The Truth About the Bible - To Educate the 'Christian' Haters
During a question and answer session at a recent speaking engagement, a
university student asked me, "Why do you believe that the Bible is the
inspired word of God?"
Now this is a very interesting question, and probably one of the most
important questions any Christian could ask themselves. What is so
special, so unique about the Bible that Christians believe it is
literally the inspired word of God?
In answering this student's question, I encouraged him to consider the
following facts about the Bible. First, the Bible is not just one single
book. This is a more common misconception than many people realize,
especially with people who do not come from a Judeo-Christian background.
Rather than being a single book, the Bible is actually a collection of
66 books, which is called the canon of scriptures. These 66 books
contain a variety of genres: history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom
literature, letters, and apocalyptic, just to name a few.
Second, these 66 books were written by 40 different authors. These
authors came from a variety of backgrounds: shepherds, fishermen,
doctors, kings, prophets, and others. And most of these authors never
knew one another personally.
Third, these 66 books were written over a period of 1,500 years. Yet
again, this is another reminder that many of these authors never knew or
collaborated with one another in writing these books.
Fourth, the 66 books of the Bible were written in 3 different languages.
In the Bible we have books that were written in the ancient languages of
Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic; a reflection of the historical and cultural
circumstances in which each of these books were written.
And finally, these 66 books were written on 3 different continents:
Africa , Asia , and Europe . Once again, this is a testament to the
varied historical and cultural circumstances of God's people.
Think about the above realities: 66 books, written by 40 different
authors, over 1,500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3 different
continents. What's more, this collection of books shares a common
storyline - the creation, fall, and redemption of God's people; a common
theme - God's universal love for all of humanity; and a common message -
salvation is available to all who repent of their sins and commit to
following God with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength.
In addition to sharing these commonalities, these 66 books contain no
historical errors or contradictions. God's word truly is an amazing
collection of writings!
After I had shared the above facts with this student, I offered him the
following challenge. "If you do not believe that the Bible is the
inspired word of God, if you do not believe that the Bible is of a
supernatural origin, then I challenge you to a test, I challenge you to
go to any library in the world, you can choose any library you like, and
find 66 books which match the characteristics of the 66 books in the
Bible. You must choose 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over
1,500 years, in 3 different languages, written on 3 different continents.
However, they must share a common storyline, a common theme, and a
common message, with no historical errors or contradictions." I went on
to say, "If you can produce such a collection of books, I will admit that
the Bible is not the inspired word of God."
The student's reply was almost instantaneous, he emphatically stated,
"But that's impossible!"
It truly is impossible, for any collection of human writings. However,
the Bible passes this test. The Bible contains 66 books, written by 40
different authors, over 1,500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3
different continents, with no historical errors or contradictions. The
entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, bears the mark of Divine
inspiration.
The next time you encounter someone who asks you why you believe the
Bible is the inspired word of God, try sharing this challenge with them.
Better yet, don't wait until you're asked, just go ahead and share this
challenge with a friend today. You don't even have to mention the Bible
up front, just ask them if they think it would be realistic to assemble
such a collection of books. After they say, "But that's impossible!"
you've got a ready-made opportunity for sharing the truth of God's word
with somebody!
In God We Trust.
During a question and answer session at a recent speaking engagement, a
university student asked me, "Why do you believe that the Bible is the
inspired word of God?"
Now this is a very interesting question, and probably one of the most
important questions any Christian could ask themselves. What is so
special, so unique about the Bible that Christians believe it is
literally the inspired word of God?
In answering this student's question, I encouraged him to consider the
following facts about the Bible. First, the Bible is not just one single
book. This is a more common misconception than many people realize,
especially with people who do not come from a Judeo-Christian background.
Rather than being a single book, the Bible is actually a collection of
66 books, which is called the canon of scriptures. These 66 books
contain a variety of genres: history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom
literature, letters, and apocalyptic, just to name a few.
Second, these 66 books were written by 40 different authors. These
authors came from a variety of backgrounds: shepherds, fishermen,
doctors, kings, prophets, and others. And most of these authors never
knew one another personally.
Third, these 66 books were written over a period of 1,500 years. Yet
again, this is another reminder that many of these authors never knew or
collaborated with one another in writing these books.
Fourth, the 66 books of the Bible were written in 3 different languages.
In the Bible we have books that were written in the ancient languages of
Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic; a reflection of the historical and cultural
circumstances in which each of these books were written.
And finally, these 66 books were written on 3 different continents:
Africa , Asia , and Europe . Once again, this is a testament to the
varied historical and cultural circumstances of God's people.
Think about the above realities: 66 books, written by 40 different
authors, over 1,500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3 different
continents. What's more, this collection of books shares a common
storyline - the creation, fall, and redemption of God's people; a common
theme - God's universal love for all of humanity; and a common message -
salvation is available to all who repent of their sins and commit to
following God with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength.
In addition to sharing these commonalities, these 66 books contain no
historical errors or contradictions. God's word truly is an amazing
collection of writings!
After I had shared the above facts with this student, I offered him the
following challenge. "If you do not believe that the Bible is the
inspired word of God, if you do not believe that the Bible is of a
supernatural origin, then I challenge you to a test, I challenge you to
go to any library in the world, you can choose any library you like, and
find 66 books which match the characteristics of the 66 books in the
Bible. You must choose 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over
1,500 years, in 3 different languages, written on 3 different continents.
However, they must share a common storyline, a common theme, and a
common message, with no historical errors or contradictions." I went on
to say, "If you can produce such a collection of books, I will admit that
the Bible is not the inspired word of God."
The student's reply was almost instantaneous, he emphatically stated,
"But that's impossible!"
It truly is impossible, for any collection of human writings. However,
the Bible passes this test. The Bible contains 66 books, written by 40
different authors, over 1,500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3
different continents, with no historical errors or contradictions. The
entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, bears the mark of Divine
inspiration.
The next time you encounter someone who asks you why you believe the
Bible is the inspired word of God, try sharing this challenge with them.
Better yet, don't wait until you're asked, just go ahead and share this
challenge with a friend today. You don't even have to mention the Bible
up front, just ask them if they think it would be realistic to assemble
such a collection of books. After they say, "But that's impossible!"
you've got a ready-made opportunity for sharing the truth of God's word
with somebody!
In God We Trust.
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