How Do I know the Bible is God’s Word?

It is difficult to read the Bible and think that it is God’s Word in the face
of all the contradictory evidence that questions the integrity of scripture.
Science has made enormous inroads into the thinking of modern people
who dismiss scripture as an outdated, primitive and irrelevant book. In
fact, many people believe it is a crutch for people who do not have the
capacity to deal with life and death. It is a fool’s hope according to
many. In addition, the relaxation of certain moral codes and the strong
belief in tolerance for many modes of living that are at variance with
scripture, has created public antagonism towards the Bible.
We must then ask ourselves why we believe in the integrity of scripture,
the record of events and the theocentric view the Bible has about the
universe. A biblical example that is extremely helpful is the story in
which God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his own son. How did
Abraham know it was God’s word?
Firstly, whatever the mode of transmission to Abraham, a command
came to sacrifice his son on a mountain. It might have been an audible
voice or a voice in his mind, the text is not clear on this matter.
However, what is clear, is that he was commanded to do something that
was contrary to conscience being human sacrifice, contrary to his
instincts and affections of a Father, and contrary to the Law of God
which forbade murder, and especially of one’s own offspring. Abraham
must have been convinced with a strong assurance that what he was
commanded to do was in fact an obedient act to God.
How did he know? Did he harbor any doubts? Was there any hesitation
in his actions? It would seem from the text that he did not hesitate to
obey and was quite determined to carry out the task to the point of
raising his hand with the knife to slay his own son.
Scripture does offer an explanation. In Romans Chapter Eight, we read
how the Spirit of God grants us an assurance by bearing witness with our
spirit that we are children of God. Therefore, it is the witness of God’s
Spirit with our spirit that scripture is the word of God thus giving us the
assurance that it is indeed God’s word.
Confidence in scripture cannot be derived from miracles. We can read
how people in the New Testament saw the miracles Jesus did, and yet
they sought to crucify him. Our circumstances cannot convince us.
Usually, life is a mixed cup. In times of plenty, we may feel loved by
God, but what of times of adversity? Such proofs would not serve to
maintain faith when difficulties arose. What of logic and reason? Using
well-reasoned arguments to convince others about the Christian faith?
Many people use logic to reject the gospel. They look for a well-
established theodicy to answer their questions as to the origin and
ongoing evil in the world. We lack the necessary explanations to meet
ongoing queries and questioning of God’s providence and how he
organizes the universe. There is only one way. Scripture is accompanied
with the gift of assurance that it is indeed God’s words and not simply
the product of human invention.
How does Abraham and Christians today compare to each other? They
have in common the same gift of faith – in different measures – that
enables a believer to act upon God’s Word. We share that same gift of
faith that operated in Abraham and now works in us, faith working
through love. The difference is in the mode of communication. Abraham
did not have any scriptures. He had no written word, rather God
communicated to him by angels, dreams and the spoken word, whether
an audible voice or in his mind is uncertain.
Today we have the Bible. I cannot rule out that God would prophesy
through Christians, that some might have dreams or hear a voice from
God or even have visions. One cannot be dogmatic on this point.
However, these experiences can be highly subjective and therefore
susceptible to leading people into great error and harmful actions to
others and themselves. We have the scriptures, and they are objective
and therefore secure and safe from subjectivity. It is true that the canon
of scripture is fixed and may not address many issues we face. It is true
that it may not answer our specific individual needs. However, God does
speak through the scriptures and his voice is so clear and loud in the text
that it is unmistakable.
This is what we term illumination. It grants us fellowship with God in
Christ and usually enlightens us further into understanding the person of
Christ in a deeper and more meaningful way. The communications
through the Word accompanied by the Holy Spirit’s illuminating light
leaves deep impressions not only of a greater clarity and depth but also a
profound spiritual sense of his presence. It is almost as if he is present –
a present reality of his person. These experiences of the reality of Christ
also are accompanied by a reinforcing – a growing in strength – in faith
and the assurance in the integrity and truth of God’s Word.
Finally, although we may not hear God speaking to us audibly, when we
speak audibly or in our minds, God definitely hears every word we
speak or think. God hears us. This is of great comfort to us. This
statement is based on scripture and the many references to prayer. For
example, Jesus knew the Gentiles thought they would be heard because
they multiplied their words and this he knew from first-hand experience
from hearing them offering up prayers to God.
Therefore, not only do we receive the assurance by the testimony of the
Spirit that God’s Word is truly his words, but we have the assurance that
he hears our words that we utter to him. Our words do not have the same
quality, we promise God many things and fail – a triple denial like Peter.
But God who is rich in mercy forgives us, mortifies sin in our hearts by
repentance and delivers us by crucifying the flesh to conform us to
Christ where our words will begin to be seasoned with grace and
holiness. May God conform our words to his own.