WHAT SHOULD WE LEARN FROM HISTORY? -The Bible AUTHENTIC HISTORY?

Dynamic History With Powerful Lessons

For the most part, the Bible writers were men of the earth-farmers, shepherds, fishermen. Yet, what they wrote over a period of some 1,600 years has influenced more people than any other writings have , ancient or modern.  Furthermore, their writings have been attacked from all quarters, but in vain.  (Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:25)  Today  the Bible can be read in whole or in part in-some 2, 200 languages-far more than any other book!  Why does the Bible enjoy such distinction?  The following references help answer that question.

"All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work." -2 Timothy 3:16, 17. 

"All the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope." -Romans 15:4.

"These things went on befalling them [the Israelites] as examples, and they were written for a warning to us [Christians} upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived." -1 Corinthians 10:11. 

Yes, as a divinely inspired and preserved record of real people-some who pleased God and some who did not-the Bible is elevated above all books.  It is far from a clinical listing of dos and don'ts or a collection of cute little stories to entertain children. True, God uses human penmen, but this has only enhanced the Bible, giving it a warm appeal that has touched the hearts of readers generation after generation. Archaeologist William Albright stated:  "The profound moral and spiritual intuitions of the Bible, which form a unique revelation of God to man  through the channels of human experience, are just as true today as they were two or three thousand years ago."

To illustrate the Bible's timeless relevance, let us go back to the very beginning of human history-where the Bible alone can take us-and consider some key lessons from the book of Genesis.

Next time: WHAT SHOULD WE LEARN FROM HISTORY? - The Bible AUTHENTIC HISTORY?/Timely Lessons From an Ancient Narrative

From the Awake!  magazine