Today's speaker is Brian Charette. After a long career at James Madison University, Brian has been on our church staff helping with the transition between lead pastors. He'll retire in September. He and his family are long-time members of our church. His wife Pam serves on the church board. He does fill-in preaching for us on an occasional basis.

What do you believe about the Bible? How does that belief impact you?

Many Evangelical Christians have accelerated the drift away from commitment to the Bible.
> 82% only read their Bibles on Sunday at church.
> For a person to consider themselves a "frequent" user of the Bible, they would need to read the Bible just 4 times per year.
> 22% believe the Bible is inspired by God.

Those scholars who argue in defense of the Bible tend to use one or more of three descriptive words:
Inspired – that the Bible is the word of God and the words of God
Infallible – that it declares truth consistently, Genesis to Revelation
Inerrant – That there are no errors in truth, no deceit, no lies, no mistakes or contradictions that impact meaning. (Which is particularly true in the manuscripts in the originally languages.)

Harold Lindsell
The Battle for the Bible
The very nature of inspiration renders the Bible infallible, which means that it cannot deceive us. It is inerrant in that it is not false, mistaken, or defective. Inspiration extends to all parts of the written Word of God, and it includes the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit even in the selection of the words of Scripture. Moreover, the Bible was written by human and divine agencies; that is, it was the product of God and chosen men. The authors of scripture retained their own styles of writing and the Holy Spirit, operating within this human context, so superintended the writing of the Word of God that the end product was God's. Just as Jesus had a human and a divine nature, one of which was truly human and the other truly divine, so the written word of God is a product that bears the marks of what is truly human and truly divine.

From the Introduction to the Gideon Bible
This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.

Key Sources
Bruce, F..F. (2003). The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? Eerdmans.
Geisler, N.L. & Roach, W.C. (2011) Defending Inerrancy. Baker Books, Grand Rapids.
Knechtle, C. (1986) Give Me an Answer. Intervarsity Press. Madison, WI.
Lindsell, H. (1977) The Battle for the Bible. Zondervan.
Wallace, J.W. (2023) Cold-Case Christianity. David C. Cook Publishing, Brighton, England.
Warfield, B.B. (1948) The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible. Presbyterian Publishing Co. Phillipsburg, N.J.

It's impossible to even scratch the surface of today's topic in a 30-minute message. So, in January, Lord willing, we'll present a four-part Wednesday night workshop series, Defending the Bible, which will start on January 8. (We're choosing January so as not to interfere with life group meetings.) As the date draws closer, look for more information and an opportunity to register for the class.