Article: "Why I Believe The Bible"

[Diplomat]

Why I Believe the Bible

“The grass withers and the flower fades away, but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Isaiah 40: 8

What do you tell people when they ask, “You don’t really believe all that stuff in the Bible, do you?”

The more you rub shoulders with people who have no concept of real Christianity, the more your faith will be challenged, even your sanity questioned.

“You’re basing your life on some dusty book written a million years ago?”
“Who do you think wrote it?”
“Any thinking person knows the Bible is full of mistakes and contradictions!”

I’m sure if you’ve ever tried to explain your confidence in God’s Word to somebody, you’ve heard these lame excuses.

The truth is, knowing the facts about God’s Word will not only increase your confidence in His book, but it will also give you solid answers for your skeptical friends. God told the prophet Isaiah to “Cry out . . . The grass withers and the flower fades away, but the word of our God shall stand forever” (40: 8). That means that long after skeptics are gone, God’s Word will still be standing.

The more I study the Bible, the more I am absolutely convinced that God did write a book. No one can refute that the Bible is the most preeminent book in existence. It has traveled more highways, walked more paths, knocked on more doors and spoken to more people in their mother tongue than any book the world has ever known, can ever know, or will ever know.

Some would say, “Sure, the Bible is a great religious book, but what about the Koran or the Book of Mormon?” I love what this scholarly dude, Montero Williams (not to be confused with Montel Williams) said about Eastern religion after 42 years of studied comparison with the Bible. He said, “Pile them if you will on the left side of your study table, but place your Bible on the right side by itself alone. There is a wide gulf between the Bible and the so-called sacred books of the East which cannot be bridged over by any science or religious thought.”

Why do you think so many people hate God’s Word? From Roman emperors to communist leaders to college professors, everyone seems to take it upon themselves to attack this book. If for no other reason, aren’t you at least curious why this book is so hated? I’ll tell you—the Bible calls people to their true accountability before the Creator of the universe and very few of us are willing to submit.

Man will never be able to destroy the Bible because Almighty God wrote it and He is taking care of it. We could go on citing fascinating historical twists and recent archeological finds that prove the Bible’s credibility and indestructibility, but let’s just say this: when you hold the Bible in your hands, you hold a personal message from the loving and living God. Yes, a loving God, provided we receive His message and choose to take Him seriously.

People who have never read the Bible or have not read it with an open heart think that it’s contradictory, outdated, and irrelevant. Like a car repair manual from the 1920’s or a computer textbook from the 1950’s. But you and I know differently.

Have you ever sat under the teaching of God’s Word and felt totally convicted? Has the Spirit of God ever used His Word like a knife, pointing out your specific thoughts and motives? I could tell you about times God’s Word has worked me over. The real question is are we allowing Scripture to penetrate our lives and change us? If you can say yes, then you know the power I’m talking about.

On the flip side, as you’ve pondered God’s Word have you felt an inexpressible comfort? A peace that transcends understanding? When you were hurting or discouraged, did certain passages become clearer with new insight? Did it strengthen you? Could man have written such a wonderful comfort as this? I don’t think so!

I wish you could see what I see from the front of my church every weekend as I teach God’s Word. I look across the faces of people gripped by God’s eternal truth. Tears stream down their cheeks. Some can hardly look up because they’re under the power of the Holy Spirit. God’s Word is always effective in doing the job that He intended it to do. It never “returns void,” Isaiah 55:11 promises. Every time you as a mother or father, pastor, small group leader or children’s ministry worker teach Scripture, God says, “You think you’re speaking, but what is really happening is that I’m sending forth My Word.”

Why do I believe the Bible? Because I’m convinced beyond any doubt that it is divinely inspired in its totality, inerrant in doctrine, infallible in authority, immeasurable in influence, personal in application, regenerative in power, diverse in its unity, and infinitely trustworthy. Why? Because God wrote it.

Do you sense the immensity of that truth? Starting right now, how about we choose to make a greater personal investment in God’s Word? You’ve got the time—just set your priorities. Commit to read, study, and ponder more of God’s timeless message . . . and then go live it! Make it the passion of your life to discover what it means to delight in the law of the Lord (Psalm 119:77). And the next time someone asks you, “Why do you believe the Bible?” proclaim your confidence and faith in God and the book He has written by answering, “I am glad you asked."

--- James McDonald - July 7, 2004 "Walk in the Word."

[Morpheous]

Re: Article: "Why I Believe The Bible"

Yes I know what you mean. The bible is no doubt a very powerful written book. Who ever wrote the bible had a much better grasp of language and expression than William Shakespeare ever did!!


Yes the bible have mistakes and contradictiing text but the persons that are chosen to preach the words in the bible are quite skilled and/educated on the subject as well as how to deliver a powerful and gripping sermon. They are well schooled in the art of delivering a fantastic speech-(this is in no way meant as a insult but a recognition of their skill)

If this was not the case the churches would be empty !!

[Guest]

Re: Article: "Why I Believe The Bible"

Originally posted by CEW:
[qb] Why I Believe the Bible

“The grass withers and the flower fades away, but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Isaiah 40: 8

What do you tell people when they ask, “You don’t really believe all that stuff in the Bible, do you?”

The more you rub shoulders with people who have no concept of real Christianity, the more your faith will be challenged, even your sanity questioned.

“You’re basing your life on some dusty book written a million years ago?”
“Who do you think wrote it?”
“Any thinking person knows the Bible is full of mistakes and contradictions!”

I’m sure if you’ve ever tried to explain your confidence in God’s Word to somebody, you’ve heard these lame excuses.

The truth is, knowing the facts about God’s Word will not only increase your confidence in His book, but it will also give you solid answers for your skeptical friends. God told the prophet Isaiah to “Cry out . . . The grass withers and the flower fades away, but the word of our God shall stand forever” (40: 8). That means that long after skeptics are gone, God’s Word will still be standing.

The more I study the Bible, the more I am absolutely convinced that God did write a book. No one can refute that the Bible is the most preeminent book in existence. It has traveled more highways, walked more paths, knocked on more doors and spoken to more people in their mother tongue than any book the world has ever known, can ever know, or will ever know.

Some would say, “Sure, the Bible is a great religious book, but what about the Koran or the Book of Mormon?” I love what this scholarly dude, Montero Williams (not to be confused with Montel Williams) said about Eastern religion after 42 years of studied comparison with the Bible. He said, “Pile them if you will on the left side of your study table, but place your Bible on the right side by itself alone. There is a wide gulf between the Bible and the so-called sacred books of the East which cannot be bridged over by any science or religious thought.”

Why do you think so many people hate God’s Word? From Roman emperors to communist leaders to college professors, everyone seems to take it upon themselves to attack this book. If for no other reason, aren’t you at least curious why this book is so hated? I’ll tell you—the Bible calls people to their true accountability before the Creator of the universe and very few of us are willing to submit.

Man will never be able to destroy the Bible because Almighty God wrote it and He is taking care of it. We could go on citing fascinating historical twists and recent archeological finds that prove the Bible’s credibility and indestructibility, but let’s just say this: when you hold the Bible in your hands, you hold a personal message from the loving and living God. Yes, a loving God, provided we receive His message and choose to take Him seriously.

People who have never read the Bible or have not read it with an open heart think that it’s contradictory, outdated, and irrelevant. Like a car repair manual from the 1920’s or a computer textbook from the 1950’s. But you and I know differently.

Have you ever sat under the teaching of God’s Word and felt totally convicted? Has the Spirit of God ever used His Word like a knife, pointing out your specific thoughts and motives? I could tell you about times God’s Word has worked me over. The real question is are we allowing Scripture to penetrate our lives and change us? If you can say yes, then you know the power I’m talking about.

On the flip side, as you’ve pondered God’s Word have you felt an inexpressible comfort? A peace that transcends understanding? When you were hurting or discouraged, did certain passages become clearer with new insight? Did it strengthen you? Could man have written such a wonderful comfort as this? I don’t think so!

I wish you could see what I see from the front of my church every weekend as I teach God’s Word. I look across the faces of people gripped by God’s eternal truth. Tears stream down their cheeks. Some can hardly look up because they’re under the power of the Holy Spirit. God’s Word is always effective in doing the job that He intended it to do. It never “returns void,” Isaiah 55:11 promises. Every time you as a mother or father, pastor, small group leader or children’s ministry worker teach Scripture, God says, “You think you’re speaking, but what is really happening is that I’m sending forth My Word.”

Why do I believe the Bible? Because I’m convinced beyond any doubt that it is divinely inspired in its totality, inerrant in doctrine, infallible in authority, immeasurable in influence, personal in application, regenerative in power, diverse in its unity, and infinitely trustworthy. Why? Because God wrote it.

Do you sense the immensity of that truth? Starting right now, how about we choose to make a greater personal investment in God’s Word? You’ve got the time—just set your priorities. Commit to read, study, and ponder more of God’s timeless message . . . and then go live it! Make it the passion of your life to discover what it means to delight in the law of the Lord (Psalm 119:77). And the next time someone asks you, “Why do you believe the Bible?” proclaim your confidence and faith in God and the book He has written by answering, “I am glad you asked."

--- James McDonald - July 7, 2004 "Walk in the Word." [/qb]

bout time yuh spoke up!

[neutral]

Re: Article: "Why I Believe The Bible"

Originally posted by CEW:
[qb] Why I Believe the Bible

“The grass withers and the flower fades away, but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Isaiah 40: 8

What do you tell people when they ask, “You don’t really believe all that stuff in the Bible, do you?”

The more you rub shoulders with people who have no concept of real Christianity, the more your faith will be challenged, even your sanity questioned.

“You’re basing your life on some dusty book written a million years ago?”
“Who do you think wrote it?”
“Any thinking person knows the Bible is full of mistakes and contradictions!”

I’m sure if you’ve ever tried to explain your confidence in God’s Word to somebody, you’ve heard these lame excuses.

The truth is, knowing the facts about God’s Word will not only increase your confidence in His book, but it will also give you solid answers for your skeptical friends. God told the prophet Isaiah to “Cry out . . . The grass withers and the flower fades away, but the word of our God shall stand forever” (40: 8). That means that long after skeptics are gone, God’s Word will still be standing.

The more I study the Bible, the more I am absolutely convinced that God did write a book. No one can refute that the Bible is the most preeminent book in existence. It has traveled more highways, walked more paths, knocked on more doors and spoken to more people in their mother tongue than any book the world has ever known, can ever know, or will ever know.

Some would say, “Sure, the Bible is a great religious book, but what about the Koran or the Book of Mormon?” I love what this scholarly dude, Montero Williams (not to be confused with Montel Williams) said about Eastern religion after 42 years of studied comparison with the Bible. He said, “Pile them if you will on the left side of your study table, but place your Bible on the right side by itself alone. There is a wide gulf between the Bible and the so-called sacred books of the East which cannot be bridged over by any science or religious thought.”

Why do you think so many people hate God’s Word? From Roman emperors to communist leaders to college professors, everyone seems to take it upon themselves to attack this book. If for no other reason, aren’t you at least curious why this book is so hated? I’ll tell you—the Bible calls people to their true accountability before the Creator of the universe and very few of us are willing to submit.

Man will never be able to destroy the Bible because Almighty God wrote it and He is taking care of it. We could go on citing fascinating historical twists and recent archeological finds that prove the Bible’s credibility and indestructibility, but let’s just say this: when you hold the Bible in your hands, you hold a personal message from the loving and living God. Yes, a loving God, provided we receive His message and choose to take Him seriously.

People who have never read the Bible or have not read it with an open heart think that it’s contradictory, outdated, and irrelevant. Like a car repair manual from the 1920’s or a computer textbook from the 1950’s. But you and I know differently.

Have you ever sat under the teaching of God’s Word and felt totally convicted? Has the Spirit of God ever used His Word like a knife, pointing out your specific thoughts and motives? I could tell you about times God’s Word has worked me over. The real question is are we allowing Scripture to penetrate our lives and change us? If you can say yes, then you know the power I’m talking about.

On the flip side, as you’ve pondered God’s Word have you felt an inexpressible comfort? A peace that transcends understanding? When you were hurting or discouraged, did certain passages become clearer with new insight? Did it strengthen you? Could man have written such a wonderful comfort as this? I don’t think so!

I wish you could see what I see from the front of my church every weekend as I teach God’s Word. I look across the faces of people gripped by God’s eternal truth. Tears stream down their cheeks. Some can hardly look up because they’re under the power of the Holy Spirit. God’s Word is always effective in doing the job that He intended it to do. It never “returns void,” Isaiah 55:11 promises. Every time you as a mother or father, pastor, small group leader or children’s ministry worker teach Scripture, God says, “You think you’re speaking, but what is really happening is that I’m sending forth My Word.”

Why do I believe the Bible? Because I’m convinced beyond any doubt that it is divinely inspired in its totality, inerrant in doctrine, infallible in authority, immeasurable in influence, personal in application, regenerative in power, diverse in its unity, and infinitely trustworthy. Why? Because God wrote it.

Do you sense the immensity of that truth? Starting right now, how about we choose to make a greater personal investment in God’s Word? You’ve got the time—just set your priorities. Commit to read, study, and ponder more of God’s timeless message . . . and then go live it! Make it the passion of your life to discover what it means to delight in the law of the Lord (Psalm 119:77). And the next time someone asks you, “Why do you believe the Bible?” proclaim your confidence and faith in God and the book He has written by answering, “I am glad you asked."

--- James McDonald - July 7, 2004 "Walk in the Word." [/qb]

kudos to you CEW, if only some of the qualities you posess would rub off on some so-called christians,I suspect the world would be a much nicer place. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Mutty]

Re: Article: "Why I Believe The Bible"

Hmm...

[Guest]

Re: Article: "Why I Believe The Bible"

Originally posted by Mutty - The return:
[qb] Hmm... [/qb]

Why don't you go ahead and tell him that that was not CEW's writing but copied from someone else - go ahead you guys should educate each other after all you stick up for one another don't you?

[Mutty]

Re: Article: "Why I Believe The Bible"

Jedi you really need to quit with the mind reading. That "hmm" had NOTHING to do with Neutral's post. It was strictly toward the contents of the original post.

[Guest]

Re: Article: "Why I Believe The Bible"

Originally posted by Mutty - The return:
[qb] Jedi you really need to quit with the mind reading. That "hmm" had NOTHING to do with Neutral's post. It was strictly toward the contents of the original post. [/qb]

Hmmm!

[Guest]

Re: Article: "Why I Believe The Bible"

Excellent article and I enjoy listening to James McDonald.

Why do you think so many people hate God’s Word? From Roman emperors to communist leaders to college professors, everyone seems to take it upon themselves to attack this book. If for no other reason, aren’t you at least curious why this book is so hated? I’ll tell you—the Bible calls people to their true accountability before the Creator of the universe and very few of us are willing to submit.

So true. One thing I've noticed is that no matter how much God and the Bible is attacked verbally, it still does not change the conviction that is inside the heart and soul of attackers. For some, the denials is an attempt to escape what they cannot escape, the conscience. My opinion.

[Guest]

Re: Article: "Why I Believe The Bible"

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
(Heb. 4:12)

[britisha]

Re: Article: "Why I Believe The Bible"

Man will never be able to destroy the Bible because Almighty God wrote it and He is taking care of it.

How simplistic !

Did God really write the Bible? I was taught otherwise, that it is written by men, inspired by God..theeer's a difference.

: when you hold the Bible in your hands, you hold a personal message from the loving and living God. Yes, a loving God, provided we receive His message and choose to take Him seriously.

**chuckle** what this paragraph is basically saying that God is NOT loving UNLESS [implied in the word "provided"] we receive His message etc.

Did you read this before you posted it CEW? It is messages like these that gives atheists more ammunition to assail Christians, wouldn't you say?

From Oxford..

provided conj...on the condition or understanding

Me? Personally?

*I* owe NO ONE any explanation why *I* believe the Bible. It is very obvious that there are parts that are contradictory and parts that have different interpretations to the extent that rifts have been created among various denominations. There are even books that have been omitted from some versions..

However that is neither here nor there; that is NO news.. In the same way that fanatics who are constantly chasing their tails to search and find selected parts of the Bible to criticise and mock those who use it as the foundation of their religion, it is in the same way that some of us use it to strengthen our faith in God. It is abundantly rich with more than enough for those who need to and can find solace and meaning in their lives...Amen!!

Obviously it was NOT written for everyone, and this will come as a shocker to many, for the Holy Scriptures foretold some of the very attitudes and behaviour that we are witnessing in this forum...so why be upset or why let your heart be troubled..? This was PREDICTED from the beginning, and it has come to pass.

I have come too far a way, I have been AWARE of God Almighty, the Supreme Being, for toooo long now [from mi yeye dem did below mi knee, moreso from mi innah da womb, for my mother was a praying woman, constantly] for my faith to waver and even die. He's proven Himself over and over and over again, ad infinitum, in MY life, and I praise Him for it.

LET THE NAME OF GOD BE PRAISED!!

disclaimer, I do NOT call or regard myself as a Christian, for I am too sinful, a work in progress, and I get the leverage to deal with some things that need to be dealt with forcibly..in the words of the Communion hymn

Oh Lord I am NOT worthy
That Thou should'st come to me
But speak Thy words of comfort
My Spirit healed shall be..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I will praise Him in life
I will praise Him in death
I will praise Him as long
As he lendeth me breath
My Precious Redeemer,
My Saviour art Thou
If ever I love Thee [rep]
If ever I love Thee
My Jesus, tis now..

final
edit
for
sp

[Diplomat]

Re: Article: "Why I Believe The Bible"

Originally posted by britisha:

: when you hold the Bible in your hands, you hold a personal message from the loving and living God. Yes, a loving God, provided we receive His message and choose to take Him seriously.

**chuckle** what this paragraph is basically saying that God is NOT loving UNLESS [implied in the word "provided"] we receive His message etc.

Did you read this before you posted it CEW? It is messages like these that gives atheists more ammunition to assail Christians, wouldn't you say?

From Oxford..

provided conj...on the condition or understanding

Of course I read the article before posting it, and frankly I am not in the least worried about any portion of it giving ammunition to anyone or group. We all look at (and some read) the Bible and come away with our own convictions, and I have chosen to believe it though there are portions of it I do not yet fully understand, and despite editorial and translation errors.

I do share the sentiments echoed in your posts, especially: "I have come too far a way, I have been AWARE of God Almighty, the Supreme Being, for toooo long now [from mi yeye dem did below mi knee, moreso from mi innah da womb, for my mother was a praying woman, constantly] for my faith to waver and even die. He's proven Himself over and over and over again, ad infinitum, in MY life, and I praise Him for it."

[britisha]

Re: Article: "Why I Believe The Bible"

Okay CEW.

Walk good.

[Morpheous]

Re: Article: "Why I Believe The Bible"

Originally posted by Morpheous:
[qb] Yes I know what you mean. The bible is no doubt a very powerful written book. Who ever wrote the bible had a much better grasp of language and expression than William Shakespeare ever did!!


Yes the bible have mistakes and contradictiing text but the persons that are chosen to preach the words in the bible are quite skilled and/educated on the subject as well as how to deliver a powerful and gripping sermon. They are well schooled in the art of delivering a fantastic speech-(this is in no way meant as a insult but a recognition of their skill)

If this was not the case the churches would be empty !! [/qb]

Seems as if some people misunderstood the above quote... Read it again...more carefully this time

[Diplomat]

Re: Article: "Why I Believe The Bible"

Another perspective from Christian author R. A. Torrey... - PART I

Introduction
I was brought up to believe that the Bible was the Word of God. In early life I accepted it as such upon the authority of my parents, and never gave the question any serious thought. But later in life my faith in the Bible was utterly shattered through the influence of the writings of a very celebrated, scholarly and brilliant sceptic. I found myself face to face with the question, Why do you believe the Bible is the Word of God?

I had no satisfactory answer. I determined to go to the bottom of this question. If satisfactory proof could not be found that the Bible was God's Word I would give the whole thing up, cost what it might. If satisfactory proof could be found that the Bible was God's Word I would take my stand upon it, cost what it might. I doubtless had many friends who could have answered the question satisfactorily, but I was unwilling to confide to them the struggle that was going on in my own heart; so I sought help from God and from books, and after much painful study and thought came out of the darkness of scepticism into the broad daylight of faith and certainty that the Bible from beginning to end is God's Word. The following pages are largely the outcome of that experience of conflict and final victory. I will give Ten Reasons why I believe the Bible is the Word of God.

FIRST, on the ground of the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Many people accept the authority of Christ who do not accept that of the Bible as a whole. We all must accept His authority. He is accredited to us by five Divine testimonies: by the testimony of the Divine life He lived; by the testimony of the Divine words He spoke; by the testimony of the Divine works He wrought; by the Divine attestation of the resurrection from the dead; and by the testimony of His Divine influence upon the history of mankind. But if we accept the authority of Christ we must accept the authority of the Bible as a whole. He testifies definitely and specifically to the Divine authorship of the whole Bible.

We find His testimony as to the Old Testament in Mark 7:13. Here He calls the law of Moses the "Word of God." That, of course, covers only the first five books of the Old Testament, but in Luke 24:27 we read, "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself," and in the forty-fourth verse He said, "All things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and the Psalms." The Jews, divided the Old Testament into three parts -- the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms -- and Christ takes up each of these parts and sets the stamp of His authority upon it. In John 10:35 Christ says, "The Scripture cannot be broken," thereby teaching the absolute accuracy and inviolability of the Old Testament. More specifically still, if possible, in Matthew 5:18 Jesus says, "One jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled." A jot is the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet -- less than half the size of any other letter, and a tittle is the merest point of a consonant -- less than the cross we put on a "t," -- and Christ here declares that the Scripture is absolutely true, down to the smallest letter or point of a letter. So if we accept the authority of Christ we must accept the Divine authority of the entire Old Testament.

Now, as to the New Testament. We find Christ's endorsement of it in John 14:26, "The Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." Here we see that not only was the teaching of the Apostles to be fully inspired, but also their recollection of what Christ Himself taught. We are sometimes asked how we know that the Apostles correctly reported what Jesus said -- "may they not have forgotten?" True, they might forget, but Christ Himself tells us that in the Gospels we have, not the Apostles' recollection of what He said, but the Holy Ghost's recollection, and the Spirit of God never forgets. In John 16:13, 14, Christ said that the Holy Ghost should guide the Apostles into "all the truth," therefore in the New Testament teaching we have the whole sphere of God's truth. The teaching of the Apostles is more complete than that of Jesus Himself, for He says in John 16:12, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of truth is come, He shall guide you into all the truth." While His own teaching had been partial, because of their weakness, the teaching of the Apostles, under the promised Spirit, was to take in the whole sphere of God's truth.

So if we accept the authority of Christ we must accept that of the whole Bible, but we must, as already seen, accept Christ's authority.

SECOND, on the ground of its fulfilled prophecies.
There are two classes of prophecies in the Bible -- first, the explicit, verbal prophecies; second, those of the types.

In the first we have the definite prophecies concerning the Jews, the heathen nations and the Messiah. Taking the prophecies, regarding the Messiah as an illustration, look at Isaiah 53, Micah 5:2, Daniel 9:25-27. Many others might be mentioned, but these will serve as illustrations. In these prophecies, written hundreds of years before the Messiah came, we have the most explicit statements as to the manner and place of His birth, the manner of His reception by men, how His life would end, His resurrection and His victory succeeding His death. When made, these prophecies were exceedingly improbable, and seemingly impossible of fulfilment; but they were fulfilled to the very minutest detail of manner and place and time. How are we to account for it? Man could not have foreseen these improbable events -- they lay hundreds of years ahead -- but God could, and it is God who speaks through these men.

But the prophecies of the types are more remarkable still. Everything in the Old Testament -- history, institutions, ceremonies -- is prophetical. The high priesthood, the ordinary priesthood, the Levites, the prophets, priests and kings, are all prophecies. The tabernacle, the brazen altar, the laver, the golden candlestick, the table of shewbread, the veil, the altar of incense, the ark of the covenant, the very coverings of the tabernacle, are prophecies. In all these things, as we study them minutely and soberly in the light of the history of Jesus Christ and the church, we see, wrapped up in the ancient institutions ordained of God to meet an immediate purpose, prophecies of the death, atonement, and resurrection of Christ, the day of Pentecost, and the entire history of the church. We see the profoundest Christian doctrines of the New Testament clearly foreshadowed in these institutions of the Old Testament. The only way in which you can appreciate this is to get into the Book itself and study all about the sacrifices and feasts, etc., till you see the truths of the New Testament shining out in the Old. If, in studying some elementary form of life, I find a rudimentary organ, useless now, but by the process of development to become of use in that animal's descendant, I say, back of this rudimentary organ is God, who, in the earlier animal, is preparing for the life and necessities of the animal that is to come. So, going back to these preparations in the Bible for the truth that is to be clearly taught at a later day, there is only one scientific way to account for them, namely, He who knows and prepares for the end from the beginning is the author of that Book.

THIRD, on the ground of the unity of the book.
This is an old argument, but a very satisfactory one. The Bible consists of sixty-six books, written by more than thirty different men, extending in the period of its composition over more than fifteen hundred years; written in three different languages, in many different countries, and by men on every plane of social life, from the herdman and fisherman and cheap politician up to the king upon his throne; written under all sorts of circumstances; yet in all this wonderful conglomeration we find an absolute unity of thought.

A wonderful thing about it is that this unity does not lie on the surface. On the surface there is oftentimes apparent contradiction, and the unity only comes out after deep and protracted study.

More wonderful yet is the organic character of this unity, beginning in the first book and growing till you come to its culmination in the last book of the Bible. We have first the seed, then the plant, then the bud, then the blossom, then the ripened fruit.

Suppose a vast building were to be erected, the stones for which were brought from the quarries in Rutland, Vermont; Berea, Ohio; Kasota, Minnesota; and Middletown, Connecticut. Each stone was hewn into final shape in the quarry from which it was brought. These stones were of all varieties of shape and size, cubical, rectangular, cylindrical, etc., but when they were brought together every stone fitted into its place, and when put together there rose before you a temple absolutely perfect in every outline, with its domes, sidewalls, buttresses, arches, transepts -- not a gap or a flaw anywhere. How would you account for it? You would say: "Back of these individual workers in the quarries was the master-mind of the architect who planned it all, and gave to each individual worker his specifications for the work."

So in this marvelous temple of God's truth which we call the Bible, whose stones have been quarried at periods of time and in places so remote from one another, but where every smallest part fits each other part, we are forced to say that back of the human hands that wrought was the Master-mind that thought.

FOURTH, on the ground of the immeasurable superiority of the teachings of the Bible to those of any other and all other books.
It is quite fashionable in some quarters to compare the teachings of the Bible with the teachings of Zoroaster, and Buddha, and Confucius, and Epictetus, and Socrates, and Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, and a number of other heathen authors. The difference between the teachings of the Bible and those of these men is found in three points --

- First, the Bible has in it nothing but truth, while all the others have truth mixed with error. It is true Socrates taught how a philosopher ought to die; he also taught how a woman of the town ought to conduct her business. Jewels there are in the teachings of these men, but (as Joseph Cook once said) they are "jewels picked out of the mud."
- Second, the Bible contains all truth. There is not a truth to be found anywhere on moral or spiritual subjects that you cannot find in substance within the covers of that old Book. I have often, when speaking upon this subject, asked anyone to bring me a single truth on moral or spiritual subjects, which, upon reflection, I could not find within the covers of this book, and no one has ever been able to do it. I have taken pains to compare some of the better teachings of infidels with those of the Bible. They indeed have jewels of thought, but they are, whether they knew it or not, stolen jewels, and stolen from the very book they ridicule.
- The third point of superiority is this: the Bible contains more truth than all other books together. Get together from all literature of ancient and modern times all the beautiful thoughts you can; put away all the rubbish; put all these truths that you have culled from the literature of all ages into one book, and as the result, even then you will not have a book that will take the place of this one book.

This is not a large book. I hold in my hand a copy that I carry in my vest pocket and yet in this one little book there is more of truth than in all the books which man has produced in all the ages of his history. How will you account for it? There is only one rational way. This is not man's book, but God's book.

FIFTH, on the ground of the history of the book, its victory over attack.
This book has always been hated. No sooner was it given to the world than it met the hatred of men, and they tried to stamp it out. Celsus tried it by the brilliancy of his genius, Porphyry by the depth of his philosophy; but they failed, Lucian directed against it the shafts of his ridicule, Diocletian the power of the Roman empire; but they failed. Edicts backed by all the power of the empire were issued that every Bible should be burned, and that everyone who had a Bible should be put to death. For eighteen centuries every engine of destruction that human science, philosophy, wit, reasoning or brutality could bring to bear against a book has been brought to bear against that book to stamp it out of the world, but it has a mightier hold on the world to-day than ever before.

If that were man's book it would have been annihilated and forgotten hundreds of years ago, but because there is in it "the hiding of God's power," though at times all the great men of the world have been against it, and only an obscure remnant for it, still it has fulfilled wonderfully the words of Christ, though not in the sense of the original prophecy, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away."