The Bible, God’s Word
Below are thoughts my wife Linda and I have gleaned from the sermon “Who Wrote the Bible” from the book “The Gospel for Today” by brother Foy E. Wallace. Within this man’s work is a wealth of knowledge that sadly, is not being absorbed by many today. His efforts are not wasted if we use this resource along with God’s Word to help us navigate life in preparation for eternity.
Background of belief – We are told in 2Tim 3:16-17 that the Bible is inspired of God. But the first ground of my faith was parental – My parents believed and imparted their faith to me. My mother read the Bible to me, and my father taught me the importance studying God’s Word and prayer. Momma prayed the sweetest prayers and so did my father, who was a preacher and a teacher of the Word of God. Secondly, in school, my teachers weren’t all Christians, but did believe in God and had respect for His Word. Then came the knowledge of “my faith”. I could read and understand the contents, the depth of it, the wisdom, the truth of it.
From Moses in Genesis to John on Patmos, about forty writers go into the making of the Bible. They lived in different countries, spoke different languages, wrote on many subjects, and covered a period of about sixteen centuries. Yet, collected and bound into one book, it yields one consistent whole without clash or conflict. (It’s hard for man to be consistent with him-self, much less forty men, which proves the Bible did not come from man). See Rom 11:33.
The Law of Moses was the standard of right government for God’s people. The Sermon on the Mount was the standard for personal conduct of the people of God under that Law. Our Constitution is permeated with the teaching from the Bible. From God’s Word comes the superior civil and moral code, recognized in every civilized Land. The advancing intellect of the centuries since the pen of inspiration was forever laid down has not and cannot improve upon the Word of God.
Within God’s Word we have 1) Antiquity- “In the beginning”. 2) Modernity – Amos 4:13. 3) Unity - Heb 1:1-2 - (The longest thread of thought ever woven in the loom of time). 4) Versatility – Every branch of literature and science: Moses’ writings for Law; Kings and Chronicles for history; Genesis and Job for science; Ruth and Song of Solomon for romance. We have Psalms for poetry; Proverbs and Ecclesiastes for philosophy; and Paul the apostle for dialectics, making the Bible the greatest source book of the ages. 5) Judgments of the Bible are in Deut 4:5-8 and Psa 19:7-9 among others. 6) “Unimpeachable Integrity” - (Psa 119:160). The Bible established by its unerring references, the facts of history, the incidents of time and previously undiscovered science and reveals an inspired veracity (habitual observance of truth and truthfulness). For example, Daniel chapter five says Belshazzar ruled in Babylon. Historians firmly declare no king by that name ever occupied the Babylonian throne. However, archaeology unearthed records proving this to be a fact! (Nabonidus His father had been exiled for misconduct and his son Belshazzar did reign). More that forty king’s names in the books of Kings and Chronicles are nowhere named in the annals of history. Again, archaeology prevailed when buried tables with the information were found - (Psa 119:89). 7) Theophany – miraculous manifestations from the flaming sword to the virgin birth of Christ constitutes infallible proof of inspiration from God. See Gen 3:24; Exo 3:1-10; Matt 12:40; Isa 7:14; Matt 1:22-23. 8) The influence of the Bible is seen in passages such as Matt 7:16. 9) The endurance of the Bible is promised in Isa 40:8. 10) The plan of Salvation is found throughout the New Testament, and was foretold by Christ Himself when He was on the earth. See 1Cor 1:21; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; and Acts 22:16.
The contents of the Bible bring it outside the range of human production and vindicate its claims to be the inerrant Word of God! The foreknowledge of God anticipated science before the mystic, magic word science was coined. Take for instance the five facts of science clearly pointed out within the sacred pages. They are (Time) – “In the beginning”; (Space) – God created the heavens; (Matter) – God created the earth; (Force) – The Spirit of God; and (Motion) – “moved” upon the face of the waters. Hidden in the first sentence of the Bible, to await the development of human knowledge, is the definite proof that man never wrote it unaided. Moses, (the first penman) had no ancient wisdom whereby he could write a sentence enfolding such knowledge. The Bible required the foreknowledge of God.
Christianity is proof of the divinity of the Bible and its prevalence is baffling to all who would deny its superhuman origin. Consider five words with which an impregnable defense of Christianity is made. 1) Revelation, 2) Prophecy, 3) Progress, 4) Triumph, and 5) Monuments. Space won’t allow us to fully investigate these here, but some unnamed poet once wrote words that might help us. He wrote: “I do believe the Bible, the precious Word of God. It marks the path our people all have trod. The story of creation all through to Revelation, Gives proof of inspiration, and I believe.”
If possible, avail yourselves of brother Wallace’s works and read them. They provide much insight to God’s Word. But don’t forget to read, study and meditate on God’s Word, and do as He directs in His New Testament. It is the Law under which we live, and by which we shall be judged (John 12:48).
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
