SESSION FOURThe Truth of God’s Word

God’s Living WordRediscovering the Truth of the BibleQUESTIONS TO EXPLORE How is the bible authoritative in our lives? How do we know the bible is “true?” Does the bible contradict itself? How do we read the bible faithfully?

How is the bible authoritative in our lives?

How do we know the bible is “true?”

Does the bible contradict itself?

How do we read the bible faithfully?

But first…a review!

New Creation(Parousia / Resurrection)~ Life After Life After DeathAwaiting New Creation(Heaven / Paradise)~ Life After DeathBuilding forNew Creation(Earthly Ministry)~ Life Before DeathForetaste of New Creation(Transformed Life)~ Eternal Life Begins

How is the bibleauthoritative in our lives?

Crisis of Authority The Church’s Identity of CrisisThe Reformation The Enlightenment Electricity / Quantum Physics Crisis of AuthoritySolo Scriptura Denominational “Authority”

The Church’s Identity of Crisis

The Reformation

The Enlightenment

Electricity / Quantum Physics

Crisis of Authority

Solo Scriptura

Denominational “Authority”

The Inspiration and Authority of ScriptureTheological Claims versus Historical Claims Inspiration Revelation AuthorityAuthority ofGod exercised through Scripture

Inspiration

Revelation

Authority

How do we know the Bible is true?

Does the Biblecontradict itself?

How do we read the Bible faithfully?

Nine Theses On Interpreting Scripture1. Scripture truthfully tells the story of God’s action of creating, judging and saving the world.

Nine Theses On Interpreting Scripture2. Scripture is rightly understood in light of the church’s rule of faith as a coherent dramatic narrative.

Nine Theses On Interpreting Scripture3. Faithful interpretation of scripture requires an engagement with the entire narrative: the New Testament cannot be rightly understood apart from the Old, nor can the Old be rightly understood apart from the New.

Nine Theses On Interpreting Scripture4. Texts of scripture do not have a single meaning limited to the intent of the original author. In accord with Jewish and Christian traditions, we affirm that scripture has multiple complex senses given by God, the author of the whole drama.

Nine Theses On Interpreting Scripture5. The four canonical Gospels narrate the truth about Jesus.

Nine Theses On Interpreting Scripture6. Faithful interpretation of scripture invites and presupposes participation in the community brought into being by God’s redemptive action -- the church.

Nine Theses On Interpreting Scripture7. The saints of the church provide guidance in how to interpret and perform scripture.

Nine Theses On Interpreting Scripture8. Christians need to read the Bible in dialogue with diverse others outside the church.

Nine Theses On Interpreting Scripture9. We live in the tension between the "already" and the "not yet" of the kingdom of God; consequently, scripture calls the church to ongoing discernment, to continually fresh re-readings of the text in light of the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work in the world.

NEXT WEEKRediscovering the Practice of PrayerWhat is the purpose of prayer?Does God answer prayer? Does prayer change external circumstances? How do we develop a discipline of prayer?

What is the purpose of prayer?

Does God answer prayer?

Does prayer change external circumstances?

How do we develop a discipline of prayer?