Why did the OT Jews believe the Scriptures were the Word of God?

[Lampo]

I ask this because it was asked of me by someone I’m debating. I haven’t gotten back with them yet because I need a little guidance. I told this person originally that it is a logical inconsistency for them to believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God just because the Bible tells them so. I’m trying to establish the authority of the Church with this line of reasoning. The person through this question back at me and I’m not exactly sure how to answer it. My inclination is to assert that that is not an excuse because we DO have an infallible Church now. Here is the question he posed:

As for the church’s authority and the Bible, were all the Jews in the Old Testament logically inconsistent because they believed all the ‘Thus saith the Lord’ since there was no infallible authority to declare that the Scriptures were the Word of God?

 

[Robbinson]

I ask this because it was asked of me by someone I’m debating. I haven’t gotten back with them yet because I need a little guidance. I told this person originally that it is a logical inconsistency for them to believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God just because the Bible tells them so. I’m trying to establish the authority of the Church with this line of reasoning. The person through this question back at me and I’m not exactly sure how to answer it. My inclination is to assert that that is not an excuse because we DO have an infallible Church now. Here is the question he posed:

Through (i) faith; (ii) historical accuracy; (iii) fullillment of prophecy and (iv) in the early years - eye witness accounts (much like the gospels.

 

[Bible_Reader]

I ask this because it was asked of me by someone I’m debating. I haven’t gotten back with them yet because I need a little guidance. I told this person originally that it is a logical inconsistency for them to believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God just because the Bible tells them so. I’m trying to establish the authority of the Church with this line of reasoning. The person through this question back at me and I’m not exactly sure how to answer it. My inclination is to assert that that is not an excuse because we DO have an infallible Church now. Here is the question he posed:

Because the assembled Jews heard the voice of God at Sinai, and they witnessed his miracle of parting the Sea. Not just one or two witnessed these miracles – all of Israel witnessed these miracles.

 

[RobHom]

If I remember correctly…the Old Testament is the “History” and Genealogy of the Jewish people…so they “had their own authority” so to speak. Tell your friend…that “splitting hairs” and asking “silly questions”…will solve nothing. Ask him if Pi R squared? If he says “yes”…tell him he’s wrong…Pie R “round”…

 

[juliamajor]

On Mt. Horeb Moses was not only given written Law But Oral Law as well to guide them.(oral Tradition) so they had much to guide them

 

[Lev23]

On Mt. Horeb Moses was not only given written Law But Oral Law as well to guide them.(oral Tradition) so they had much to guide them

You might need to rethink that “Oral Law(Tradition)” equal to the written Law given to the Israelites for “guidance”.

Read 2Kings22, its an eye opener of a true event of what happens when the written Word of God is forgotten and lost.

It took the words of scripture that were just found, being read aloud that made King Josiah tear his robes and realize they all were in trouble. King Josiah specifically said in verse 13-**“Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD’s anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.” **

If Oral Law(Tradition) to was lost among Israel at this time, along with the book of the written Law, God, speaking through the prophetess Huldah, was not concerned about it. But rather it was the written Word God took issue with in verses 15-20-
**She said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, ‘This is what the LORD says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and provoked me to anger by all the idols their hands have made, my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched.’ Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD. Therefore I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’ "

So they took her answer back to the king.**

Read chapter 23 while you’re at it.

 

[BRB]

The Hebrew canon of scripture was based on writings of prophets. If you were a prophet and had proven your ability to prophesy accurately … your writings got acceptance in canon.

Also, some of writings of kings were accepted … David, Solomon, etc.

Finally, some books were considered more historical had some inaccuracies]. They were not felt prophetic … and while read, didn’t make the Jew’s A-list for the 22 books of OT. They were ‘hidden’ from general public, and later termed Apocrypha in NT times.

Malachi was the last genuine OT prophet … til John the Baptist came. John proved the greatest of all the prophets, and while he never wrote a book … Gospels tell, and Historians write about him.