Voddie Baucham shared something deeply personal , a topic that weighed heavily on his heart. It stems from his journey of faith, which did not begin in a conventional Christian upbringing. He was raised in the tough streets of South Central Los Angeles by a single teenage mother who was a practicing Buddhist. He never heard the gospel until he was in college, and that’s when his life began to change. Like many, he had a multitude of questions that needed answers, and thankfully, someone took the time to answer them.
The wall he addressed is not necessarily one constructed by our adversaries, but rather a barrier that we, as believers, have inadvertently contributed to. Over the years, the church has responded to rationalism, logical positivism, and secular humanism by sometimes retreating from intellectual rigor. In our passion for a holy God, we have swung the pendulum so far in the opposite direction that we risk becoming anti-intellectual. Worse yet, we’ve allowed a culture of mysticism to creep in, where doctrine and theology are viewed with suspicion. We are now in an era where emotionalism often trumps reason, and we must address this. We must rebuild an intellectual foundation for our faith while loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
He shares three things with us: Answer what I believe is the most important question we can ask today, Make an observation about that answer, and finally, Issue a challenge.
The Most Important Question: Why Do You Believe the Bible?
In 1 Peter, we are reminded to always be ready to give an answer—an apologia, a reasoned defense of our faith. The question we must be prepared to answer is this: Why do you choose to believe the Bible? It’s a legitimate question that demands a thoughtful answer. Too often, responses like “I was raised that way” or “It works for me” are given, but these answers fall short. Believing the Bible because it “works” is flawed logic, as someone could equally claim that a completely different belief system “works” for them, rendering both positions equally valid under that reasoning.
A more robust answer is required—one that is intellectually and theologically sound.
I choose to believe the Bible because it is a reliable collection
of historical documents, written by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses.
These documents record supernatural events that occurred in fulfillment of specific
prophecies and claim to be of divine origin rather than human.
The Reliable Nature of Scripture
I choose to believe the Bible because it is a reliable collection of historical documents, written by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. These documents record supernatural events that occurred in fulfillment of specific prophecies and claim to be of divine origin rather than human.
Let’s unpack this. In 2 Peter 1:16-21, the apostle writes, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths… but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” The Bible is not a collection of myths or fairy tales; it is a reliable historical record. Luke, in his Gospel, speaks similarly when he says that he carefully investigated everything from the beginning, ensuring that the accounts we have are historically accurate.
The New Testament, for instance, is supported by an overwhelming number of manuscripts. Over 6,000 Greek manuscripts exist, a number vastly greater than other ancient writings like Julius Caesar’s Gallic Wars (with only ten manuscripts) or Aristotle’s Poetics (with fewer than five). Some of the earliest New Testament manuscripts date back to within decades of the events they describe, ensuring their authenticity.
Eyewitness Accounts and Corroboration
The Bible’s authors wrote as eyewitnesses or recorded the testimony of eyewitnesses. In 1 John, we read, “What we
have heard, what we have seen with our eyes… we proclaim to you.” This corroboration is crucial. Imagine a courtroom where multiple credible witnesses provide consistent accounts of a single event; that’s essentially what we have in Scripture.
Not only were these accounts written by eyewitnesses, but they were also written during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses who could verify or refute the claims. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul notes that over 500 people witnessed the resurrected Christ, most of whom were still alive when he was writing.
Fulfilled Prophecies and Supernatural Events
The Bible does not merely recount historical events; it records supernatural occurrences that were foretold by specific prophecies. These are not vague predictions like those of Nostradamus, but precise prophecies fulfilled hundreds or even thousands of years later. Consider Psalm 22, written a millennium before Christ. It describes details of the crucifixion long before crucifixion was even a practice, including the piercing of hands and feet and the casting of lots for clothing.
These prophecies, combined with the eyewitness accounts of supernatural events, provide a compelling case for the divine nature of Scripture.
Divine Inspiration
Finally, the Bible claims that it is not merely the words of men but the very Word of God. In 2 Peter 1:20-21, we read, “No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation… but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” The writers themselves insist that they are conveying God’s message, not their own.
Addressing Common Objections
Skeptics often claim that the Bible has been altered over time, translated and re-translated until its original meaning is lost. However, this theory is untenable. The Bible exists in thousands of manuscripts in multiple languages, including Syriac, Coptic, and Latin, from the early centuries of Christianity. Any attempt to alter the text would have required an impossible conspiracy involving thousands of manuscripts and multiple languages.
Another common objection is the supposed conflict between faith and science. Some argue that unless something can be proven scientifically, it cannot be trusted. However, historical events, by their nature, cannot be proven by the scientific method, which relies on observation, measurement, and repeatability. Instead, historical events are verified through evidence, testimony, and corroboration—methods that the Bible withstands exceedingly well.
Conclusion: A Challenge to Believers
So, why do I believe the Bible? Because it is a reliable collection of historical documents, written by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses, recording supernatural events that occurred in fulfillment of specific prophecies, and claiming to be divine rather than human in origin.
I also want to issue a challenge. As believers, we must equip ourselves to understand and articulate the reason for our faith. Scripture is not only inerrant, but it is also sufficient. It answers the deepest questions of life, and we need to preach and teach it with confidence and clarity. We must train ourselves and others to defend the faith with both conviction and intellect, so that we can give a thoughtful, reasoned response to those who ask.
This is why I believe the Bible. It’s not just a matter of personal experience or tradition—it’s a matter of truth. And the truth demands an answer.