A Better Basis for Belief

 "The things that are coming anounce to us, that we may know their issue. Tell us the things that coming hereafter, that we may know that you are gods." - ISAIAH 41:22, 23, AT.

FAITH in the Bible does not hinge on what scientists say.  When their advancin knowledeg comes ever closer to conforming to th Bible, that does not make them become Christians.  They still cling to their religion of evolution. Faith doe snot depend on the archaeologists for establishment either.  Their discoveries merely confirm what the Bible has alwats said, but this confirmation does not convert them to Christianity. And when there is an apparent clash between Bible and the interpretation they place upon a find, they lean toward their own understanding  and not the Bible.  (Proverbs 3:5) Science and archaeology are not essentials. They may serve a purpose in bringing infidels and atheists to their senses and cause them to examine the Bible more seriously, but faith should not be dependent upon any discovered harmony between the Bible and such sciences as biology and geology.  That harmony in itself does not make the Bible God's Word.  Nor is it any confirmation that archaeology has now confirmed  is not the viatl point, for men can write true histories.  Accurate histories can be written by both God and men.

But only Jehovah God can cause history to be written in advance.  In other words, he can prohesy, can foretell the future. That is the acid test for disclosing godly qualities and powers.  Jehovah God delcares that this power of prophecy  springs from him alone, and that because of his knowledge of the future his people need not dread any unforeseen events:  "Who is like me?  Let him come foward with his claim, let him set out his case before me. Who foretold the future long ago? Pray let us hear  what is still to be!  Fear nothing, dread not in the days to come; have I not foretold it and announced it long ago?  You are my witnesses whether there is any god, any Power, any, besides me." (Isaiah 44:7, 8, Mo)   If any wish to vie with him as gods,  they are invited to support their claims of godship by  demonstrating their power to prophesy:  "Let them approach and tell us what is to happen: tell  us what the former things were that are coming hereafter, that we may know that you are gods." (Isaiah 41:22, 23. AT)   So it is not the ability to write what is scientifically sound that counts, nor is it the power  to pen what is historically true that is essential, but it is the producing of that which is prophetically accurate that is vital in establishging it as inspired by God.  He is the sole source of  prophetic power. 

Next time: A Better Basis for Belief -Continue 

From the jw.org publications