A friend gave me this book, “The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict” by the Christian apologist Josh McDowell, years ago. Think I read a few pages, then busyness overtook me, and the book started collecting dust. Recently, I decided to read it in detail, and Chapter 1 has some gems I want to share so that we can have a deeper appreciation of how unique the Bible is.
Chapter 1 talks about the Bible being unique in its continuity, circulation, translation, and survival through time, persecution and criticism. There’s also the uniqueness in its teachings and influence on literature and civilisation.
On the first point of Bible being unique in its continuity, I quote from the book (unless otherwise stated):
- Written over about 1500 years (urbible.com: from roughly 1400 BC to AD 100)
- Written by more than 40 authors from every walk of life, including kings, military leaders, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, tax collectors, poets, musicians, statesmen, scholars, and shepherds.
- Written at different times: David in times of war and sacrifice, Solomon in peace and prosperity.
- Written during different moods: from heights of joy to depths of sorrow and despair, from days of certainty and conviction to days of confusion and doubt.
- Written on three continents: Asia, Africa, Europe.
- Written in three languages:
- Hebrew: Language of Israelites. Most of Old Testament.
- Aramaic: Common language of the East. Daniel 2-7, Ezra 4-7, and occassional statements in New Testament, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani’.
- Greek: International language at the time of Jesus. Most of the New Testament.
- Written in a wide variety of literary styles, including poetry, historical narrative, song, personal correspondence, memoirs, satire, law, prophecy, parable, allegory, etc.
- Written hundreds of controversial subjects and hot topics such as divorce, adultery and homosexuality. Yet from Genesis through Revelation, these writers addressed them with an amazing degree of harmony.
I continue to quote, “In spite of its diversity, the Bible represents a single unfolding story: God’s redemption of human beings. The leading character throughout the Bible is the one, true, living God made known through Jesus Christ. From cover to cover the Bible is Christocentric. Therefore, although the Bible contains many books by many authors, it shows in its continuity that it is also one book.”
Old Testament
- The Law: Foundation for Christ
- Historical Books: Preparation for Christ
- Poetical Works: Aspire to Christ
- Prophecies: Display an expectation of Christ
New Testament
‘A General Introduction to the Bible (1986)’ by Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix., page 29
- Gospels: Record the historical manifestation of Christ
- Acts: Propagation of Christ
- Epistles: Interpretation of Christ
- Revelation: Consummation of all things in Christ
Did any point surprise you into amazement? Leave a comment below, love to hear from you!
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