Thirty years ago, I wrote an apologetics book called, The Challenge. (pictured above and available on Amazon). My main contention in writing the book is that you can’t call yourself a well-read, well-rounded individual if you haven’t read the Bible. Notice I didn’t say that you have to believe what the Bible says is true, but because of the incredible worldwide impact that this one book has had on world history, I believe, it demands to be read. No book has had a greater impact on our planet than the Bible and as such I think even unbelievers would want to know what exactly does this book contain that has caused it to impact our world so powerfully.
And why would whole countries do everything in their power to make sure that its citizens don’t have access to this one book. There is no other book that is banned from being read like the Bible. I can only imagine what people are thinking in these countries where the Bible is banned. They probably are thinking that the Bible’s message must be very powerful. And my friends they would be absolutely correct since the Bible is the only book that claims it can totally transform an individual by acceptance of its main message.
When we talk about impact just listen to what Charles Colson has to say:
“The BIBLE — banned, burned, beloved. More widely read, more frequently attacked than any other book in history. Generations of intellectuals have attempted to discredit it, dictators of every age have outlawed it and executed those who read it. Yet soldiers carry it into battle believing it more powerful than their weapons. Fragments of it smuggled into solitary prison cells have transformed ruthless killers into gentle saints.”1
The Bible is unique in four ways. First, the Bible has sold over 5 billion copies – more than any other book ever written. Second, the Bible has been given away for free more than any other book. Third, the Bible is banned from being read by more people in the world than any other book. And fourth, the Bible is the book that is most stolen by people in the world. And I would say that this is so because Bibles are everywhere; especially in hotel rooms and churches.
When we speak about the powerful nature of the Bible just listen to what Winkie Pratney says: “You know, many of the Eastern thought forms use Scripture. That’s because the book is so powerful – you can’t ignore it. If you don’t use it, you can’t capture people’s hearts. God has built life into His Word, and all the strong cults rip it off – steal bites out of the Bible and use it…Just the fact that pieces taken out of context are powerful enough to draw men’s hearts should tell you what the whole Word, used under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit can do!”2
In addition, the Bible is ultra-controversial. No book has caused more people to be burned at the stake, brought before firing squads, sent to prison, beheaded, stoned, sawn in two, subjected to scourging, mocked and made a spectacle of than the Bible.
Throughout the centuries men have used their great intellects, philosophy, hatred and even force to silence this most remarkable and resilient book. Their remains have long ago vanished and their feeble attempts to destroy this “Book of books” are now and forever recorded in the annals of history.
Just listen to noted historian Bernard Ramm’s insightful observation on this point: “A thousand times over, the death knell of the Bible has been sounded, the funeral procession formed, the inscription cut on the tombstone, and committal read. But somehow the corpse never stays put. No other book has been so chopped, knifed, sifted, scrutinized, and vilified. What book on philosophy or religion or psychology … of classical or modern times has been subject to such a mass attack as the Bible? With such venom and skepticism? With such thoroughness and erudition? Upon every chapter, line and tenet? The Bible is still loved by millions, read by millions, and studied by millions.”3
And it is this love for the Bible and its central message of salvation through Jesus Christ that has caused literally thousands of men and women to translate its words into several thousand different languages and dialects. And the more it is banned, the more it is translated. The Bible has a unique and colorful history all its own. For those of you who don’t believe in the message of the Bible I challenge you to pick up a copy today to see what all the excitement and controversy is all about. And for those of you who read the Bible thank God that you live in a country, whether above ground or underground, that there are still Bibles available.
Bible fever – Catch it!
1 FAMOUS QUOTES ABOUT THE BIBLE (internationalwallofprayer.org)
2 “The Holy Bible-Wholly True” by Winkie Pratney. Copyright 1979, 1984. Last Days Ministries.
3 Heaven Bound: http://heavenboundgb.worthyofpraise.org/4509/