₦airaland Forum

Melian:
Brotherly, I don't have issues o. Joseph was preordained to be great. Why? If you can answer that.

Uchenaija:
ONE thing is certain. For you to accept a book as being from God, it would have to be truthful and accurate in everything it says. The people and places to which it refers should actually have existed. Would you not agree? How does the Bible measure up in this regard?

Take just one example. The Bible identifies Pontius Pilate as the governor of Judea during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. (Luke 3:1, 2) But did Pilate actually live and, if so, was he really the ruler of Judea?

For a long time no confirmation was available. Then, in 1961, a remarkable discovery was made at Caesarea. An inscribed stone was uncovered that was originally part of a temple honoring the emperor Tiberius. The Latin inscription states: “Pontius Pilate, the Prefect of Judea, has dedicated to the people of Caesarea a temple in honor of Tiberius.” The Bible’s historical accuracy was confirmed! And there are many, many other examples that show that the Bible is accurate and reliable historically and geographically.

‘Wait a minute,’ you might say. ‘The fact that a book is accurate does not prove that it is from God!’ True. The Bible’s accuracy does not in itself prove divine inspiration. However, the Bible contains evidence that proves it is far more than an accurate history book. Thus, many sincere Bible students have become convinced that the Bible really is from God. You deserve to see what led them to that conviction. Let us examine five different lines of evidence.

Internal Harmony

Imagine that 40 people were asked to write sections of a book. Their backgrounds were varied. Some were well educated, while others were humble farmers or shepherds. Further, not all of them knew one another. In fact, most of them lived at different times in history and in different places. What do you think would be the chances that their writings would all harmonize, even in the smallest details? ‘Impossible!’ you say? Well, these are the very circumstances surrounding the writing of the Bible.

Now consider as just one example of the harmony of the writers their consistent portrayal of Jehovah God. As you can read in the Bible, its various parts provide a harmonious description of Jehovah God as to both his person and his personality. He is timeless, infinite. (Psalm 90:2; Habakkuk 1:12; Revelation 10:6; 15:3) He is invisible to human eyes. (Exodus 33:20; John 1:18; 1 Timothy 1:17) The Bible writers, when given visions of his presence, describe great dignity and majesty, as well as serenity, order and beauty. (Exodus 24:9-11; Ezekiel 1:26-28; Revelation 4:1-3) Throughout the Bible God’s dominant qualities are repeatedly shown to be love, wisdom, justice and power.

Surely, the internal harmony of the Bible​—despite its many writers—​is an indication that it is from a source higher than man.

Scientific Accuracy

Now let us consider one or two of the Bible’s comments on scientific matters. Why are these significant? For several reasons: (1) They harmonize with scientific facts; (2) they reflect knowledge that was beyond the available human knowledge at the time they were written; and (3) they are completely free from the mistaken views held at the time.

Perhaps you have heard that the Bible says that our earth hangs upon nothing and is round. (Job 26:7; Isaiah 40:22) ‘Why is that so remarkable?’ you may ask. Keep in mind that these Biblical comments agree with proved scientific fact and they are in contrast to ancient myths about the shape of the earth and how it was supported. Why, up till just a few hundred years ago most men, even those involved in science, believed that the earth was flat! So it is extraordinary that the Bible writers knew these facts about the earth thousands of years ago and that without modern scientific instruments!

Here is another example. At the time of Moses it was the custom in Egypt to use human or animal excrement as a remedy for certain ailments. Furthermore, Moses was raised in Egypt and was “instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians.” (Acts 7:22) But the comments he wrote at Deuteronomy 23:12, 13 are completely free from the mistaken​—in fact, harmful—​medical practices of Egypt. According to these words, in ancient Israel human excrement was to be considered unclean, to be buried away from populated areas and water supplies. As you know, modern medical science agrees.

Are not these examples a further indication that the information recorded by the Bible writers must have come from a source higher than themselves?

Candor

Something else that identifies the Bible as coming from God is the candor of its writers. Why? For one thing, it is contrary to fallen human nature to admit one’s mistakes, especially in writing. In this, the Bible is distinguished from other ancient books. But, more than that, the candor of its writers assures us of their overall honesty. After all, they would not likely reveal their weaknesses and then make false claims about other things, would they? If they were going to falsify anything, would it not be unfavorable information about themselves? So, then, the candor of the Bible writers adds weight to their claim that God guided them in what they wrote down.​—2 Timothy 3:16.

As an example of such candor, let us consider Moses. Although he was leader of the nation of Israel, mediator of the Law covenant, prophet and judge, he did not lead Israel into the Promised Land. Why not? According to Numbers 20:1-13, Moses made a serious mistake. Read for yourself how he “acted undutifully” and “began to speak rashly with his lips,” failing to magnify God’s name. Who recorded the account in the Bible book of Numbers? Moses, who candidly made a permanent record of his own failings!​—Deuteronomy 32:50-52; Psalm 106:32, 33.

Consider next the shortcomings of the apostles of Jesus Christ. At times they were slow to understand (Matthew 16:5-12), showed little faith (Matthew 17:18-20) and revealed a tendency to seek prominence. (Matthew 18:1-6; 20:20-28) Why, they even abandoned Jesus on the night he was arrested! (Matthew 26:56) Did you notice that all these shortcomings were recorded by Matthew, one of the 12 apostles?

Do you not agree that the candor of the Bible writers is further evidence that the Bible is more than a mere human book and evidently contains ‘not the word of men, but the word of God’?​—1 Thessalonians 2:13.

Preservation

The preservation of the Scriptures also indicates that the Bible really is from God. Consider these two reasons:

(1) Since the Bible writers originally wrote on perishable material, the Scriptures had to be recopied by hand numerous times throughout the centuries in order to be preserved for future generations. Why is this so remarkable? Not only because there was the risk of human error but also because there were deliberate efforts to tamper with the text. Yet the Bible has come down to us with amazing accuracy, as the discovery of ancient Bible manuscripts confirms.*

(2) The Bible’s preservation is all the more amazing when you consider that it has survived fierce opposition. There were times when popes and councils prohibited the reading of the Bible under penalty of excommunication. Many Bible lovers were burned at the stake. But the Bible survived all this opposition and became the world’s best-seller.

No other book in human history has survived with accuracy despite repeated recopying by imperfect humans and centuries of bitter attacks by enemies. Is this not convincing proof that the Bible contains “the saying of Jehovah,” which “endures forever”?​—1 Peter 1:24, 25.

Prophecy

Perhaps the strongest proof that the Bible is from God is the fulfillment of its many prophecies. What man is there that can foretell the future with unfailing, pinpoint accuracy, hundreds, even thousands, of years in advance? Men have difficulty in predicting the weather more than a few hours in advance!

‘But how do we know that Bible prophecies were really written in advance?’ you may ask. To answer that, turn to Isaiah 13:19, 20 and read Isaiah’s prophecy regarding the destruction of ancient Babylon. Notice that Isaiah did not foretell just the destruction of Babylon. He also said: “She [Babylon] will never be inhabited.” Babylon is desolate to this day. How could Isaiah possibly have written his prophecy after the fulfillment?

Furthermore, although Babylon was conquered by the Medes and the Persians in 539 B.C.E., Isaiah’s prophecy was not completely fulfilled at that time. In fact, there were still people living in Babylon down to the first century C.E. (1 Peter 5:13) Apparently, it was not until the fourth century C.E. that Babylon became finally desolated, thus completely fulfilling Isaiah’s words. There is no doubt that Isaiah wrote his book before that, for even the Dead Sea Scrolls (Bible manuscripts first discovered in 1947) contain a copy of Isaiah dating from the first or second century B.C.E.

The Bible contains scores of other long-range prophecies that were fulfilled. More than that, a study of the Bible reveals that it contains prophecies that you are seeing fulfilled today. (Consider the accompanying box.) Can there be any doubt that the Bible writers spoke from God?

After reviewing the evidence, what do you conclude? At the very least, does not the Bible merit your investigation? There is compelling reason for you to investigate it. As we noted in the previous article, never before in history has there been a greater need for reliable guidance in human affairs. The Bible contains principles that, if applied, can help you to cope with economic hardships, live peaceably with your fellowman and build a happy family life. What about the global problems that are beyond human control? The Bible outlines the permanent solution to be effected by God’s Kingdom under Christ in the near future

LordReed:
Dude there was nothing called bible until people arranged a canon. So what if Constantine was not a Christian according your standard you cannot escape the fact that Constantine was very instrumental in the formation of the bible you read today. And not only him, many power hungry men through the ages have manipulated all these writings for their own gain. These scriptures you read are a mere fairytale, myths that have been refreshed.

goodddnews:
I have been wondering why a most people( almost 70%) who was deliver from being posses b4 , will still fall, roll and screen in any deliverance ministry he or she go to. I taught when God heal or deliver somebody is forever or most pastor deliverance are not real..... this question keep bordering me, pls somebody should enlighten me...

LordReed:
Read about Constantine and all the councils he called for to start.

Melian:
I stated these things in my original post. In prophecies, in dreams..take Joseph's, for example.

LordReed:
The Bible was not even a book until some men decided to strengthen their positions as arbiters of the spiritual, they then gathered together various written narratives and called it the Bible the infallible word of god. Really? Omnipotent god can not write his own book? He needed some power hungry humans to construct a book for him? My guy that is the definition of scam.

Melian:
Okay. Thanks.

But I disagree Esau sold his birthright. All had been predestined by God in his typical partial way. So my point exactly is God doesn't exist. If he does he's partial, selfish and wicked. Who wants that kind of father?

Melian:
Can any Christian answer these questions for me?

1. Why did God choose to bless Jacob at the expense of his brother Esau? And through deceit at that.

2. Why did God single out Joseph amongst his brothers to become rich and successful? Could it be that Joseph had two heads and his brothers didn't?

3. David was a fornicator and adulterer...yet.

4. Your God said, "I will have mercy upon who I'll have mercy upon". Does this not mean God's goodness is not automatic? He does as he pleases but expects you to be perfect. His "good" deeds are based on his discretion or worst still his mood.

5. He calls us his children. That he loves us. He says, "just believe in me, call me your lord and saviour and you shall have an everlasting life". Indeed.

6. You aren't supposed to be jealous of your neighbors, you should love them. But God calls himself a jealous God. Isn't your God a hypocrite?

7. He wants you to keep praying and clapping sha. Pray pray pray. Be strong in faith. If it's not working for you, it's because your faith isn't strong enough.

8. My own earthly father loves his children equally. Infact, my father his so perfect in his ways that you cannot tell who he loves the most amongst us. But this your God will give to a select few what should be enjoyed by everybody and still brag about it. Yet he calls himself perfection. He says, "if you ask of your earthly father bread, will he give you stone? How much more I". Wicked being and liar. I think Satan took after him and he's just jealous he's beating him to his game.

9. All I see is a very selfish person in the name of God who wants everything for himself. He takes a hundred from you but gives two in return.

LordReed:
LoL. If anybody tries this today, they'll be called scam artists. So you are telling me, an omnipotent, omniscient god can not communicate with his creation that he loves, in unequivocal terms and ways, for Pete's sake the book was written by men. Instead he is reduced to speaking through special people who bring this message as from god? LMFAO! Damn this scam is so fucking strong. May be I should just pastor up and fleece people with this nonsense.

LordReed:
Here's the thing all the so called personal encounters are never full on physical encounters. It's either a dream, an impression or a "vision" (more likely a sort of dream as well).

Why is an omnipotent God incapable of having full on physical contact with the people he supposedly loves? Why is everything left to be subjected to the highly distorting realm of dreams and impressions? I would never trust any person who comes and tells me he learnt how to fly a plane from a dream so why should I trust people who say they encountered the creator of the universe in a dream? And he gave them instructions for all of humanity in that dream? Really?

Treasure17:
Lol. No o. AAUA

Treasure17:
Lol. I hail professor Abey when it comes to taking attendance in class. Marking attendance sheet as if we were in secondary school...
prof - La-la chukwudi
Lala- present sir

einsteine:
The kind of textbooks published these days...

The proliferation of mushroom private schools is the cause. Each school adopts whatever nonsense textbook it wants to without any form of quality control.

First of all, the use of that picture is a copyright violation as I am sure the author or publisher is not the photographer that took the picture. Secondly, using the picture to illustrate cultism is defamation of character.

BedLam:
Since there is no agency that reviews and recommend what textbooks both public and private school should use, what you get is sickening decadence.

I wont be surprised if there is a textbook up north that glorifies shekau and co.

We've fallen off a cliff to a bottomless pit.

gaby:
You be member wey go school of person mind jare...

gaby:
I tell you guy....guys go dey guzzle up anyhow.....straight from the source....

gaby:
Oya na to convert the church to brewery be that na...

Guy you fit arrange origin bitters, the big bottle oo...Market dey wella


Enjoy my siggy

psucc:
Got a call on Wed morning from a strange number asking me to call him back which I did. The guy knows my name and even my friend's. So he told me to get inside get a pen and a paper to take down some information he has for me regarding a contract with Exxon Mobil, Eket, he wants to surety for me. That he is going to share in the profits of the business.

So i simply dropped the call and continue on my morning chores. He called back to ask if I am ready with the pen and Paper, I should call him. I told him I am simply too busy to continue with him. He went off and till now, that my friend that seek for my welfare has not called again.

ifymadu:
I’m trying to understand, he ejected and died as a result of complications from the impact of his hitting the ground. Is it the his parachute did not deploy or he wasn’t flying with any? Some deaths are avoidable, may his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. God bless Nigeria

shakmati:
He had all it takes. I heard he was trained in the US.

raumdeuter:
Another one

https://www.ngscholars.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Muhammadu-Buhari-as-a-student.jpg

KIDfurniture:
Wow I win oh.. first to comment ...

CilicMarin:
Michael Jackson never dreamt of governing any state in the US in his lifetime with his super globally acknowledged dance steps, one clowning Wacko Jacko wannabe was wanting to dance his way to government house here in Nigeria with 7 F9s as the only side qualification.



Congrats Oyetola...

Osun o ni baje!








Credit: Jeff.