For SCC - The Bible: What Makes It So Special? 10-7-07

The God Questions is the title of the series for October. We started the series on Sunday, 10-7-07 by addressing what makes the Bible special. The Bible is the key book for followers of Christ. The Bibles message is central to Christianity. A very fair question that people who are followers of Christ and skeptics want to know is what makes the Bible so special. Scott Salsman addressed this question by sharing with us insights from Josh McDowell and others who have done solid research about Christianity and the Bible.

Scott shared with us 5 Reasons the Bible is Unique:

1.Unique in its continuity
•Written over long period of time
•Written by over 40 authors
•Written in different places
•Written at different times

Written message is God's redemption of mankind

2.Unique in translation and circulation
Author When Written Early Copy Time Span # of copies
Ceasar 100-44 BC 900 AD 1000 yrs 10
Plato 27-347 BC 900 AD 1200 yrs 7
Illiad 900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643
New Test. 40-100 AD 125 AD 25 yrs 24,000

Throughout history great care was given to to see that the text remained the same.
3. Unique in its survival
•Its survival through time
•Its survival through persecution
•Its survival through criticism

4.Unique in its teaching

5.Unique in its influence
•Upon literature
•Upon morality
•Upon judicial systems

These are just the tip of the iceberg in regards to what makes the Bible special and unique.

I followed Scott and shared that the Bible is special because it is God's Word to us for life and for living. The Bible is a book of history, poems, wisdom, eyewitness accounts, letters and prophecy written to help us in life and living.

A few verses of Scripture that speak to God's Word for life and living

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
II Timothy 3:16-17

God's word is alive and working and is sharper than a double-edged sword. It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined, to the center of our joints and bones. And it judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts.
Hebrews 4:12

God’s Word. Read It. Study It. Apply it.