About the Bible

Bible – also known as the book of books is more than just a book. There are many good reasons to take this book in any of the translations available and have a read. More than just a few concepts or a good impression that the reader will have, this book is a life turner. A few reasons that make this book different are given below.

Amazingly continuous

Bible consists of 66 books written over a period of 1500 years by more than forty authors from different walk of life, from kings, military leaders to fishermen and peasants. Primary language for writing is Hebrew and Greek, but some sections are written in Aramaic. The literary styles vary – poetry, law, historical narrative, prophesy etc. Topics discussed are wide. Yet if read from cover to cover, we can see the excellent degree of harmony between the books. The Book presents a single unfolding story of God’s love to mankind by unveiling the plan and execution of the great redemption. Throughout, we can see the leading character presented – Jesus in whom God’s love to us was shown.

Its reach

The copies of Bible sold or distributed amount to billions. As The Cambridge History of the Bible states, “No other book has known anything approaching this constant circulation”. Bible is the first book that is translated. The number of languages translated to is more than 2200. And the translation work to many new languages is ongoing. In order to do the translation, to new languages where writing is not known, scripts, grammar and dictionary had to be invented. Thus Bible contributed much to the civilization in terms of language and literature. 

Teachings

Unlike the teaching of other ancient scripture, Bible differs in the characteristics of its teachings.

History

The books 1 Samuel through 2 Chronicles presents approximately five centuries of the history of Israel and the surrounding nations. The distinguished archaeologist, Professor Albright, who begins his classic essay, "The Biblical Period," with these observations: "Hebrew national tradition excels all others in its clear picture of tribal and family origins.  In Egypt and Babylon, in Assyria and Phoenicia, in Greece and Rome, we look in vain for anything comparable…”

Prophesy

One of the most interesting feature of the Bible is the prophesy it contains. Some are already fulfilled and others which are yet to. Some prophesies are fulfilled in contemporary times. Wilbur Smith, who compiled a personal library of twenty-five thousand volumes says, “It is the only volume ever produced by man, or a group of men in which is to be found a large body of prophecies relating to individual nations, to Israel, to all peoples of the earth, to certain cities, and to the coming of the One who was to be the Messiah.”  The prophesies  regarding Jesus are so accurate, that critics say it was written after the life of Jesus.    

Personalities

The Bible deals very frankly with the sins of its characters.  Other biographies that we see try to cover up, overlook, or ignore the shady side of people.  Take the great literary geniuses; most are painted as saints.  The Bible does not do it that way.  It simply tells it the way it is! "The Bible is not such a book a man would write if he could, or could write if he would" 

Authoritative

The teachings of the Bible are very authoritative. Topics like who is man, who is God, what is his relationship with God, life after death, God’s impending judgment on man, the end of all things etc are taught with much certainty across the Bible. There are no mays or mights when dealing with such topics.

Bible reforms man

The best thing about the Bible is it reforms man, which is more important than its other characteristics. It gives you a purpose for living. Drunkards, rebels, drug addicts, murders, prostitutes and those who have lost all hope have been touched and reformed by the Bible. It is possible only through the belief of the one man that the Bible points out – Jesus Christ. The Bible says “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Have you had a chance to read this book? Get a copy and read it – today.