How Valuable Is the Bible? (1952)
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Is it folklore myths?
Is it only nice literature?
Does it have historical worth?
Or is it really God's inspired word?
How Valuable Is
The Bible
Is it folklore myths?
Is it only nice literature?
Does it have historical worth?
Or is it really God's inspired word?
HOW VALUABLE IS THE BIBLE?
Book Extraordinary
The oldest book in the world, the Bible, is still the world's "best seller". Its circulation is now reaching toward the three-billion mark. No other book, in whole or in part, has been translated into as many languages—more than 1,125! No other book has traveled all over Africa, reached the heart of Asia, found its way into remote islands of the far-flung Pacific, penetrated the frozen wilderness of Eskimo land, and, besides, is found on the shelves of every scholarly library in the world. No other book has exercised such overpowering influence on the lives, history and culture of whole races of people.
The historical value of the Bible cannot be overemphasized, for no other book reaches into the past as distantly or gives such a detailed account of ancient happenings. In its opening chapters, written more than 3,460 years ago, it quotes nearly a dozen written documents dating back hundreds, some thousands of years earlier. Whereas there are only fragments, or possibly one or two manuscripts of other ancient history books, the Bible can boast of having more than 14,000 manuscripts in the libraries today, some of which were written before the birth of Christ.
In literary value, scholars give the Bible the highest rating as the world's finest literature. They say it surpasses the writings of Homer, the orations of Cicero, the poetry and lyrics of Pindar, and the philosophy of Plato. The finest specimens of narratives, historical records, legal documents, songs, poetry, proverbs, oratory, sermons, romances, dramas, and other literary forms are found in the Bible. However, surprising as it may seem, this book's greatest worth to us does not lie in its historical or literary merits.
Proof of Divine Inspiration
The Bible is of the greatest importance to people in this atomic age because it is God's inspired Word of truth. This fact, though not believed by scoffers, can be proved beyond a question of doubt. Archaeology has dug up a host of ancient coins, monuments and clay tablets with inscriptions verifying the Bible account of events. Geology and its findings in the fossil deposits and rock strata have added an abundance of testimony in support of the Biblical record. And many other scientific facts known to man have likewise given credence and veracity to what is written in the Bible. Non-Christian writers of ancient times—men like Tacitus, Celsus, Lucian, Suetonius, Josephus, Pliny the Younger, etc.—confirm many of the historical names, places and events mentioned in the Scriptures. All of which proves that the Bible is not a collection of fictitious folklore and mythical fairy tales, but rather is indisputably true.
But the Bible is more than just the writings of honest men; it is more than just an accurate history of ancient happenings. Much of it is prophecy, a predicting of events of the future. Now, no human imagination can foresee and foretell the future with any degree of accuracy or in any exact detail, but the Bible does. This therefore furnishes the most positive kind of proof that the Bible was written under divine inspiration, that its real Author is Jehovah God, as it is written: "Prophecy was at no time brought by man's will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit."—2 Peter 1:21.
MONUMENTS
COINS
CLAY TABLETS
Why would anyone think it incredible that the Builder of the complex atom and Creator of the boundless cosmic universe could produce a simple thing like a book?
All He had to do was inspire dedicated and devoted men with his active force or holy spirit and they in turn could write down what the Author dictated, and that is what they did. As a consequence, although nearly 40 different men were used to write the Bible, the writings of these individuals living over a period of 1,600 years and with few exceptions not knowing one another, are in perfect harmony, have woven among them a single theme, and declare with perfect accuracy hundreds, even thousands of years ahead of time many events that later came to pass. Truly the Bible is the Word of the single Mastermind, Jehovah God, the only One knowing the future as well as the past and present, the end from the beginning.
Preserved for a Purpose
Were it not for the fact that Jehovah God was the Preserver of the Bible as well as its Author, it would never have endured down to the present time. In ages past its enemies far outnumbered its friends. No other book has suffered such organized and demonic opposition. No story is packed with more horror and tragedy than that which tells of the Bible's fight to live. Back and forth through the centuries the struggle surged, leaving the battlefield red with the blood of those who championed the Bible.
And why was this written Word of God preserved until now against all efforts to destroy it? The answer is plain: "For all the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4) God in his mercy saw fit to preserve the experiences of those ancient people that such might serve "as examples", and as "a warning to us upon whom the accomplished ends of the systems of things have arrived".
(1 Corinthians 10:11) We therefore do well to give heed to them, as it is further written: "All Scripture" is "beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness", that we may be "completely equipped for every good work". (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) No doubt about it, "the words of Jehovah are pure words."—Psalm 12:6.
Without the Bible man would never understand why this generation has experienced two global wars and is now facing up to a third; why the greatest famines, the worst pestilences, the most concentrated destruction by earthquakes, have befallen this generation. Nor would upright people understand why faithless Christendom acts the way she does. Professing to worship God, she spurns his Word, the Bible, as folklore or mythology, and substitutes in its place the doctrine and philosophies of men. Well does the inspired apostle describe these "fake Chris-
tians", as "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, . . . without self-control, fierce, . . . puffed
up with self-esteem, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power".—2 Timothy 3:1-5.
Just think of it! a paradise earth free from crimes, ca-
lamities, wars, food shortages, sickness and sorrow, yes, free from death itself!
That is the glorious prospect held out in the Bible for all lovers of righteousness. God purposes to establish just such a theocratic realm and he will do it. The word has gone out of his mouth and it shall be accomplished." "The word spoken by Jehovah endures forever." (Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:25) So study this Word of truth and follow its counsel and instructions in order that you may learn how to survive this present evil world's end and live forever in the perfection of the blessed new world.
Scriptures quoted herein are from the "American Standard Version" for the Hebrew Scriptures or the "New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures".
BIBLE MADE UNDERSTANDABLE
If you want the thrill of proving the Bible is the truth, not fiction, get the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures. Read, study and compare it with the Catholic Douay or the Authorized King James Version. It is the most accurate translation yet produced. And, besides, it is in modern English. The New World Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures from Genesis to Lamentations is also available, in four volumes. Each of these five volumes may be had on a contribution of $1.
Evolution versus The New World is an analytical treatise exploding evolution as a pagan myth. Yours on a contribution of 5c. Or, if requested, it will be sent free with any volume of the New World Translation.
WATCHTOWER
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