Don Stewart :: If God Was behind the Writing of a Book, Then What Should We Expect from It?

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There are certain things that a person would expect from a book that God would be behind its writing. They include the following five things. 1. It Would Have Universal Appeal Any book from God would have a universal appeal. Everyone in every place would be touched by its message. It would not be limited to any one culture or any one time in history. 2. It Would Be Understandable By The Masses Any book that God's authority was behind would have to be understandable to the masses. God would chose writers that would communicate in such a way that people would be able to understand no matter what language they spoke or what culture they came from. 3. It Would Be True In All That It Says Any book that God was behind would be assumed to be true in all that it said. If God is true, then His Word must also be true. 4. It Would Be The Most Profound Book Ever Written The truths found in a book that would come from God would make it the most profound book every written. In its pages we would expect to find truths that were found nowhere else. 5. It Would Be The Most Influential Book Ever Written We would expect a book looked after by God to be the most influential book that has ever been written. We would assume that it would have an impact like no other. These Expectations Are Met By Scripture Scripture meets all these expectations. We can make the following observations about the Bible. The Bible Does Have Universal Appeal The Bible, from the start, has had a universal appeal. Although the main events come from the ancient east, the truths of the Bible have molded western civilization. In every country in which it goes, the impact of the Bible changes lives. The truths of the Bible are just as relevant for those living in China as they are for those living in Africa. Wherever we go in the world we find the truths of the Bible appealing to the human heart. The Bible Is Understandable To The Masses The Bible has been written in a style that is easy to understand. Little children can read its stories with understanding. God uses our words, wording, and meaning to clearly communicate his truth to everyone. Scripture Claims To Be True The Bible itself claims to be the true Word of God. Over three thousand eight hundred times in the Bible we have phrases such as, "God said," or the "Lord said." It claims to accurately record truths about God. If it is true, then we should submit to the commands it gives. The Bible Contains Profound Truths Despite being written in a style that is easy to understand, no one, even after a lifetime of study, can fully understand all its truths. No matter how much a person knows about the Bible, they can always learn more. Paul wrote.

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33).

Isaiah the prophet recorded God revealing the differences between his thoughts and ours.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8,9).

The Bible Is Most Influential Book Every Written No book has had near the influence as the Bible. It is easily the most influential book that has ever been written. Although it is one of the oldest books ever written it is still the best-selling book in the world. No book has been so often translated, quoted, attacked, and loved as the Bible. The Bible has been printed more times, more often translated, and most widely read of any book in history. No book even comes close. It Is The Most Important Book Ever Written If God were personally behind the writing of a book, we would expect it to be the most important book that has ever been written. Since it would tell us who God is, who we are, why we are here, and what is our destiny no book would rival its importance. The Bible is that Book. Summary There are a number of things that would be expected if God were to be behind the writing of a book. This book would have to address the basic needs of humanity. We would expect it to have universal appeal - it should be relevant to every person no matter when they lived in history. This book should also be understood by the masses - not just an elite few. This book should be true in all that it says if it comes from a wise and perfect God. In addition, we would expect it to be the most profound book that has ever been written - its truths could never be fully appreciated. Finally we would expect it to be the most influential book ever written The Bible meets all these expectations. If any book could make a claim to be God's Word, then it would be the Bible.