covered in the following pages, which deal with the source of all true religion, the Bible. Our task, however, is not merely to eulogise scripture, but also to test it, for a faith that cannot stand the test of searching examination is not faith but fiction. If our faith is true it will triumph over every trial brought against it by scientist, philosopher, historian, or theologian. But since Christianity is inextricably bound to the Bible, attacks on our faith usually become attacks on the Bible. As Virgil R. Trout has written :

"The basic problem confronting Christianity can be expressed in one word: verification. Is Christianity true? Is Christianity possible?"

But in practice those questions really become, "Is the Bible true? Is the Bible possible?" For if the Bible is proved false, then the fabric of our faith will shred like rags in a garbage disposal. However, the purpose of the following study is not to arm the Bible against its foes. The Bible does not need any defence. As C. H. Spurgeon once said: "Defend the Bible? I should as soon defend a lion. Turn it loose and it will look after itself!" Rather, my purpose is to show why the Bible has been able to withstand every attack made upon it, and why it will continue to triumph. This requires me to establish three things:

the authenticity of the Bible (it is accurate and true in the things it asserts about itself)
the authority of the Bible (it is divinely inspired, and its demands are mandatory)
the reasonableness of the Christian world-view (relating the Bible to science and modern thought).

Those are the questions that occupy the following chapters - although in writing them I feel rather like Sirach, who lamented: "I have had many experiences during my travels, and now I find that I understand things better than I can express them with words!" (34:11) I can only hope that my pen will not fail me, but will fairly write what I know in my spirit, so that you will encounter here, not just cold ideas, but the fiery life of God's wonderful word!


Product Details

BN ID: 2940046400151
Publisher: Vision Colleges
Publication date: 11/03/2014
Sold by: Smashwords
Format: eBook
File size: 406 KB

About the Author

Dr. Ken Chant (M.R.E. Th.D), is the President of Vision Christian College (Australia) and is on the International Board of Directors for Vision International University (USA).

Dr Ken Chant is an Australian pentecostal pastor who was ordained in Melbourne in 1954. He has been actively involved in Christian ministry for over 50 years (ten of which he and his family spent in the USA). A brief summary of his ministry would include the following -

He has pioneered eight churches and Pastored several others, including serving for five years as the associate pastor of what was then Australia's largest Pentecostal church (the Adelaide Crusade Centre).

For several years he was the editor of two of Australia's most successful charismatic/Pentecostal journals.

He has been the principal of four Bible colleges (in Australia and the USA), has taught at Christ for the Nations (Dallas), Oral Roberts University (Tulsa), Youth With a Mission (Hawaii), and spoken at crusades, conferences, and seminars in Australia, the UK, the USA, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, and New Zealand.

Dr. Chant is the author of many of Vision's textbooks on Christian life, Doctrine and Theology.

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews