Three Facts About The Bible
Three Facts About The Bible |
1. The Bible Is A Complex Book
It's easy enough to say where most books in the world came from. That's because most books are fairly simple and straightforward, and are written by one person.
But the Bible is a collection of 66 books, written by some 40 authors in three languages over some 1,500 years. Even though most of the writers didn't even know each other, they wrote on a common theme. Ancient prophecies stated by one writer are fulfilled – sometimes with a dual fulfillment – by events hundreds, or even thousands of years later.
The Bible books contain poetry, prophecy, laws, and flawless historical details. (Most religious books are one-dimensional – only history, or only advice, for example - and contain occasional errors.) The first Bible books start at the beginning of time, and the narrative takes the reader past the time of Jesus' earthly ministry, to about the year A.D. 100. The Bible message applies to every generation of every culture, and affords us a glimpse of the end of the world and what lies beyond.
2. The Bible Claims Divine Origin
Even the most complex book in the bookstore is usually of very little consequence. In other words, we can read it or not, believe it or not – take it or leave it – and we end up really no better or worse off. We may not be as well informed, but we can go on our merry way and live our lives as we please.
Some books, however, are of a different sort. These are books of wisdom that claim to guide a person to spiritual enlightenment of one form or another. The adherents to such books usually claim that their particular book is of divine origin, which fact potentially has very serious consequences. After all, if we ignore a book of divine origin, we risk offending a being higher than ourselves. We also risk missing out on needed instructions for this life (i.e., finding the meaning of human life), and may also miss any potential blessings offered to us after this life.
Confusion sets in at this point because of the fact that more than one book is supposedly of divine origin. (If you believe that there are multiple gods, then I suppose you believe there could be multiple books like that, but you're still stuck trying to decide which one(s) to follow, and which to ignore. This article assumes there indeed exists only one divine being who has a single will, and who has communicated with us in various ways. Truth, whose source is that supreme and divine being, is consistent with itself. Thus, only one book is of divine origin.)
In order to work beyond the confusion, we can compare and judge the content of the books. If we simply let the books speak for themselves, then the first point to observe can almost finish the discussion! The claims of the books themselves (concerning their origin) are usually … absent! Their adherents are quick to claim divine inspiration for the writers, but this is a claim that most of the writers did not even make for themselves! Uniquely, the Bible writers themselves claim to be speaking and writing for God, and other Bible writers claim divine inspiration for them.
3. The Bible Challenges The Conscience
The Bible presents and describes God Almighty, holy and loving, and convicts us all of sinning against Him. The Bible makes the point repeatedly that we, left to our own ways, fall short of His glory. We are not holy or loving, and are not worthy to be in the presence of our Creator. We clearly need a Redeemer, a Savior. God Himself took human form, as Jesus the Christ (the Anointed). He lived sinlessly, and died willingly, to pay the penalty for our sin (which has always been death). In this way, He satisfies divine justice and accomplishes forgiveness (pardon) for us, if we will simply meet His terms.
The Bible challenges the conscience by calling us to turn from selfishness and wickedness and conform ourselves to His holiness. Jesus Himself claimed to be “the way, the truth, and the life” and said, “No man comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus claimed to be the ultimate, and final, prophet of God, but He claimed more . He claimed to be eternal God Himself. He said that His words will judge people in the last day. He promised eternal life to His followers, but threatened eternal destruction for those who reject Him.
The Bible is not a “take-it-or-leave-it” book. Of course, if the Bible is of human origin, then its promises are empty, and its condemnation is irrelevant. But if it is of divine origin (as it claims), then we must meet its challenge. (See other article, “Explaining Away The Bible.” ) We can choose to walk its path and be saved from eternal destruction, or we can reject it. If we try to simply walk away and remain undecided, we fall under condemnation as unbelievers.
The Bible is available in many languages, and free Bibles are readily available in print (email InkMan) and online. (See “Links.”) Please start reading today, and may God bless you as you do.
Written by Ink Man
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