filename DISBELIV.TXT added 8-14-87 Christian Information Exchange 714-531-3834 Fountain V

filename : DISBELIV.TXT
added    : 8-14-87


Christian Information Exchange

	   714-531-3834

    Fountain  Valley, CA

	  Sysop  :  Mike

"P" = PAUSE, SPACEBAR = EXIT


DISCUSSIONS WITH DISBELIEVERS

  We have, over the years, held many discussions with various
individuals and groups regarding the Holy Bible and the inspiration of
the text by God. In many cases we have had to allow the "other end" to
remain with their beliefs while we retained our own. The factors of
each time have always resulted in the situation that the "other end"
chooses to disbelieve.  The Bible, time and time again, over the
centuries has proven its trustworthiness and accuracy. While this
convinces a few, several remain in disbelief by choice. It is for
those individuals that this series of questions is posed:

  1) How is it that the Old Testament, one of the most ancient of
books, is always marvelously accurate when it touches scientific
questions; whereas ALL other books a hundred years old, whenever
touching such questions are full of glaring, and often foolish ,
mistakes. A scientist once wrote to the British Association
apologizing for not having a paper printed. He stated, "anything
printed is ipso facto out of date."

  2) How is it that of the Bible, and the BIBLE ALONE, it can be said:
"It has ... truth without any mixture of error for its matter"
(Locke). How is it that no single virtue or standard of righteousness
taught elsewhere eclipses that taught in the Bible?

  3) How is it that no references to historical events, historical
characters, ancient customs, geographical and astronomical records
abounding in the Bible have been proved incorrect?

  4) How do you explain how Christ could be "in the beginning with
God," one with the Father, and at the same time err in teaching and
believing that the Bible was verbally inspired, as Jesus did?

  5) How is it that hundreds of prophesies recorded in the Bible have
been fulfilled to the letter, centuries after they were recorded. Why
is it that the BIBLE ALONE has this unique feature that NO OTHER text
in the world has?

  6) How is it that a book written by some 40 individuals whose
writings ranged over 1600 years, could, when bound together, present
one unique whole, whose unity of thoughts in doctrine and plan is
evident to the most casual of readers, and is a matter of increasing
wonder and admiration to the student. Again, this has NEVER been found
in any other collection of literature. A vivid contrast are the Hindu
Shastras.

  7) How is that writers such as Moses, David, Isaiah, John, Paul,
Peter and many other men of integrity and spiritual acumen, could
claim that many of the words they used were God's words, and all were
written by inspiration, if in truth they had written them themselves
apart from the control of the Holy Spirit. The former claim is made by
the writers about 4,000 times.

  8) How is it that fishermen, tax collectors and others were enabled
to succeed in portraying a perfect character in the Gospels which no
other writers have been able to do before or since them?

  9) How is it that the Law given to Israel millenniums ago, worked
successfully for centuries without amendment or repeal (Deut 4:2);
and finally was used as a basis for British and American Law. During
the reign of Victoria over 650 acts of Parliament were repealed. No
count was kept of amendments!

  10) How do you explain how it is that God honors all the promises in
His Word when conditions are fulfilled, and when presented by those to
whom they have been given. If they are not HIS promises, why does HE
honor them?

  11) How is it that the words of Scripture have, in numerous cases,
unaided by man's influence, completely transformed the reader, turning
him from the ways of error to a holy, clean and upright life? No OTHER
book can make such a claim!

  12) How is it that the spiritual treasures are inexhaustible. Every
year produces scores of volumes, thousands of sermons, and tens of
thousands of articles - all of which seek to exploit the unsearchable
depths and riches of Jesus Christ, and the precious truths and
teachings found in the Bible. This cannot be said about ANY OTHER book
ever written!

  13) How is apart from the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit much of
the contents of the Bible are hidden from the wisest?

  14) How is it that the Scriptures are uniquely adaptable for
translation into any tongue? All other books lose greatly being
translated and the value of many would be practically lost. There are
over 800 languages and dialects in which some portion of the Bible is
now obtainable in print. Many of these add freshness and beauty to a
multitude of passages.

  To close, I wish to add that I have yet to debate with a person on
the merits of the Bible where my opponent has even read the Bible. The
majority have desired to question my faith and my beliefs without
addressing the issue of the Bible. They wish to quote other human
writers without the scholar attitude of checking the Bible themselves.

  Computers For Christ
  San Jose, CA 95123