The Modern man and the Bible

IS THE BIBLE THE WORD OF GOD?

THE Bible, made up of 66 writings, has been described as being “probably the most influential collection of books in human history.” Indeed, it has influenced some of the world’s greatest art, literature, and music. It has had a significant impact on law. It has been extolled for its literary style and has been held in high esteem by many well-educated individuals. Its effect on the lives of people in all strata of society has been particularly profound. It has inspired in many of its readers a remarkable degree of loyalty. Some have even risked death just to read it.
In what way is the Bible from God? The Bible answers: “Men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21)

IT IS only reasonable that our loving Creator would provide a book of instruction to guide us in life. Does it not? And do you not agree that humans need guidance? And the Bible claims to be just that and completely it fills all mankind's needs for wise guidance and direction.

The Bible was written by some 40 different men over a period of 1,600 years, beginning in 1513 B.C.E. All the 40 writers said that God is the author of the thoughts they wrote, much as writers or secretaries write for their bosses today. The Bible is very old, and almost 2,000 years have passed since its last words were penned. Some therefore feel that it is not applicable to our modern age. But if the Bible is the word of God, its advice should always be up-to-date despite its great age. The Scriptures should still be “beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.”—2 Timothy 3:16, 17.

Close examination reveals that Bible principles apply just as much today as they did when they were first put down in writing. When it comes to human nature, for instance, the Bible reflects keen understanding that applies to every generation of mankind. We can easily see this in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, found in the book of Matthew, chapters 5 to 7. This sermon so impressed the late Indian leader Mohandas K. Gandhi that he reportedly told a British official: “When your country and mine shall get together on the teachings laid down by Christ in this Sermon on the Mount, we shall have solved the problems not only of our countries but those of the whole world.”
No wonder people are impressed by the Bible’s teachings! It shows us the way to true happiness. It explained how to settle disputes. It provides instruction on how to pray. It pointed out the wisest attitude to have toward material needs and gave the Golden Rule for proper relationships with others. How to detect religious frauds and how to have a secure future, counsel on such things as having a successful marriage, preventing juvenile delinquency and how to gain and keep friends is far superior to any other book.
In addition to being practical and up-to-date, the Bible is dependable.
The idea of a spherical earth was not widely accepted until thousands of years after Isaiah 40: 22, much before Galileo Galilei turned his newly developed telescope. Furthermore, Job 26:7—written more than 3,000 years ago—states that God is “hanging the earth upon nothing.” Says one Bible scholar: “How Job knew the truth, demonstrated by astronomy, that the earth hangs self-poised in empty space, is a question not easily solved by those who deny the inspiration of Holy Scripture. Of course, the Bible is not a science textbook. But when it touches on scientific matters, it is accurate. Is this not what we would expect of a book from God? And whereas ancient historians nearly always exaggerated the victories of their rulers and hid their defeats and mistakes, the Bible writers were candid and honest—even about their own serious sins.

In his wisdom, God used humans to pen his Word. Consider this: If Jehovah had used angels to record the Bible, would it have the same appeal? Would we really have been able to identify with the perspective of perfect angelic creatures, whose knowledge, experience, and strength are far superior to our own? Through his use of human writers, God provided just what we need—a record that is “inspired of God” yet retains the human element. God has truly blessed humans by communicating with us in writing. Have you ever received a letter that was so dear to you—perhaps because it offered needed comfort—that you saved it and read it again and again? So it is with Jehovah’s “letter” to us. Because Jehovah put his words in written form, we are able to read them regularly and to meditate on what they say. We can receive “the comfort from the Scriptures” whenever we need it.
HOW DID THE BIBLE SURVIVE? Ancient writings had natural enemies—fire, moisture, mold. The Bible was not immune to such hazards. The record of how it has survived the ravages of time to become the world’s most accessible book is outstanding among ancient writings. What happened to the original writings? Soon after the originals were written, handwritten copies began to be produced. Copying the Scriptures actually became a profession in ancient Israel. (Ezra 7:6; Psalm 45:1) The copies, though, were also recorded on perishable materials. Eventually these had to be replaced by other handwritten copies. When the originals passed off the scene, these copies became the basis for future manuscripts. Copying the copies was a process that went on for many centuries. Did copyists’ mistakes over the centuries drastically change the text of the Bible? The evidence says no.
There is good reason to believe that the Bible has been accurately transmitted down to our day. The evidence consists of existing handwritten manuscripts—an estimated 6,000 of all or portions of the Hebrew Scriptures and some 5,000 of the Christian Scriptures in Greek. Among these is a Hebrew Scripture manuscript discovered in 1947 that exemplifies just how accurate the copying of the Scriptures was. It has since been termed “the greatest manuscript discovery of modern times. The record of how the Bible survived thousands of years of recopying by hand is truly extraordinary. Sir Frederic Kenyon, longtime curator of the British Museum, could therefore state: “It cannot be too strongly asserted that in substance the text of the Bible is certain . . . This can be said of no other ancient book in the world.”

THE BIBLE—EVIDENCES THAT IT IS DIVINE
• The Bible was written over a period of 16 centuries, by some 40 contributors from diverse backgrounds. Nevertheless, the finished product is harmonious from beginning to end.
• The Bible has survived more controversy than any other book. During the Middle Ages, people were burned at the stake simply for possessing a copy of the Scriptures.
• The Bible is the number one best-seller in the world. It has been translated, in whole or in part, into over 2,000 languages. Billions of copies have been printed, and there is hardly a place on earth where a copy cannot be found.
• The oldest portion of the Bible dates back to the 16th century B.C.E. This is before the appearance of the Hindu Rig-Veda (in about 1300 B.C.E.), or the Buddhist “Canon of the Three Baskets” (fifth century B.C.E.), or the Islamic Koran (seventh century C.E.), as well as the Shinto Nihongi (720 C.E.)
WHAT OTHER BOOK?
+has influenced as much of the world’s greatest art, literature, and music, while also having a profound impact on law?
+has survived thousands of years of recopying by human hand and yet has come down to us essentially as it was written?
+has inspired such unselfishness that some have been willing to suffer hardships and even risk death in order to translate it?
+has been translated into more than 2,100 languages, making it available to over 90 percent of the human family?
+mentions scientific truths not discovered until many centuries later?
+contains timeless principles that can help people of all racial, ethnic, and national backgrounds to improve their lot in life?
+contains unambiguous predictions that came true, as proved by historical facts?
WOULD IT NOT WORTH TRUSTING SUCH A BOOK?

“A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And he sent forth his angel and presented [it] in signs through him to his John.”
The Bible at Revelation 1: 1