Of all of the questions we must answer in life, whether or not the Bible is true could possibly be the greatest of them all. I say "could" because if it is not true then the Bibles’ influence on us is only temporary and has no real power over us although we do certainly benefit from its teachings. The Bible, right or wrong, does raise the standard of human morality and benefits us all in this way. However, if it is true and it is all it claims to be, then its influence on us is eternal and the consequences of ignoring it are overwhelming even to imagine. The importance of choosing the right answer to this question can not be over emphasized.

Some would say there just is not enough evidence, one way or the other, to make a reasonable choice in the matter. Human history alone cannot tell us nor does the Bible itself give scientific proof of its claims. It has been said that you can take the Bible and prove anything, meaning I suppose, that it really is incapable of proving anything one way or the other. Even the Bible itself states that its followers live by faith not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). What are we to do? There are two extremes that one can take. One is what I call the ostrich approach where the person tries to protect himself by sticking his head in the sand and simply ignoring the danger. In this case hoping the Bible is wrong. The other extreme is simply to open the Bible and let it speak for itself. We all fall somewhere within this wide range.

It may seem a daunting task determining whether or not the Bible is true but this seems to be the way it is meant to be.

It is part of the test laid before those who would seek eternal life with God. God requires diligence( Heb 11:6) and study (2 Tim 2:15 ) as well as a good and honest heart (Luk 8:15) accepting the evidences He has presented to us in the Bible. On balance, God has given us an enormous amount of proof to support His claims, far more than might be considered necessary to win any case in a court of law. Contained in the hundreds of pages of the Bible are countless thoughts and ideas interrelated and weaving together God’s plan for the salvation of man. The Bible was designed not to give us certainty but to produce faith in us toward God. Yet Bible faith is sufficient for God’s purpose and faith is something that we rely on every day as we meet the challenges of life. Every time we get on the highway, cross a bridge, take a flight or even go to bed at night we do so in the belief that we will be ok and these are only a few examples. There are hundreds of ways faith is an accepted part of our lives. Bible faith is not a blind faith but one based on massive amounts of good reliable evidence. It would seem to me that any document as large as the Bible, if it were not true, would cross itself up time and again. No such inconsistencies exist which is remarkable and could only be attributed to a mind far superior to that of man.

Is the Bible true? Man desires certainty, God offers faith.

Send comments or questions to the Clintwood Church of Christ, POB 746, Clintwood, Va. 24228 or email bryanwa@ntelos.net Check out our web site at clintwoodchurchofchrist.com