Answers
By BGEA Admin • February 27, 2023 • Topics: Bible
Q:
My friend and I compete to see which one of us can read the most books in a year and we quiz each other about what we’ve learned. She challenged me to read a collection of books she gave me, telling me that there would be stories of mystery, romance, combat, wealth, poverty, royalty, drama, epics, childhood obedience, and adult rebellion. The list seemed endless. I was intrigued. When I opened the box to see what the titles were, there was only one book: the Bible. I never knew there were 66 books inside the Bible. My intrigue turned to discovery and I made Jesus my Lord.
A:
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
People reading the Bible for the first time are often surprised to discover how much human drama it contains. Almost every conceivable human dilemma and conflict is reflected in its pages. In setting down their forthright messages, inspired by the Spirit of Almighty God, Biblical scribes never attempted to gloss over the realities of life. The sins of the great and small are freely admitted, the weaknesses of human nature are acknowledged, and life in Biblical times is recorded as it was lived.
It’s startling that lives and motivations of those who lived then have such a modern flavor. The pages seem like mirrors held up before our minds and hearts, reflecting our own prides and prejudices, our own failures and humiliations, our own sins and sorrows.
Truth is timeless and doesn’t differ from one age to another. Ideas may differ, customs may change, but the all-providing truth stands for eternity and is designed to bring about holy living.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The Bible has a single, clear, bold message for every living being and, unlike the books of men, it doesn’t change or get out of date.
(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
