Manny Pacquiao’s great challenge to all: Prioritize your Bible
ON January 29, the National Council for the Celebration of the National Bible Day organized an event held at Every Nations Center at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. It was attended by leaders from government and different sectors of society.
One of the main speakers was the author of the law on National Bible Month, the greatest Asian boxer and former senator Manny Pacquiao. Something amazing was done by Senator Manny that really dumbfounded the entire crowd. He recited from memory the entire chapter of Mark 13 without struggling or stuttering. You can tell that he has really spent time meditating and understanding his Bible.
Accordingly, the boxing great has memorized many chapters of the Bible and still keeps on going. This is amazing since an average person hardly has verses memorized in their arsenal, let alone an entire chapter. According to Senator Manny, he recited the chapter from memory before the crowd not to boast but to encourage everyone to really take Bible reading and study to heart. I could not agree more, and he indeed challenged all of us in the audience to love God’s Word.
This now brings me to my desire to give a quick review of the impact of the Bible in history and how lives were dedicated and sacrificed for this holy book that literally changed the world.
In the 16th century, English biblical scholar and linguist William Tyndale embarked on the monumental task of translating the Bible from its original Greek and Hebrew texts into English. His mission was simple: to translate the entirety of the Bible into the local language and distribute it to as many individuals as possible. Tyndale made it his life purpose and goal to make the Scriptures accessible and comprehensible to ordinary folks in England. This came as a challenge to the clergy of the organized Church, which held a monopoly on biblical access and “knowledge” at the time.
Tyndale’s dedication to this cause ultimately led to his arrest, and in 1536, he was executed by strangulation and burning at the stake. His martyrdom’s purpose led him to his ultimate prayer and sigh in his final words, “Oh Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.” This final cry of Tyndale echoed a plea by many common people for widespread access to the Bible, the Word of God.
Just a few years after his death, Tyndale’s prayers would be answered when King Henry 8th, the same person who oversaw his capture and execution, advocated and permitted for the Bible to be placed in every parish church in England, allowing access for common folks. This event marked a significant turning point in the history of England, which also underscores the lengths to which committed disciples of the faith are willing to go for the Bible to be read.
It is uncontested that the Bible stands as the best-selling book of all time, outselling the combined figures and sales of all other influential works like the Quran, Chairman Mao’s “Little Red Book,” and literary classics such as “The Lord of The Rings” and the “Harry Potter” series.
Even more amazing is that the distribution of the Bible is not limited to its sales because there are even more in circulation by virtue of free distribution made by organizations and individuals who have committed themselves to the cause of making the Bible known. The Bible is, in fact, the most smuggled book by missionaries and individuals who are prevented by governments that are against Christianity and the Bible. The extraordinary and unmatched passion and commitment of believers through the centuries to make the Bible and its message known to societies is akin to the passion of a hero in a movielike story who holds the only antidote against a sickness that is sure to destroy the world. History tells us that this committed bunch was willing to, and did, in fact, risk their lives just to bring the Bible into the hands, hearts and minds of the people.
There is a reason for the zeal of these heroes of faith, and it is because of the transformative impact of the Bible on individuals and societies. It has historically been proven to change and challenge the various fields of life and social order. The Bible has influenced laws and inspired social and political reforms. One example is the abolition of slavery, where those who led the significant shift recognized its contradiction with the Bible’s teachings on the worth of all individuals.
In the realm of science, the Bible has motivated biblically minded scientists, and its influence extends to literature, language, culture and arts. The article emphasizes that many laws were initially based on biblical teachings, showcasing the Bible’s profound impact on culture, philosophy, education and the pursuit of technology.
Historian Paul Johnson’s assertion is that the most impactful contribution of Western civilization to law is the establishment of the “rule of law.” This concept is deeply rooted in biblical faith. Although the Greeks and Romans had concepts of law and policies, their emperors and leaders were often seen and acted to be above the law. The Bible is also the main document where policymakers and political thinkers developed many of their ideas and arguments on different legal and governmental concepts, which include social contract, limited government, the understanding of property rights, inalienable rights, natural law, and the separation of Church and State, to name a few.
Sir William Blackstone and James Madison drew upon biblical principles to explain English common law and assert the importance of individuals’ allegiance to the Universal Sovereign before any civil authority.
The National Book Development Board’s Readership Survey in 2017 revealed that a remarkable 72.25 percent of Filipinos considered the Bible their mostread book.
On Jan. 5, 2017, then-president Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation 124, declaring the month of January each year as National Bible Month. It acknowledged the profound impact of the Bible on the lives of nations, inspiring statesmen and social reformers to work for the betterment of humanity. It emphasizes the importance of focusing national attention on reading and studying the Bible for the molding of the spiritual, moral, and social fabric of society. This proclamation also hailed the Bible as not merely a piece of literature but a force that has been the catalyst for life-changing events and happenings throughout history.
It is now apparent that the Bible is not merely a book but a transformative force that has shaped cultures, governments, and individuals throughout history. We need to recognize its significance in shaping the moral and spiritual fabric of society.
Different local government units and groups celebrated the importance of the Bible throughout the month, including the city of Muntinlupa, where I was invited to share on the “Book that changed the world.”
Congratulations to Mayor Ruffy Biazon and to the Muntinlupa Integrity Circle, led by my good friend and brother, businessman BG Hernandez, for leading the celebration.
More than what is in writing, living out what is written is the most crucial part. Christ Jesus our Lord is referred to in the Bible as the “Word who became flesh,” which means that He is the Living Word of God. This emphasizes the important lesson that God’s Word is really meant to be lived out and not just read.
The challenge of former senator Manny Pacquiao to prioritize reading and living out of the Bible is actually a challenge that each of us should take to heart.