Why the bible? A question from Reddit.

 A question was posted on a reformed forum on a popular website called "Reddit". It's the #7 website in the United States in terms of daily traffic, and it acts as a web forum for nearly any topic a person could think of. It's not a wholesome place (are there any such things on the internet?), but there are pockets of worthy forums for discussion and interaction. One such place is a sub-forum (called a sub-reddit) for reformed users. The r/Reformed subreddit exists to:

be a place where reformed believers, in a broader understanding of the term, can come together, unified by a clear Gospel witness, to exhort one another, spur one another on intellectually in reformed theology, and discuss doctrine.

One question that came up recently was "Why the Bible"? The poster expounded upon his question 

What are some reasons for believing in the bible that are ofc, independent from the bible? I'm not asking why Christianity over other religions. I'm interested in why people believe in the bible to begin with.

I thought this was an exceptional question, and I found myself giving a strange answer that I wouldn't have thought possible a few years ago. During my time as a missionary, I was asked to speak at a church while the Pastor was gone on vacation. The pastor was a dear friend of mine, and I was humbled and honored at the opportunity to preach. I asked if there were any series or scriptures that the Pastor would like me to preach on, and it just so happened to be that the church was going through the book of Genesis, and had come to the list of names in Genesis 11. My friend encouraged me that I didn't have to preach that passage if I didn't want to, I was more than welcome to pick another passage. Perhaps out of ignorance or some other motivation I simply accepted the text and began studying the genealogical passage. This set me onto a small quest that has over the years developed into a love of the lists of the bible. These lists have been a tremendous help in my own faith, even as I have conversed, shared, and preached Christ crucified to many. 

Without further ado, here was my response to 'Why the Bible?"

I believe u/MedianNerd gave a great response. In regards to point #2, I would simply add that the genealogies that are given throughout scripture are meticulous regarding the authenticity and historical validity of the text. A few quick examples:

1. The list in Genesis 11 brings us up from the time of Noah and Babel to the time of Abram. Giving us a significant claim regarding the continuity of the story of creation, rebellion, and a scattered humanity. This list of names then gives us a reason for why the story of Genesis shifts from a general story of humanity to a particular story of a given family.
2. The names given in Numbers help to solidify a sense of the people of Israel as they emerged from Egypt and lived in the wilderness. These lists of names are often skipped, or glossed over (with some understandable reasons as many of the names are strange to us and have almost zero meaning at first glance). However, these names stand as a timeless recounting of God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12 and 17-18 that he would make Abraham into a great people.
3. The lists of places given by allotment to each of the tribes and families of Israel in Joshua is then verified and juxtaposed with the failures of Israel in Judges chapters 1-2. It's a tremendous case and point comparison between the texts. God gives the land to specific families of specific clans (tribes mentioned in Joshua 18-24), and then in a systemic fashion the people fail in their stewardship of the land (Judges 1-2). The places give us a tangible historical account of the special land that was set aside for Abraham. Once again a fulfillment of God's promises to the specific family descending from the list mentioned in Genesis 11.
4. The lists in 1 Chronicles are incredibly detailed regarding the lineage of the kings, and the leaders and heads of households. While some lists of names are arranged with specific meaning other than a direct linear progression, others are listed with a specific meaning or application. 1 Chronicles gives us a classic progressive list that details the governance and leadership of the people throughout the OT.
5. The lists of returning exiles in Ezra and Nehemiah are intense and were pragmatic in their contemporary time. The land that was promised by God to Abram, then given to the exodus Israelite children (the wilderness generation) was gobbled up in a feast of debauchery and divine discipline at the hands of Babylon (and their allies and mercenaries). During the time of the exile and post-exile period, maintaining a lineage would have been paramount for anyone who ever hoped to return to the promised land and claim the land of their ancestors. For us today it's a wallet, a password to an email account, or car keys, we all have things we must remember where we last put them. For the exile Israelites, their lineage was their claim to the land. We see this in the detailing and double recounting of names (almost the same from Ezra and Nehemiah both) as post-exile Israelites came home to the promised land and began to rebuild, restore, and reclaim their ancestors promised blessings from God.
6. The list in Matthew chapter 1 ought to hit us like a 10 ton truck as we read through the names. In comparison to the lists already mentioned, this list is relatively short in length, but big on meaning. Nearly every name has multiple scriptural references, if not outright explicit narrative about the names mentioned. The reader of Matthew 1 who has familiarity with the names of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Rahab, Boaz, Ruth, Jesse, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah, and Zerubbabel all ring like a VIP list of persons throughout the OT. These aren't just mention-able, worthy names with neat little parable style stories, these are the names of a lineage of Kings with direct connection to the great God who promised himself to Abraham, who rescued Noah, and who made all things good in the beginning. The final name given in Matthew 1 is that of "Mary the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah". The name above every name, the VIP of VIP's, the fulfillment of all the OT promises, the promised land made man, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, is the culmination of this list of names.

These lists give the reader of the Bible a historical account that shapes an overarching story worthy of reading, worthy of remembering, and worthy of our study. This doesn't mean I don't have questions regarding the Bible. Indeed almost daily I wake up and have questions for God, about his revealed Word. This is one reason why I consider it is such a privilege, such a blessing, to live in a time such as this, where God's Word is available to me in my native tongue and I can follow as so many others have done, to have questions, and then take up and read to seek for answers.

Let me ask you today, what is your answer to "Why the Bible?". Maybe your reason is one from past  experience, thinking back to when you first began to read the Bible. Maybe your reason is from an experience you had while listening to the Bible taught or preached. Maybe your reason comes from God's stirring your heart. What are your reasons for believing the Bible? Someone may ask you today, in fact, let me correct that, I'm asking you today! What are your reasons for believing the Bible?