Ancient words ever true
changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
O let the ancient words impart
"What kind of book is the Bible? I submit there are only two plausible answers. The Bible is merely a book by man about God, or it is a book given by God through man, to man." That statement was made by Greg Koukl, a well-known author and apologist, he is the founder of the ministry, Stand to Reason, and author of the book, Tactics. Koukl states in a recent on-line article from STR's website, Ancient Words, Ever True?, that if the Bible is merely a book by man about God, then it is just a record of human wisdom marked by human limitations. But if it is truly given by God, then God is the ultimate author and His word is the last word. Further, it would most likely bear supernatural marks or God's fingerprints in a sense. Koukl offers six reasons that he thinks the Bible is God's book, six evidences of supernatural authorship conveniently paired with parts of the hand so you won't forget.
I'm going to briefly outline the evidence and reasons that Koukl writes of in the article, please go to str.org for the complete information:
The "Pinky"
For the first evidence, think "pinky--prophecy."
The Bible has fulfilled prophecy--detailed, precise, predictions relating to individuals and entire empires given with hairsplitting accuracy. Daniel gives prophecy so exact it reads like history written after the fact. There were dozens of specific prophecies fulfilled in Jesus' life alone. His own prediction that the temple would be destroyed stone by stone was dramatically fulfilled 40 years later when Roman legions under Titus razed Jerusalem.
The Ring Finger
A wedding ring, symbolic of marital unity, reminds us of the second evidence for the Bible's supernatural origins--a remarkable unity of purpose and plan despite its diverse origins.
The Bible consists of 66 books written by 40 or more authors from diverse backgrounds (rabbis, warriors, shepherds, kings, historians), in a diversity of conditions (dungeons, deserts, battlefields, palaces, pastures), on a diversity of controversial subjects, over a 1500 year period of time. The Bible doesn't read like 66 different stories though. Instead, a profound harmony of perspective is woven through the account from Genesis to Revelation as God progressively unveils His rescue plan for fallen creation.
The Large Finger
The largest finger brings to mind the Bible's ability to address the big issues of life in a coherent way that's also entirely consistent with our deepest intuitions about reality. Simply put, the worldview of the Bible makes sense.
The Index Finger
The index, or pointing finger, reminds me that the Bible points to history for verification. It's a reliable, detailed record from the distant past of events that have profound spiritual significance.
The New Testament documents are the best historical documents of the ancient world when approached using the standard canons of historical research untainted by naturalistic (anti-supernatural) presuppositions. There are five reasons historians take the New Testament material seriously:
1. The accounts are early. As ancient records go, the narratives were written very close to the events they report.
2. Multiple, independent, primary source documents verify each other. In addition to the works of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the writings of Peter and Paul, 17 secular references along with prodigious archaeological evidence further corroborate the canonical accounts.
3. The New Testament documents include details of eyewitness testimony: times of day, weather conditions, local customs, names of provincial rulers, and other minutia characteristic of authentic accounts.
4. The Gospels include embarrassing details. Jesus' disciples are petty, slow to understand, arrogant, and unfaithful. Peter denies Christ; the rest flee. Women, disrespected in the ancient world, are the first to witness the risen Christ. Why include these unflattering details if the Gospels are works of fiction?
5. There was no motivation for the writers to deceive. Those who lie, do so out of self-interest. A testimony that brings torment, torture, and execution is not likely to be fabricated. The earliest disciples--those who were in a position to know the truth--signed their testimonies in blood. Peter wrote, "We did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty" (2 Pet. 1:16). His claim fits all the facts.
Thumbs Up
"Thumbs up" was the emperor's sign that a gladiator had won the right to live to fight again. It reminds me that the Bible supernaturally changes people's lives in deep, profound, and irreversible ways.
The Fist
The clenched fist reminds me that the Bible is a fighter. It has demonstrated remarkable survival through time and persecution. No other book in history has seen such concerted attempts to obliterate it--both externally (through destruction) and internally (through criticism)--to no avail. No other book has been printed as much, read as much, or quoted as much as the Bible. It remains today the bestselling book of all time.
As Christians we need to know that there are plenty of good reasons and evidence that the Bible is true. We need to do a better job of taking a stand for the authenticity of God's Word and be ready to give people the reasons why we believe the Bible is true beyond just "The Bible says it..I believe it." Koukl closed his article with this:
If all the evidence--subjective and objective--shows that God has spoken in the Bible, then our appropriate response is to bend the knee. Our beliefs bow to revelation, because God Himself is the best authority to tell us what is right and true and good. When God speaks, our opinions are silenced. The ancient words are the final word--"ancient words, ever true, changing me, changing you."