God’s message to us has been preserved
As a follow-up to my letter two weeks ago this will hopefully be further encouragement for those looking for answers and three reasons why the Bible can be trusted as being the only book inspired by God albeit written by penned men and hence the wisdom in it from the highest of all sources – our Creator and the giver of life. While it is not a science book it is compatible with science, available to everyone in whole or in part and history confirms that every detail in prophecy
has been fulfilled exactly – dates and names etc. Make a personal informed choice because many will say detrimental things when they have not actually read or studied it.
■ Accuracy of text – The Bible was completed almost 2,000 years ago and as far as we know not one original manuscript has survived to our day so we have copies of copies. Some wonder with all that copying and recopying if the Bible message has been changed over time. After the Babylonian exile a group of professionals intensified efforts to make copies of the Hebrew Scriptures and they took their work seriously. Later copyists very conscientiously copied not only “words” but even the “letters” to ensure no changes were made!
Because of human errors some “small” errors crept in and modern scholars can spot those errors – for example, 100 men assigned to copy a single text and one man makes a slight error, compare his error with 99 others. Similarly by comparing a number of Bible manuscripts scholars can correct errors or omissions of a copy. Modern Bibles accurately reflect God’s message to mankind.
How diligent were the copyists? The oldest complete manuscript of the Hebrew Scriptures dates back to 1008/1009CE and called the “Leningrad Codex”. Since then fragments have been discovered that are about 1,000 years older than the codex. After over 1,000 years of copied/recopied manuscripts there would be a big difference between the Codex and the “older” manuscripts. This is not the case. God’s message to mankind has been accurately preserved and the early Christians diligently made copies of the Greek Scriptures too and used them in their meetings
and ministry. Scholars who have compared copies of those manuscripts confirm the Bible now carries the original message of the God of the Bible and Isaiah 40:8 confirms “the word of God endures forever”. Some may argue that just because it has been preserved does not necessarily mean it was inspired by God, which is a fair point but now consider:
■ Fulfillment of Bible prophecy – Many prophecies have already been fulfilled. Daniel’s prophecy re the Anglo/american World Power (Daniel 2:41-43). According to prophecy Britain would be partly strong and partly weak. It showed strength winning World Wars I and II but its power has been weakened not so much by its enemies but its citizens who insist on their rights through labour unions, civil rights campaigns and independence movements. One expert in world politics observed there is no advanced industrial democracy in the world more politically divided or dysfunctional than the USA today. What about the other dual world power – Britain? It’s especially been divided about the ties it should maintain with the European Union so it’s been virtually impossible for the current world power to act decisively. What can be faith strengthening is that God will keep all his promises – what he foretells comes to be (Isaiah 55:11). ■ Bible changes lives – If Bible principles are applied it can change conduct and personality for the better. Christians don’t get involved in politics which divide people and stabilises, gives life a purpose and clear direction, provides a hope, unites people from different backgrounds, cultures, races and gives a hope for the future to all.