An "Ask the Preacher" article as it has appeared in the Santa Rosa Press Gazette (Milton, Florida). The author is Pastor Carl Gallups of Hickory Hammock Baptist Church in Milton, Florida. Click HERE to go to the Main Index page of Hickory Hammock Baptist Church to read many more such articles. This article is copyrighted by Carl Gallups and may be reproduced provided that copyright notice is given.
Dear Pastor Gallups, There are many religious books in the world. How can you Christians claim that the Bible is the ONLY word of God? - J. K. - Pace.
Dear J.K., First you must understand that when Christians claim that the Bible is the ONLY word of the true and Living God, this is not just something that we made up. But, rather, it is something that the Bible emphatically claims about itself! Now, it is either what it says it is or it is a lie, plain and simple. Any "religious" book that makes these kinds of claims can be judged thusly. So, you might ask, how do we know if it is the truth or a lie?
Consider the following. Of all the "religious" books in the world, the Bible is unarguably UNIQUE. That is, it stands separate and distinct from all the others in many important areas. It is the ONLY book who's sole purpose is to point to a coming one (Jesus Christ). There are over 600 specific prophecies given hundreds and, sometimes, thousands of years beforehand, perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ. It is the ONLY book containing 1000's of other prophecies concerning kingdoms, nations, world, political and historical events, all written hundreds and thousands of years beforehand and most fulfilled before our very eyes! It is the ONLY book filled with "scientific unknowables" That is, facts that the author couldn't have known and the world disputed at the time of the writing, yet they later were proven to be true! This could only be so if the God who created everything, told the author what to write! For example, until 1492 men thought the earth was flat. Yet Isaiah, thousands of years earlier declared that it was round! (Isaiah 40:21-22) There are MANY more examples, some more startling than this!
J.K., you have a decision to make. The Bible stands alone and unique. It is unlike ANY book in the world. And it all points to Jesus Christ as the ONLY way to heaven and eternal life. I pray that you will believe the Bible and choose Jesus!
Dear Pastor Gallups, "What makes the Bible so "special". There are other books that can inspire us aren't there?" - C.G. - Milton
Dear C.G. - Yes! God has inspired many men and women through the ages who have produced many literary works that He has used to inspire and enrich mankind. However, none have been given the clear distinction by God Himself as being HIS final, authoritative, inspired Word, except the Bible!
What makes it so special? Consider the following. The Bible was written by over 40 different authors who produced 66 different books over a span of over 1500 years. These books were written in 3 different languages, on 3 different continents under different social, economic, political and spiritual conditions. The content of the books covers hundreds of controversial subjects on life, death, eternity, heaven, hell, angels, demons, moral standards, etc. These books were copied by HAND, over thousands of years with multiplied thousands of copies delivered to scores of generations and yet with virtually one hundred percent accuracy in copy and translation!
With all of this, there is no contradiction in theme, doctrine or message. There is harmony and agreement from the first chapter of Genesis to the last chapter of Revelation. And, the unfolding story from beginning to end is that God is redeeming fallen mankind to Himself through the work and shed blood of His perfect son, Jesus Christ!
Statisticians have taken all of these variables into account and have calculated that the chances of a single book containing all of the above elements even being in existence is one in 750 to the 21st power! In other words, an absolute impossibility! Yet, it does exist! It is still the best selling book in the world and the first book ever massed produced on the first printing press! It is still preached from and read and it is still radically changing lives, homes, families and relationships for the Glory of God and His Kingdom. The Bible, C.G., is special indeed! But most important, the entire Bible points to his Son, Jesus Christ! Put your faith in HIM and the Bible will come alive to you!