Continuing the exploration into the truthfulness of the Bible begun two weeks ago, let us continue to examine the probability of it truly being a collection of divinely inspired writings. As stated previously, the writers of the various books comprising the Bible made very bold claims regarding its divine source and absolute authority. However, one would be foolish to blindly accept such claims without considering if there is any actual evidence to support them.
Consider that the Bible, a collection of writings, was written by approximately forty writers who did not all live congruently with each other. These individuals were from many different walks of life. Some of them were well-educated, while others had very little formal education at all. Furthermore, it was nearly sixteen hundred years from when the first writer set out to write their part until the last writer completed theirs. Yet, despite their many individual differences and lack of ability to share any collaboration from beginning to end, what they comprised speaks with fluidity from beginning to end; one continues the story of redemption. Once all their various writing were finally assembled in one volume, we have the book we call the Bible (which in the original tongue means book)… but what kind of book is it.
The Book produced is one in which a single geographical, historical, or scientific error cannot be found. What was written contained geographical and scientific facts recorded hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of years before mankind could discover them. In addition, they wrote of many events long before they came to pass in the annuals of history. Could men without the aid of divine guidance accomplish such
They had written a book that would never see the need for revision, as has been the case for other books boasting similar claims. From the first words written by Moses until today, not a single portion has needed to be altered to maintain its accuracy or relevance. With the numerous discoveries of new places, all the uncovering of ancient places, all the advances in science, and all of the innovations, not a single fact has been refuted in the Bible’s writing. It remains as accurate and true today as it has ever been. Many who have set out over the years to disprove its truthfulness and accuracy have only served to reaffirm it as truthful and accurate. The result of their quest ended in their conversion to its principal theme of salvation.
The final product of the writings of these individuals is a book that has had more influence for good than all other books ever published combined. Imagine what the world would be like if every individual yielded to the Bible’s guidance, its central theme of peace, mercy, and love. Would the world not be a much safer and better place?
It is said that the proof comes from the careful examination. Regarding the Bible, it requires the same careful examination through the reading of its contents and reflection upon its contents. It is the intent, as this exploration continues in the next article, to delve even deeper into the evidence regarding the divine inspiration of the Bible.
(Carl Hartman is the Minister at Main Street Church of Christ in Lockney)
