Evidence the Bible is the Word of God, Part 2

Indirect Evidence for the Bible’s Inspiration

We have considered some “direct” evidence of the Bible being God’s Word; let us now consider some “indirect” evidence––evidence that, though secondary, still indicates that the Bible was written by inspiration of God.

1. THE EVIDENCE OF FULFILLED PROPHECY. Prophecy is the writing of history before it happens, and the Bible, unique among all “religious books” in our world, is filled with prophecy. With daring boldness, the Bible tells what would happen to individuals, cities, and nations, hundreds––even thousands––of years before those events happened. A study of Bible prophecy leads to the unavoidable question, “Who could have written such a book?”

The prophecies concerning Jesus alone––dozens and dozens of them, and fulfilled in exact, specific detail in Jesus’ life and actions––should prove to any reasonable, honest person that the writing of the Bible requires a foresight higher and greater than mortal man.

2. THE EVIDENCE OF SCIENTIFIC ACCURACY. While the Bible is not a science textbook (that is not its scope or purpose), what it says concerning scientific matters is accurate; in fact, in instance after instance, the Bible proves itself ahead of its time. It records many scientific truths hundreds of years before man, in his intellectual quest, discovered or proved them. Consider some examples:

a. The Bible says the earth is suspended in space (Job 26:7);
b. The Bible declares the earth to be round (Isaiah 40:2; Luke 17:26);
c. The Bible teaches all nations of men are of “one blood” (Acts 17:26);
d. The Bible asserts that “life” is “in the blood” (Leviticus 17:10–16);
e. The Bible announces the process of rain, evaporation and condensation (Ecclesiastes 1:2-7).

These and many other examples are, again, evidences of the Bible as a product of wisdom and intelligence higher and greater than man.

3. THE EVIDENCE OF MORAL TEACHING AND INFLUENCE. The Bible has lifted the moral standing of man among all peoples and nations where its influence has gone. And its influence on this world has been phenomenal!

The Bible has made better husbands, wives, children, neighbors, citizens––these have been produced where the Bible has been taught and practiced. Has any book influenced this world like the Bible? No one has been made worse by truly following its teachings; but millions have been lifted from misery, despair, hopelessness, greed, and hatred.

What other book has turned a hovel into a home, alcohol into shoes, drugs into groceries, or thieves into laborers, and liars into honest men? This is the amazing power of the Bible. What other book can wrest a human soul from the brink destruction and transport it into the bliss of hope? The Bible humbles the proud, enriches the poor, turns the hater into a lover of men.

4. THE EVIDENCE OF INDESTRUCTIBILITY. The Bible has been in existence for thousands of years, yet has never become obsolete––it is still read, used, studied, taught, practiced, and loved. No book has stood the test of time like the Bible. Critics have poured over the Bible in microscopic detail in efforts to destroy it, but still it stands. No other book has survived the centuries unaltered as has the Bible, and the very fact of its existence is an evidence of its divinity. It has survived empires, kingdoms, wars, dark ages, renaissance, modernism, and skepticism.

The Bible cannot be destroyed (read Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:24–25). Indeed, there is one thing upon which death and decay cannot lay its rotting finger: the living, penetrating, and incorruptible Word of God.

5. THE EVIDENCE OF THE WONDER OF THE BIBLE. Consider the wonder of its formation and unity (written by different people in different cultures and times, yet coming together to form one theme––a library of 66 books, yet one Book and one Author!). Consider the wonder of its age (it is the most ancient of books, yet always fresh and relevant) or the wonder of its interest (read and loved by all classes of man). Consider the wonder of its language (largely written by uneducated men, yet a literary masterpiece!).

The Bible is unique among all the literature of the world

6. THE EVIDENCE OF ITS EXISTENCE. That the Bible exists, no one, obviously, can deny. So we ask: how did it get here, and who wrote it? If God is not its author, then who is? Anyone denying the authorship of God must explain the existence of the Bible by some other means.

The evidences of Scripture point to an authorship superior to man, and the testimony of the Bible itself states that authorship is God.

Conclusion:

We invite all to examine the Bible––to examine its claims, its evidences, and its inspiration––and we’re convinced you’ll be driven to the conclusion that it is indeed the living Word of the living God.

By John M. Brown

Comments

  1. John P Brown

    I am putting togther a reference guide for the evidences of Christianity and would like to use this info in my book. You wil be creditted if I end up getting it published. Would you mind?

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