Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 1
The speaker claims that “fulfilled Bible prophecies are strong evidence that the Bible is God’s word” because humans “can’t predict the future”; what does this argument assume about God’s relationship to history, and what kind of God would be able to make—and guarantee—centuries-long predictions?
Another way to ask: When the speaker says fulfilled prophecies prove the Bible is from God because people can’t predict the future, what is he assuming about how God controls history? What kind of God could make sure predictions come true hundreds of years later?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The argument assumes God stands above history and can declare what will happen long before it happens, then ensure it happens. The kind of God implied is one who rules nations, rulers, and long timelines so that prophecy is not guesswork but guaranteed.
- The speaker contrasts human limits with God’s ability: “we can’t predict the future… when you have… prophecies… that have come true… it’s pretty strong evidence.”
- He presents fulfilled prophecy as showing “This book isn’t just a book written by man.”
- He emphasizes long-range fulfillment: prophecies “happened so many centuries after they were written.”
- In Babylon’s case, he says Alexander’s plan failed because he was “working against God’s prophecy,” implying God governs outcomes.
- He frames fulfillment as comprehensive: “hundreds of prophecies… all of which have been fulfilled” (except end times).