You Can Believe the Bible:
An Overview

INTRODUCTION: 

We live in a day when the Bible is considered by many to be a relic of the past, irrelevant or in some cases a danger to society. This ebook, You Can Believe the Bible proves the opposite. It is more an ebook on what the Bible is, rather than what the Bible says.

The Bible is the Book from God, a source of information that tells you how to prepare for the next life, and how to live in this life. It is without mistake, up to date, a joy to study, and a treasure of timeless truths. 

Our understanding of the Bible is vital, for from its charming yet authoritative pages flow all the other grand doctrines of the Christian Faith. You can believe the Bible is designed to give you an overview of the nature of the Bible and its place in society. Many reasons and solid evidence are explained as to why you can take the Bible at face value. There are abundant academic footnotes.

The objective of this work is to challenge the non-believer to take the Bible seriously, and to give a boldness and confidence to the believer. The Bible is truth from God to the human race. You can trust it to make decisions in your own life. It is the foundation to life, family, society, and nation. About 135 pages.

This book is a small, compact overview of the Bible. It is more a book on what the Bible is, rather than what the Bible says. We live in a day when this great Book is considered a relic of the past, irrelevant or in some cases a danger to society.

Contrary to the opinion of many, however, we believe the Bible to be The Book from God, a source of information that tells us how to prepare for the next life and how to live in this life. We believe the Bible is from God, without mistake, up to date, a joy to study and a treasure of timeless truths.

Our understanding of the Bible is vital, for from its charming yet authoritative pages flow all the other grand doctrines of the Christian Faith. Our view of the Bible, then, is fundamental, and the starting place for all religious study.

This little book is designed to give the reader an overview of the nature of the Bible and its place in society. Many reasons, based on solid evidence, are listed demonstrating why we can take the Bible at face value.

The objective of this work is to challenge the non-believer to take the Bible seriously and to give a boldness and confidence to the believer. We can proclaim the Bible with assurance that it is truth from God to the human race. We can trust the Bible with decisions in our own personal life. It is a Book that we can use to form the foundation of our life, family, society, and nation. About 140 pages.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
Foreword
Comments/endorsements

Introduction
About the author
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Update (2008) 

How to be saved

CHAPTER

1. General background information/Introduction
Purpose of the Bible
Structure of the Bible
Old Testament books
New Testament books and emphasis
Relationship between the Old and New Testament

2. Sequence of God’s communication to humanity
Sequence of God’s communication process
Central importance of Bible teaching/preaching
12 reasons to preach/teach the Bible

3. Proofs for Bible as God’s revelation
The Bible claims
The nature of the Bible
The Bible’s transforming power
The internal witness of the Holy Spirit

4. Proof for the Bible (continued)
Fulfilled prophecy proves the Bible
Does God exist?
Daniel’s prophesy of 70 weeks
Old Testament predictions of Christ

5. Proofs for the Bible (continued)
Historical accuracy of the Bible
Reliability of the New Testament documents
The testimony of Jesus Christ

6. Proofs for the Bible (continued)
The miracles of the Bible
Christ’s Resurrection
The influence of the Bible
The indestructibility of the Bible
The alternative possibilities
The character of God
One final consideration

7. Revelation from God
Methods of revelation
The Bible as God’s revelation
End of revelation

8. The inspiration of Scripture
Inspiration defined
Theories of inspiration
Verbal plenary view of inspiration
Theories evaluated
Selection of writers
Process of inspiration: 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Luke 1:1-4

9. Inerrancy and infallibility
Inerrancy and infallibility defined
Dealing with alleged discrepancies
The Chicago Statement of Biblical Inerrancy

10. The Canon of the Bible
The Canon of Scripture defined
Key consideration of Canon
The tests of Canon
The formation of Canon
The Apocrypha and Canon

11. Various Church documents on the Bible
Westminster Confession of Faith
The Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England
Methodist Articles of Religion, 1784

Suggested readings
Author index
Subject index
Selected Scripture verses

COMMENTS

It has been my privilege to know Dr. Newman and to know the burning desire he has for people to know the truth. In this book, Willis outlines the truth which can only be based on the inerrant, infallible, Word of God, the Bible. I recommend this book to all who are seeking the truth and pray that it will lead you to a deeper and personal relationship with our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
(The late) Hon. Kinikinilau Tutoatasi Fakafanua, B. Com, LLB, LLM (Hon).
Minister for Labour, Commerce, Industries & Tourism, Kingdom of Tonga

It is my honor to introduce this book and its author. I have known Dr. Willis Newman for many years. I have also lived with his family on the great mission field of the South Pacific.

Dr. Willis Newman is a modern pioneer in missions, writing, and theological education. Led by God to Tonga, he has excelled in all three areas. Polynesian Missions has moved from dream to reality largely through his perseverance. The same is true for Tonga Bible College and Faith Seminary, now training scores of students from many Pacific islands. The testimony is clear: the gospel is for everyone. Of course, Dr. Newman is quick to give God the glory for any accomplishments. 

This book will be a blessing to the work of evangelism and training. The introduction on How to be Saved shows where the author’s heart is. Dr. Newman has written a thorough defense of the absolute reliability of Scripture. He has also pointed the material toward the South Pacific audience in a most appealing way. Many readers from afar will also profit from this refreshing approach. The book will be a permanent resource manual for many Christian leaders. May it also serve to hold fast the historic Christian faith in a rapidly changing world.
Don B. DeYoung, Ph.D. (Physics)
Scientist. Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana (USA), Fall, 1994

I know Dr. Newman both as a friend and teacher. I highly recommend this book to be read by everyone.
Rev. Dr. T. Feke Mafi
President, Church of Tonga

This book is quite clear, informative and written in a simple, easy to understand style. It speaks directly to the needs of the South Pacific. I have found the book very helpful in personal studies and recommend it for all to read.
Rev. Dr. Liufau Saulala
President, Tokaikolo Christian Church