col. 2:6-7 … strengthened in the faith as you were taught … copyright © simon g. harris...
TRANSCRIPT
Col. 2:6-7 … strengthened in the faith as you were taught …
Copyright © Simon G. HarrisScripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission
Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
Titus 2:1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.
Titus 1:9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Revelation God speaks
General Revelation God speaks through his
WORLD
Two types of revelation
Special Revelation God speaks through his
WORD
(i) through creation
Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
God speaks through his world
(i) through creation
Acts 14:17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.
God speaks through his world
(i) through creation
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
God speaks through his world
The Cosmological Argument
(i) through creation
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
God speaks through his world
The Teleological Argument
(i) through creation
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
God speaks through his world
The Teleological Argument
(i) through creation
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
God speaks through his world
The Ontological Argument
(ii) through conscience
Acts 24:16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
God speaks through his world
Everywhere … the work of his hands
Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
God speaks through his world
Everywhere … the work of his hands
Job 12:7 - 10 But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that ….
God speaks through his world
Without excuse
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
God speaks through his world
The burden of proof is NOT with us
Clues to his nature
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
God speaks through his world
Bigger than space
Clues to his nature
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
God speaks through his world
Greater than time
Clues to his nature
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
God speaks through his world
Interested in detail
Clues to his nature
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
God speaks through his world
Good & just
Clues to his nature
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
God speaks through his world
Good & just
Unanswered
questions …
The Bible is that something more
Hebrews 1:1 - 3 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, … and through whom he made the universe.
God speaks through his word
The Bible is unique
Hebrews 1:1 - 3 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, … and through whom he made the universe.
God speaks through his word
Unique in its continuity
The Bible is unique
Hebrews 1:1 - 3 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, … and through whom he made the universe.
God speaks through his word
Unique in its circulation
The Bible is unique
Hebrews 1:1 - 3 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, … and through whom he made the universe.
God speaks through his word
Unique in its translation
The Bible is unique
Hebrews 1:1 - 3 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, … and through whom he made the universe.
God speaks through his word
Unique in its survival
The Bible is unique
Hebrews 1:1 - 3 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, … and through whom he made the universe.
God speaks through his word
Unique in its influence
Jesus affirms the Bible
He quoted the OT as having divine authority – Matt 4:4 He referred to the OT as the Word of God –
Mark 7:11-13
God speaks through his word
He confirms the Old Testament
Jesus affirms the Bible
He declared it to be inspired – Mark 12:36 He treated it as a whole – Luke 24:25-27He accepted OT history as true – Mark 12:26 He accepted OT prophecy – Matthew 11:10
God speaks through his word
He confirms the Old Testament
Jesus affirms the Bible
He rebuked those who didn’t teach the OT as the word of God – Luke 24:25He lived under its authority
o For his teaching & actions – Matt 12:3-5o For his ministry – Luke 24:46
God speaks through his word
He confirms the Old Testament
Jesus affirms the Bible
2 Peter 3:16 His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
God speaks through his word
He anticipates the New Testament
Jesus affirms the Bible
1 Timothy 5:18 For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”
God speaks through his word
He anticipates the New Testament
We hear him speak
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double–edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
God speaks through his word
God addresses us through it
General Revelation God speaks through his
WORLD
What are we going to do about it?
Special Revelation God speaks through his
WORD