Why Trust the Bible? - Part 6

References: (1) “Bible Doctrine” (pp. 33-50) by Wayne Grudem. (2) At 2 places in the NT,  2 Pet. 3:15-16 and in 1 Tim. 5:18, we see NT writings also being called “Scripture” along with OT writings. (3) Grudem says, “Here Peter shows not only an AWARENESS of the existence of written epistles from Paul, but also a clear WILLINGNESS to classify ‘all of [Paul’s] letters’ with ‘the other scriptures.’” (4) Paul wrote to Timothy saying, “For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages’” (1 Tim. 5:18). Grudem pointed out, “The first quotation is from Deuteronomy 25:4, but the second occurs NOWHERE in the OT. It is rather a quotation from Luke 10:7. Paul . . . . quotes Jesus’ words as found in Luke’s gospel and calls them ‘scripture’.” (5) 2 Cor. 5:20 reports, “Now then, we are AMBASSADORS for Christ, as though God were pleading THROUGH us: we IMPLORE you on Christ’s behalf, be RECONCILED to God.” (6) An ambassador is an official sent by a home nation on a mission to deal with a foreign government or sovereign. The ambassador speaks with the delegated authority of the home nation. (7) Grudem continues, “Is there further evidence that the NT writers thought of their own writings (not just the OT) as the words of God? In some cases, there is. In 1 Cor. 14:37, Paul says, ‘If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him ACKNOWLEDGE that what I am writing to you is a COMMAND of the Lord.’ Paul has here instituted a number of rules for church worship at Corinth and has claimed for them the STATUS of ‘commands of the Lord.’” (8)  In 1 Cor. 7:12 and 25 Paul seems to imply that his own judgments were to be considered as AUTHORITATIVE as the commands of Jesus.” (9) Paul said “All Scripture is inspired of God”  (2 Tim. 3:16). The word “scripture” in Greek is graphe. Graphe must refer to the OT Scriptures for that is what the word graphe refers to in every one of the 51 occurrences in the NT. (10) For the word “inspired” Paul used a specific word  in the Greek language theopneutos, which literally means “God breathed”(coming from the Greek word theos for God and pneo, to breathe). But “inspired” has a weakened sense in our everyday usage today. For example, we can say that a baseball player gave an inspired performance. But Paul did not mean that the OT was an inspirational book; he meant that the OT was, in fact, the very words of God.   (11) I must document the RELIABILITY of “the Scriptures,” because the Bible is the BASIS for the Christian belief. (12) The bulk of NT scholarship today dates the writing of the Gospels to be before 70 AD  — the year of the destruction of Jerusalem — with their argument being that such an COLOSSAL EVENT would inevitably have been reported in the Gospels. This is episode 250.

References: (1) I begin today with an 11th reason to trust the Bible. The Bible contains PROPHECIES, some written centuries before the events, that are fulfilled. The OT alone contains over 2000 PREDICTIVE PROPHECIES incredibly specific and detailed. These prophecies are already fulfilled. They cannot have been written AFTER the events and PAWNED OFF as prophecies, because in hundreds of cases, the fulfillment of the prophecy did not take place until the DEATH of the prophet. In the case of Jesus Christ, predictions about where the Messiah would be born, His virgin birth, how He would die, and His resurrection were all foretold. (2) All archaeological discoveries have NEVER REFUTED any biblical claim. (3) When I was in college in the late 1950s, skeptics kept declaring that the nation of the Hitite’s did not exist, but archaeologists had discovered it did exist and a museum was established at the University of Chicago in 1919. I think the skeptics knew THAT but they were hoping the rest of us would not know it. (4) James Kennedy’s book Why I Believe, p. 18 gives an EXAMPLE of a very detailed PROPHECY concerning the city of Tyre. (5) 250 years after Ezekiel wrote his chapter 26, when Ezekiel had long been decaying in the grave, most of the walls of Tyre still stood giving MUTE TESTIMONY to the fact that Ezekiel’s prophesy had not been fulfilled. (6) In 332 BC Alexander came to 2 cities named Tyre, mainland Tyre and the new Tyre. The latter city was built with impregnable walls a half mile out in the Mediterranean Sea. The people fled from the mainland city to the New Tyre because Alexander’s army was threatening them. (7) Alexander, with his chief engineer, Diades, conceived the most daring plan in the history of warfare by building a causeway across the half mile of the Mediterranean to the island of new Tyre. (8) Eventually the New Tyre was besieged, destroyed, and leveled. But the prophecy was not completely fulfilled yet. God had said He would destroy the walls of Tyre and make her like the top of a rock. He had said that it would become a place for the spreading of nets. A member of James Kennedy’s church in Coral Springs, Florida visited the site a few years ago and took a photograph of the New Tyre site. It showed nets spread out on a very large flat rock. And the city of Tyre has not been rebuilt. Let any skeptic explain away that situation by giving a naturalistic reason to refute Ezekiel’s prophecy. (9) Allow me to give some comments about Scripture being the words of God from the book Bible Doctrine by Wayne Grudem with some of my own added clarifying comments. (10) In the NT, a number of passages indicate that all of the OT writings are thought of as God’s words. (11) In 2 Tim. 3:16-17 and in 2 Pet. 1:21 indicate the character of all OT writings as God’s words are found. This is episode 249.

References: (1) This unity of the Bible may be illustrated by a symphony ORCHESTRA. It might be composed of 100 musicians with several different instruments, yet when they play, there is one GRAND HARMONY because the conductor directs and controls all the musicians as they play. The singular, cohesive narrative is that God is the true author of the Bible and that the Holy Spirit inspired the human authors. This is the answer to the unity of the Bible. (2) In their commentaries on the Bible, their letters to one another, and their letters to other churches, these men quoted the NT more than 86,000 times. Their quotations have allowed scholars to reconstruct 99.86 % of the NT. Only 11 verses in the NT the church fathers never cited. The conclusion is that the original text of the Bible has been accurately preserved. (3) One of the saddest chapters in all Scripture is the story of Samson. Everything about him is amazing. Samson was both a HERO and a FLAWED INDIVIDUAL. Four chapters in Judges — chapters 13 to 16 — emphasize distinct aspects of Samson’s character — his physical prowess, impulsive decisions, and susceptibility to temptation. Despite the fact that He was a man of great physical strength, he also had great moral weaknesses. He was especially PRONE to the kind of CARNAL FAILURE  that stems from unbridled LUST  with a LACK of discipline. Judges Chapter 16 portrays Samson’s relationship with Delilah, leading to his betrayal and capture. But most significantly his story is a MARVELOUS EXAMPLE of the wonders of DIVINE GRACE, which is capable of winning unimaginable VICTORY in the midst of the most crushing defeat. (4) The Bible never shies away from telling us about the failures of our spiritual ancestors, because what Scripture aims to HIGHLIGHT is the GRACE of God, not the PIETY of people. If you lose sight of that DISTINCTION, you will miss the point of the gospel. (5) The gospel is the good news about what Christ has DONE to redeem believers in Christ; it is NOT ABOUT a list of DUTIES we are supposed to PERFORM for Christ. It is about the righteousness of Christ provided by the grace of God to those who have no real righteousness of their own. God justifies the ungodly (Rom. 4:5). Jesus tells us in Matt. 9:12, “Those who are well have NO NEED for a physician, but those who are SICK.”   (6) Countless people testify to the Bible’s TRANSFORMING POWER. Rom. 12:2 urges, “Do not be CONFORMED to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING of your mind, that you may PROVE what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (7) The OT alone contains over 2000 PREDICTIVE PROPHECIES incredibly specific and detailed. These prophecies are already fulfilled and are not a collection of a few LUCKY GUESSES. They cannot have been written AFTER the events and PAWNED OFF as prophecies, because in hundreds of cases, the fulfillment of the prophecy did not take place until the DEATH of the prophet. For example, they deal with scores of nations and cities — like Sodom, Gomorroh, Nineveh, and the Amorites — with which Israel had dealings and is described in the OT. This is episode 248.

References: (1) The first reason is what God Himself supplies: “I will raise up from among them a Prophet . . . . I will tell him what to say, and he shall be My spokesman to the people” (Deut. 18:18, from the Living Bible). (2) Scripture boldly claims its divine origin. (3) Jesus endorsed the Bible’s truthfulness and reliability. (4) Scripture is identified as the word of God, the oracles of God, the commandments of God, and the Holy Scriptures. (5) The word of God is a SWORD piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is the DISCERNER of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12). The word of God is a FIRE that judges, purifies, and consumes (Jer. 20:9); a HAMMER that breaks the rock of rebellion into pieces (Jer. 23:29); as SILVER tried and pure (Ps. 12:6); sweeter than HONEY and the HONEYCOMB (Ps. 19:10); BREAD that came down from heaven that gives everlasting life (John 6:51); LIGHT so that he who follows it will never walk in darkness (John 8:12); WATER that cleanses filth, quenches thirst, and refreshes energy (Eph. 5:26); a MIRROR reflecting if people hear the word but do not do it ends up deceiving themselves (James 1:23); a SEED that when properly planted will bring forth life, growth, and fruit (1 Pet. 1:23); and MILK that you may grow thereby (1 Pet. 2:2). (6) In a court of law the most important evidence as to the author of the last will and testament actually says itself. If the will says that John Smith is its author it takes considerable evidence to prove otherwise. This principle holds true also in determining who is the real author of the Bible. (7) The 3 sages of Chinese ancient religions, Confucius, Buddha, and Laozi, are said to teach harmonious thought. In all their writings you will not find a SINGLE EXAMPLE of predictive prophecy. In the Qur’an, that is, the writings of Muhammad, there is only one instance of a specific prophecy — a self-fulfilling prophecy that Muhammad himself, would return to Mecca. Something quite different from Jesus’ prophecy who said He would return from the grave. One is easily fulfilled, and the other is impossible to any that has only the one nature of a human being. (8) In my day Jeane Dixon claimed to predict who would be the presidential candidates and which party would win the elections of 1952, 1956, and 1960. She missed all the candidates, all of the parties, and all the winners of the elections. In 1975 all the 10 leading seers or prophets in the world according to an article from the National Enquirer made 61 prophecies. Do you know how many of them were fulfilled? Not a single one. It seems to me that if a person simply guessed on 61 things, surely he would get at least one correct. (9) The unanimous testimony of the Bible is that its author is God Himself.    This is episode 247.

References: (1) (i) Jesus claimed to be God in John 10:30. That claim is confirmed by 3 evidences: His sinless life, the fulfillment of OT prophecies about the Messiah, and the crowning evidence of His physical resurrection from the dead found in Rom. 1:4. (ii) Therefore, we must conclude that Jesus is, in fact, God. (iii) Thus, we know that what God teaches is true. (iv) Jesus, as God, taught the OT is the Word of God (John 17:17). What Jesus meant was the OT. (v) Therefore, the OT is the Word of God. (vi) Certainly, then, the OT is reliable and trustworthy. (2) Allow me to give a very brief but interesting way John Wesley proved the Bible to be from God and thus trustworthy. Premise 1: There are 3 ALTERNATIVES: the Bible must be the invention either of good men or angels; or of bad men or devils; or from God. Premise (2): It could not be the invention of good men or angels; for they neither would nor could make a book that tells lies all the time they were writing it, saying “Thus says the Lord,” if it was, in fact, their own invention. Premise (3): It could not be the invention of bad men or devils; for they would not make a book which commands duty, forbids sin, and condemns their souls to hell for all eternity. Conclusion (4): Therefore, the Bible must be given by divine inspiration. (3) In a world filled with skepticism, understanding the trustworthiness of the Bible is crucial for the Christian faith. Let’s explore other reasons why we can confidently rely on Scripture. Almost everyone will accept that Jesus was a very rare individual who could be trusted to speak the truth. Since Jesus said the OT was reliable and truthful, we can believe that. Moreover, His disciples wrote the NT. The authors of the gospels were either eyewitnesses themselves or they were reporting what eyewitnesses told them. Matthew and John were apostles chosen by Christ Himself (Matt. 10:1-3). John Mark is the author of the Gospel of Mark and was once a missionary companion of Paul and Barnabas [Acts 13:5]. We are told by the early church fathers that Mark recorded the words and experiences of the apostle Simon Peter. Luke, the physician for Paul, emphasizes his careful investigation and reliance on eyewitness accounts (Luke 1:1-4). Paul who met the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus wrote 13 epistles in the NT. James and Jude were brothers of Jesus. Only in the book of Hebrews do we not know clearly the author’s connection to Jesus. (4) What do we know about the author of Hebrews? (i) The author of Hebrews says that salvation was confirmed to the readers of Hebrews by those who heard the Lord (Heb. 2:3). The apostles are those who heard Him. So the author of Hebrews is not one of the 12 apostles. (ii) He wrote before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD (Chapters 7 and 8 of Hebrews). Thus, the author lived around the time of the 12 apostles. (iii) He was well-versed in the OT. (There were 98 citations in the book of Hebrews). (iv) He wrote in a more polished Greek rather than the other NT writers who wrote in the common Koine Greek. (v) He calls Timothy “our brother” (13:23). We see then that Timothy is not the author. (vi) He was in Italy when he wrote (13:24). (vii) Even though the author is doubtful among the scholars of our time, he was not unknown to the people to whom the letter was sent. The readers knew him well enough to accept this letter without him mentioning his name. There are at least 3 passages that show that the readers and the author are mutual acquaintances (10:34; 13:18; and 13:23). The passage 13:23 suggests they knew the author well but also that they knew his relationship with Timothy. Luke, Barnabas, and Apollos all fit these characteristics, and some bibles assert that Paul is the author of Hebrews, but that designation is not scripture itself but an indication of a scribal insertion. (5) Allow me to give additional points against Paul being the author of Hebrews. First, Paul’s writing in the 13 epistles attributed to him is in common, ordinary, everyday Koine Greek, while Hebrews is written in a more technical, refined Greek. Secondly, Paul called Timothy, “my son” or “my beloved son in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2) while Hebrews refers to him as a “brother” or an associate. This difference in relational terminology suggests a different authorial voice. Third, the writing style, theology, and anonymity of the author of Hebrews contrast significantly with Paul’s known epistles. Paul always names himself in the opening salutation. It would be uncharacteristic for Paul, who was always eager to assert his apostolic authority when writing. Fourth, early church tradition was divided about attributing Hebrews to Paul. The early church Father Origen questioned Paul’s authorship. He famously said, “Who wrote the epistle, in truth, [only] God knows.” Fifth, there is a difference in theological emphasis. Paul emphasizes concepts like justification by faith and Christ as the “one Mediator between God and men, who gave Himself a RANSOM for all,” (1 Tim. 2:5-6), while Hebrews focuses on Christ as our High Priest, the superiority of the New Covenant, and a heavy use of OT typology — themes that are not central in Paul’s letters. The concept of Jesus as a High Priest is unique to Hebrews and is not found in Paul’s writings. Sixth, greater WARNINGS appear in Hebrews than Paul ever gave in his known epistles. (6) There are several possibilities as to who is the author of Hebrews might be. (i) The early church Fathers in the East attributed Hebrews to Paul. The author was certainly familiar with Paul’s own doctrine. Moreover, the author was familiar that Timothy [13:23] was Paul’s trusted companion. However, point 2 above shows that Paul always refers to Timothy as his “son in the Lord” and not merely as an associate [1 Tim. 1:2, 1:18; 2 Tim. 1:2; 2:1]. I think I have sufficiently proved that Paul is not the author of Hebrews. (ii) Luke. The evidence that could support Luke as author of Hebrews is Luke’s familiarity with the polished Greek in Hebrews. Luke having travelled with Paul in his missionary journeys, along with Silas and Timothy, and his exposure to Paul’s doctrine and his knowledge that Timothy was Paul’s trusted companion makes Luke a candidate for the author of Hebrews. (iii) Barnabas. The early church father Tertullion held that Barnabas was the author of Hebrews. The evidence is he was an associate of Timothy and he was a Levite (Acts 4:36) which would fit the emphasis in Hebrews. (iv) Apollos. The evidence for him being the author of Hebrews is the polished style of Greek fits his training; the OT quotes fit his emphasis, and the eloquence of Hebrews fit his oratorical skills (see Acts 18:24). (v) Apollos. The evidence for him being the author of Hebrews is the polished style of Greek fits his training; the OT quotes fit his emphasis, and the eloquence of Hebrews fit his oratorical skills (see Acts 18:24). (v) Priscilla and Aquila. Adolf Harnack promoted this view but it LACKS internal or eternal evidence. (vi) Priscilla and Aquila. Adolf Harnack promoted this view but it LACKS internal or eternal evidence. (vii) So it turns out that the most likely candidates for the author of Hebrews whose names ares listed in the NT is Luke, Barnabas, or Apollos. Of course, the author could be a person whose name is not listed in the NT. This is episode 246.

References: (1) At the end of the last episode I had begun an argument supporting the divinity of Jesus. I do that to support His view that the Bible is the Word of God. (2) Jesus answers the question from the high priest boldly by saying: “I am.” That answer echoes what the Lord speaks to Moses out of the Burning Bush in Exodus 3:14 by saying “I AM WHO I AM.” (3) In John 8:58 Jesus used the words “I am” to some Jews. He declared, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” When He used those forbidden words the Jews immediately took up stones  with the intention of killing Jesus, for they understood Jesus was identifying Himself as Yahweh, the God of the Bible. By claiming the divine name for Yahweh Jesus affirms His ETERNAL existence (John 1:1), His EQUALITY with the Father (John 10:30), and His right to receive WORSHIP. After Peter tried to walk on the water, the disciples in the boat did worship Jesus and they remarked “Truly You are the Son of God” (Matt. 14:33). (4) In the rest of His answer to the high priest, Jesus is identifying Himself as the Son of Man in Daniel 7:13-14. That means He is implying He is the Jewish Messiah and the Son of God. (5) Yahweh is an OT term for God meaning “Lord.” A comparison of OT verses about Yahweh with NT verses about Jesus gives biblical evidence of Jesus’ identity as Yahweh. (6) Is. 44:24 asserts: “Thus says the Lord (Yahweh), your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: I am the Lord, who MAKES ALL THINGS, who STRETCHES out the heavens ALL ALONE, who SPREADS abroad the earth BY MYSELF.” (7) In the NT, however, Christ is presented as the Creator of “all things” (John 1:3; Rom. 1:20; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1). (8) Thus, we know God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son, are both identified as Yahweh. (9) Jesus is also identified as Elohim in Isaiah 9:6 (the Messiah is “Mighty God”) and in Isaiah 40:3 as “a highway for our God.” (10) Further, in the NT Jesus is identified as Theos, a common Greek word translated “God.”  It corresponds to the OT Elohim. (11) Jesus is also identified as Kurios, a common NT Greek term for “Lord.” It is equivalent to the OT Yahweh. (12) The NT further acknowledges that Jesus has the attributes of God. For example, John 1:1 affirms “In the beginning WAS the Word, and the Word was WITH God, and the Word WAS God.” We learn later in chapter 1 of John that Jesus is the Word. Thus we understand Jesus is ETERNAL when it says the Word was God. The word “was” is an IMPERFECT TENSE in Greek indicating continuous, ongoing existence. (13) Also  Jesus’ teaching  reveal His deity. (14) John 3:16 makes reference to Jesus as the Son of God so that Jesus has the same divine nature as God the Father. John 5:18 makes it even clearer: “The Jews sought all the more to kill Him because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God  was His Father, making Himself EQUAL with God.” Jesus never gives a gift of peace or sonship and later reneges. This is episode 245.

References: (1) Some people believe that God will put disease on you to teach you a lesson. The Scriptures contradict that assertion: Exodus 23:25 says, “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will BLESS your bread and your water. And I will TAKE SICKNESS AWAY from the midst of you.” The phrase “take sickness away from you” can also be translated as “I will TURN OFF SICKNESS from you.” If God can “turns off sickness from you,” then He is not putting sickness on you to teach you a lesson.   (2) The Scriptures say, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Resisting the devil would be a FRUITLESS EXERCISE if God puts disease on us to teach us something. That would mean that God would be suffering from SCHIZOPHRENIA because the Bible says He sent His word to heal us (Ps. 107:20; Isa. 53, and I Pet. 2:24). (3) Some people are adamant to say that healing only refers to SPIRITUAL healing and not PHYSICAL healing. (4) When the bed of the paralytic was lowered through the roof in Capernaum described in Mark 2:1-12, Jesus did not venture                                                                                                                            to say to the paralytic: “Healing is only a SPIRITUAL healing and not a PHYSICAL healing, so allow Me to deliver you from spiritual depression.” No, Jesus said, “I say to you, take up your bed, and go to your house.” The former paralytic, is now PHYSICALLY RESTORED; he could now WALK, was suddenly STRONG ENOUGH to take up his bed, and GO TO HIS HOUSE without having anyone aid him. That is surely more than spiritual healing. (5) My theology is this: God is GOOD, and the devil is BAD. I will not attribute to God, the curses of Satan, neither will I attribute to Satan the blessings of God. For God is good and the devil is bad. (6) The Barna Survey of 2024 indicated that enthusiasm for the presidential election in that year was lower than that of 2020. One of the most important findings of the survey is the depressed  voting intent of the “people of religious faith.” Using the prior presidential election, Barna provided some CONTEXT for the importance of church engagement in the electoral process. Barna alludes to the 32 million who regularly attend church services but were not likely to vote in that election. Barna pointed out that the gap between Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden in the contested 2020 election was just 7 million votes. That says to me that the added 25 million “people of faith” non-voters in the 2024 election could have been very easily a game-changer. (7) In my opinion voting for the Democratic Party at this time while they maintain their support for abortion and practice hate speech against President Trump is a sin and Christians will have to answer to God. (8) In the article “Navigating the Emerging Church Highway” the author Mark Driscoll says, “Not only should we send missionaries across the WORLD to evangelize lost pagan peoples, but we should also send missionaries across the STREET because the people there are lost pagans, too.” (9) Jehovah’s Witnesses and Islam say the Bible is corrupted and Bart Ehrman’s book Misquoting Jesus argues that the scribes DID, in fact, get it wrong. (10) The NT says Jesus CLAIMED to be God. To support that claim let me remind you of several occasions where Jesus said what amounted to that claim. (11) Jesus said to the woman at the well in Samaria, “I who speak to you am the Christ” (John 4:25-26). Also Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). Jesus healed the man born blind and told him that He was, in fact, the Son of God (John 9:1-38). Moreover, Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). And He told Philip: “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9b). (12) The high priest asked Jesus: “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus answered, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting  at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:61b-62). These 2 verses have powerful significance. Jesus gives an UNAMBIGUOUS, forthright answer to the high priest’s question, when He says, “I am.” Moreover, Jesus is identifying Himself as the Son of Man in Daniel 7:13-14 which implies He is the Jewish Messiah and the Son of God. This is episode 244.

References: (1) In Islamic discourse, the term for someone outside the Islamic faith is kafir (or “infidel”), which  refers to an unbeliever and includes particularly Jews and Christians which Muslims call the “People of the Book.” The Book, of course, is the Bible. The English word “infidel” comes from a French or a Latin word which means “unfaithful.” (2) Certain Islamic scholars argue that salvation is not limited to Muslims. They hold that “Islam” in the Qur’an refers to the act of submitting to Allah’s will and anyone — including righteous Jews and Christians — who does so may be saved. (3) Does the Qur’an say that infidels should be killed? Surah 9:5 says, “Kill the idolaters wherever you find them and take them prisoners, and beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them at every ambush. But if they repent and observe prayer and pay the Zakat, then leave their way free. Surely, Allah is Most Forgiving,and Merciful.” Some people have said that this verse Surah 9:5 is often used as evidence that Islam allows the killing of non-Muslims. But the verse addresses idolaters and not infidels. (4) Fear of eternal torment is a prevalent theme of the Qur’an. Paradise includes a garden populated with what is called houris, that is, maidens designed by Allah to provide sexual pleasures to righteous Muslim men. (5) Now let’s turn our attention to Hinduism. Ravi Zacharias, former head of Ravi Zacharias International Ministry, says Hindus believe in 330 million deities. Others say that conclusion is a misinterpretation of the word “koti” which is translated as a word that means ten million but it can also mean “type” or “category.” Therefore, ancient texts may be referring to 33 types of deities, not 330 million. (6) Either way, Hinduism is POLYTHEISTIC totally contrary to Islam, Judaism, and Christianity who believe in MONOTHEISM. (7)  Monotheism means that there is one infinite God who created the heavens and the earth. He is also immanent (with humans) and also transcendent (over humans). Evil exists, but God will defeat it, not humanity. History is LINEAR and points toward a CONSUMMATION in the creation of the future kingdom of  God. The purpose of God is to bring glory to God. (8) Christianity asserts this monotheistic God created all that is, including the elements as well a space, time, and matter. Therefore, this God is immaterial (spirit), spaceless (omnipresent), and timeless (eternal). He did not bring these things together out of “stuff” that already existed, but created the universe ex nihilo, out of nothing. Human beings were specially created by God as His signature creation. But humans have rebelled against God and broken themselves as a result. The universe will one day have an end in the final judgment of God. That is a nutshell version of monotheism. John Lennox, an Oxford, author and possessor of 3 PhD’s, says, “The heart of monotheism is that God, who is outside history, is the guarantor of MEANING.” (9) Hindus believe in REINCARNATION. When a person dies, he or she comes back as another person or as another animal. In this way a soul learns many lessons. This process continues through death and reincarnation over and over again until eventually it can reach a stage called mukti when reincarnations cease. (10) The Bible REJECTS reincarnation: “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). (11) In Hinduism, Jesus is generally viewed with RESPECT, often seen as a holy person, a great teacher, and some Hindus even consider Jesus as an AVATAR of God meaning an incarnation of a deity. (12) Now let’s turn our attention to Buddhism. Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BC)  is the founder of Buddhism. The story goes that Gautama fell into a deep sleep under the tree of wisdom. There he reached the highest degree of God-consciousness known as Nirvana. Nirvana is the end of consciousness. It is EMPTINESS. The Bible REJECTS Nirvana. The Bible says followers of Christ are told to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). (13) In the book 12 Major World Religions the author Jason Boyett says, “The world’s great religions make exclusive and contradictory claims about TRUTH.” (14) No Muslim is able to say the Muhammad is a God. A Buddhist cannot say that Buddha is a Savior. A Christian Scientist cannot assert that Mary Baker Eddy is a sacrifice to God. Confucius does not claim he is a substitute for sinners. A Jehovah’s Witness cannot assert that Charles Taze Russell came to seek and save the lost. No Mormon proclaims that Joseph Smith paid the penalty for sins. No progressive minister offers to satisfy the wrath of God for anyone. But here is the important point: Jesus is a substitute for sinners and did, in fact, pay the penalty for sin (Eph. 5:1-2). Jesus is the only founder of a religion who is both human and divine. Also He is the only one who was resurrected from the dead. This is episode 243.

References: (1) Right now Christianity is the largest major religion in the world in terms of population. Studies in the 21st century suggest that, in terms of percentage and worldwide impact, Islam is the fastest growing major religion in the world. A comprehensive religious FORECAST by the Pew Research Center PREDICTS that the global Muslim population will grow at a faster rate than the Christian population. (2) Key Factors In Islam’s Growth include: Younger demographics: The Muslim population is, on average, younger than other religious groups. Higher fertility rates: Muslims have average fertility rate compared to other religious groups, contributing to populations growth. Conversion is a factor in demographic shifts. For instance, 77% of new converts to Islam in the United States are from Christianity, and 19% are from non-religious commitments. (3) Another important DETERMINANT of growth is the current AGE DISTRIBUTION of each religious group. In 2010, more than a quarter of the worlds’s total population (27%) was under the age of 15. But an even higher percentage of Muslims (34%) and Hindus (30%) were younger than 15, while the share of Christians under 15 matched the global average (27%). (4) If current demographic trends continue, Islam will nearly catch up to Christianity by the middle of the 21st century. Between 2010 and 2050, the world’s population is expected to rise to 9.3 billion, a 35% increase. Over that same period, Muslims are projected to increase by 73%. The number of Christians also is projected to rise, but more slowly, at about the same rated (35%) as the global population overall. (5) However, this prediction is a bit confusing to me that according to other various scholars and sources and numerous articles, Pentecostalism — a Protestant Christian movement — is the fastest growing religion in the world and this growth is primarily due to religious CONVERSION. (6) Pentecostalism is a renewal movement within Protestant Christianity that emphasizes a direct, personal experience with God through a Spirit-filled baptism and the ongoing activity of the Holy Spirit. Key characteristics include the belief in spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues (glossolalia), divine healing, and prophecy all seen as active manifestations of the Holy Spirit still operating today. (7) The question that poses itself is the following: Is Allah and the God of the Bible the same God? (8) In the pamphlet Muslim and Christian Beliefs by Bruce McDowell and Anees Zaka says on p. 27 that this belief that Allah and the God of the Bible are IDENTICAL is FOUNDATIONAL to Islam. (9) But the Christian teaching is that the God of the Bible is a TRINITARIAN God, and the Islam teaching is that Allah is absolute unity what they call tawhid and not a trinity. So these 2 Gods  cannot be identical. (10) Moreover, the human attributes such as fatherhood cannot be associated with Allah. But the Bible presents the God of the Bible as a Father. For instance, Psalm 103:13 says, “The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.” (11) The Qur’an fails to mention that Allah loves people nor do people have an obligation to love Allah or our neighbor as commanded in the Bible. In 1 John 4:7-21 there are 27 references to love in 14 verses. The Bible tells us that the God of the Bible loves us even though we are sinners in rebellion against Him. (12) Love implies a RELATIONSHIP. But Allah is UNKNOWABLE. Allah’s love is what Christians would call COMMON GRACE, in that Allah shows His mercy and care for His CREATION. But this love is not  a PERSONAL or SUSTAINING love. There is no REDEMPTIVE LOVE in Islam, unlike in Christianity: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). The apostle John writes, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and KNOWS God” (1 John 4:7). So the God of the Bible is KNOWABLE in contrast to what the Qur’an says is Allah’s stance. This is episode 242.

References: (1) Both Islam and Christianity share some common beliefs. I refer you to the pamphlet Muslim and Christian Beliefs by Bruce McDowell and Anees Zara which gives 8 common beliefs. (2) Islam, Judaism, and Christianity honor Abraham as the progenitor of their religions. The frequent mention in the Qur’an of the biblical characters like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, and others, together with such NT characters as Zacharias, John the Baptist, Mary, and Jesus, appears to demonstrate a close relationship between the Bible and the Qur’an and therefore between Christianity and Islam. (3) Christianity views their God, Yahweh, the God who said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exod. 3:14). The God of Christianity is called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Christianity views Jesus as the Son of God, fully divine and fully human. He is the Lord and Savior; His death on the cross of crucifixion paid the penalty for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3) and His resurrection was for our justification (Rom. 4:25). (4) Islam DENIES Jesus was crucified (most Muslims believe He was taken to heaven without dying). Islam further denies Jesus was divine, and, in particular, denies He was the Son of God. (5) The biblical law of Moses, Psalms of David, and the Gospel of Jesus are accepted in the Qur’an, but Muslim scholars teach that Jews and Christians have corrupted these original revelations. (6) Many Muslims think that Christians believe in 3 Gods and are therefore guilty of the greatest sin what they call shirk. Muslims reject the biblical concept of the Trinity. (7) The resurrection is important because it PROVES Jesus’ claims to DEITY (Rom. 1:3). (8) The gospel NEEDED because it provides a WAY for humanity to be SAVED and RECONCILED to God. It offers FORGIVENESS of sins and a relationship with the Heavenly Father through faith in Jesus Christ. (9) In Christianity morality flows from the love of God and neighbor (Matt. 22:37-40); grace and salvation produces good works (Eph. 2:8-10). Good works are evidence of salvation. Only in Christianity is salvation offered as a free gift. Salvation is through Jesus Christ — not something EARNED, but something received by grace through faith in Christ. (10) In Islam, morality is based on obedience to Allah’s laws (sharia). Salvation depends on the balance of good and bad deeds. Christianity sees morality as a response to God’s grace; Islam sees morality as a means to EARN FAVOR with Allah. (11) In Islam, humans are basically good, but fallible and need guidance. The balance between good and bad deeds determines eternal destiny in paradise or hell. Allah’s mercy may tip the scales to heaven, as Allah’s will is supreme. This is episode 241.