by F.J. Foster

Created on: December 17, 2008

In all the world there is nothing like the Bible. Granted, other religions have books they consider sacred, but the Bible stands alone in one category after another. It was written by more than 40 authors across a span of over 1500 years. Even so, it tells the same story of creation, the fall of man, and his ultimate redemption, all the way through. From beginning to end, it consistently points men in the same direction - toward Jesus Christ as savior and redeemer.

Although the Bible itself claims to be the inspired Word of God, such assertions cannot be used to establish biblical authority without circular reasoning. In other words, we can't say the Bible is the Word of God because the Bible says so. God, however, foresaw that problem, and gave us plenty of evidence. Here are some points to ponder.

Prophecy

The Bible stands alone in this regard. Repeatedly, prophecies given in the Bible have come true. Although some must be interpreted, others are astoundingly precise. For example, the place of Jesus' birth, Bethlehem, was prophesied in the Old Testament. Probably the most remarkable example, however, appears in Isaiah. In chapters 44 and 45, the prophet speaks of Cyrus, King of Persia, calling him by name, and prophesying what he would do. Writing in the Baker Encyclopedia of Apologetics, Dr. Norman L. Geisler has this to say about that prophecy: "This prediction was made some 150 years before Cyrus was even born. Since Isaiah lived between about 740 and 690 b.c., and Cyrus did not make his proclamation for Israel to return from exile until about 536, there would have been no human way for him to know what Cyrus would be named or do."

Even Jesus prophesied in the New Testament. He told his followers that the temple at Jerusalem would be not only destroyed, but that no stone would be left standing on another. About four decades later (70 A.D.), this is precisely what happened. Rome destroyed Jerusalem, and nothing of the temple was left standing.

Archaeology

Archaeological discoveries have continuously upheld the Bible record. Even when faced by long-held, academic claims of Bible error, further archaeological study and later discoveries eventually proved the Bible correct . William F. Albright, regarded by many as the father of biblical archaeology, said, "There can be no doubt that archaeology has confirmed the substantial historicity of Old Testament tradition."

Added to Albright's voice are those of such scholars as Millar Burrows, F.F. Bruce, Merrill Unger,

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