Below is a letter I just sent my new skeptic friend answering this question. ( I have slightly modified this post to fit the blog. ) He and I will be discussing this topic for the next few days. Check back later for further exchanges.
Hi XXXX,
Before I share with you some of my thoughts on scripture being beyond a work of myth, I thought it would be proper that I introduce myself to you. I am 37 years old and have been a Christian for about 17 years. I was raised in a home that was open to religion but I had very little exposure to Christianity. My personal interests are four wheelers, motorcycles, and drag racing. I am married and have 6 children ranging in age from 1 to 15. I am a business owner and a fulltime teaching elder at “The Park Church” located in Blountstown. I am also a Christian debater, most recently having debated Socinian Scholar Anthony Buzzard on the Deity of Jesus. Before that I debated Oneness Pentecostal theologian Robert Sabin on the doctrine of the Trinity. I have had many informal discussions, such as ours, with Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Atheist, and Agnostics. This has been my passion, that is, to share with people of different beliefs, in a respectful manner, what Christianity teaches and how it can be supported with much evidence. So, now that I have introduced myself, I would like to thank you for your willingness to hear my opinion as to why I accept the Bible as more than a myth.
First, what is a myth? Websters defines myth as; a traditional story of unknown authorship, serving usually to explain some phenomenon of nature, the origin of man, or the customs, religious rites, etc. of a people. 2.) such stories collectively; mythology. 3.) any fictitious story. 4.) any imaginary person or thing.
Given the above definitions, I am not sure as to what part you would most agree to concerning the Bible. You have already admitted that the Bible has great historical value. This is a true observation on your part and your admission sets you apart from other types of skeptics that would deny that position as well. Since you agree in the historical value, then I assume that you believe Jesus was a real person, that truly existed. Do you believe this? Or was He a myth as well? Do you accept the historical value of Genesis in the first few chapters describing the origin of man, animals, earth, stars etc. and the origin of sin? Or is this a myth to you as well? But what of the entire idea that there is a God? Do you believe that there is one that exists? Or is He a myth as well? You see, there are a lot of directions that we could go in this discussion. Given these questions should be answered by you so we could have a more concise conversation, I ask one more question? How do you decide for yourself XXXX, what things are true and untrue? Specifically, how do you decide what is truth? For instance, if I give you the best arguments in the world that supports the notion that Harley Davidson Motorcycles are better than Yamaha, how would you decide for yourself? Would you believe me because I told you? Would you believe it because you would try them out and formulate an opinion based on your own subjective mood? Or would you look at the evidence for and against such a notion? In other words, some people will remain loyal to Yamaha no matter what evidence is presented to them! Could a person ever determine if one is better than the other? When it comes to religion, we are face with the same problem. Some religions work for some, we are told, and others work for others, while no religion is beneficial for yet another group of people. Why am I saying all of this? Because you mention that you would be impressed if I proved anything beyond a theory. Again, I must know what you mean by theory. Websters says
, “a speculative idea or plan as to how something might be done. 2.) a formulation of apparent relationships or underlying principles of certain observed phenomena which has been verified to some degree.
Both skepticism and theism both postulate a theory for origins. A theory doesn’t have to be a weak point. What I am getting at, is that I can’t convince you of the existence of God or that the Bible is beyond the scope of myth writings against your will. I can offer you reasonable evidence for the case of Christianity. Evidence that will demand a verdict from you. Yet Christianity isn’t entirely to be believed intellectually. It also requires faith. But Christianity is not faith without reason. So why do I believe the Bible to be true from cover to cover? While I have several points of evidence to share with you, I’ll share at least two now. One being the Unity of message contained in scripture and the other is the fact of fulfilled prophecy contained in the Bible.
Consider this, the Bible was written over a period of about 1,500 years by more than forty different Authors. The backgrounds of those authors range anything from prime ministers (Daniel) to a fisherman (Peter). The various books were written in different places such as the wilderness (Moses) and Prison for Paul. It was written on three different continents (Africa, Asia, and Europe. It was also written in three different languages (Hebrew,Aramaic, and Greek) of which I can read Greek for myself with the aid of many crutches. The Bible deals with a lot of controversial subjects yet it is one story that unfolds as a message of God’s plan of salvation for mankind. This salvation is free, and it is through the person Jesus Christ. It is He (Jesus) that is the theme of the entire book. I challenge you to ask your friends ( at least ten) having the same education, that speak the same language that grew up in the same culture, to write their opinion on the meaning of life. Then compare the conclusions and ask yourself if they all agree. When it comes to scripture we find forty authors, spanning 1500 years, having different education, different cultures, speaking different languages and they discuss not just one controversial subject like the meaning of life. Instead they discuss hundreds of subjects, yet they are all in unity! (See McDowell and Stewart Answers to tough questions) This is truly amazing! This could only be so with the help of a Divine being guiding the writers in their understanding of God’s message to mankind. What do you think?
Next is the fact that no other book can compare to the Bible’s 100% accuracy concerning prophecy. One scholar lists 1817 prophecies in scripture. 1239 in the Old Testament and 578 in the New Testament. If I were writing a myth I would avoid the prophecy game altogether. Many a religious group have proved themselves not worth following because of failed prophecies. This is very true for the Book of Mormon, for in it, it list specific things to come to pass, and specific times for fulfillment, yet those things did not come to pass. (See Momons section on this blog) The Jehovah’s Witnesses have prophesied the end of the world many times, the last in 1975, and they have maintained a 100% failure rate! You see, prophecy becomes Objective. It can be tested and the Bible does not avoid making very specific predictions. Take for instance the prophecy contained in Isaiah 44:28;45:1. This section was written in about 700 B.C. and it predicts that Cyrus by name as the king who will say to Jerusalem that it shall be built and that the temple foundations shall be laid. At the time of this writing Jerusalem was fully built and the temple was already standing. Nearly 100 years later king Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city and the temple. (586 B.C.) Remember you value the Bibles historic value? After the Babylonians came the Persians in 539 B.C. and it was shortly after that, a Persian King named Cyrus gave the decree to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. This was 160 years AFTER the prophecy of Isaiah! ( McDowell and Stewart Answers To Tough Questions) Also consider that in Isaiah 53:2-12 the prophecy concerning the suffering Messiah is spelled out in detail. These prophecies, at least twelve in all, were fulfilled in the person of Jesus. You see, Only a Divine being would be privy to the future. What do you think?
“Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done….” (Isaiah 46:9,10 NASB)
Sincerely,
Drew
