From Genesis to Revelation we note a persistent theme of God’s love and redemptive plan for man
Women's Community Bible Study - Because our heavenly Father is a powerful and true God, the Bible is a powerful and true Book. In the third segment of a six-part series on the development of the Bible, teacher and Bible commentator Nancy McGuirk observes the fact that only God could encounter countless people over thousands of years, and prompt all of them to record their experiences with the same recurring theme: God’s overwhelming desire to love His children.
We now continue to examine the authenticity and reliability of God’s Holy Word, the Bible. As we read the Old Testament, we find that even the great flood of Noah’s day is recorded in simple and accurate terms, which are scientifically sensible. For further study on this topic, I would suggest a wonderful book, The Genesis Flood, which describes in convincing detail the seaworthiness of the ark.
Yet the most outstanding quality of the Bible is its uniqueness. Consider these facts. The Bible was written over a 1500-year period of time that spanned more than 40 generations. More than 40 authors penned Scripture and they came from all walks of life.
People who lived in vastly different geographic locations wrote the books of the Bible at many different points in history. These men possessed varied abilities and skills and their personalities were often in stark contrast to one another.
Furthermore, the Bible was written on three separate continents and in three different languages. Yet in spite of the diversity of authors and their backgrounds, we find a continual, consistent record of their experiences with God. From Genesis to Revelation we note a persistent theme of God’s love and redemptive plan for mankind.
Wilbur Smith has commented that the Bible is the only volume ever produced by man or a group of men in which a large group of prophecies were fulfilled. Indeed all the prophecies describing the coming of a Savior were later discovered to be true. The Bible is accurate.
We would expect, however, that a unique, true, everlasting, powerful God would write a unique, true, everlasting, powerful Book. His Word will endure forever. Only God could encounter countless people over thousands of years, and prompt all of them to record their experiences with the same recurring theme: God’s overwhelming desire to love His children, to have fellowship with them and to grant them eternal life.
(See below for other related articles in this series.)
Nancy McGuirk - Bible commentator, small group facilitator, and intercessor - is the founder and director of the Women's Community Bible Study International. Nancy ministers to thousands of people each week in person and through a video and audio tape ministry. The focus of her work is evangelism, discipleship and intercessory prayer. For more articles by Nancy McGuirk, go to her website at Women’s Community Bible Study a Christianity.com ministry partner.
