For many years young-earth creationists have pointed to the book of Job, chapters 40-41, as evidence that dinosaurs lived recently. In order to set the record straight, let?s examine this passage of scripture, and see what the possibilities are. I may surprise a few old-earth creationists by my conclusions with this one. First, let?s read the portion of Job 40 that is in question, in the King James Version.
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Problem: According to the apostle John, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1,14, emp. added). Unquestionably, this Word (God), Whom John claims became flesh, was Jesus Christ (1:17). This same apostle recorded other statements in his account of the Gospel that convey the same basic truth. He wrote how, on one occasion, Jesus told a group of hostile Jews, “I and My Father are one” (10:30). Later, he recorded how Jesus responded to Philip’s request to see God by saying, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (14:9). He even told about how Jesus accepted worship from a blind man whom He had healed (9:38; cf. Matthew 8:2). And, since only God is to be worshipped (Matthew 4:10), the implication is that Jesus believed He was God (cf. John 1:29,41,49; 20:28; Mark 14:62).
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If you are serious about studying the Bible and about learning more about Scripture, then there is no doubt in my mind that you need to invest into some Bible software. Why? Because Bible software is the newest and best way to learn all there is to know about a variety of things surrounding the Bible.
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Problem: Paul writes, “Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels” (1 Cor. 11:10). What does this difficult passage mean?
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Whether you have been studying the Bible for years or if you have just read it for the first time there is always more that can be learned and understood. For Christians, the Bible is the ultimate source of truth and the guidebook for living. Therefore, it is important that each Christian understand the Bible the best that he or she can. A Bible commentary can be one of the best tools for getting the most out of Scripture.
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Problem: Several years ago, the Kerrville, Texas Daily Times on-line newspaper published two stories on their front page about the same basic event—the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors’ meeting in Galveston, Texas. The headline for the first story was “Times Wins 17 Awards in Statewide Contest” (emp. added). The second story was titled, “Times Gets 16 Awards in First Day” (emp. added). One story clearly indicated that the newspaper had won 16 awards, while the other used the number 17. Apparently, however, none of the Kerrville Daily Times staff believed that their stories were contradictory. (The stories remained on the Daily Times homepage for a few days.) What’s more, there was no indication that others were accusing the newspaper of being inconsistent or dishonest in their reporting. Why? Because most anyone who read the two titles quickly understood that the newspaper won 17 awards in all—16 of which they collected on the meeting’s “first day.”
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If you don?t believe the Bible literally, does that mean you must conclude that Christianity is based on biblical myth ? literally fiction and stories passed down, generation to generation, from our ancient ancestors? That the only way to read the Bible is to read it metaphorically or metaphysically?
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Problem: What did the apostle Paul mean by the statement, “But to the rest I, not the Lord, say…” (1 Corinthians 7:12)? Does this phrase indicate that what Paul subsequently wrote was uninspired?
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It was a miracle! How many times have you heard someone say that? Probably hundreds of times. But they don’t really mean that it was a miracle ? what they really mean is that the event they witnessed was amazing, improbable, or inexplicable.
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Problem: Generally, marriage is looked upon by the world around us as a good and acceptable institution. Since the commencement of time, the universal law has been that marriage is proper and beneficial. On the very day that God created the first man, He stated: “It is not good that man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18); thus He created a wife for Adam (2:21-24). Everything God had created and examined up until that point had been “good” (1:4,10,21,25). The one thing He stated as being “not good,” however, was man’s lack of human companionship. Therefore, God created woman to be man’s helper and lifelong companion. It was only after her creation (at the end of the six days) that we read for the first time His creation was “very good” (1:31).
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Problem: Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. (1 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV))
For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am. (1 Corinthians 7:7–8 (NKJV))
And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” (Genesis 2:18 (NKJV))
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New research shows a troubling trend in America’s churches: regular attendees are increasingly unsure what the Bible actually says. Issues once considered clear-cut —like sexuality, family, and morality— now leave many Christians confused. Even foundational truths seem to be losing their stronghold inside the very institutions meant to teach them.
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The Bible is a Book that is loved around the world. Its followers live in every country and in every climate. Those who read it regularly love its pages and often do not get enough of it. Many even devote their life to the study of it, going after many degrees. But is it a love well-placed, or is it an obvious blind-sidedeness? Is there some real proof that the Bible is reliable? Is it for the people of today?
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Problem: Today in the evangelical world there is a mushrooming movement which professes to champion the “free grace position,” but which others see as dangerously approaching antinomianism. Those who embrace this doctrinal position insist that a true believer can depart from the faith, deny Christ totally, persist in sin (including homosexuality, drunkenness, adultery, etc.), abandon Christianity, and yet still be counted among those who are truly saved. According to this view, such apostates will gain heaven, but will suffer greatly at the judgment seat of Christ and during the kingdom reign of Christ. Indeed they teach that there will be a group of saved people during the kingdom age who will put into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (a hell for believers?).
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Bible study, in essence, is a formal process of learning, introspection, and reflection on the text, themes, and principles outlined in the Bible. Rooted in a deep desire to appreciate the richness of Scripture, Bible study enables believers to delve into significant theological tenets, gain a broader understanding of historical and cultural contexts, and apply such wisdom to their daily lives.