The Bible - the book that can be believed

"No other book has been so chopped, knifed, sifted, scrutinized, and vilified. What book on philosophy or religion or psychology or belles letters of classical or modern times has been subject to such a mass attack as the Bible? with such venom and scepticism? with such thoroughness and erudition? upon every chapter, line and tenet? ... Yet the Bible is still loved by millions, read by millions, and studied by millions." (reknowned theologian, Bernard Ramm, in his book, Protestant Christian Evidences)

Almost 2000 years after it was finally completed (a book written over a period of about 1500 years, 40 generations, by over 40 authors on three continents and in three different languages) the Bible remains the number one bestseller in the world. Not even the literary phenomenon that was Harry Potter or controversial books like The Da Vinci Code or The Secret have been able to budge it from its perch. Why does it continue to be so successful? It is possible the answer lies in the fact that it is all truth?

But in a western world that is largely post-Christian, how do I continue to accept the Bible as true? Isn't it just fantasy? A story, made up to make Christians feel good about themselves? Is it possible that it is still relevant today?

There are a variety of reasons why I see the Bible as being still true and still relevant today. While some of these reasons may not seem to be strong enough to convince in and of themselves, when you hold them together, the proof is as close to undeniable as you can get.

One of them is the harmony contained in its pages - written over such a huge time period by a variety of completely different people independently of each other and yet there is one single message that runs through its pages (hinting of one author, God, directing its writing). Manuscript accuracy (how early/how many manuscripts quoting scripture there are compared to other historical works which no one questions) and scientific accuracy (no discovery of science has ever disproved the Bible but findings generally add proof to its authenticity) are two huge factors that stand along the prophetic accuracy of the old testament prophets, especially concerning Jesus; the backing Jesus himself gave to the scriptures and archeologically evidence that supports the Bible writings.

And many more. But for me what stands out as solid proof that we should take this book seriously and give it a chance is:

1) the amount of people who have given up their lives for their belief in what it teaches and 2) the transformation of lives that continues to this day. No other book has the power to change lives and families and nations than the living word of God.

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