Because they believe the Bible? - The Truth of the Bible

di William W. Orr

Summary

It's reasonable
Its wonderful composition
Its unique completeness
His teachings without parallel
His perennial appeal
Its scientific accuracy
His prophecies fulfilled
Its miraculous preservation
Its transforming power
His message of Christ

The Bible is the Word of God?

He claims to be. From his first sentence to the last Amen, the scriptures state that their author is God. It is repeatedly written that while the pen used is that of man, the written words are those of God. Over and over the absolutely unique source of the message is affirmed. There are almost countless occasions when human origin is completely denied.

What then? We can know that this statement is true?

The answer is yes', because God has surrounded his book with an absolutely irresistible wall of evidence. There is abundant evidence, indeed overwhelming, of the veracity of his statements. At each point we would like to examine it, we find more than enough confirmation. It is not possible to evaluate all the evidence and not be convinced that “every Scripture is inspired by God”.

The Bible is not even afraid of being investigated. Rather, invites you to be scrutinized as much as possible. Because it is more carefully studied, more joyfully it will be received as what it truly is – the Word of the living God.

And if that's true, this book infinitely transcends in importance any other book in the world. What is as important as knowing God's message for humanity and for you? Simply, you cannot overlook such a book. Ignoring it brings serious danger to the soul. How can you be honest with your heart without making the claims in this book the main purpose of your life?

We invite you to consider the evidence…

1. It's reasonable

It is certainly reasonable to believe that God has given us a book. We are his creatures and he has a plan for us. What better way can there be for God to communicate his will to us?

Let's start with God. Let's say we know it exists, but how do we know? Simply because we see his work around us, below us, over U.S. We live in the enormous universe of God, which is so vast and infinitesimal that even with our most powerful telescopes and microscopes we cannot probe its heights and depths.

Things don't happen by chance. Every effect requires a cause. Consider for example a wristwatch. It is a very useful article. Your life would surely be twisted without the constant admonition of his face. But clocks don't grow on trees. Where did yours come from? Everyone knows that there is a chain of causes that produced that watch. Someone designed it first, then there were miners, skilled workers, sellers, transporters and finally the goldsmith from whom you bought it.

Our world is full of effects. But let's take our world itself as a great example. Planet Earth revolves around the sun, absorbing light, warmth and beneficial rays. Then there is the moon performing its necessary duties. We find the earth abundantly supplied with oil and minerals. A quarter of a million types of plants grow on its surface. Multitudes of fish swim in its seas. Many creatures fly in the atmosphere of the earth. Everything is governed by laws that operate silently, but effectively. This great planet does not require the recognition of a cause, of a God who is wise and powerful enough to create all of this?

Or, consider the design issue. I am writing this with a typewriter. There are rows of keys in front of me. When I hit a button, a long thing jumps out of the car and prints a letter on the paper. It is not difficult to see the typewriter design. Someone has thought and designed a lot to create this machine. There is no one chance in a billion that the machine was formed by accident. It was designed.

Now raise your eyes and look around. Take whatever you want in God's universe and you will find it beautifully and meticulously designed. Here is a feather of a bird. Look at it for a moment. It is beautifully symmetrical. Did you know that the pen is the strongest structure in the world in comparison with its weight? She is regularly greased to stay flexible and strong. And of course a bird only loses one at a time, not losing a second one until a new one grows. As a consequence, it is never without the ability to fly.

I'm saying there is a God! A great God, wise and powerful, which alone is responsible for our incalculably vast and complicated universe. There are literally millions of millions of proofs of its existence, of his skills and his power.

Now let's consider man. We too are creatures of God's will. He alone is responsible for humanity. First it formed our environment, and for us. It created our atmosphere, which is more than 150 kilometres. It is mainly composed of nitrogen and oxygen, which is exactly what our bodies need.

Then there is water, water everywhere, and we couldn't live long without it. On the surface of the earth there is soil, and from this soil comes an abundance of food of all kinds, which is another requirement for life. Do you understand what I mean? The environment was made just for us. Our bodies too are wonders of mystery and design. We have eyes to see and ears to hear. We have hands… Whenever we look at our hands we should bow our heads and worship the Creator of our hands. Without hands, the man would be an awkward mannequin.

We must continue? There is a great God who carefully formed the universe. Man is the creature of God, and the culmination of God's creation. But, and that's what I mean, God made man for a purpose. We are not creatures of blind chance. We are part of God's plan. It has a purpose for us. The key question is, how will I know God's will for my life?

I cannot know it alone. I can only know it when God wants to reveal it to me. Yet I am sure of God's love for me, and his interest in me, for this has been overwhelmingly demonstrated by the gift of his Son. Then, if I am to know God's will and its purpose for my life, it is your responsibility to reveal it to me.

How will God do it? He will write his will for me in the great blue sky so that I can always read it? He will make the stars write his resolutions every night? It will fill the electromagnetic waves with a continuous transmission from the celestial radio so that I can synchronize and hear the voice of God speaking to me? He could have made his will known through any of these ways, but he did not.

Rather, God chose the best way. He had a book written. This book contains wisdom from heaven and revelation from God. It is complete, and nothing is missing.

It is inspiration to the soul and education to the mind. It is understood by the simple, it is delightful to the wise. It is the book of all books. It is the book of God. And we can own it, hold it in our hands, hold it to our heart. We can read it when and how much we want. We can study it, love him, cry over it. It is our book. God gave it to us… forever.

2. Its wonderful composition

The way the Bible was formed is nothing less than a miracle.

The Bible is known to be composed gives 66 books. But did you know that about 40 different people wrote those books? And that mostly they wrote independently. Furthermore, the period of composition of the Bible was of 15 centuries, in three languages and on three continents. and yet, when we look at the Bible today, it is a single book, non 66. It has a common theme, there is consistency in its content and progression in its revelation.

To understand the weight of this reasoning, suppose you are trying to create a similar book from several pieces of literature from the first century of the Christian era. Get the material from ancient papyri, from the writings of philosophers, from the wisdom books of the East or whatever you want. Get writings from every century. Choose representative material of men of different professions: merchants, workers, priests, farmers. Gather it all together and tie it into one book. Then, what do you have? It would be ridiculous, contradictory and meaningless.

On the other side, the Bible, albeit similar in composition, it's completely different. Everything about the composition would speak against its unity. There is no reason why it should be a book. Yet it is, and no honest investigator would doubt it, if he read it carefully.

The human writers of the scriptures had almost nothing in common. Consider their different qualifications. While Moses was a learned man, having been educated of the best schools of Egypt, Peter was certainly not a writer. He was a fisherman, and does not seem to have received any education. Yet the writings of both of them are saturated with God's wisdom.

Amos was a mandrian, Joshua a general, Nehemiah a cupbearer. There were some like Prime Minister Daniele, the physician Luke and King Solomon who possibly possessed natural writing skills. But many of the other writers don't. Yet each of these people perfectly fulfilled their part in the composition of this unique book. The natural question is, “Come?”.

There is only one satisfactory answer. Using the skills of these men, or overcoming the lack of capacity, God spoke through them, and caused them to write the scriptures according to his divine plan.

Note also that the conditions under which the Bible was written were not uniform. Moses wrote in the solitude of the desert. Jeremiah wrote from the darkness of an underground prison. Some of David's beautiful psalms were written as he watched the sheep. Others wrote during the rigors of a military campaign. Paul wrote many of his letters from prison. The doctor Luca probably had a diary of his travels. John wrote on the island of Patmos.

and yet, these different origins made no difference in the written message. Each part is perfectly suited for its contribution to the symmetry of the whole.

The circumstances were also very different. Some books were located in times of danger, some in times of peace. When David wrote there were many wars. Solomon wrote during his reign of peace. Many prophets wrote from the heights of joy. Others from the depths of sadness and despair.

But none of these things take unity away from the Bible. There is only one doctrine, a way of salvation, a rule of faith. God has taken the threads of different times and circumstances and woven them into a great tapestry of truth for our edification.

Have you ever gone to an orchestra concert? All the musicians are seated in front of you. The conductor raises his baton and the orchestra begins. The violins play softly, the cellos complete them. In the right place we hear the clarinets, the flutes and drum roll. For the climax of the concert the brass rings, and so the piece develops and each instrument contributes its part.

We don't ask how the musicians play in beautiful harmony instead of ugly disagreement. We know well that behind the performance of the piece there is the influence of the composer who carefully and skillfully arranged each part. So it is with the Bible. God is the great composer of the Holy Book. He made sure the great symphony of truth was created in this way. Each writer has his part, and while everyone writes his book, the literary masterpiece of history is produced.

Also consider that the Jews did not write much. Their teaching was almost exclusively oral. A work of memory is still underlined today. But despite all this, God had i write 39 books of the Old Testament through Jewish writers. And then in the New Testament period, no one thought to add to the scriptures. No doubt the disciples would have relied on memory. But the Spirit of God moved chosen men again, and although they weren't used to writing, they became the human authors of the New Testament. Truly God's ways are not ours.

So here it is: a single book. Its composition is completely inexplicable from a human point of view. It is the miracle of literature in its formation. But when you remember it's actually God's Word, all mysteries dissolve and all objections disappear. The writer to the Hebrews expressed it in this way, “It gave, after having spoken in ancient times many times and in many ways…” (Jews 1:1).

3. Its unique completeness

There is another book, among the billions of books in the world, which covers such a wide range of topics?

There is no vital theme in the whole sphere of human thought that is not authoritatively treated in this book. Everything you need to know is frankly discussed. No theme is overlooked, nor anything necessary omitted. Treatment is direct and dignified. Ambiguity is absent. It is not the bible superior to all other books?

Take the important theme of how humanity began. Without apology, and in simple language to understand, the scriptures state the truth in a simple way on many issues. Have you ever observed simplicity, yet also the majesty, of the biblical account of creation? If we had written about this wonderful event, we would use reams of paper and multitudes of words to describe it. But compare this with the Genesis account. In surprisingly few words, the story of the beginning of all things is told. The days of creation are clearly enumerated. Nothing is overlooked. For centuries, the wisest people marveled at the Bible's ability to say so much in so little space.

Now answer this question if you can. Where could such detailed information on the creation of the world and the creation of man come from? There were no human observers to tell of the day when God created the stars. There were no journalists to write about the division of the land from the sea, or the beginnings of botany and zoology. No man watched when God took the dust of the earth, and with infinite wisdom he formed the body of man. How the Bible writers knew about these things? There is only one answer: this is the book of God. He wrote it.

The Scriptures go on to state the reason for the behavior of humanity, and the related problem of wickedness. The author of Genesis carefully treats the sad story of the fall of humanity. Nothing is hidden, nothing jumped. There are the facts, naked and ugly. But no other explanation has ever been given that explains humanity's deviations so satisfactorily.

The Bible goes on to deal with many other topics that we might not otherwise have known about. In its pages the mysteries of the person of God are taught. We read about its attributes, of its decrees, of his eternal will and his purpose for the universe. No other book dares to talk about these things.

Much is said about the other creatures of God, the Angels. We learn that there are legions of them, who are around the throne of God, and who have certain duties towards the children of God. Have you ever seen another authentic text on angels?

Another sinister figure is openly discussed, and the mystery of Satan is explained by the Scriptures. We learn that it was “Lucifer, son of the dawn”. But he became Satan with a grave sin against the Most High. We also read that Satan controls a host of demons who serve his diabolical will. The story goes on to explain the fearful fate of this enemy of God.

But the Bible is also the largest book on morality and ethics in the world. Man is repeatedly exhorted to live justly and piously. There are so many other so-called sacred books. Each religion has one or more. But in comparison with the scriptures, they seem childish and childish. On the great theme of ethics, the Bible stands majestically alone.

Even considered only as literature, the Bible is complete. No other book encapsulates such a variety of literal endeavor. There are history books, interesting and illustrative. Books of sermons, instructive and inspiring. Poetry books, satisfying and comforting. Other sections include biography, drama, proverbs, prophecy, law and ethics. Yet there is no imbalance between these different genres. Really like literature, the Bible is supreme.

The Bible also speaks prophetically. Without hesitation, without apology, this book speaks with certainty of future events. Time will come to an end. People of all ages will be judged. The earth will have its curse removed, and the day will come when justice and peace will cover the earth, and all men, from largest to lowest, they will recognize the Lord.

The nations of the Gentiles will reach their appointed destiny. God's chosen people will one day know his intended glory. The church, the body of Christ, will rule and reign with him. Satan will be bound. God's perfect will will be fully fulfilled. See the difference? Human books see the present. God's book see everything, past, present and future.

Other major themes flow clearly through the scriptures, for example, the holiness of God and the gravity of sin. But perhaps the biggest theme found in its pages is the gospel story, the good news of salvation in Christ. Again the Bible is unparalleled. No other book explains salvation by grace.

This is a theme found only in the Word of God. You will see salvation not on the basis of human merit or personal merit. Rather, and entirely undeserved. We are saved and saved completely by the work of another person. He brings our sin. We bring his justice. The human basis of salvation is faith and faith alone. It could never have been the invention of a human mind. It is truly the revelation of God himself.

4. His teachings without parallel

You would expect that the teachings in a book from God would be different. You would think they were as high as the sky, that inspire the children of men. They should be unparalleled among all the books in the world. They should show us the watermark of God's wisdom on every page. Indeed, the teachings of the Bible have all these characteristics.

The Bible's claim regarding its unique teachings is best proven by simply reading them. Often as you read, the words seem to jump off the page. Still while you meditate, the book will seem to speak to you. THE, if you come with a heavy heart, will comfort you. God's children have always found the answer to life's problems, small and large, in the pages of the scriptures.

You can read the Salmo 23 without being deeply moved? Billions of weary hearts have found rest in this gem of God's comfort. Yup, and the entire book of Psalms, all and 150, articulate the thoughts of the soul of humanity. There is no emotion, experience or aspiration of human life that is not enunciated here. Who except God understands the inner being of man so well?

Or consider the noble teachings of the Sermon on the Mount. Dear friend, these thoughts are not just human reasoning. These precepts come from a God of perfect purity and absolute justice. If you have the mind of a logician, studies the solemn imputations in the book of Romans. Or sympathize with the apostle Paul as he travels through the trials and victories of the book of Acts. Watch him in the Roman prison as he writes letters to Christian churches. Watch beloved Giovanni as he looks through the runners of time at the dawn of eternity. Yup, it's true, these teachings are incomparable.

As you read, you will also be struck by the rigid integrity of human writers. Usually, the books are written with the author's racial or intellectual bias. People of a nation write from that nation's point of view. Few books tell the whole truth. All are influenced by the writer's intent. Authors favor their own ideas. Not so in the Bible.

While the Scriptures were written almost completely by Jews, and while they deal almost completely with Jewish history, however, they do not spare the nation of Israel. Neglecting the strong racial and national prejudice, tell the exact truth.

It is evident that Israel is a superb nation, selfish and sinful. Both the failures and the victories of its national heroes are described. The shortcomings of the Jews are told as much as their successes. Nothing is hidden, no truth is overlooked; yet from the human point of view, we would expect it to be so. Even in the sad story of the greatest crime in history, the crucifixion of the perfect Son of God, the Jewish authors do not minimize the guilt of their nation at all. What is the answer to this literal phenomenon?

The Bible's teachings about God's character could only come through revelation. In this book, the veil of infinity is open, and we are allowed to look at the ineffable person of God. We see it immeasurably large. His wisdom is unfathomable and his ways are inscrutable. Its power is incomprehensible. And in all this vast and incalculable universe that surrounds us, it is God who is sovereign. From the smallest grass to the largest galaxy, everything obeys his will.

Yet despite all its grandeur, God is interested in all the details of human affairs. Notice when a sparrow falls. He knows the number of hairs on our heads. He decrees that all cooperate for the good of his children. What a wonderful paradox! God is greater than his beautiful universe, yet it deals with the smallest creatures!

Be honest: could a human mind invent teachings like these? Compare, if you want, the reasoning of the pagans regarding their gods. You cannot fail to see that their gods are products of their own mind. Or search the libraries of ancient peoples, of the Assyrians, of the Babylonians, of the Romans. Their gods were only high human beings. You will never find anything comparable to the description of God's character found in the Holy Scriptures. Because? The only intelligent answer is that God revealed himself through this unparalleled book.

The Bible's teachings on humanity are also radically different. When people write about humanity, they proudly praise their achievements and character. The human vision of humanity depicts the civilization that progresses gradually from barbarism to culture, from mental dullness to brilliant intellectuality. Credit for the surplus of civilization is given to education.

But this is not the case with the teaching of the Bible. The Scriptures sadly affirm that man, who once enjoyed the great and holy privilege of communion with the God of the universe, he fell because of his own sin from his exalted position. And from this fall onwards, all were born with their backs to God. Rather than advance, civilization is retreating, continuously getting worse, and it is destined for a sure terrible judgment. The hope of humanity is not in human capabilities, but in the intervention of God. All of this, you will easily see, it is very different from human ideas, and very humiliating for the natural man. So we know it couldn't come from a human mind.

Throughout the book, the teachings are different. Sin is revealed from God's point of view. Salvation is revealed not on the basis of human merit, but based on God's wonderful free grace. Then, the uniqueness of the teachings of the Bible demonstrates the uniqueness of its source.

5. His perennial appeal

Here is a book, very old, who absolutely refuses to grow old. Year after year, century after century, resolutely continues to renew his youth. It leaves an indelible impression on every generation. Regularly satisfies the needs in the heart of humanity. Surely there should be a reason for such unusual vitality.

The history of the Bible shows that men and women of all ages have found in its pages the answer to life's problems. Kings and citizens, martyrs and missionaries, saints and sinners have found the Bible full of power. And although it may seem strange, his ability to inspire and encourage is no less today. Its appeal is greater than ever. It was the book of many yesterday, but it is as current as for tomorrow.

All ages find delight in this book. For example, children of all ages have grown fond of Bible stories, yet it is not a children's book. Young people over the centuries have found in the Scriptures those principles that make life robust, yet the Bible is not primarily a volume for young people. Adults go to the Bible for all kinds of difficult problems and are never disappointed. And when the sunset of life is reached, old age finds the Word of God a satisfying and comforting cushion for tired heads and hearts.

And then, all races naturally accept the Bible in their life. The Oriental grabs the Scriptures to his heart. He reads the words of the Bible and imagines a Christ with yellow skin and an oriental aspect. The African reads the book and finds it perfectly consonant with his needs. The Bible has been translated into thousands of languages and dialects, but it fits perfectly in everyone. It is the universal book. It is the book for the whole world.

The Bible also has another quality that we can call its inexhaustibility. That is, you never stop understanding it despite what you read it. There is no doubt that the Bible has been studied, analyzed, and weighted more than any other book. and yet, never seems to be the same. You can read it and reread it, and it still looks new. Those who know it best, they love her more. This is not true of other books.

The Bible appears not to conform to the laws of literature. For example, the first law is that death comes for all books. Books were born, they last for a period, and then inevitably they disappear and are forgotten. This was never true of the scriptures. Every year, the Bible is more alive, more vigorous and more powerful in people's lives.

Another universal law is that ancient books are not accepted in modern times, except of course as museum items. This is well understood and believed. The ideas of the ancients, although interesting, they don't fit the pace of today's world. Their science is fun, their dry philosophy, their culture has expired. But this generalization does not apply to the Bible. It is among the oldest of all books, yet it certainly intrigues and challenges the sharpest modern minds.

Also consider another law of literature. Jewish books are of no interest to kind readers. While in general the Jews did not write much and little of their literature is still extant, we have some examples of this in the Talmud and the Midrash. Yet they are little known by the Gentiles. Not so with the Scriptures. Almost entirely written by Jews, their greatest appeal has been to the kind world. We often don't even think that the Bible is a Jewish book. Looks like one of ours.

Another law of literature that the Scriptures break is the law of the Best Seller. Books classified as Best Seller sell razor-sharply for more or less a year. Some can last up to ten years. But they invariably wither, they die and are forgotten. But the Bible has been a Best Seller for centuries, and instead of dying, his demand grows more and more. In ancient times, thousands of scribes worked hard to copy and distribute sacred stories. Today the press can produce millions of Bibles. The Bible is the best seller of all time. No other book has even begun to come close in its perennial popularity.

Also remember that the Bible has always been a source of inspiration for art, music and literature. Poets, authors, composers and artists of all ages have taken a lot of material from its pages. and yet, despite all this, the source did not dry out. More books are written on the Bible now than ever before. New hymns are composed. Editorials are written, sermons are predicates and the press always refers to them. Such a book that provides inspiration to people of all ages must be a different book.

What is the answer to the mystery of this book's perennial appeal? There is only one satisfactory answer. The Bible is not in the same category as the other books. Its author is God, and not men. The words of the Bible are alive and powerful. It is not subject to the laws of decline and decay. There is God's promise that it will never wither.

No man, nor group of men, he could never have created a book that would satisfy the needs of all ages. A book cannot rise higher than its source. This is clearly demonstrated by the multitude of ordinary books that have been forgotten. But God knows the future as much as the present. So this very old book that meets today's needs must come from him.

6. Its scientific accuracy

It has been said that the Bible is not a book of science. This is true. The Bible is the story of redemption. Nonetheless, since God is its author, when the Bible touches on points of science or events in history it must be exactly and unconditionally correct. Here, too, the Scriptures clearly demonstrate their divine authorship!

Geology tells us that the earth is of great antiquity. With this fact, the first statement is completely in agreement. The creation of the world was “in the beginning”. The Genesis account, But, adds to the discoveries of geology, saying it was our great God who created all things.

Scientists have also confirmed the logic of the order of events listed in the six days of Genesis 1. Only evidence confirming this account was found, thus supporting the biblical account of the emergence of light, the division of the sky, the separation of the seas, etc. Of course we must admit that this Genesis account came from the human pen of Moses. But how could he understand those unseen yet beautiful events in their proper order? The only answer it will ever satisfy is that God directed the pen of Moses.

Although evolution and revelation have fought on this point for many years, it is now conceded by many that Genesis's statement that species are fixed is correct. Moses wrote that all creation had to reproduce “according to their species”. Today we certainly know that plants and animals will not reproduce except in their own group. There is not even the 'transmission of purchased features'. In the light of the most recent scientific discoveries, the scripture account of creation is meticulously correct. Not even a sentence, and the Bible contains terrible phrases, it had to be revised, not even with the most profound modern scientific research. How could Moses know these things?

Interestingly, the precise 16 elements that make up the human body are found in the dust of the earth. In fact, Moses says that God took the dust of the earth and created the body of man.

More, although the Bible was written in an unscientific era, when people believed in theories that we now know are not true, not once do we find the Scriptures with a scientific error. When the prophet Isaiah wrote, people believed the earth was flat. Yet this prophet, writing under inspiration, contradicts the general belief and declares the sphericity of the earth (Isaiah 40:22).

The patriarch Job, perhaps one of the earliest writers in the Bible, makes some incredible claims in the light of modern knowledge. Talk about “sources of the sea” (Job 38:16), a recently discovered fact. Talk about the voice quality of light (Job 38:7), a mystery only recently understood. Other scientific facts such as the value of a snow fall (Job 38:22) and the role of lightning in the rain (Job 38:22) they are taught. Yet only with modern tools have we confirmed the truth of these facts. How could Job know them, except through revelation from God?

It hasn't been that long since medical scientists have known about the value of blood circulation. But Moses wrote that “the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). Along with this is the apostle Paul's statement that the same blood is found in all races of the earth (proceedings 17:26) and that the color of the skin does not change the chemical composition of the blood. This too has only recently been established. Moses' knowledge of the principles of hygiene is also surprising (Leviticus 13) and dietetics (Leviticus 11).

The scriptures repeatedly speak of points in the story. As they were written in a period of 1600 years, they constantly refer to people, places and events. Even in this, their accuracy is proof of divine paternity and divine revelation.

A lot of archaeological material is available to the student today. An evaluation of this evidence clearly demonstrates that early civilizations possessed a great deal of intelligence and culture. The Bible naturally agrees, teaching that God created Adam full of wisdom and ability (Genesis 1:27,31). This is opposed to the theory that man slowly emerged from the world of animals and that he only gradually acquired capacity and intelligence.

Of further interest is the ever-increasing amount of information regarding the flood in Noah's time. So many discoveries by archaeologists in different parts of the ancient world clearly indicate a marine catastrophe that destroyed life, he heaped the bones of people and animals in terrible confusion, and left a spent stretch of silt. What could it be, except the flood taught in Genesis?

A group of archaeologists went to the ancient city of Ur of the Chaldeans. This also authenticated the Bible account. Obviously the city had given itself to idolatry, but he had a lot of culture. It was a surprise to find an inscription with the name Abraham (not identified, however, with the Abraham of the Bible).

In Egypt we find evidence for the stay of the Jews. In at least one ruin there are bricks with straw, bricks with stubble and then bricks without straw. Jericho was also discovered revealing that the walls of that city fell outwards (Joshua 6:20). Furthermore, the city was set on fire (Joshua 6:24) and samples of burnt material were found. Also interesting was the fact that a section of the wall did not fall (Joshua 2:15, 6:22).

There is no time to mention all the examples; the evidence accumulates. Not only with regard to the events and people of the Old Testament, but there are also many confirmations of the New Testament. On the other side, not once has a clear error been found in the Bible. Misunderstandings and ignorance have found problems, but the result has always been a clear victory for the Scriptures.

7. His prophecies fulfilled

Nobody denies that the prediction belongs to God. It is impossible for anyone to step beyond the curtain of time and watch the events of tomorrow. Some have tried, but only with absurd results. Man stands before a challengeable wall of ignorance. It cannot even predict the events of the next hour. And only the most foolish would dare to publish a book dealing with the future. Simply, people don't know what's going to happen.

On the other hand, the Bible frankly and confidently gives thousands of predictions. Not with vague generalities, but with exact precision. In reality, more than 25% some material in the scriptures was prophetic when it was written. Some of the prophecies were made 1500 years before their fulfillment, some 1000 years, others 700 years. Yet in hundreds of cases, these prophecies were fulfilled exactly. This does not prove that not man but God is the author of this book?

A large part of the Bible deals with the history of the nation of Israel. Consequently, there is a great deal of prophetic material concerning it. Ad Abraamo, father of the nation, predictions were given that dealt with the people's sojourn in the land of Egypt (proceedings 7:6). The time of their stay was prophesied, as well as the method of their departure (proceedings 7:6; Genesis 15:13-14). Their harsh treatment by the Egyptians was prophesied, and the reward they would receive when they left the country. This is all history, but suffice it to say that every biblical prophecy was fulfilled.

Other prophecies concerning Israel were surprisingly accurate. Their wandering in the desert was foretold, and also their entry into the promised land (Genesis 50:24). There were blessings for obedience and punishments for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). Their prophets tell of their captivity and future dispersion among the nations of the world (Deuteronomy 28:49 68). These now fulfilled prophecies cannot be explained except by stating that God gave them.

Biblical prophecy makes dire predictions against some large cities when they are most powerful. When Babylon was the largest city in the world it was prophesied that it would be completely desolate (Isaiah 47). So also with Nineveh, another vast city, and center of an 'invincible' empire. Nineveh would become a desert, his people scattered, and the place where he stood would be forgotten (No). The students of history are well aware of the precise fulfillment of these prophecies.

Other predictions include Tire and Sidon (Ezekiel 26-28, mostly 28:20-24). Both would be judged. Tire would have been completely destroyed. Sidon still exists on the same place, but Tire no longer exists – it is not yet a city like Sidon is. Even more interesting are the prophecies about the nations. Egypt was to suffer humiliation in future centuries (Ezekiel 29-32). Edom had to become desolate (Ezekiel 25:12-14). Today, there is hardly any trace of the prosperous cities of the Edom.

Other biblical predictions still speak of future world empires. While the prophet Daniel stood in the royal palace in Babylon, he was given a vision of the decline of that fabulous monarchy (Daniele 5:24-28). Other world dominions would have been raised and fallen over the centuries. Their particular characteristics were described. Most of them have already passed in the review of history. But the strength of these prophecies and their fulfillment should be enough to convince even the most skeptical people.

Other portions of the Bible deal with the characteristics of the period in which we live. The age of the Church is described as one in which the Gospel will be preached but not everyone will receive it (Matteo 13:18-23). Israel is a hidden treasure, and the true Church grows like a pearl of great value (Matteo 13:44-46). Of precise ages, from a religious point of view, are predicted, culminating in a time when churches will be wealthy, full of goods, but with Christ outside. The features described by these prophecies are clearly seen today (Apocalypse 3:14-19).

The greatest evidence of fulfillment of prophecy in the scriptures is found, naturally, in the many detailed predictions of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. On almost the first page of the Bible these prophetic messages begin (Genesis 3:15). The two comings of Christ are foretold, first his coming in humiliation and then his coming in power.

The prophecies also say that the Messiah came in the lineage of Abraham and the royal tribe of Judah (Galati 3:16, Genesis 22:18, Genesis 49:10). Furthermore, the place of his birth is given, Bethlehem in Judea (Micaiah 5:2). Note also that the time of the first coming of the Messiah is said to be hundreds of years before he came (Isaiah 40:3, Daniele 9:24-26). If you doubt these powerful supernatural claims, try to duplicate them by predicting nationality, the period, the place and characteristics of someone who will be born between 500 years, or even in five years.

This is by no means all that is prophesied about the coming of Christ. How it would be received is described. Although he was the Son of God, Israel would not have seen beauty in him. He would have been despised and rejected. He would have been a man of sorrows and would have known mourning. Furthermore, this rejection would culminate in a cruel death (Salmo 22). After being betrayed by a friend for 0 silver coins (Zaccaria 11:13), he was brought to trial like a sheep to the slaughter, then ashamed, humiliated and crucified. In his death his body would have been pierced (Zaccaria 12:10), yet no broken bones (Salmo 34:20), gall and vinegar would be given, made fun of by his enemies, and would have interceded for transgressors.

Someone mathematically calculated the possibility that all the detailed prophecies would be fulfilled by chance. The number contained enough zeros to fill this study! You see that the fulfilled prophecies are absolutely indisputable evidence? Only the divine mind could predict the future. So this sign becomes absolute proof that the Scriptures are inspired by it, infallible and inerrant Word of God.

8. Its miraculous preservation

The very fact that we have a Bible today is an incredible miracle. When we consider the Bible's story of opposition and persecution, we marvel that it has truly been preserved. Not only wicked men have sought its excoriation, but she was strongly hated by Satan and the powers of the evil one. Yet consider the book now. It is clearly the most popular book in the world.

The story goes that for centuries humanity's hatred of this book has been resolute and inexorable. Every effort has been made to consign it to oblivion. It was the most book of all the books in the world that man has tried to completely destroy and annihilate. Every means of destruction that human hatred has produced has been used against the Scriptures. Yet despite such an unparalleled persecution, the Bible remains today as never before.

We must remember that no army has ever defended the Bible, nor has any nation fought against its enemies. At times it seemed that almost all wise men, the great and the mighty of the earth were drawn up against the Bible. Many cities of the past were lit by burning Scripture bonfires. And for a few centuries, it was a crime to be caught reading the Bible. A Roman emperor, Domiziano, he dedicated a part of his life to the extermination of the book. And he destroyed so many copies, and killed so many Christians, who had a medal printed proclaiming that Christianity no longer existed.

Behind all this human opposition was the hatred of Satan. In his diabolical advice he planned the destruction of the Bible. His schemes tried to extinguish the Scriptures completely. But against such an enemy there has always been the promise of Almighty God that “my Word will not pass away”. This is the explanation of the preservation of the Bible.

Consider the obstacles the Bible had to overcome in order to survive. There had to be the exclusion of unworthy books from the sacred canon. A lot of books have tried to be included. Some were historically true. Some had high morality. But since they did not have the stamp of inspiration, God rejected them and preserved the purity of his divine Word.

Ancient times saw God's judgments on the Jews in the form of defeat and capture. As a result of their sin they were taken into captivity, and there was a danger that the precious manuscripts of the Bible would be lost. There was another crisis when, after the death of Christ, the city of Jerusalem was destroyed and its treasures burned. But the hand of God watched over the Scriptures.

After the destruction of Jerusalem came the Roman persecution. Then in the Middle Ages there were Bibles, but they were imprisoned in churches and monasteries. Civilization receded, and no doubt one cause was the imprisonment of the Scriptures. But then there was the Reformation, and with it the deliverance of the Word of God. The print, just invented, began his joyful task of providing the book of books to all peoples of the world.

But the attack continued, and this time from the inside. New enemies arose who declared it to be an unworthy book. Using new techniques of destructive criticism, they tried to discourage people in the inspiration and authenticity of the Scriptures. They falsely claimed that it was based on myths, who was wrong about the story, and that was not true.

Of modern heroes, But, defended the Bible. With lives spent in in-depth study, proved its truthfulness and credibility. Archeologists, digging in ancient ruins, they added confirmation after confirmation of the biblical claims. Time and again the Bible was vindicated!

A writer wrote this: Suppose there was a man who lived on earth for almost 2000 years. Suppose this was often thrown into the sea but could not drown. Suppose he was frequently thrown to wild beasts, who were unable to devour him. We imagine that many times he was forced to drink poison, but that never hurt him.

Furthermore, that he was often bound in chains and locked up in prison, yet he was always able to take off his chains and escape from his captivity. Suppose he was repeatedly hanged until his enemies believed him dead, but when his body was taken from the gallows he jumped up and walked away as if nothing had happened. That he had been burned at the stake hundreds of times until it seemed that nothing was left of him, yet as soon as the flames went out, came out of the ashes safe and sound as soon as possible.

Such a man would be a super-human, the miracle of miracles, the wonder of history. Yet that is exactly how we should view the Bible. It is exactly how the Bible was treated. It was burned, torn, chained, thrown into the sea, hated… but never destroyed. Surely such a story of miracles has only one explanation. This book is the Word of the living God.

The history of the preservation of the Bible continues today. It is still the best-selling book in the world. It has been printed in over a thousand languages, and hundreds of translators are translating it right now into even more languages. Biblical societies are printing millions of copies to try to meet the immense demand for the Bible – and there still aren't enough. Which is the reason for this popularity despite hatred and persecution? It is that God has decided that all the peoples of the world will hear the story of his beloved Son.

9. Its transforming power

It will work? Here's the question. The Bible truly changes lives? It is called the “good book”, but it has the power to make bad people good? It will lift them from the degradation of sin to transform them into righteous and righteous citizens? If it does so, it is a book different from all other books.

It is not an exaggeration to say that millions of miracles have happened in the lives of men and women who sincerely read the Bible. It possesses the power to reach the depths of human society and transform what were murders, thieves and prostitutes into honest and commendable men and women. Cowards have lost their cowardice to become heroes. The weak have received strength. Those who love evil have begun to love good. Again through the power of this book. And this power does not manifest itself only among the wretched. The truth is that everyone in our world needs salvation. Thus the Word of God enters the hearts of the rich, of the notable, of the honored, of the educated, of moral people. For what purpose? To these “brave” people preaching the scriptures brings about a similar transformation. It adds the forgiveness of sins, altruism, nobility of life, pity, love for others, likeness to Christ and being accepted by God, and everlasting life. These “brave” people become children of God.

Other books are not like that. Have you ever heard someone say they are drunk, a disgrace to his family and a nuisance to the world until he started reading a book on mathematics? Have you ever heard a testimony of someone who was happy all day and that their soul was filled with peace and joy ever since they received a book on geology? Yet thousands of men and women ascribe their new happiness to reading this wonderful book.

The power of the book is also universal. Cross the sea and enter every country where people live. Race or language barriers make no difference. Rossi, Detective stories, black and white, the story of transformation through the power of the scriptures is always the same. When the Eastern public reads the story of the book and receives Christ in their hearts, it does the same things that other Christians do. Giving up their sins, they began to live lives of righteousness. And when you preach to the natives of the tribes of Africa, the reaction is the same. They stop their evil practices and go around doing good. The Bible is equally powerful in every country.

Light and development follow the Bible wherever it goes. The Bible did more for the emancipation of the pagans than all the forces of civilization combined.

Where the Bible went, schools also appeared. When a nation has known the truth of the Scriptures, he built hospitals for the sick and asylums for the afflicted. Homes have been improved, children were happier, countries have been healthier due to the influence of the Bible.

Also allow me to talk about the missionaries. What a force called these people from their home, endowed them with selflessness and courage, and sent them to the ends of the earth with the story of Christ? It was the power of the Bible. Through the inspiration of the voice of God that speaks from the pages of the Scriptures, thousands of the best men and women leave home and country to tell the lost of the world about the enormous love of God.

There are so many exciting stories that can be told of the power of God's Word to transform the lives of individuals. History is filled with examples of the Bible's ability to impart courage, inspiration and challenge. Think of the thousands of heroes of ancient Rome who were martyred rather than deny their Lord. The walls of the catacombs are covered with scripture quotes that reveal the source of their courage.

Another group of worthy people who loved the Bible more than life is included in the early Church Fathers. There were Polycarp and Papias, Ireneo and Clemente, Giustino Martiro and Tertullianus, Ignatius and Origen, Athanasius and Chrysostom. They all had an intense love for God's Word. Your heart will be warmed if you read about them.

As we go through the ages, the story is always the same. Great men, good, nobles and sages have taken the side of the Bible. What drew them there? What made them consider his words more than life itself? There is only one answer. Their hearts have verified that this book is truly the Word of the living God!

10. His message of Christ

We now come to a more important and convincing evidence that God is really the author of this book. Almost everyone knows that the Bible is very concerned with the description of the person and the work of the person without equal, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not possible that he is the product of the human mind because he is far above all of humanity. His life is without parallel in all the pages of history. No man has ever spoken as he spoke. Nor has a man done such powerful deeds. He is the Son of man. He stands entirely alone. He is the Son of man… He is the Christ of God.

And the Bible is his book. From the first pages of Genesis to the last words of Revelation, the Bible tells of his life, his character, his work and his destiny. Each page is about him. He's the one who keeps the Bible together. Someone rightly said that if you don't see the picture of Christ on every page of the scriptures, you have lost why the book was written. Christ and the Bible are connected and cannot be divided. Because he is definitely the Christ of the Bible, and the Bible is forever the book of Christ. He is the living Word, and the Bible is the written Word.

Men's books tell the life and actions of other men. Still others present us with fictional characters. But all these characters only come to the level of human thinking. Literature cannot rise higher than its source. But the person of Christ is higher. No one in history or literature is like him. Someone said, “If the person of Jesus Christ was merely the result of someone's imagination, we should certainly kneel down and worship that person, because he would be the greatest miracle on earth, because it would take a Jesus to create a Jesus”.

So this book, which has a great protagonist who is infinitely above what a person could produce, it cannot be explained by natural laws. So he is more than a man, and the Bible is his book. He demonstrates the Bible, and the Bible proves him.

Christ is also the great central theme of biblical prophecy. When the visionary writers of antiquity were allowed to open the curtain of time and take a look forward in history not yet lived, they saw that the events of the future had to do primarily with him. And so they wrote. Moses looked and saw both his death and his coronation (Deuteronomy 18:15-19). David wrote about the pains of the cross, yet he also saw that one day people would turn to him (Salmo 22).

Isaiah, writing around the 700 a.C., he saw the anguish of the Calvary tragedy (Isaiah 53). Zechariah mostly told of the blessings that come to Israel and through them to the world in the millennium era (Zaccaria 14). Other Old Testament writers wrote about Christ, adding a little’ here and a little’ was, until the prophetic picture was complete.

Then there is a period of 400 years of silence before the beginning of the New Testament. But the two Testaments make up only one book, because the Christ of the Ancient is the Christ of the New. What Moses, Davide, Isaiah and Zechariah wrote it is fulfilled in detail in the events of birth, vita, death and resurrection of Christ. We see that the Old Testament is preparation, while the New shows its realization. The truth contained in both Testaments is consistent, united and progressive, because Christ is the great common theme.

Other sacred books of ancient peoples contain morality and wisdom, partly of value and advisable. These sacred books tell of people who lived with kindness and love. Some even died as martyrs. But no other book outside the Bible speaks of one who died and was resurrected. Regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Bible stands completely on its own. Without apology, without hesitation, the scriptures clearly say that three days after his death, Christ rose triumphantly from the tomb. This unparalleled miracle is both prophesied and fulfilled in the pages of the Bible. Furthermore, because of the way the Bible tells about the resurrection, it is one of the most authenticated facts in history.

The Bible likes to talk about the person and work of Christ in types. One type is an example, a figure, a model. Repeatedly the person of Christ, its attributes and acts are shown with typology. Many men in the scriptures are types of Christ. For example, Adam is a type of Christ in that both are father and representative of a human race (Romans 4:12-21). Adam is the leader of the old stock, Christ of the new one.

Isaac is a type of Christ showing him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Genesis 22). David is a guy pointing out the peace that will accompany Christ's future reign (2Samuele 7:12-17).

Biblical objects are also types. Noah's Ark is a harbinger of salvation and security to be found in Christ. The tabernacle of the Israelites in the wilderness is almost entirely typology. Even the manna, the rock that was struck, the bronze snake, and many others. No type is clearer than the Passover lamb. All of these items are a wonderful anticipation of Christ Jesus.

Another interesting study is that of the biblical names of Christ. Quasi 400 different names and titles are ascribed to Christ by different writers. He is the Son of God and the Son of man. It is the bread of life and the living water. It is not only the bright morning star but also the sun of justice. Furthermore, he is both the lamb of God and the good shepherd. Solomon writes that it is the lily of the valleys and the narcissus of Saron. Its strength is described in the titles Rock of the Ages and the Cornerstone.

You see, no, that the Bible is an unparalleled book because Christ is its unparalleled character? It is its fullness, its center. It all has to do with him. He is the Life of the Bible. The Bible is its history.