The Bible Student Edition Final (1)

1 C hronicle of Dr. Keith B. Cowart Dr. Keith B. Cowart graduated from Southern University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration. Asbury Theological Seminary with a Masters in Theology in 1996 and a Doctorate of Ministry in 2002, Christian Bible College in 2002 with a Doctorate of Theology, University of Phoenix in 2005 with a M.B.A. in Business Administration. Dr. Cowart received Teacher Certification to teach from the Sunday School Publishing Board Education Department in 2006. Dr. Cowart serves as an associate minister of the Greater Tulane Baptist Church, Rev. Hosia Gardner - Pastor. Dr. Cowart is author of the book entitled “ REACH ” , and is presently working on his second book “ Back to Basics ”. Dr. Cowart has had the privilege to serve in official offices in the: Recording Secretary, Amite River Baptist Association President of the Sunday- School Congress, Amite River Association Foreign Mission Board Member, National Baptist Convention Vice President of the Late Night Committee, Louisiana Baptist State Convention Teacher -Congress of Christian Education – 4 th District Association Board Member – L.M. Lockhart Center Financial Committee Member, B.M&E State Convention And presently serves as Second Vice President of the First District Evangelical Board.

2 COURSE SYLLABUS COURSE TITLE: The Bible 1001 COURSE INSTRUCTOR : Dr. Keith B. Cowart COURSE DESCRIPTION : This course serves as an introduction to the nature and origin of the Bible, as well as a preparation for more advanced theological studies. Students will learn about the Bible’s overall structure and storyline, its divine inspiration and authority, the development of the canon, and the transmission of the Biblical text. Course Textbooks: The Bible: Book by Book - G. Coleman Luck, Back to Basics – Dr. Keith B. Cowart, The Bible: The Bible : An Easy-to-read Guide to Its Purpose and Origin – Dr. Geoffrey V. Guns. The Authority and Inspiration of the Bible The Purpose of the Bible God is primarily concerned with his creation understanding the purpose of his divine word. We as believers error when we try to use His inspired book for purposes it was not designed for an out of context. The primary purpose of the Bible is its message about salvation, and that is its primary sphere of authority. It is a sufficient guide that tells us how we might be given eternal life with God. The Bible truly reveals the whole counsel of God to mankind, the belief of the Christian towards God and the requirements that God has for the believer. In it we find God and His will and glory; our relationship to Him laid out and established in terms of creation, fall and redemption, faith and life. It's purpose is to bring Salvation to men, to re-establish their relationship to God, and to accomplish this purpose it has to reveal God to man, reveal man's heart and need, establish the covenant of redemption in Jesus Christ, and nurture the soul as the Holy Spirit makes it the Word of life. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” I Peter 1:23

3 Revelation, Affirmation, Inspiration and Illumination Revelation Revelation means that God has chosen to reveal his nature and his will to us through the Bible. The Bible was written so that God could show us what he is like and what he wants us to be like. An understanding of God comes solely through his decision to reveal himself to us. And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make mysel f known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD. - Ezeki el 38:23 Affirmation We accept the Bible as the inspired Word of God. The writers were inspired, moved by the Holy Spirit ( 2 Pet 1:21 ), and the resultant writings are inspired, as if breathed or spoken by God ( 2 Tim 3:16 ). The Bible is therefore useful as a guide to salvation through faith in Christ, and sufficient for doctrine, correction, moral and ethical instruction ( 2 Tim 3:15-17 ). Inspiration Inspiration is the process through which God gave us the Bible. God worked in the hearts of human writers to inspire them to write down his words. God's words written through these people are perfect, infallible, arid trustworthy. II Timothy 3:16-17 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Inspiration means God wrote the Bible through __________________ No prophecy ever came from what a person wanted to say, but people l ed by the Holy Spi rit spoke words from God. - 2 Peter 1 :21 (NCV) Inspiration means the Holy Spirit is the _____________ The Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David - Acts 1:16.

4 Illumination Illumination is the Holy Spirit's work of bringing light to the words of the Bible as we read them. Illumination is the means by which we understand the Bible. Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures . - Lu ke 24: 45 Inerrancy and Infallibility The Bible was God breathed. God wanted to speak to us in words we could understand – and the Bible contains those words. Since the Bible comes from the mouth of God, it has abilities that other books don't have. “No prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21). For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing where to I sent it. (Isa. 55:10-11) The Word of God is compared to rain. Rain brings life to earth; it causes plants to grow, trees to bear fruit, and grass to be lush and green. In the same way the Word of God brings life to people. It causes us to prosper and be blessed in every area of our lives as we hear it and meditate on it. The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life (John 6:63). Infallibility The word infallible means “incapable of error.” If something is infallible, it is never wrong and thus absolutely trustworthy. Similarly, the word inerrant , also applied to Scripture, means “free from error.” The Bible never fails; it always gives correct and specific advice for Christian living. 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17 , “All Scripture is God - breathed” and has the effect of producing servants of God who are “thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The fact that God “breathed” Scripture insures that the Bible is infallible, for God cannot breathe out error.

5 Worksheet How Do We Know the Bible Came from God? First: The _________________ evidence says the Bible is a historical book. Second: The _______________ evidence says the Bible is a unique book. Third: The ______________ evidence says the Bible is a powerful book.