From the Desk of Paul Chapman

"IS GOD THE AUTHOR OF THE BIBLE?" - Part 3

In this final article concerning this particular study, we will discuss the UNITY of the Bible as evidence that it is from God. The unity of the Scriptures alone should be enough to make the most ardent critic of the Bible a believer.

Forty different men, specially inspired of God, wrote the Scriptures over a 1600 year period. These men came from all different walks of life - shepherds, fishermen, scholars, tax collectors, etc. And they wrote in three different languages - Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. Most of these men didn't even know one another, yet the Bible holds its amazing unity in many different areas. The area we will focus on is unity of Doctrine (teaching).

Wayne Jackson, gospel preacher from California, points out, "It truly is an astounding phenomenon that whereas biblical writers did not hesitate to criticize one another for personal flaws of conduct (see Galatians 2:11ff.), and while one author might concede that another writer's production was difficult to understand ( 2 Peter 3:16), never did the inspired writers critique, or attempt to refute, the doctrinal argumentation of their inspired companions.

One example of unity is the teaching that there is one God. Moses wrote this in the law about 1400 B.C. (Deuteronomy 6:4), and then James penned the same instruction hundreds of years later (James 2:19). Not only is there harmony concerning the fact that there is one God, but the details of this one God having three distinct personalities only adds to the proof of Bible inspiration. Moses wrote of God creating the world in Genesis 1:1-2. Then in Genesis 1:26, he wrote, "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in our image, according to our likeness..." In approximately 59 A.D., close to 1500 years later, Matthew recorded these words spoken by Christ, "God therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:l9). There are many grammatical forms that show the distinction between the persons of the Godhead, we simply don't have the space to document them. The case is made, however, that the doctrine concerning God is consistent in the Old and New Testaments. A second example of the doctrinal consistency throughout the Bible is the teaching that man is more than just flesh. The span of Biblical revelation speaks that man has a higher nature created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26; Ecclesiastes 12:7).

Example number three is the teaching that blood is needed for the atonement of sin. Under the Mosaic law it was the blood of animal sacrifices that brought atonement (Leviticus 17:11). But the blood shed by bulls and goats under the old law was only a shadow of what was to come in the new law (Hebrews 10:1). The New Testament (Law) also teaches the necessity of the shedding of blood for the remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22). It is the blood of Christ, the perfect Lamb, that today cleanses those who will become obedient (Revelation 1:5; 7:14).

It is impossible to fully convince someone of the unique inspiration of the Bible in a few short articles. What it really takes is regular and frequent Bible study. Nothing can replace that. "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). We are to test all things and hold fast to the good ( I Thess. 5:21).

As an example of man made religion clinging to conflicting sources, quoting once again from Wayne Jackson, he writes, "Contrast the doctrinal harmony of the Bible with modern works that allege inspiration, but which lack supporting evidence for the claim. For instance, the literature of Mormonism argues that polygamy is whoredom, sinful, etc. (Book of Mormon, Jacob 2:27; 3:5; Mosiah 11:2), yet plural marriages are elsewhere described as part of a new and everlasting covenant that may be rejected only upon the penalty of damnation (Doctrine and Covenants, 132:3-4)."

Through the Scriptures (the Bible), God has given us all things pertaining to life and Godliness ( 2 Peter 1:3). God can make us complete, equipped for every good work ( 2 Timothy 3:14-17). God has revealed once and for all the system of faith (Jude 3).

Friends, there is no other book like the Bible! Since there is no other book with such evidence of inspiration as the Bible, it is the only book we must accept as being from God. As a matter of fact, it is the ONLY source of God's will for us today, and for all time.

~ PJ Chapman