How Much Do You Love the Bible?

How much do you love the Bible?  I personally have at least 10 copies of the Bible in various English translations.  I also inherited a couple of family Bibles and have been given Bibles or Bible portions in several languages besides English.  How often do I read the Bible?  I try to read a bit each day, but there are plenty of days when my schedule is demanding or I am focused on particular tasks, and don’t get around to my daily reading.

The Bible is a genuine treasure

For more than 2,000 years, this ancient book has been preserved intact.  The earliest of the Old Testament books could have been written down as far back as 1400 BC.  The last of the New Testament books were written sometime just before the end of the first century AD.  So from beginning to end, there is a time span of perhaps 1500 years.  The total number of authors who contributed directly to its content have been estimated at around forty.  Writers range from Moses to the Apostle John.   Yet, even though it truly is a human masterpiece, many people throughout history have regarded it as divinely inspired as well.  The Bible has been such a central part of human civilization that it is often quoted by people who would never claim to be believers in its divine inspiration.  Because of its unique role, many people have called it our greatest treasure.

The amazing power of the Bible

The Bible has amazing staying power. despite centuries of severe and continuous criticism.  In fact, people around the world love it and have experienced changed lives from its pages.   Contemporary people with scientific degrees, progressive politicians, and technical innovators love the Bible.  Lots of other folks who are very comfortable in the twenty-first century read it regularly and gain great comfort and wisdom from it.  The fact that the Bible remains a perennial best seller in the United States, and that its readership in Asia, Africa and Latin America is growing widely, illustrates its continuing power and influence. The Bible’s more than thirty centuries of transforming power in people’s lives shows that, far from being an outdated book, it maintains the ability to speak to the profound issues of the human condition.

Chinese Christians get their first Bibles

Check out this short video of some Chinese believers who received their first very own Bibles.  If you are moved by this scene, as I was, it shows that somewhere deep down, you have a love for this sacred book that can grow as you get to know it better.  Michael Bogart