The Bible is hard to explain.
How do you explain the unity of the Bible? The books of the Bible were written over a period of about two thousand years by about forty men. These men lived in different countries and worked in different occupations. Yet, how do you explain the unity of the Bible’s theme and message?
How do you explain the objectivity of the Bible? The Bible presents its heroes realistically. Their negative points are listed as well as their positive ones. How do you explain such frankness?
How do you explain the brevity of the Bible? The account of the creation of the universe is contained in only one chapter. The birth of Jesus and the crucifixion in a few sentences. How do you explain the incredible restraint of the writers of the Bible?
How do you explain the matter-of-fact manner in which miraculous events are recorded? The flood of the world, the crossing of the Red Sea, the healing of the blind, and the raising of the dead are recorded in a style no different from the story of a Bible character walking from one town to another. How do you. explain the absence of dramatic, verbose descriptions of supernatural events?
How do you explain the relevancy of the Bible? It addresses the problems, fears, and needs that people have today, though it was written hundreds of years ago. How do you explain the continuing value of its counsel?
How do you explain the historical accuracy of the Bible? The Scriptures contain a huge amount of historical data. This information harmonizes with other ancient documents and archaeological discoveries. How could so many different people writing in so many different situations get all the people, places, and dates correct?
How do you explain all of these things? It is impossible if you believe that the Bible is merely a product of human beings. However, it is possible and even simple to explain if one understands that God was behind the writing of the Bible. That is exactly what the Bible claims for itself: ‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,… (II Timothy 3:16). “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation…. but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit’ (II Peter 1:20-21).
Without God, the Bible defies explanation.
Phillip Mullins