by 
66 books.
40 authors.
1600 years in the making.
Would it surprise you to know that the best-selling book of all time is the Holy Bible? The Guinness Book of World Records estimates that more than 5 billion copies of the Bible have been printed. The Quran is in a distant second place at 800 million, followed by Don Quixote with 500 million.
What is it about the Bible that draws so many readers to it? The answer to that seems as complex as the book itself. Whether you are seeking knowledge and enlightenment, or simply need advice on a particular life situation, the Scriptures have a long-established reputation as a go-to resource.
It certainly is for me. I’ve been inspired by “The Good Book” since I was very young, finding wisdom and guidance in its pages for all kinds of life scenarios. But I have an advantage that most people in the world don’t. I was raised in a Christian environment, attended church regularly, and even had a father who was in the ministry for a time. What can I say to a person about the Bible who has no relatable experience?
To answer that question, I’ve borrowed some wonderful ideas, insights, and inspiration from others. People far more intelligent on the subject. Philosophers, scholars, professional researchers, and PhD’s have been studying the Bible for generations. Many of whom have made it a life pursuit.
The Bible is like no other book in human history. With a universal message for all, a child and a scholar can find equal delight in its simple, life-relating principles. It speaks to all societies, transcending barriers of race and culture to bring peace, love, joy, and forgiveness.
The Bible stands out. In a class all its own, it’s still here after nearly 2000 years. No other volume has stood the test of time like that. It’s a compilation of 66 books, composed by 40 authors, over the span of 1600 years, telling a cohesive, single story. Archeological evidence and historical record assert that the people, places, and events of the Bible are real.
From stone-chiseled tablets, natural dye on animal hide, to ancient papyrus bound in Egyptian codex, the Scriptures have survived impossible odds and ages of time. No other ancient text can compare to the painstaking centuries of preservation it has taken to accomplish this feat. Ancient Scribes hand-copied the sacred text over and over to preserve it with 95% accuracy.
In modern times we have printing presses, photo-copies, and marvelous technologies like microfiche and computers to keep the Bible preserved. These modern conventions have greatly contributed to the exponential growth of the Bible. Since the 1450s, when Johann Gutenberg used his printing press invention to print the first Bible, the book has become readily available to just about anyone in the world.
The modern marvels of the 21st Century are, of course, the Internet and the smart device. No one can dispute the impact these technologies have had on the availability and access to information once restricted to an in-person visit to a library with hours of methodical research through hardbound text. No single source has leveraged today’s technologies like YouVersion. Also known as Bible.com, the degree of impact this organization has had on the Bible’s availability to the masses is simply mind-blowing. Watch this Video
A wise man, who I call My Virtual Mentor, told me that God reveals Himself to us in 3 distinct ways …
1 – His Revelation in Creation
All of creation testifies to a God; Earth and Sky, Forest and Field, the Mountains and the Seas. Who hasn’t pondered the vastness of the Universe and how it came to be when gazing up at a starry night sky?
2 – Our Own Conscience
Within us is an intrinsic understanding of right and wrong, of good and evil. It’s woven into our DNA, some more than others. There’s a craving inside us for the Creator. We are drawn to it. It’s the reason religion and worship exists, because we are wired for it. We were created for that purpose.
3 – The Word
Simply put, God reveals Himself through the Bible. That’s the big idea behind this article.
The Bible tells God’s story of mankind, about our Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Renewal, all with the intent of bringing the reader to one moment of truth … the truth of Jesus. The greatest proof of the Bible is the difference its message can make in a person’s life, transforming the rebel into the saint, the fallen into the upright, the lost into the found. If you find yourself questioning the truth of the Bible, perhaps a more pertinent question would be, “Is the Bible true in my heart?” Watch this Video
If you’re ready to experience the story of God and Creation, then I’d like to recommend TheBibleProject.com. This is a fantastic resource, for any age, to get a beginner’s look at the profound message of the Bible.
May God’s blessings be upon you.
Back to top
Author
Share this:
