Belief Obstacles – Word, Virgin, Resurrection?
Q. How can you really believe the Bible is God’s Word, or that a virgin conceived a baby, or believe in a real resurrection? Please explain. (J.M., Mt. Vernon, WA)
Answer:
Fair questions – Let’s explore this.
Supernatural Bible
The Bible is truly a supernatural book. The Bible was written by forty different authors over a period of more than 1600 years. Yet, there is incredible consistency and unity of thought from Genesis through Revelation.
Belief in the accuracy and divine origin of the Bible is also enhanced by archaeological discoveries which serve to support the Bible’s accuracy.
The fulfillment of prophecy is another solid proof of the divine origin of the Bible. For example, the current line-up of hostile nations surrounding Israel was foretold in the ancient texts. Such nations as Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China and North Korea are examples.
Look at Psalm 83 for a partial list of countries causing Israel difficulties today. In addition to these, computers now verify that there are astounding hidden bible codes which help to verify the divine origin of every letter written in the earliest texts.
Codes?
For example, there are more than 1600 hidden codes in the messianic text of Isaiah 53. These particular codes list the disciples’ names (although Judas is left out). They also list other things specific to Jesus’ life such as: Nazarene, Galilee, Pharisee, Levites, Caiaphas, Annas, Passover, the man Herod, wicked Caesar, the evil Roman city, let him be crucified, cross, pierce, bread, wine, Obed, Jesse, seed, water, Jonah, Mary…Mary…Mary (the three Marys), Joseph, and so on. That these words pertaining to Christ’s life are clustered underneath Isaiah 53 is beyond chance, one in trillions.
This gives new meaning to Matthew 5:18 which says,
For assuredly I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled (NKJV).
Virgin Birth
Regarding the virgin birth, it is no longer difficult to believe this due to our understanding of artificial insemination (although I am not saying that Mary was artificially inseminated). If we have the technology to produce a virgin birth, then certainly a holy God can achieve it since He created the whole process in the first place!
Resurrection
Finally, belief in resurrection is easier because of our understanding of the science of cloning and DNA. All God needs to resurrect us is information contained in our DNA (assuming He even uses this technology). Certainly, He has the technology because He created it, too, in the first place! He proved it to us when Jesus Christ rose from the dead. All He asks is that we trust Him for the salvation message He sent to us.
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References:
Jeffrey, Grant. 1996. The signature of God. Toronto, Ontario: Frontier Research.
Missler, Chuck. 1999. Cosmic codes. Coeur d’Alene, ID: Koinonia House. www.khouse.org.
Muncaster, Ralph. 2004. Examine the evidence. Eugene, OR: Harvest House.