This is an introductory module is focused on the nature and origin of the Bible, establishing reasons to trust the Bible as the infallible and trustworthy Word of God. The inspiration and certainty of the holy book we hold in our hands is backed by strong evidence and God’s Words are a solid foundation upon which we build our lives.
In our previous sessions we considered some of the evidences which indicate the supernatural Source of the Scriptures. In the sessions to follow we will not be considering the inspiration of the Scriptures, but their historical reliability. We will be looking at the texts themselves. How did we receive them? Are they authentic? Can we…
The Original New Testament Writings and Documents Unlike the Old Testament, which was compiled over several thousand years, the New Testament was compiled within one lifetime, comprising of the historical accounts of the gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and the correspondence of the apostles with the early church body. These early manuscripts would…
The word “canon” applied to Scripture means “an officially accepted list of books”. The word is derived from the Greek word Kanon, meaning ‘reed’. A reed was used as a measuring rod, and the word eventually came to mean “standard”. When we speak of the Christian canon of Scripture we are referring to the universally…
Roman Sources Pliny: Letters from Bithynia c. AD112 Pliny, sent to administrate the disorderly province of Bithynia by Emperor Trajan, wrote to the Emperor seeking advice on how to deal with a troublesome group known as “Christians”. Pliny complained that “many of all ages and every rank and also of both sexes” were involved in…
Study means: To examine, consider, dig, inquire, research, scrutinise. To apply the mind in order to acquire knowledge or skill. The word is derived from the Latin, ‘Studium’, which means “zeal” (strong, feeling, passion, eagerness, enthusiasm). Our zeal provokes us to seek God in His Word. A casual observer of the Word will receive little…
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come….
