The Bible is the Word of God. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (II Tim. 3:16). The books of the Bible did not come “by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (II Pet. 1:21). The Book of Mormon and the Quran make that claim. However, the Bible proves that it is inspired of God. The evidence for its inspiration is within its pages. It contains many prophecies that were given hundreds of years before the predicted events. These prophecies were fulfilled in detail (Isa. 53; Psa. 22; Micah 5:2, etc.). The Bible shows knowledge of the world which the men who wrote it could not have known unless they were guided by God (Job 38:16). The unity, the moral teaching, and other characteristics of the Bible show that God must be its author.
We can know the Truth. Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth” (John 8:32). John wrote, “I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth” (I John 2:21). The Bible plainly says we can know the truth. Who is man to say we cannot? Why can people not see they are contradicting themselves when they say they are sure no one can be sure? God did not put us in the awful position of needing to know the truth but being unable to find it. God wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (I Tim. 2:4). If a man is honest, he will see the truth when it is presented to him. Otherwise, how could God hold man accountable for believing a lie if he could not tell the difference between truth and error?
The Truth does not change. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). The gospel does not change. It is the same for all men of all places at all times. God commands “all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). The requirements of the gospel are the same for everyone (Mark 16:15-16; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 10:34-35). In the last day we will be judged by the same words the Lord gave in the beginning (John 12:48). Though the Bible has been passed down from generation to generation and millions of copies have been made, the Lord has preserved His Word from corruption. We have the Truth that saves us from sin.
Take away only one of these truths and religion is meaningless. What is the point of religion if the Bible is just a human book? Why should we talk about what is right and what is wrong if we cannot know the truth? How can we settle anything in religion if the truth changes from one age to the next?
Sadly, many people deny all three of these. A growing number of these people are religious people who claim some form of Christianity. This is the world in which we live. Even the most fundamental truths which in previous generations were not even questioned are now blatantly denied. Be strong in the Lord!
-Kerry Duke, TBC VP of Academics and Academic Affairs
