WHY I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE THE BIBLE
based on the Video by Voddie Baucham
Click each section to watch video clips & learn more.
The Importance of a Solid Answer
In this introduction, Voddie Baucham explains why it’s crucial to have a strong, thoughtful reason for believing the Bible. He challenges common responses, like “I was raised that way” or “It worked for me,” which don’t fully capture the Bible’s unique authority. Discover why believers should be prepared to provide a well-reasoned answer to anyone who asks about their faith.
Key Terms
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Apologia – A Greek word meaning "reasoned defense," often used in Christian contexts to describe explaining and defending one’s beliefs.
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Anti-intellectualism – A viewpoint that dismisses or downplays the importance of intellectual understanding or critical thinking.
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scriptures
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1 Peter 3:15 – "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."
​Matthew 7:24-27 – “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
The Bible is historical & REliable
Voddie presents the Bible as a historical document based on eyewitness accounts, setting it apart from myths and legends. He discusses how authors like Luke carefully compiled and documented real events. This foundation in real history strengthens the Bible’s credibility and sets it apart from other ancient texts.
Key Terms
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Eyewitness Accounts – Testimonies or records created by people who directly witnessed the events they describe.​
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Historical Document –A record from the past that preserves factual details of events, people, and places.
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scriptures
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- 2 Peter 1:16 – “For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes”​​
- Luke 1:1-4 – Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.​​
- 1 John 1:1-3 – We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.​
- Acts 1:3 – During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
Manuscript Evidence and the Impossibility of Manipulation
Baucham addresses claims that the Bible has been altered over time by “overzealous monks” or other scribes. He explains the overwhelming manuscript evidence for the Bible, which includes thousands of ancient copies in multiple languages, making it nearly impossible to change the text without detection.
Key Terms
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Manuscript – A handwritten or typed copy of a text, often ancient.
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Overzealous Monks – A common myth suggesting that religious scribes altered the Bible’s text in the Middle Ages.
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scriptures
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- Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”​
- Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”​
- Psalm 12:6-7 – “The LORD’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. Therefore, LORD, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation”
Supernatural Events and Fulfilled Prophecies
Voddie shares examples of supernatural events and fulfilled prophecies in the Bible as proof of its divine origin. These accounts include events like the transfiguration of Jesus and prophecies of His crucifixion, which demonstrate that the Bible goes beyond natural explanation and showcases God’s power and knowledge.
Key Terms
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Supernatural Events – Events that go beyond natural explanation, often attributed to divine power.
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Fulfilled Prophecies – Predictions made in the Bible that later came to pass, as proof of God’s foreknowledge and sovereignty.
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scriptures
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Matthew 17:1-5 – Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.”
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John 20:30-31 – The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
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Psalm 22:1 – My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
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Psalm 22:16-18 – Now packs of wild dogs come at me; thugs gang up on me. They pin me down hand and foot, and lock me in a cage—a bag Of bones in a cage, stared at by every passerby. They take my wallet and the shirt off my back, and then throw dice for my clothes.
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Isaiah 53:5 – But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
The Divine Origin of Scripture
Baucham explores the claim that the Bible is inspired by God and not just written by men. He explains that the Bible’s teachings are “God-breathed” and inspired by the Holy Spirit, which provides confidence in its authority and consistency across centuries.
Key Terms
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Divinely Inspired – Belief that God guided the authors of the Bible, making their writings His words.
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Holy Spirit– The third person of the Trinity, he inspires and guides believers, including the authors of Scripture.
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scriptures
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2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”
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2 Peter 1:20-21 – Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
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1 Thessalonians 2:13 – “Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.”
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John 14:26 – But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative – that is, the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
Conclusion: A Comprehensive Answer to Why Believe the Bible
In this closing clip, Voddie summarizes his main points, offering a well-rounded answer to the question of why Christians can trust the Bible. He highlights the Bible’s reliability, historical accuracy, fulfilled prophecies, and divine inspiration, providing a strong foundation for faith.
Key Terms
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Reliable Collection of Historical Documents – A description used by Baucham to emphasize the factual, historically grounded nature of the Bible.​
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scriptures
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John 20:31 – “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.”
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2 Peter 1:16-21 – For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
I choose to believe the Bible because it is a reliable collection of historical documents written by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They report supernatural events that took place in fulfillment of specific prophecies and they claim that their writings are divine rather than human in origin.
