James L. Nicodem - Foundation: The Reliability of the Bible

Foundation

The Reliability of the Bible

James L. Nicodem

MOODY PUBLISHERS
CHICAGO

2013 by
JAMES L. NICODEM

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Published in association with the literary agency of Wolgemuth & Associates, Inc.

Edited by Jim Vincent
Interior design: Ragont Design
Cover design: Smartt Guys design
Cover image: iStockphoto

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Nicodem, James L., 1956
Foundation : the reliability of the Bible / James L. Nicodem.
pages cm. (The Bible savvy series)
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-8024-0634-7
1. BibleEvidences, authority, etc. 2. BibleInspiration. 3. BibleCanon. I. Title.
BS480.N485 2013
220.1dc23

2012044783

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Too many of us, regardless of our familiarity with the stories of the Bible, are blind to the story of the Bible. We miss the forest for the trees. We fail to recognize how the Bibles many individual stories fit together to tell one mega-story. The macro-story. The story of God and us.

Phil Vischer

Creator of Veggie Tales and Whats in the Bible? video series

Jim Nicodems purpose is to lay out, in straightforward, nontechnical language, many of the most important principles of interpretation. He does this so each person may know the foundational principles of biblical interpretation, and so understand many texts. In other words, Jim wants the church he serves, and many other churches, to be filled with men and women who will become better Bible readers.

D.A. Carson, PhD, Research Professor of New Testament at
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School,
Author of New Testament Commentary Survey

As a university professor on a Christian college campus, I can tell you that biblical illiteracy is on the rise. Thats why the Bible Savvy series should be a prerequisite reading for everyone. Jim Nicodem puts the cookies on the bottom shelf by making the epic story of the biblical narrative understandable and accessible. The Bible Savvy series lays out the foundation and context for Gods Word and then shows us in plain language how to apply the Bibles teachings to our lives step-by-step. Its phenomenal.

Les Parrott, PhD
Seattle Pacific University
Author of Youre Stronger Than You Think

The compelling reality about the Bible is that it is full of fascinating details about God and His wise and redemptive oversight of the history of mankind. Unfortunately, the larger, more profound story often gets lost in the details. Like a master storyteller, Jim Nicodem takes us beyond the details and exposes the grand plot of Scripture. Jims work in the Bible Savvy series will amaze many of us who have lived to master the details and will motivate all of us to stand in greater awe of the One who is navigating history to a good and glorious end.

Joseph M. Stowell
President, Cornerstone University

The Bible is one of the most precious possessions to a believer living in a restricted nation. I am constantly amazed by the hunger for biblical teaching expressed by those who face persecution daily. Their sacrificial passion should inspire us to rekindle our quest for biblical understanding. Jim Nicodems Bible Savvy series is the kind of resource needed to reengage our hearts and minds with Gods Word and renew a hunger for Gods truth on par with our persecuted brother and sisters.

James E. Dau
President, The Voice of the Martyrs

Jim has done a masterful job in the Bible Savvy series! In these four concise books, Jim marches with clarity and skill into topics that would be difficult to tackle in a seminary classroom, much less in an American living room. And rather than a monologue, these books create a dialog among the author, the reader, their small group, and the living Word of God. These practical, approachable resources provide foundational training that is greatly needed by nearly every small group and leader I encounter.

Greg Bowman
Coauthor of Coaching Life-Changing Small Group Leaders
Past executive director of the Willow Creek Association

Reading the four books in the Bible Savvy series is like getting a Bible college education in a box! The Lord is calling our nation to a Bible reading revolution, and these books are an invitation to be part of it.

Hal Seed
Author of The Bible QuestionsandThe God Questions
Lead Pastor, New Song Community Church, Oceanside, California

Living in the land of the Bible is considered a privilege by many, but the real privilege is to let the Bible become alive through us, in whatever land we may live. In the Bible Savvy series, Jim Nicodem not only helps us to understand Gods plan to save us, but also His desire to change and shape us through His Word and Spirit in order to be a light in this dark world.

Rev. Azar Ajaj
Vice President and lecturer, Nazareth Evangelical Theological Seminary

To ignite a love for the Gods Word in others is the goal of any spiritual leader. Communicating Gods Word is the most important of all. Pastor Jims Bible Savvy series is the tool, the guide, and the process for worship leaders to go into deep spiritual places. His biblical scholarship, communicated with such creativity, is exactly what is needed in worship ministry today.

Stan Endicott
Slingshot group coach/mentor
Worship Leader, Mariners Church, Irvine, California

Jim Nicodem leads one of Americas finest churches. Jim knows how to communicate the truth of the Bible that brings historical knowledge with incredible practical application. The Bible Savvy series is the best I have ever seen. Your life and faith will be enhanced as you use and apply this material to your life.

Jim Burns, PhD
President, HomeWord
Author of Creating an Intimate Marriage and ConfidentParenting

Pastor Nicodem is like a championship caliber coach: he loves to teach, and he stresses that success comes from mastering the basics. The Bible Savvy series will help you correctly interpret the best Playbook ever written: the Bible. Understanding and applying its fundamentals (with the help of the Bible Savvy series) will lead one to the Ultimate Victory eternity with Jesus.

James Brown
Host of The NFL Today on the CBS television network

I MET THE REAL ESTATE AGENT at my front door and invited him in. My wife and I were about to put our home on the market and I had called Jeff as a potential representative. As he sat down at our dining room table and opened his briefcase, I noticed a Bible perched on top of other papers. I asked Jeff if he was a Bible reader and he replied that he was just getting started. What had prompted his interest? Hed recently come across a list in