Why the Bible?

Questions for seekers

Never a book like the Bible

• Over 40 authors

• 1,400 years

• No contradictions

• Over 25,000 mss

Never a book like the Bible

THE STYLE OF WRITING IS…

• Focused

• Ethical

• Relevant

• And real

Never a book like the Bible

THE BIBLE DEFIES NATURAL EXPLANATION IN THE AREA OF DETAILED UNBELIEVABLE PROPHECY

• Nations, capitals, cities, and Jesus Christ

Writhe and groan, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you shall go out from the city and dwell in the open

country; you shall go to Babylon. There you shall be rescued; there the LORD will

redeem you from the hand of your enemies. (Micah 4:10 ESV)

Prophesied 100 years before the event when Babylon was just another city in

Assyria

Behold, I am stirring up the Medes against them, who have no regard for silver and do not

delight in gold. Their bows will slaughter the young men; they will have no mercy on the fruit

of the womb; their eyes will not pity children. And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the

splendor and pomp of the Chaldeans, will be like Sodom and Gomorrah when God

overthrew them. (Isaiah 13:17-19 ESV)

Prophesied 180 years before Babylon was great and the Medes were unheard of

who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill

all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple,

‘Your foundation shall be laid.’” (Isaiah 44:28 ESV)

Prophesied 200 years before and NAMED the Persian

King Cyrus by name

Never a book like the Bible

THE BIBLE DEFIES NATURAL EXPLANATION IN THE AREA OF PRE-SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE

• The weight of air• Round earth• Water cycle• Wind circuit• Paths in the sea• Existence of dinosaurs

Never a book like the Bible

THE BIBLE DEFIES NATURAL EXPLANATION IN THE AREA OF HISTORICAL/GEOGRAPHICAL EVENTS

• The Hittite nation

• Writing in Moses’ day

• Grapes in Egypt

• Iron in Israel, etc.

• Archaeol. map for believers, Jews, unbelievers

Never a book like the Bible

THE BIBLE LIFTS, ENCOURAGES, GIVES HOPE AND DIRECTION

Just consider the violence, caste systems, and disrespect to women that exists in non-bible based societies

Never a book like the Bible

More criticism, examination, attack, and translation than any other book in history, yet mss from 250 B.C. show it to be unchanged for over 2,000 years.

This book makes claims like no other

knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes

from someone's own interpretation. For no

prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men

spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy

Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21 ESV)

This book makes claims like no other

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for

correction, and for training in righteousness, that the

man of God may be complete, equipped for

every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

This book makes claims like no other

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that

we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in

words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual

truths to those who are spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13 ESV)

This book makes claims like no other

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known

to you the power and coming of our Lord

Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

(2 Peter 1:16 ESV)

This book makes claims like no other

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked

upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest

to us—that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his

Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (1 John 1:1-4 ESV)

This book gives answers like no other

I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct

his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23 ESV)

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

(Jeremiah 17:9 ESV)

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 14:12 ESV)

This book gives answers like no other

• Answers, guidance that can’t be found elsewhere

• Answers from the Creator of the universe

• Answers that affect us now and in eternity

“The most important thought that ever

occupied my mind is that of my individual

responsibility to God.”