Bibliology - Lesson 6
Can We Trust the Bible?
In this final section of the class, we ask a life-shaping question: Do you truly trust the Bible? Join us as we explore the doctrine of inspiration and what it means for Scripture to come from the very mouth of God. We’ll examine whether Jesus, Paul, and others spoke truth, whether the Gospel accounts are accurate, and—most importantly—whether you’re ready to trust Scripture with your life. This isn’t just theology; it’s preparation for the storms of life. Come wrestle honestly with doubts, test your beliefs, and find a foundation strong enough to carry you through anything. Let’s think it through—together.
I. Introduction to Trusting the Bible
a. Focus on the doctrine of inspiration
b. Struggling with belief is necessary
c. Without reflection, trust cannot deepen
II. Three Key Questions
a. Was Jesus (and the biblical authors) right?
b. Are the Gospel accounts accurate?
c. Do you trust the Bible with your life?
III. The Role of Faith in Worldviews
a. All worldviews require faith
b. Trust in Scripture is foundational for Christians
IV. The Process of Reevaluation
a. Childhood beliefs often based on authority
b. Growing up brings new challenges and objections
c. Reevaluation is essential to maturity
V. Life’s Hardships and Faith
a. Personal tragedies test belief
b. Faith must be firm before trials come
c. Rethinking belief during suffering can strengthen trust
VI. Preparation Before Suffering
a. Wrestle with questions in calm times
b. Build a foundation through study and dialogue
c. Reaffirmation is easier with prior reflection
VII. Importance for Pastors
a. Mixing personal ideas with Scripture shows weak inspiration view
b. A pastor’s job is to clearly declare God’s Word
c. True belief in inspiration shapes preaching priorities
VIII. Final Reflection
a. Pause to reflect: Do you believe Scripture comes from God?
b. Prepare for deeper exploration in the next lesson
We’ve now come to the third part of this class—a series of talks on the question: Do you really trust the Bible? In this section, we’ll focus on the doctrine of inspiration. This is a very fundamental issue—one that you must struggle with and come to a personal conclusion about. Some people feel that they shouldn’t struggle, they should just believe the Bible is true. But it doesn’t work that way.
If you’re going to truly hold to the teachings of the Bible, you must wrestle with the hard questions, listen to objections, and make up your own mind. Without that process, you won’t fully trust Scripture.
There are three primary issues we’ll address. First: Was Jesus right? Do you believe what He said? Do you believe what Paul wrote? James? The author of Hebrews? Are you convinced that the biblical authors really knew the truth?
Second: Are the writings themselves accurate—especially Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Do these Gospels faithfully represent Jesus’ words, teachings, and actions?
Third: Do you really trust it? Do you trust it with your life? Because whether you realize it or not, that’s what you’re doing.
Everyone has a worldview. Some are secular, some religious—Christian or otherwise. All are based on faith. You can’t prove any of them absolutely. They all require trust in what you believe. So the question stands: Do you really trust what the Bible says?
There’s a common cycle that many people go through. If, like me, you were raised in a Christian family, your early answer to “Is the Bible true?” might have been, “Yes, because my mom said it is.” That’s a good answer for a child.
But as you grow up and gain independence—perhaps by going to university—you encounter other views. I taught in a university for ten years and saw this happen over and over again. Students would say, “I trust what my parents taught me, but now I have to decide for myself.” They’d encounter objections they hadn’t considered before. It’s a natural and necessary part of maturing.
You go through this process of reevaluating what you believe. That’s not wrong—it’s essential. You must think through these things and come to your own conclusions.
And then, life happens. And as the saying goes, “Life is pain” (bonus points if you know the reference). Tragedy strikes. We lost two daughters at birth—one a miscarriage, one named Rachel, who died four hours after being born. It was horribly painful.
If I hadn’t already made up my mind that Scripture is true, I don’t know how I could have coped. But I had a firm belief that the Bible’s message about an all-loving, all-powerful, all-knowing God who brought me into relationship with Himself was true—even when I didn’t understand His reasons. And so, I was able—imperfectly but genuinely—to cling to that truth in the midst of grief.
Hardship forces us to reexamine our beliefs. Maybe you don’t find a spouse. Or maybe you’re in a difficult marriage. Or maybe other painful experiences come your way. They push you to ask, “Do I still believe the Bible says God is loving and powerful?”
And that’s okay. You should be asking that. These trials give you the opportunity to revisit your belief in inspiration and reaffirm it. And when you do, you come out of the trial stronger and more confident in your trust of Scripture.
Here’s the point: if you wait until the difficult times come to wrestle with these questions, it will be that much harder. You need to think them through ahead of time—while you can still reason calmly, talk with trusted friends and pastors, and read solid resources.
Then, when suffering comes, you’ll already have a foundation. You’ll still have to reexamine and reaffirm, but you won’t be starting from zero.
This is especially crucial for pastors. When I hear a pastor sharing their own best ideas in place of God’s Word, I assume they haven’t truly dealt with the doctrine of inspiration. Because if they had, they wouldn’t be mixing their ideas with God’s.
A pastor is a herald of the King. Two things are required of a herald: a clear voice, and an accurate message. That’s the preacher’s job—to clearly and faithfully declare what God has said.
If you believe Scripture truly comes from the mouth of God, then you won’t blend it with your own thinking. So for preachers and teachers, it's vital that you’ve settled this issue of inspiration.
Now, let’s pause here. This is a short lesson, but an important one. Take some time to reflect:
Do you really believe that Scripture comes from the mouth of God—and why?
Think it through. In the next lesson, we’ll dig deeper into this crucial doctrine.
The New Testament was formed through oral tradition before being written down by eyewitnesses and apostles. Jesus’ teachings were memorized through repetition, common in rabbinic methods, and later recorded as the need to preserve them grew. Key figures like Paul, Peter, and others wrote with authority, and by the 60s AD, a core set of accepted beliefs—orthodoxy—had emerged. Despite modern skepticism, strong evidence like eyewitness accounts, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and the willingness of early Christians to face persecution support the New Testament’s reliability. Its authority lies in those who lived with Jesus and faithfully conveyed His message.
0% CompleteAre Matthew, Mark, and Luke telling the same story—or different ones? In this fascinating lesson, we explore why these three Gospels, called the Synoptics, are strikingly similar in some places yet surprisingly different in others. You’ll discover how each writer selected stories based on their purpose and audience, and how this intentional process shapes our understanding of Jesus. We’ll also explore the theory of shared sources like Mark and “Q,” and practice harmonizing Gospel accounts—especially around Jesus’ birth. If you’ve ever wondered why the Gospels don’t match perfectly, this class offers thoughtful answers and inspiring insights. Come explore with us!
0% CompleteIn this fascinating lesson, we explore the vital question: How did we get the Bible? Focusing on the New Testament canon, you’ll discover how the early church recognized which books were truly inspired—based on apostolic authorship, doctrinal consistency, and widespread church usage. Why were some books accepted and others, like the Gospel of Thomas, rejected? What role did persecution, heresy, and the death of eyewitnesses play in shaping the canon? You’ll also wrestle with whether the canon is closed and whether the church got it right. Join us as we uncover the compelling history behind the Bible you hold today.
0% CompleteEver wondered how the Bible we read today came from ancient handwritten texts? In this engaging lesson, we explore the fascinating world of manuscript transmission—how the original writings of the New Testament were copied and preserved through centuries. You’ll learn what textual variants are, why no original autographs remain, and how scholars determine the most accurate readings among over 6,000 Greek manuscripts. Though some differences exist, none impact core doctrines, and over 99% of the text is certain. Discover how this process, known as textual criticism, strengthens rather than weakens our confidence in Scripture’s reliability and integrity. Come explore with us!
0% CompleteIn this engaging session, we explore how the Bible went from ancient Greek and Hebrew texts to the many English translations we read today. Why do translations differ, and can we trust them? Absolutely! With clarity and care, you’ll learn how language works, why word-for-word and meaning-based translations both have value, and how translators faithfully balance accuracy and readability. Drawing on decades of experience with both the ESV and NIV committees, Dr. Mounce shares real-world examples and practical guidance for choosing and using your Bible. Come gain fresh confidence in Scripture—and discover how to study it more deeply and faithfully.
0% CompleteIn this final section of the class, we ask a life-shaping question: Do you truly trust the Bible? Join us as we explore the doctrine of inspiration and what it means for Scripture to come from the very mouth of God. We’ll examine whether Jesus, Paul, and others spoke truth, whether the Gospel accounts are accurate, and—most importantly—whether you’re ready to trust Scripture with your life. This isn’t just theology; it’s preparation for the storms of life. Come wrestle honestly with doubts, test your beliefs, and find a foundation strong enough to carry you through anything. Let’s think it through—together.
0% CompleteIn this thought-provoking lesson, we dive deeper into the doctrine of inspiration—what it means for Scripture to come from the very mouth of God. You’ll explore two key views: dictation and dynamic inspiration, and why most Christians affirm that God used human authors without overriding their voice. We’ll also look at the scope of inspiration—whether Scripture is fully trustworthy (inerrant) or only in matters of faith and practice (infallible). Along the way, we’ll tackle apparent contradictions and discover how harmonization and historical context can offer clarity. Come wrestle with these questions and strengthen your confidence in the truth of God’s Word.
0% CompleteIn this final session, we reflect on what falls outside the scope of biblical inspiration—like footnotes, translations, chapter numbers, and even grammatical oddities—while reaffirming that the original writings are fully trustworthy. Dr. Mounce also shares the why behind his confidence in Scripture: its claims about itself, its unparalleled ability to explain reality, and the deep inner confirmation of the Holy Spirit. With humility and clarity, you’re invited to think deeply, test your assumptions, and arrive at your own conviction. Because when life gets hard—and it will—you need to know where you stand with the Bible. Join the conversation, and decide.
0% Complete
Lessons
The New Testament was formed through oral tradition before being written down by eyewitnesses and apostles. Jesus’ teachings were memorized through repetition, common in rabbinic methods, and later recorded as the need to preserve them grew. Key figures like Paul, Peter, and others wrote with authority, and by the 60s AD, a core set of accepted beliefs—orthodoxy—had emerged. Despite modern skepticism, strong evidence like eyewitness accounts, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and the willingness of early Christians to face persecution support the New Testament’s reliability. Its authority lies in those who lived with Jesus and faithfully conveyed His message.
0% CompleteAre Matthew, Mark, and Luke telling the same story—or different ones? In this fascinating lesson, we explore why these three Gospels, called the Synoptics, are strikingly similar in some places yet surprisingly different in others. You’ll discover how each writer selected stories based on their purpose and audience, and how this intentional process shapes our understanding of Jesus. We’ll also explore the theory of shared sources like Mark and “Q,” and practice harmonizing Gospel accounts—especially around Jesus’ birth. If you’ve ever wondered why the Gospels don’t match perfectly, this class offers thoughtful answers and inspiring insights. Come explore with us!
0% CompleteIn this fascinating lesson, we explore the vital question: How did we get the Bible? Focusing on the New Testament canon, you’ll discover how the early church recognized which books were truly inspired—based on apostolic authorship, doctrinal consistency, and widespread church usage. Why were some books accepted and others, like the Gospel of Thomas, rejected? What role did persecution, heresy, and the death of eyewitnesses play in shaping the canon? You’ll also wrestle with whether the canon is closed and whether the church got it right. Join us as we uncover the compelling history behind the Bible you hold today.
0% CompleteEver wondered how the Bible we read today came from ancient handwritten texts? In this engaging lesson, we explore the fascinating world of manuscript transmission—how the original writings of the New Testament were copied and preserved through centuries. You’ll learn what textual variants are, why no original autographs remain, and how scholars determine the most accurate readings among over 6,000 Greek manuscripts. Though some differences exist, none impact core doctrines, and over 99% of the text is certain. Discover how this process, known as textual criticism, strengthens rather than weakens our confidence in Scripture’s reliability and integrity. Come explore with us!
0% CompleteIn this engaging session, we explore how the Bible went from ancient Greek and Hebrew texts to the many English translations we read today. Why do translations differ, and can we trust them? Absolutely! With clarity and care, you’ll learn how language works, why word-for-word and meaning-based translations both have value, and how translators faithfully balance accuracy and readability. Drawing on decades of experience with both the ESV and NIV committees, Dr. Mounce shares real-world examples and practical guidance for choosing and using your Bible. Come gain fresh confidence in Scripture—and discover how to study it more deeply and faithfully.
0% CompleteIn this final section of the class, we ask a life-shaping question: Do you truly trust the Bible? Join us as we explore the doctrine of inspiration and what it means for Scripture to come from the very mouth of God. We’ll examine whether Jesus, Paul, and others spoke truth, whether the Gospel accounts are accurate, and—most importantly—whether you’re ready to trust Scripture with your life. This isn’t just theology; it’s preparation for the storms of life. Come wrestle honestly with doubts, test your beliefs, and find a foundation strong enough to carry you through anything. Let’s think it through—together.
0% CompleteIn this thought-provoking lesson, we dive deeper into the doctrine of inspiration—what it means for Scripture to come from the very mouth of God. You’ll explore two key views: dictation and dynamic inspiration, and why most Christians affirm that God used human authors without overriding their voice. We’ll also look at the scope of inspiration—whether Scripture is fully trustworthy (inerrant) or only in matters of faith and practice (infallible). Along the way, we’ll tackle apparent contradictions and discover how harmonization and historical context can offer clarity. Come wrestle with these questions and strengthen your confidence in the truth of God’s Word.
0% CompleteIn this final session, we reflect on what falls outside the scope of biblical inspiration—like footnotes, translations, chapter numbers, and even grammatical oddities—while reaffirming that the original writings are fully trustworthy. Dr. Mounce also shares the why behind his confidence in Scripture: its claims about itself, its unparalleled ability to explain reality, and the deep inner confirmation of the Holy Spirit. With humility and clarity, you’re invited to think deeply, test your assumptions, and arrive at your own conviction. Because when life gets hard—and it will—you need to know where you stand with the Bible. Join the conversation, and decide.
0% Complete
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