2. Luke 1:1-2 1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,

3. Luke 1:3-4 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

4. I can’t trust the Bible. Three reasons you can trust the Bible. 1.Historically 2.Culturally 3.Personally

5. Historical Objection “The Bible did not arrive by fax from heaven. The Bible is the product of man, my dear. Not of God. The Bible did not fall magically from the clouds. Man created it as a historical record of tumultuous times, and it has evolved through countless translations, additions, and revisions. History has never had a definitive version of the book.” - Professor Langdon (The Da Vinci Code)

6. Three Considerations 1.NT written to early to be myth. 2.NT details too counterproductive. 3.NT too detailed in its form.

7. Cultural Objections The Bible condones things which are we know to be wrong and condemns things we know to be right so why would I trust it?

8. Three Considerations 1.Bible may not teach what you think it does. 2.You may be reading it with cultural blinders. 3.You may have assumed cultural superiority.

9. The Bible Must Offend 1.Liberals – “I don’t like what the Bible teaches about sex.” 2.Conservatives – “I don’t like what the Bible says about caring for the poor.”

10. Who is he Bible About? 1.Egocentric – follow the rules and the examples and God will love and accept me. – The examples are often horrible – The rules will break you 2.Christocentric – John 5:39-40 and Luke 24:27-32

11. Luke 24:25-27 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself

12. Luke 24:32 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”