Challenges to Scripture

The Academic Challenge: Who is Inspired?

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)

We Focus on God “breathing out” and our result is the words and God is the SOURCE

Conflict 1 – the Authors are Inspired – Good men feel an emotional need to write words that they think will motivate others.

Conflict 2 – The Reader/Hearer is Inspired – The authors and words are meaningless. It is the enlightened and motivated listener who hears God speak.

The Metaphysical Challenge: What Has God Done?

God Does things and they are recorded in Scripture that are outside of our EXPERIENCE 

• Miracles

• Prophecy

This conflict arises when we put human and finite restriction on a God who is transcendent and infinite

The Relevance Challenge: How Can I Relate?

“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5, ESV)

“What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9, ESV)

“He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:3–4, ESV)

““For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” (Malachi 3:6, ESV)

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,” (John 5:39, ESV)

Questions:

1. How do you mentally approach Scripture? Do you view it as optional, limited, or absolute and accurate?

2. How does the Bible inform your expectations of God?

3. What conflict are you facing that you think God does not know about or care about?