===========[ The Christian BBS - 604-478-2789 - 24 Hrs - 8,N,1 ]=========== 
 
The following file has been put up by Dave Geauvreau who is the Sysop of 
"The Christian BBS," and can be contacted for more information by phoning 
the bulletin board at (604)-478-2789, or the voice line at (604)-478-0254, 
or by writing to 3053 Metchosin Rd., Victoria, B.C., Canada - V9B 4Y9! All 
donations if by check are to be to "The Christian BBS!"  Please note that 
all long distance charges must be at your expense as finances do not allow 
me to accept long distance charges and the same goes for return postage on 
letters. 

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stated, "anything printed is ipso facto out of date." 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