As an atheist in college, I never read the Bible, but I was an expert on giving you reasons why you shouldn’t read it. Now, I realize how foolish and downright dumb holding this position was. My Bible knowledge back in college was so pitiful, I didn’t know the difference between Jesus and Moses. Based on this, I clearly was not in a position to lecture people on why they shouldn’t read the Bible.
Today, as a Christian for 45 years, I have read my Bible from cover to cover and over and over and over again! Why this radical change of heart? Have I lost my mind? Have I found a crutch to lean on? Or just maybe have I discovered my friends that you hold in your possession today the most amazing, influential and transformational book ever written – the Bible.
The Bible is like no other book ever written, and as far as it scope in society, Theologian Bernard Ramm said it better than anyone: “From the Apostolic Fathers dating from AD 95 to the modern times is one great literary river inspired by the Bible – Bible dictionaries, Bible encyclopedias, Bible lexicons, Bible atlases, and Bible geographies. These may be taken as a starter. Then at random, we may mention the vast bibliographies around theology, religious education, hymnology, missions, the biblical languages, church history, religious biography, devotional works, commentaries, philosophy of religion, evidences, apologetics, and on and on. There seems to be an endless number.”1
And when it comes to the Bible’s central figure, Jesus Christ, his influence in society is unparalleled and simply monumental. Historian Philip Schaff describes the uniqueness and influence of Jesus as follows: “This Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander, Caesar, Mohammed, and Napoleon: without science and learning. He shed more light on things human and divine than all scholars and philosophers combined: without the eloquence of schools. He spoke such words of life as were never spoken before or since, and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet; without writing a single line. He set more pens in motion, and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, learned volumes, works of art, and songs of praise than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times.”2
And you don’t have to be a Christian to understand how influential Jesus Christ is in world history. H. G. Wells, the famous English writer and historian, once commented: “I am an historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.”3
In closing, I contend that to be a well-read, well-rounded individual you must read the Bible because of its amazing impact on world history. Hands down the Bible is the most unique, influential, intellectually sound, and transformational book ever written!
1 The Authority of Scripture › The Forerunner
2 The Authority of Scripture › The Forerunner
3 H. G. Wells Quote: “I am an historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is…”