Philosophical Position

The following presentation sets forth the reasons why the Foundation for Biblical Research looks to the Bible for the truth man should live by and establishes the Bible as the basic premise for all of FBR’s materials.

THE BIBLE AS THE SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR MAN

God Exists.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. (Psalms 90:2)

The Bible never attempts to prove or explain God’s existence. It simply declares it to be true. This book, therefore, begins with this absolute: God’s existence is certain truth. The Bible further states that no man can escape the recognition of the fact that God does exist:

The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard. (Psalms 19:1-3)

Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, (Romans 1:19-20)

Man may attempt to reject God, but man can never honestly deny his knowledge of God’s existence. This passage reveals that God has made Himself known to man both rationally and empirically. The knowledge of the existence of God has been placed by God within the rational perception of man’s mind. Creation itself, through its awe-inspiring variety and order, clearly presents the empirical proof of the Creator God. Acceptance of the knowledge of God’s existence will lead to the next logical conclusion.

Mankind Exists as a Creation of God.

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27)

Man as a creature is dependent on his Creator; as Creator, God is responsible for His creation. To bring a creature into existence, but fail to provide for the needs of that creature would be an act of irresponsibility. Because God cares for His creatures and takes full responsibility for His Creation, He has provided for man’s needs.

God Has Provided for Mankind’s Physical Needs.

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.” (Genesis 1:28-29)

The Hebrew word translated “to subdue” means “to tread down with the feet, to dominate,” and the Hebrew word translated “dominion” means “to rule.” Man was given the command to rule all earth’s living creatures. Man was also given the command to control and use all earth’s resources. God’s provision for man’s physical needs includes the entire physical universe: atmosphere, water, land, plants, living creatures, and the perfect climatic range required for man’s existence. Physical science recognizes the extremely narrow range of environment in which man can survive and how perfectly it has been arranged to support all of man’s physical requirements. God's Word also provides man with a great deal of helpful information concerning the physical universe. Although mankind was given the task to subdue the physical universe by his own intellect and physical efforts, God's Word supplies some helpful information concerning physics, chemistry, astronomy, medicine, geography, and history. While not intending to be a textbook on non-Spiritual information, whatever it does communicate on any subject is entirely accurate (much to the chagrin of Satan and his agents who have attempted to disprove the Bible’s inerrancy for centuries).

Man is not merely a physical creation that exists on only a physical level. He is also a creation of soul and spirit. As such, he has requirements for his soul and spirit, not just his physical provisions. In taking full responsibility for His Creation, God has provided all of man’s essential needs for the soul and spirit just as completely as He has for man’s physical requirements.

God Has Also Provided Mankind’s Needs for His Soul and Spirit.

But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4)

Bread is an example of God’s physical provision, while God’s Word is God’s provision for man’s soul and spiritual life. God’s Word has been provided for man’s benefit. It has been recorded and preserved according to the faithfulness and justice of God. Because God cares for His Creation, He has provided all that man needs to live; not only to survive physically, but to live abundantly in both soul and spirit.

Man was given the ability by God to subdue the physical universe; to rule and use the living things. Man was given strength and dexterity, but above all he was given mentality. With this mentality man could discover the principles by which God governs the physical universe. Man has gradually obtained knowledge of the physical universe by observation of natural laws, in other words, by science. Geology, astronomy, physiology, and mathematics are examples of true science. By contrast, the principles that govern the soul and spirit of man are not of a physical nature and cannot be discovered solely through his own mentality. Of course man can observe and identify characteristics of the soul and spirit, but he is unable to analyze behavior correctly and provide solutions for most problem areas apart from God's Word.

Man has the need to understand his own soul, to know how to relate to other human beings, and to know his proper relationship with the physical universe. When man attempts to discover soul information by means of his own mentality apart from God’s Revelation, he is limited to his ability to observe and to reason. As a result, he invents the pseudo-sciences of psychology, sociology, and anthropology in an attempt to answer man’s soul questions and to solve man’s soul problems. The field of psychology has a verifiably ineffective success record based on testimony from many honest psychologists. 1

Man also has the need to understand his spiritual relationship to His Creator God. He needs to know where he came from, where he is going, who he is, and why he exists. Man is disoriented to life without knowing his own origin, destiny, make-up, and purpose. When he attempts to discover spiritual information by means of his own intellect apart from God’s Revelation, he often turns to various man-centered philosophies and religions for his answers. These also have poor track records in fulfilling man's spiritual needs. The best that psychology, religions, and humanistic philosophies can deliver are means to cope, not to resolve man's depravity issues.

Man is totally dependent on God for soul and spiritual knowledge. He cannot discover the principles that govern the soul or the spirit apart from the information that God has provided. God’s Word is infinitely superior to any thinking man could possibly perform.

God’s Thinking is Superior to Man’s. 

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

God’s thinking is far beyond the ability of man. It is foolish for man in his arrogance to question God’s Word by means of his own viewpoint. As God declares.

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, (Proverbs 28:26)

When God presents information on any subject, His viewpoint will naturally conflict with human systems of thinking. Human philosophy, psychology, sociology, or religion apart from God’s Word is the attempt of mere man to organize thoughts that are inferior to God’s thoughts. These systems of thinking must be evaluated by God’s Word, not God’s Word by them.

Each person’s opinions are a combination of these human systems of thinking plus their own experiences. As the Biblical position is presented, it will be necessary for the reader to evaluate objectively his existing opinions by God’s Word.

The Bible is God’s Word.   

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16) 

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

God did not cause His Word to be recorded for His own benefit, but for the benefit of mankind. The Bible is a complete instruction manual containing principles concerning the soul and spirit; therefore, man can look to the Bible for the information he needs on any moral or spiritual issue. The Bible has the answer for all of man’s non-physical questions from eternal salvation to every practical matter in life. It is the only true source of moral and spiritual information by which man can successfully live each day. Since God’s Word is to benefit man, it is meant to be understood.

Mankind is Intended to Understand God’s Word.  

The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29)

God is infinite (immeasurable and limitless) and omniscient (all-knowing). He has not revealed all His Knowledge to finite man, but what He has Revealed (made known) can both be understood and utilized. God’s information is available to those who diligently search out its meaning and can be used successfully by those who accept its teaching. God has not hidden His provision for man’s soul and spirit. God’s Word is dependable and verifiably true.

God’s Word Equals Truth.

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17)

It is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18).

The Bible presents true principles (or laws) which can be applied in practice with predictable results. There are natural, fixed consequences for either observing or violating the laws for the soul and spirit, just as surely as for violating the physical laws. No man would expect to violate the law of gravity and not pay the consequences, but he will often foolishly violate soul and spiritual principles with total abandon.  When physical laws are properly observed, the results are predictable and beneficial to man. Proper observance of the principles that were designed for man’s soul and spirit will also produce consistent, beneficial results. God’s Word states the natural consequences of either observing or violating truth.

Observing Truth Results in Blessing; Violating Truth Results in Cursing. 

Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: (Deuteronomy 28:1-2) 

But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: (Deuteronomy 28:15)

I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; (Deuteronomy 30:19) [Comments: These Words were given to and for the nation of Israel, but the principle applies to Christians in the Church as evidenced by Ephesians 6:1-3, Galatians 6:7-8, and other New Testament passages. These verses clearly declare that it is to man's benefit to learn and to follow God's Word. For example the book, What the Bible Says About Child Training, presents the principles the Bible reveals concerning child training so that both parents and their children may experience the blessings promised by God. Child training is soul training, and therefore the Bible is man's only reliable source of truth on this subject.]

The following section has been included to explain, in a more-scholarly manner, why this author believes the Bible is man's only reliable source for information by which he can live successfully. This presentation has been derived from the Preface of FBR’s academic textbook, Philosophy and Methodology: Bible-Based Hermeneutics.2 That textbook was developed for seminary or Bible college students and graduates who were interested in studying Scripture from the original languages. All doctrinal points given below are substantiated thoroughly from Scripture in that textbook.

Many reputed scholars in even Conservative Evangelical Theological circles today tend not to rely upon, and even to disregard, the Supernatural/Spiritual aspects of God's Inspiration and Illumination of Scripture. They often seek to understand Scripture by cognitive means (intellectual mastery of human language) rather than by Spiritual means. Perhaps this helps explain why there's so much division in the Church today. It is not God's fault that man has not correctly interpreted and come to agreement concerning His Communication. 

This author's contrary position is that without totally relying on the Supernaturally Inspired Word of God and the Illuminating Ministry of the Holy Spirit, it is IMPOSSIBLE to comprehend the Spiritual message of Scripture. Even the disciples who walked with Jesus daily for three years could not understand the full significance of His Words prior to their receiving the Holy Spirit to open their understanding to the Spiritual meaning. (See Luke 24:25-32, 45; cf. Luke 9:45; 18:34; 19:42; John 20:24-27; 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4; Ephesians 3:9.)

No amount of linguistic knowledge can replace the need for the Spiritual means of comprehension. Conversely, no amount of Spiritual insight will substitute entirely for a competent knowledge of the original languages, application of sound logic, and adherence to a sound Bible-based hermeneutic. The serious student of Scripture must develop great skill in logical reasoning if he intends to interpret God’s Word most accurately.

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