APOLOGY OF THE BIBLE

 “All scripture is inspired or breathed-out by God (2 Timothy 3:16)” 

This means that God worked through the instrumentality of human personality, but directed them so that they wrote what He wanted written. In spite of different writers with different styles, the Bible is very coherent and shares a common theme. An apology of the Bible begins with Jesus’ perception of the Bible. Jesus, the widely acknowledged Messiah, referenced and quoted from the scriptures on multiple occasions. He used phrases like “It is written” (Mat. 4:1-4), “The Word of God cannot be broken” (Jn. 10:35), and “He is the fulfillment of scripture” (Mt. 26:52-56). This means that Jesus acknowledged the scriptures as the final authority of God. 

Other evidences supporting the apology include:

1.       The fulfillment of Prophecy: The coming of the Messiah (birth, death, missionary work) was predicted by the prophets in the Old Testament and fulfilled (Isaiah 52:13—53; Micah 5:2; Luke 24:25-27). Specific historical events like the destruction of Tyre was predicted (Ezekiel 26) and fulfilled by the decree of Nebuchadnezzer’s attack and onslaught by Alexander the Great. The Jewish dispersion was predicted by Moses and Hosea (Deut. 28;25; Hosea 9:17; Jer. 24:9). The restoration of Israel was predicted (Jer. 31) and fulfilled in 1948 when Israel was restored as a nation.

2.       Science can be used to authenticate the Bible. The Bible describes the circle of the earth and that it is hanging (Isaiah 40:22; Job 26:7). This is a scientific proof of the geophysical aspect of the earth.

3.       The calendar system originated from the Bible: The AD and BC system of dating originated from the Bible after Christ birth.

4.       Acts and Culture support the Bible: The Bill of Rights, Shakespeare’s writings, sayings of the father’s of the United States and many others like Winston Churchill and Daniel Webster, all reflect their believe in the scriptures.

5.       Textual accuracy: When the different translations are compared there is concordance and very insignificance differences in terms of grammar that do not alter the intended meanings.

6.       Archeology: There are archeological findings of various original texts such as the “Lost Scrolls” that have been discovered. Despite different places and time of writing, they all point to the authenticity, accuracy, and inerrancy of the Bible.

SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF JOSHUA

The theme of the Book of Joshua is that of conquest with the setting in Canaan, the promised land. Chapters 1-5: Preparing to conquer the Lord – Joshua and the Israelites prepare to face a powerful enemy who live in heavily fortified cities but they must first cross the River Jordan. Yet God will give Israel the land by conquest to fulfill the promise made to Abraham and his descendants. Chapters 6-12: Conquering the land – Israel’s first test was to trust God to provide victory at the city of Jericho. They were successful but they were forced to defend the lying Gibeonites based on an oath to protect them. This made them to disobey God’s command to eliminate them. Chapter 13-22: Dividing of the land – Seven years later after the conquest is completed, God tells Joshua to divide the land among the 12 tribes, who then completed the final conquests in their assigned areas. Chapter 23-24: Joshua’s last words – Joshua entreats the leaders the keep the law and the people to serve God.

Typology: Jericho, a city fortified with high walls stands in the way of the Israelites inheritance just the city of sinful Babylon stands in the way of inheritance of God’s people (Rev. 18:5). Jericho must be destroyed just as Babylon city must be destroyed for Christ and his people to inherit paradise (Rev. 21:1–5). The two spies who were sent to Jericho were threatened by the king (Joshua 2:1, 14) but they were delivered by Rahab. In Revelations 11:3-12 we see two witnesses sent by God to testify to the coming judgment. The wicked city sought to kill them but they were delivered from death. In Joshua 5:14–15; 6:2, Joshua encounters a divine man, the commander of the Lord’s army, with a sword in his hand. Joshua typifies Christ, who is the commander in chief, described in priestly glory with a sword in his mouth (Rev. 1:16). Joshua’s call to circumcise the male Israelites is a kin to Jesus calling His church to purify themselves as they prepare for the holy war (Rev. 2:1–3:22). The seven circles of Joshua’s warfare (Joshua 6) strategy can be compared to that of Jesus’ cycle of seven, where He opened seven seals (Rev. 5:1) and the judgment commenced with seven trumpets and seven plagues. Jericho was defeated at the sound of seven trumpets just as victory was declared in the heavenly kingdom (Rev. 11:15). Just as the walls of Jericho fell at once, the remnant put to the sword, and the city burned with fire, so was the wicked city described in Rev. 18:2. The salvation of Rahab, a type of church, illustrates the salvation Church, a prostitute made Christ’s Bride by His blood represented by the scarlet cord that was hung on the window.

SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH

The 52 chapters of the Book of Jeremiah can be organized into four major areas. 

The first section (chapter 1) is the calling of young Jeremiah to be the mouth piece of God.

The second section: Jeremiah's prophecies (God’s judgment) concerning Judah (Jeremiah 2-45). In chapters 2-29, Jeremiah communicates through a variety of stories and object lessons towards Judah. These includes: Judah, Yahweh's unfaithful wife (chapters 2-6); Judah, the hypocrite (chapters 7-10); Judah, breaker of the covenant (chapters 11-12); Five parables of judgment (chapters 13-20). Chapters 21-39 record the later prophecies that will occur under Jehoiakim and Zedekiah. Chapters 21-29 predict the captivity in Babylon. However, in chapters 30-33, Jeremiah predicts a positive future for the people of Judah through a new covenant but judgment must first come upon Judah (Jeremiah 34-45).

The third section addresses God’s judgment on the other nations (chapters 46-51). He speaks against nine different nations that would also face God’s judgment.
The final section (Jeremiah 52) provides the account of the fall of Jerusalem. The city is destroyed and the survivors are taken into captivity in Babylon.

Theological contributions: Jeremiah 23:5-6 presents a prophecy of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, as a Branch from the house of David.

God’s wrath is a strong feature in the book of Jeremiah. God’s anger is “provoked” by sin, but in His wrath, He offers a path to salvation for all those that repent. Jeremiah offers three main insights that

1. God’s people have sinned grievously against the Lord. Indeed, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)
2. The Lord will judge his people for their sin, in this case through the onslaught of the Babylonians. “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23a)
3. Yet God is both unfailingly faithful and bountifully merciful and will bring restoration and salvation. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF HABAKKUK

The Book of Habakkuk was likely written between 610 and 605 BC. The author was Habakkuk. It setting was in Judah.

Number of Chapters: 3

Introduction:

Good King Josiah of Judah had been killed in battle and all the reforms he made were quickly overturned by the subsequent four kings – three sons and a grandson – all of whom were bad. Wickedness went unchecked and things have gone from bad to worse in Judah. This causes Habakkuk, a little known prophet who lived during the same time as Jeremiah, to question God’s silence and apparent lack of judgment in purging His special people, Israel. The prophet Habakkuk criticized the sins of Judah but grappled with the fact that God’s chosen people will suffer at the hands of enemies even more wicked than they. Habakkuk asks, “Why?” The second time the prophet asked why, God answers with a flood of proof and predictions. Habakkuk finally catches a glimpse of the character and nature of God, and in response, can only stand back in awe and praise of Him. This resulted in the strengthening of his faith in God’s wisdom, sovereignty, and salvation.

Outline/Structure
Chapters 1-2: Habakkuk’s Problem

Ch. 1:2-4: Habakkuk’s complaint (First): Habakkuk has a problem with understanding God’s ways: Why, God, are you allowing the wicked in Judah to go unpunished?”  Why does God allow His chosen people to suffer in their captivity?

Ch. 1:5-11: The Lord’s Answer: God gives an answer the prophet doesn’t expect: God will use the Babylonians to punish Judah.

Ch. 1:12-17:  Habakkuk’s Second Complaint: Now, Habakkuk has a bigger problem: ‘How can you, the holy Judge, punish Judah through a nation that is even more wicked?”

Ch. 2:2-20: The Lord’s Answer: God answers back that He is aware of the Babylon’s sins, and assures that the Babylonian will not escape His terrible judgment. But Judah, says God, is guilty of the same kinds of sins and will also be punished.

The Lord concludes His answer to Habakkuk with a statement about His all-controlling majesty: “The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth be silent before Him” (2:20).

 Chapters 3: Habakkuk’s Prayer and Song of Praise:

The prophet began this short book by questioning God, but now concludes with a psalm or song of praise. He understands and acknowledges God’s wisdom at the coming invasion by the Babylonians. The thought of judgment from an evil nation terrifies him, but he will trust God. And why not? God’s saving work on the part of the Jewish people should give the prophet confidence in God’s purposes and continued hope not to lose heart.

Theological Contributions: 

1.       The core of Habakkuk’s message resides in the call to trust God. “The righteous shall live by faith” (2:4). This is the foundation of the doctrine of “Justification by Faith.” Apostle Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 on two occasions (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11) to reiterate the doctrine of justification by faith. We are made righteous by faith in Christ because our sins have been exchanged with Christ’s perfection and righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

^“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Christ has enabled us to live by faith.

 

2.       It is also contributes to the doctrine of “Salvation by grace and faith in Jesus Christ.” We are saved through faith in Christ and not of works of righteousness.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

The faith that is the gift of God and available through Christ is at once a faith that saves and a faith that sustains throughout life. We attain eternal life by faith, and we live the Christian life by the same faith. 

3. The Book of Habakkuk affirms the sovereignty of God. God is still on the throne of the universe. God controls the affairs of both the wicked and the righteous. It also helps to establish the doctrine that God is omnipotent and omniscient. “The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth be silent before Him” (Habakkuk 2:20). God’s ways are not our ways and He chooses to do what He wants in His own time. In the end, God saved His people yet He used the Babylonians, a wicked nation, in His own infinite wisdom to punish them. This is definitely incomprehensible to the human mind just as experienced by Habakkuk. He knows the beginning from the end. God’s ways are not our ways. They are beyond our understanding.

4.       The core message also indicates that God is a just Judge who will ultimately punish the wicked who may appear to be victorious. He will reward the righteous when He returns in majesty and glory.

SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF MALACHI

The book of Malachi was written about 430 B.C. Malachi attacks the evil that arise in Jerusalem after the temple is rebuilt. His message of judgment is the last word from God for 400 years of silence until John the Baptist appeared on the scene.

Chapter 1:1-5: The privilege of God’s love – The people of Jerusalem lost their view on God’s work and His love for them in the past because they were wallowing in the problems of their present condition.

Chapters 1:6 – 2:9: The pollution of the priests – Consumed by greed, the priests were breaking God’s law by offering imperfect and diseased animals on the altar and keeping the best for themselves. Because of their disobedience, God withholds His blessings.

Chapters 2:10-3:15: The problems of the people – The people are as bad as the priest. They are divorcing their Jewish wives to marry foreign women. They are robbing God of the tithes and offering due Him, and in pride they challenge God’s character.

Chapters 3:16 – 4:6: The promise of the Lord – God answers the people’s challenge concerning His promises. God says a day is coming when it will not be “futile to serve God” (3:4), and those who fear God will be blessed. But there is a time coming when the wicked will be judged. Although the people had been cured of idolatry, there was little spiritual progress. Sin was everywhere, and the need for the coming Messiah was greater than ever.

Theological contributions: Malachi predicted the coming of God’s messenger before the Messiah (3:1; 4:5). This prophecy was fulfilled by John the Baptist. Malachi also prophesied about the second coming of Christ (4:2). This is a very important event that all Christians look forward to. Malachi teaches that a proper tithe is a pure gift, recognizing the great name of Yahweh (1:11). A proper tithe is a sign of returning fully to God in faithful service (3:7). God has a high regard for marriage. Malachi teaches that the Lord hates divorce.  “I hate divorce, says the LORD” (2:16). What the Lord has joined together, let no one put asunder.

 

SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF EXODUS

 Chapters 1-6 describe the oppression of the Israelites under Pharaoh, Moses encounter with God, and his rise as the deliverer of the Israelites. Chapters 7-18 describe the sequence of plagues brought upon the Egyptians due to the refusal of Pharaoh to let them go, the institution of the first Passover, and the ultimate deliverance of the Israelites via the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. It describes the frequent rebellions of the Israelites in the wilderness, God’s miraculous provision of food and water, and the giving of the instructions for worship by God at Mount Sinai. Chapters 19-31 describe Moses receiving the religious and social laws of God on Mount Sinai, and the specifications for the construction and decorations of the Ark of the Covenant. In Chapters 32-34, the Israelites tested God’s commitment by worshipping a Golden Calf while Moses was on the mountain receiving God’s instructions. God was angry but Moses prayed for God’s mercy and He renewed His fellowship with them. Chapters 35-40 describe the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, instructions for sewing of the garments for the high priest, decorations for the Tabernacle, forms of worship, and God coming to dwell in the tent and filling it with His glory.

Foreshadowings: The unblemished lamb that was killed and its blood applied to the door post was a foreshadow of the ultimate sacrifice, the Passover Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, as described in 1 Peter 1:19. From Exodus 17:6, Moses struck the rock to provide water for the Israelites to drink. Christ was that solid rock, the Rock of our Salvation, from which streams of living water flows (John 4:10). Jesus also describes Himself as the Bread of Life (John 6:48) and this is depicted through the provision of manna, that gave life to the Israelites in the wilderness. God promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL

The fifth book of the Major Prophets written by Daniel during his lifetime in exile in Babylon as well as to provide exiled Jews hope regarding God's plan for the future. Daniel consists of 12 chapters, including a mixture of historical events and future prophecies.

Chapter 1: Daniel's background  - This focuses on the young man, Daniel, and his three friends who were taken captive to Babylon, and educated to serve in the king's court but refused to defile themselves with the unclean food offered by the king. Their faithfulness eventually paid off when they were eventually promoted to high positions in the nation.

Chapters 2 – 4: King Nebuchadnezzar faces a problem, and Daniel and his friends provide God's wisdom. 

Chapter 5: King Belshazzar's wickedness leads to his downfall.

Chapter 6: Daniel is miraculously delivered from the lion's den, while those who falsely accused him were eaten by the lions. 

Chapter 7:, He has a dream regarding the future of the Gentile nations.
Chapters 8 – 12: Future prophecies regarding Israel and the nations. This includes the prophecy of the ram and male goat (Chapter 8), prophecy of the seventy weeks (Chapter 9), and the future restoration involving the Messiah and God's ultimate plan for His people (Chapters 10 -12).

Foreshadowings: We see in the stories of the fiery furnace and Daniel in the lions’ den a foreshadowing of the salvation provided by Christ. The three men declare that God is a saving God who can provide a way of escape from the fire (3:17).  In Daniel’s case, an angel shut the lions’ mouths and saved Daniel from death. In the same way, by sending Jesus to die for our sins, God has provided an escape from the fires of hell (1 Peter 3:18). Jesus Christ is our provision from the dangers of the sins that threaten to consume us.

Theological contributions: The Book of Daniel contributes to our understanding of end-times events. It also contributes to our understanding of God’s sovereignty and infinite might. As each king flexes his royal muscles before the Most High God, He responds with a display of his infinite power and wisdom. God protects His people and will always save them in the end.

                                                                                                                   

Survey of the Book of Psalm

Overview of Authors

The book of Psalms was written by multiple authors that include David who wrote seventy-three of the 150 psalms. Psalms 72 and 127 was written by Solomon. Psalm 90 was written by Moses. The family of Asaph and the sons of Korah wrote twelve (50 and 73-83) and eleven psalms (42; 44-49, 84; 85; 87; 88), respectively. Herman and Ethan the Ezrahite wrote Psalm 88 and Psalm 89, respectively. The authors of the remaining forty-nine are anonymous, but Psalm 2, is ascribed to David in Acts 4:25-26. 

Purpose of the Book of Psalm

Book of Psalms is a collection of prayers, poems, and hymns. It was written for the purpose of worshipping and connecting with God.  

Organization

It is organized into: Book 1: Psalms 1-41, Book 2: Psalms 42-72, Book 3: Psalms 73-89, Book 4: Psalms 90-106, and Book 5: Psalms 107-150. The arrangement of the books reflects the history of the nation, Israel and its Messianic hope. Books 1 and 2 are mostly set in the early monarchy of David. They are bounded by two royal psalms (2 and 72) that present the king as God’s anointed one and highlight the ideal monarchy of the early reign of Solomon.  Book 3 has a number of psalms with an exilic and post-exilic setting. Book 4 begins with a psalm by Moses that reminds the nation that God has been her dwelling place through all generations (90).  Two psalms of trust and thanksgiving (91 and 92) follow, then a collection of psalms about God’s power and dominion (93 to 100). The book ends with a series of praise psalms (101 to 106) and an appeal to God to re-gather the nation from the nations (106:47).  Book 5 opens with two psalms of praise and thanksgiving for the gathering of the exiles (107 and 108). There are royal psalms that anticipate the future dominion of the rejected king (110 and 118) and the psalms of ascent portray the present and future pilgrimage of God’s people to Zion (120 to 134).  The final five praise psalms focus on God’s sovereignty (146 to 150). Theological contributions: Foreshadowing of the Messiah is seen in many chapters of psalms. Psalm 2 is a royal psalm about the coronation of the Davidic king.  David and his heirs were chosen by God to rule the nation from Zion. This psalm is a foreshadow of Jesus the Messiah who will be the perfect Davidic king. His death and resurrection is portrayed in Psalm 16:8-11; a prophecy of His crucifixion and suffering on the cross in seen in Psalm 22; Psalm 45:6-7 illustrates the glory of the Messiah and His bride; Psalm 72:6-17, 89:3-37, 110:1-7, and 132:12-18 describe the glory and universality of His reign.