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Just as historians have long recognized man’s great achievements of architecture and engineering as the “seven worders of the world,” discerning men through the ages have recognized that the Bible is a book of many wonders. This brief article will discuss seven of them.
- Authority of the Bible. The book itself is old. Moses began writing the Old Testament in about 1500 BC and the prophets completed it eleven centuries later. The New Testament was begun in about 50 AD and completed in about 96 AD. The history recorded in the Bible reaches back to the oldest antiquity—to the very beginning. Nothing in the world happened, therefore nothing is recorded before Genesis 1:1. Further, the Bible alludes to some matters that were planned in God’s mind even before creation (Eph. 1:4; 3:9–11). Antique lovers, take note.
- Modernity of the Bible. The Bible’s message is always up to date, speaking with vital meaning to every age. The books of science, history, geography, philosophy, etc., are ever becoming obsolete and in need of revision. Not so with the Bible. It is timeless Truth, revealed by God for the needs of man for all time.
- Unity of the Bible. The Bible is a library of 66 books written by about 40 authors over a period of about 16 centuries, yet all these center around the same theme and subject so much so that the 66 books can all be called one Book. The several books and authors never contradict each other. Surely, such a wonder could not be solely a human product.
- Diversity of the Bible. While unified in theme and content, the Bible is diverse in other ways. Its types of literary forms include poetry, history biography, short stories, letters, proverbs, and prophecies. It treats every imaginable subject.
- Theme of the Bible. Its theme is “Someone,” in the Old Testament. Someone is coming is prophesied. In the four Gospel accounts, the declaration is that Someone has come. In Acts through Revelation, Someone is coming again is promised. The entire Bible centers around Jesus Christ and His redemptive mission to earth.
- Hope of the Bible. Most of the poems, essays, and speeches men have composed, designed to give hope, cheer, and strength, borrow their material from the Bible. Whatever crisis, the Bible addresses it and gives inspired wisdom and consolation, It transports us even beyond the grave into the fathomless depths of eternity, promising shelter, in Heavenly mansions, from all sin, suffering, tears and heartaches if we love and obey God.
- Power of the Bible. Its message has remarkably influenced earthly affairs, such as exalting women, freeing slaves, promoting enlightenment, inspiring the world’s greatest poets, musicians, and artists. The basic civil and criminal laws of all civilized nations are based on its principles. Its spiritual power is even greater. It declares and describes the one true and living God and the only way to enter and remain in His fellowship. In its Gospel, it provides the power of God that saves, an ability that nothing else in all the world possesses.
When we come to fully appreciate the wonders of the Bible, perhaps we will want to study it more seriously and obey what it teaches more carefully.
[Note: I wrote this article for, and it was published in the “Bible Thoughts” Column for the Hood County News, Granbury, Texas, June 17, 1979.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.