Is the Bible the Word of God?

by Stephen J. Kyner

How can a person be sure if the Bible is the Word of God - the message of the Creator of the universe to the human race? What will convince him? What will be the weight of proof to tilt the scales of his mind and cause him to accept the Bible as truth? Surely Columbus, Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton felt the same dismay. How does one prove to a skeptical and unbelieving world what is clear in the heart and mind?

Closed Eyes

First, no matter how much evidence is given or how clear the proof may be, eyes that are closed see no light; only a blurred dimness comes through to the mind. Only eyes that are open and searching will see the clear light of day. Once eyes are open and searching, then evidence can be objectively weighed.

Changed Lives

One evidence of the Bible's validity is how it changes lives. If there were a consistency in the lives of all who claimed to believe in the Bible, we could see the difference. But war, murder, prejudice, hatred, and much more could be tacked to the name Christianity.

This being the case, would it do any good to point out the few people today and those in the past who really lived the Bible's ideals? Or would it help to show how lives were changed by the influence? Lives turned from rebellion to obedience, from folly to wisdom, from cruelty to gentleness, and even from hatred to love? If not, then where else could one turn for evidence?

Bible Proof

The Bible itself offers proof. It claims to be inspired by God and not just written by men (2 Peter 1:19-21). It also claims to be the best way of life and belief (2 Timothy 3:15-17), producing insights into the nature of mankind, as well as into the nature of God.

History, science, the future. In addition to the Bible's own claims, one could point to its accuracy in matters of history, science, and the prediction of the future. The Bible has had its critics in these areas, but eventually it has been found to be true in all incidences. For example, at one time the earth was thought to be flat, sitting on the shoulders of Atlas. But the Bible refers to the "circle of the earth" (Isaiah 40:22) that "hangs on nothing" (Job 26:7).

Prophecy. Bible prophecy also has accurately predicted the rise and fall of nations, as well as many of the conditions in today's world. The reestablishment of Israel as a nation is a prime example of this phenomenon. When nothing existed in Palestine except a small community under the control of a hostile Ottoman Empire, the Bible stood sure that one day the nation of Israel would rise up, be self-governing, and make the desert blossom. Now this has happened!

Of course, the greatest biblical prophecies are those relating to Jesus Christ. He was to be born of a virgin, in the city of Bethlehem, of the lineage of King David. It was predicted when He would begin His ministry, how He would die, and that He would be resurrected (Daniel 9; Isaiah 53; Psalm 22).

Conclusion

I suppose there is but one hope for the person who doubts: to have his eyes opened and his life changed by the Bible. Only God knows the way to touch the heart. Only He can take away the veil that blinds the eyes and the mind. Only He knows when the time is right and when the heart is receptive.

Stephen J. Kyner is pastor of the Church of God (Seventh Day) in Orlando, FL. A version of this article appeared in a past issue of the Bible Advocate magazine. For a free subscription, contact us at BibleAdvocate@cog7.org.

The Bible Advocate Press grants the user permission only to download and print this article. If the user wishes to make multiple copies, permission must be granted by the Bible Advocate Press.