Scripture References: 2 Peter 1:16-21; Hebrews 1:1-3; Isaiah 46:9-11

Intro: Welcome. Speaker Gunnar continues the "Holy War" series, focusing on the authority of Scripture. In a skeptical world questioning external authority ("What does it matter if I believe the Bible?"), understanding why we trust the Bible as God's Word is crucial. At stake is knowing the true God versus a distorted version (Bruce Ware quote). 2 Peter 1 affirms Scripture's divine origin over "cleverly devised myths."

Key Points:

1. The Claim & The Question: The Bible claims divine authority, as do other religious texts. Why trust this one? We need more than personal experience; evidence supports its unique claims.
2. Peter's Defense (2 Peter 1:16-21): Peter argues against the "cleverly devised myth" charge based on: 
   • Eyewitness Testimony: Apostles saw Jesus' majesty and heard God's voice.
   • Fulfilled Prophecy: The prophetic word is confirmed and reliable ("lamp shining").
   • Divine Origin: Scripture came not from human will/interpretation, but from God through men "carried along by the Holy Spirit."
3. Evidence for Divine Origin (Extra-Biblical Support):
   • Unity: 66 books, ~40 authors, 1500+ years, 3 continents/languages, multiple genres – yet tells one unified story centered on Jesus. Suggests a single Divine Author.
   • Fulfilled Prophecy: >2000 specific OT predictions fulfilled centuries later (e.g., Isaiah naming Cyrus ~150 years prior). God declares the end from the beginning (Isa 46:9-11). Stakes were high (death for false prophets). Dead Sea Scrolls confirm prophecies predated events.
   • Preservation/Transmission: OT: Meticulous scribal copying ensured accuracy. Dead Sea Scrolls (c. 150 BC) validate Masoretic Text (c. 900 AD). Septuagint (c. 250 BC) preserved/spread OT. NT: Best attested ancient document (most copies, smallest time gap). Early/widespread copying; reconstructable from Church Fathers' letters alone.
   • Archaeology: Bible is historical narrative with verifiable details (places, peoples, names). Examples: City of Ur (Abraham) found; Hittite civilization confirmed. (Acknowledges limitations of excavation).
   • Internal Integrity: Doesn't whitewash heroes' flaws (Peter's denial/rebuke). Includes counter-cultural details (women as key witnesses/in genealogies). Reads like history, not propaganda.
   • Canonicity: Established process based on divine authority (prophetic/apostolic authorship), consistency, inspiration, and church acceptance. Excludes pseudepigrapha (e.g., Gospel of Thomas) and Apocrypha.
   • Authentication by Jesus: Jesus constantly affirmed the authority of the OT Scriptures ("It is written...").
4. The Climax: Jesus (Heb 1:1-3): All Scripture points to Jesus, the ultimate Word, the exact imprint of God's nature. Read the whole Bible to see the full picture He reveals.

Conclusion: The Bible stands unique against scrutiny. Its internal consistency, fulfilled prophecy, incredible preservation, external verification, and ultimate focus on Jesus Christ distinguish it as more than human literature. It is God's reliable, divinely inspired Word, powerful like a lion needing no defense (Spurgeon).

Call to Action: Don't let cultural skepticism or media narratives undermine your confidence in God's Word. Consider the evidence. Engage the Bible not just as ancient text, but as God's living, authoritative message to you. Let the "lion" of Scripture loose in your life to transform, guide, and anchor you in truth.

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