What Does the Word Say?

The view of creation sometimes called Theistic Evolution is briefly described and, in addition to having inadequate scientific support, is shown to have a serious theological flaw. The difference between the accounts of creation given in Chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis is then explained. The ubiquitous nature of human sin is compelling evidence for the Genesis account of the fall. The biblical account of the flood is consistent with extra-biblical sources. And the biblical account of creation as a whole is a polemic against all mythological presentations of creation. Christianity is not the end result of an evolutionary development of religion. http://www.whatdoesthewordsay.org/podcast/10-10why-we-shou…rating-the-bible/

The Genesis account of creation, which Christians must accept as true, is often thought to be at odds with modern science. Some people incorrectly think that you must choose between the two. But, the reality is that there are a number of possible ways to reconcile the Genesis account of creation with modern science, so, even though we may not have a definitive answer, it is clear that such an answer does exist. As an example, the days of Genesis 1 might be literal, 24-hour days, and yet not be consecutive. We must also determine where the observer is who is describing the creation days. It is even possible, based on the theory of relativity, that the observer is in a reference frame in which time moves at a dramatically different pace than it does within our universe. References are given for listeners who are interested in more detail. http://www.whatdoesthewordsay.org/podcast/9-why-we-should-…rating-the-bible/

The Genesis account of creation was never intended to provide us with a scientific description of how the universe was created. Also, when the universe was created is of no theological importance at all. We must believe that the Genesis account of creation is absolutely true – it is part of God’s inerrant word; but, we need to be humble and not be dogmatic in asserting that young-earth view is the only possible understanding of the account. http://www.whatdoesthewordsay.org/podcast/8-why-we-should-…rating-the-bible/

The Bible itself is our most valuable archaeological document. It was written between roughly 1400 B.C. and 100 A.D. and has been proven to be accurate in what it teaches us about ancient history. Given that the Bible is the Word of God and is essential for salvation, we would expect that God would providentially see to it that it was preserved, and he has. The Dead Sea Scrolls provide tremendous evidence of this preservation. And other archaeological finds corroborate many details in the Bible. For example, names of people and places are accurate, the prices of slaves at different times are accurate, and the forms of treaties and covenants in use at different times are accurate. http://www.whatdoesthewordsay.org/podcast/why-we-should-be…rating-the-bible/

The Old Testament gives us a progressive revelation of God’s plan of salvation. It begins with the first statement of the gospel in Genesis 3:15 and then give us progressively more detailed information, including many detailed prophecies about the coming Messiah. All of these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, or Christ. Only God can tell us the future, and he not only knows it, he has ordained it. God then gave delegated authority to others; to husbands, parents, pastors and civil authorities. http://www.whatdoesthewordsay.org/podcast/why-we-should-be…itself-continued/

People desire to know with certainty the purpose of life, and about eternal life, but do not want to submit to authority. The authority of the Bible, and of God, is of central importance. Attempts to determine the ultimate purpose and meaning of life apart from God end in despair and futility. God commands, he does not suggest. As his creatures, we should always approach him, and his Word, with reverence and awe, and we should willingly and joyfully submit to his benevolent rule. Jesus spoke and acted with absolute authority and we should listen. http://www.whatdoesthewordsay.org/podcast/why-we-should-believe-the-bible-part-ii-the-bibles-testimony-about-itself-continued/

Everyone has an ultimate standard for determining truth. There are only two possible standards: human reason, or divine revelation. Ultimate standards can only be defended using circular reasoning because you must use your ultimate standard to justify your ultimate standard. Human reason must be used to understand and apply God’s revelation, but we should never set up human reason as a judge over God’s revelation. Our fundamental problem is sin, and we need to be born again to believe and understand God’s revelation. Our doctrine of the Bible must come from the Bible, since it is our ultimate standard for all things. The Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments, clearly claims to be the Word of God. It is written by the Holy Spirit and is, therefore, infallible; but, the Holy Spirit used human authors. http://www.whatdoesthewordsay.org/podcast/why-we-should-believe-the-bible-part-i-the-bibles-testimony-about-itself/

God “commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30) and to “believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 3:23). And so, part of our duty as God’s creatures is to repent of our sins and believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, which means to abandon all trust in ourselves and to trust in Christ alone. We then prove that our repentance is real by walking in obedience to God’s commands (Acts 26:20). Our works are necessary as proof that we have been born again, but are in no way meritorious, the basis for our salvation is the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ alone (2 Cor 5:21). http://www.whatdoesthewordsay.org/podcast/an-outline-of-the-bible-part-ii-what-is-required-of-us/

What is it we are to believe about God and man? God created this universe, including all living beings, for his own glory. Man was originally created upright, but then rebelled against God. Nevertheless, God has provided a way for us to be redeemed from our sinful condition and its just punishment. http://www.whatdoesthewordsay.org/podcast/an-outline-of-the-bible-part-i-what-we-are-to-believe/

Four significant reasons are given for why it is intellectually untenable to be an atheist. Since God exists and the Bible is his revealed Word to us, we should all be interested in what it says. http://www.whatdoesthewordsay.org/podcast/why-should-you-be-interested-in-what-the-word-says/

Dr. Richard Spencer serves as an elder and minister at Grace Valley Christian Center, where he teaches systematic theology, and has led GVCC’s Faith and Reason Series. He is Professor Emeritus of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at UC Davis, and a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). He received his B.S.E.E. from San Jose State University and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Stanford University. He has been married to his wife, Patti, since 1979 and has three children and three grandchildren. He has been a member of GVCC since giving his life to Christ in 1992. http://www.whatdoesthewordsay.org/podcast/dr-spencers-personal-testimony-and-biography/