Need proof of the Bible

[OnEaglesWings]

Hey guys,
I teach a 4th grade Sunday School class and a couple of the kids have been saying they don't believe the Bible, and they want proof, and stuff...I know it sould be based on faith, but i think maybe if I can find a little proof, just to plant a seed, it would be good...unfortuantly, I don't know much about that kinda stuff. If you have any scientific proof that any Biblical events happened, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
BTW, if there's another thread on this,or if it should go somewhere else, feel free to merge this or delete it or move it or do whatever with it, just let me know so I can find the info!

[Travis]

There is no proof. Maybe someone can help you with evidence though.

[InGodsWill]

The proof really is in the word itself and how remarkable and accurate the prophecies in the bible are, along with it being backed up with historical writings and history itself. Like their are tons of writings on Jesus and the miracales that He performed by people who wren't apostles or even christians. I mean you could go into great deatial and study on the inerrancy of scripture. Or how do we know God exists and how do we know that the bible is God's word, and all of these questions can be answered with good reason and facts. I would just suggest that you get a good book that talks about these issues, if you want to see all of the documentation and evidence for the bible being without error and why it's the written word of God, cause that is a very importaint thing in knowing, before you even start to get into God's word. Their are many books written on how we know that God exists and why the bible is compleatly accurate in everything that is say's, and a lot of stuff on the net as well, but if you would like I could give you some name of books or post soem stuff on how we know God exist or the inerrancy of scripture, or how we know that the bible is God's word. Well let me know what ya think!=) God Bless

[Luke]

Pick up <A href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0842345523/qid=1007531168/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_3_1/102-3788857-7822562" target="_blank"><I>More than a Carpenter</I></A> by McDowell.

Don't just spout out the book, though, actually learn the information and be able to defend it.

[JerryLove]

Yes, learn and defend stoning non-virgins to death, and unruly children, while fining rapists 50 sheckles and making them marry their victims (after all, the father's interest has been harmed by the rape). Defend genocide and infanticide. Have fun.

Belive in the Bible? Hec, I've seen one.

(sorry, a little grumbly from dealing with another thread)

[Travis]

Originally posted by JerryLove
Belive in the Bible? Hec, I've seen one.


LOL, that is funny, I admit.

[DaveJes1979]

OnEaglesWings,

I understand your dillemma. I think that your best bet would to be a post written by - ME! It is under the apologetics section. It is titled "the Transcendental Proof for the Existence of God." It is technically an argument for God's existence, but it also applies to God's self-revelation, the Bible.

I argue that God is the necessary pre-condition to man knowing anything about reality at all.

This argument can be extended to God's self-testimony. There is no greater authority we can use to validate the Bible, because there is no greater authority than God. Thus, you must argue by presupposition. That is, you MUST start your reasoning to God's revelation in order to know ANYTHING about reality at all. Without it, you have no standard and no guide to reason AT ALL. So when your Sunday school kids tell you that they don't believe in the Bible and want proof, I would start by replying "why should you believe in anything at all? What criteria are you using to decide what is and is not "proof"? How do you know that your thoughts can ever bring you in contact with truth at all?" All of the assumptions behind these kids' thinking are utterly arbitrary. When they realize that they are standing on thin air in order to come to truth, you can then tell them that the only possible foundation for interpreting reality is God's own testimony.

Hope that helps.
A good book that might be best is "Every Thought Captive" by Richard Pratt (a tiny paperback book). It can be read by any high-schooler, I estimate.

David Gadbois
djgadbois@csupomona.edu

[Superman]

Originally posted by Luke
Pick up <A href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0842345523/qid=1007531168/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_3_1/102-3788857-7822562" target="_blank"><I>More than a Carpenter</I></A> by McDowell.

Don't just spout out the book, though, actually learn the information and be able to defend it.

That is a very good book. That deals mainly with the evidence of Jesus as Christ. Josh McDowell's Evidence that Demands a Verdict is a really big book, but it covers just about everything. :)

[trav5787]

I have not actually read it but my roomate says that The Signature Of God by Grant R. Jeffrey is a really good book.
Here is a link where you can read a synopsis.
Signature of God (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/084994094X/reader/12/ref=lib_rd_TBCV/103-3200756-5777465#reader-link)

[Superman]

Yes, the contovertial Bible codes... I read that book. Good stuff. The Bible codes thing is very interesting... :)

[Luke]

The Bible Code isn't real, don't put stock in it.
We've had threads on it, you can find them if you want to.

[Superman]

I never said I did. I said it was interesting.

[trav5787]

There are other things in that book. I am also not real sure about the Bible code but that is not all the book talks about.

[OnEaglesWings]

Thanks guys..hopefully i can find something that will get these guys to take a second look--fourth grade seems awful young to make a commitment against God. I just hope their hearts are open enough. Can anyone tell me about just quick little tidbits of evidence? Almost like trivia facts?

[SenorPapaCabasa]

Well.... a lot of that stuff is hard for 4th graders to understand.

But my history teacher tells me about things that have been discovered that support the great flood. also the dead sea scrolls found last century had many writings about events also in the bible. however, someone posted a website that had something to do with those earlier. i dont really know a lot about this stuff.... im just a 16 year old student... im just tryin to help all i can :D

[calebb]

How about....

The Bible as written over a period of 1500 years by over 40 authors, in THREE different languages, yet it reads as one book.

-Caleb

[Chrysostom]

A. Why the Bible is the Word of God, if they accept Jesus:

1. The apostles would remember correctly about Jesus (John 14:26)
2. Peter is the rock on which Jesus would build His church (Matthew 16:18)
3. Paul's writings are called Scripture by Peter (2 Peter 3:15-16)
4. Apostolic writings are called Scripture by Paul and Peter (1 Corinthians 14:37,
1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 3:15-16)
5. The only NT books without direct apostolic authorship had apostles aiding directly in authorship:
* Mark--Peter
* Luke--Paul and others
* Jude--James and Jesus
* We do not know who wrote Hebrews, which was one reason why it almost didn't make the cut. It was finally accepted because of the Christ-centered message, and of the light of the gospel that shines forth from it.
6. All Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16)

B. Tell them about how there are 40 authors (writing in different languages, on different continents, and over thousands of years), yet they all stay true to the message and do not contradict each other.

C. The Old Testament, written ~500 years or more before Christ, has over 300 prophecies, all of which Christ fulfilled

An abbreviated list:
Son of God (Psalms 2:7, 1 Chronicles 17:11-14, 2 Samuel 7:12-16)
Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14)
Line of David (Jeremiah 23:5, 2 Samuel 7:12-16, Psalms 132:11)
From Judah (Genesis 49:10, Micah 5:2)
Family Line of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah 11:10)
House of David (Jeremiah 23:5, 2 Samuel 7:12, Psalms 132:11)
Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
Presented with gifts from far-off lands (Psalms 72:10, Isaiah 60:6)
Herod kills children (Jeremiah 31:15)
He shall be called Lord (Psalms 110:1, Jeremiah 23:6)
Shall be Immanuel—God with us (Isaiah 7:14)
Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:18)
Priest (Psalms 110:4)
Judge (Isaiah 33:22)
King (Psalms 2:6, Zechariah 9:9, Jeremiah 23:5)
Anointed with Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2, Psalms 45:7, Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 61:1)
Preceded by a messenger (Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1)
Ministry begins in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1)
Ministry of Miracles (Isaiah 35:5, Isaiah 32:3)
Teaches in parables (Psalms 78:2)
Enter the temple (Malachi 3:1)
Enters Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9)
Stumbling stone to the Jews (Psalms 118:22, Isaiah 8:14, Isaiah 28:16)
Light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 60:3, Isaiah 49:6)
Resurrected (Psalms 16:10, Psalms 30:3, Psalms 41:10, Psalms 118:17, Hosea 6:2)
Ascension (Psalms 68:18)
Seated at Father’s right hand (Psalms 110:1)
Betrayed by a friend (Psalms 41:9, Psalms 55:12)
Sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12)
Money to be thrown in God’s House (Zechariah 11:13)
Money spent on potter’s field (Zechariah 11:13)
Forsaken by disciples (Zechariah 13:7)
Accused by false witness (Psalms 35:11)
Mute before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7)
Wounded and bruised (Isaiah 53:5, Zechariah 13:6)
Smitten and spit upon (Isaiah 50:6, Micah 5:1)
Mocked (Psalms 22:7)
Fell under cross (Psalms 109:24)
Hands and feet pierced (Psalms 22:16, Zechariah 12:10)
Crucified with thieves (Isaiah 53:12)
Pray for His persecutors (Isaiah 53:12)
Rejected by His own people (Isaiah 53:3, Psalms 69:8, Psalms 118:22)
Hated without a cause (Psalms 69:4, Isaiah 49:7)
Friends stood far off (Psalms 38:11)
People shook their heads (Psalms 109:25, Psalms 22:7)
Stared upon (Psalms 22:17)
Garments parted and lots cast (Psalms 22:18)
To suffer thirst (Psalms 69:21, Psalms 22:15)
Gall and vinegar offered Him (Psalms 69:21)
His forsaken cry (Psalms 22:1)
Committed Himself unto God (Psalms 31:5)
Bones not broken (Psalms 34:20)
Heart broken (Psalms 22:14)
Side pierced (Zechariah 12:10)
Darkness over the land (Amos 8:9)
Buried in rich man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:9)

D. They must have faith.

i could probably think of a lot more if i tried, but that's what i could think of off the top of my head