Argument from Scripture, from “The Great Doctrines of the Bible” by Evans

Notes: (1) “The Great Doctrines of the Bible” by Rev. William Evans, Ph.D., D.D. is a well-respected reference material for Bible students, pastors, missionaries and laymen. You can read the entire book from Google (click the picture of the book cover), or download the complete zipped e-book. (2) Surf to the index of lessons and online quizzes from Evans. (3) The most important ideas and statements from this part of Evans’ book are listed in the “Basic truths” section below.

The Argument from Scripture.

A great deal of our knowledge rests upon the testimony of others. Now the Bible is competent testimony. If the testimony of travelers is enough to satisfy us as to the habits, customs, and manners of the peoples of the countries they visit, and which we have never seen, why is not the Bible, if it is authentic history, be enough to satisfy us with its evidence as to the existence of God?

Some facts need more evidence than others, we know. This is true of the fact of the existence of God. But the Bible history is sufficient to satisfy every reasonable demand. The history of the Jews, prophecy, is not explainable minus God. If we cannot believe in the existence of God on the testimony of the Bible we might as well burn our books of history. A man cannot deny the truth of the testimony of the Bible unless he says plainly: “No amount of testimony will convince me of the supernatural.”

Scripture does not attempt to prove the existence of God; it asserts, assumes, and declares that the knowledge of God is universal, Rom. 1:19-21, 28, 33; 2:15. It asserts that God has wrought this great truth in the very warp and woof of every man’s being, so that nowhere is He without this witness. The preacher may, therefore, safely follow the example of the Scripture in assuming that there is a God. Indeed he must unhesitatingly and explicitly assert it as the Scripture does, believing that “His eternal power and divinity” are things that are clearly seen and perceived through the evidences of His handiwork which abound on every hand. (From “The Great Doctrines of the Bible” by Rev. William Evans, Ph.D., D.D.)

Basic truths

[1] “The history of the Jews, prophecy, is not explainable minus God.”

[2] “Scripture does not attempt to prove the existence of God; it asserts, assumes, and declares that the knowledge of God is universal.”

[3] “God’s eternal power and divinity can clearly seen and perceived through the evidences of His handiwork which abound on every hand.”

Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] How the Bible Came From God to You, by David Weidlich

[2] The Old Testament in the New Testament (from Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology)

[3] Is the Bible the Only Revelation from God? by Greg Herrick Th.M., Ph.D.

[4] The Revelation of Righteousness, by Allen Ross, Th.D., Ph.D.

[5] No Excuse for the Heathen (Romans 1:18-32), by Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M.

[6] Free e-book “Christianity: Hoax or History from Josh McDowell Ministry (100 pages, 3.43 MB; equip your church members to share their faith boldly; in this book, McDowell shares compelling evidence for the resurrection of Christ, the authenticity of Scripture, and what it all means for us today.)

[7] Free e-book “Skeptics Who Demanded a Verdict” from Josh McDowell (116 pages, 4 MB; read how three skeptics - Chuck Colson, C.S. Lewis, and Josh McDowell - came to faith in Jesus Christ. Encourage your congregation to use this resource for reaching out to friends who might be skeptical of faith)

[8] Evidence for God, from Institute for Creation Research

• Everything Has a Cause
• The Effect Problem
• Time, Space, and Matter
• The Logical Implications
• God Caused Beauty
• God Caused Justice
• God Caused Love
• God Caused Meaning
• God Caused Order
• God Caused Time, Space, and Matter

ICR’s popular Acts & Facts free monthly news magazine contains articles and information of current interest dealing with creation, evolution, and related topics. Current and past issues can also be read, and you can sign up to receive future issues in the mail, all for free. Full versions of previous editions can be viewed online in PDF format.

[9] Does God Exist? by Jimmy Williams (also available in Spanish)

[10] Does God Exist? by Hampton Keathley IV

[11] Evidence For God's Existence by J. Hampton Keathley, III

[12] The Rationality of the Christian Worldview

[13] Materials by Ken Boa

• The Evolution Revolution: Naturalism and the Question of Origins
• No God at All: Western Humanism and the New Atheism

[14] Evidentialist Apologetics: Faith Founded on Fact

[15] Presenting Evidence That Demands a Verdict

[16] Classical Apologetics: It Stands to Reason

[17] Taking Every Thought Captive

[18] How I Know Christianity is True by Patrick Zukerian

[19] Survey of Bible Doctrine: God by Sid Litke

Sermons (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Centrality of God's Word, by Thomas C. Black

[2] Psalm 119 - The Grand Canyon of Scripture's Greatness and Sufficiency, by Philip G Layton, Gold Country Baptist Church, California, USA

[3] God Has Spoken, by Kenneth W. Burton

[4] Are You Ashamed? by Harry Swayne

[5] God’s Wrath Against Unrighteousness by Daniel P. Johnson

Note: This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials.