Over the centuries men have tried their best to get rid of the Bible. But today the Bible can boast that it has sold more copies than any other book ever written. It has also been given away for free to more people than any other book ever printed. And finally, the Bible has caused more people to be burned at the stake, brought before firing squads, sent to prison, beheaded, stoned, sawn in two, subjected to scourgings, mocked, and made a public spectacle of than any other book known to man.
Nineteenth century writer H.L. Hastings once forcibly illustrated the unique way in which the Bible has withstood the attacks of skepticism:
“Infidels of eighteen hundred years have been refuting and overthrowing this book, and yet it stands today as solid rock. Its circulation increases, and it is more loved and cherished and read today than ever before. Infidels, with all their assaults, make about as much impression on this book as a man with a tack hammer would on the Pyramids of Egypt.
“When the French monarch proposed the persecution of Christians in his dominion, an old statesman and warrior said to him, ‘Sire, the church of God is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.’ So, the hammers of infidels have been pecking away at this book for ages, but the hammers are worn out, and the anvil still endures. If this book had not been the book of God, men would have destroyed it long ago. Emperors and popes, kings and priests, princes and rulers have all tried their hand at it; they die and the book still lives.”1
But just what makes this book so controversial? I believe that the small three letter word, sin, holds the answer. To millions they have come to realize that they indeed are sinners and in desperate need of a savior. To this group of people, the Bible shares the best news imaginable. And that news is that salvation, the forgiveness of sin, and the offer to spend eternity in heaven is available through, the central person of the Bible – Jesus Christ. But, sadly, for many other millions, they choose to enjoy their sinful lifestyle too much to want to acknowledge that they need a savior. For this group of souls, when they die, only eternal separation from God, in a literal hell, awaits them.
Someone once said it well, when referring to the Bible: that this book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book. The choice is up to you!
After hearing many debates between Christians and atheists, both formal and casual conversations, after reading dozens of atheists in their own words, and after my personal encounters, the rejection of God and His word is always couched in the problem of evil. How can this supposedly good and all powerful God allow such things as cancer in babies and on and on they question His existence? His word is guilty by association with this God and is not worthy of our attention, they reason.
If we are being honest, the problem of evil is difficult for the Christian to wrap his head around, too. If we back away from this discussion, why should we expect the unbeliever to believe in a book with stories about God wiping out whole societies, including the children and animals?
This is exactly why we must be able to defend the faith, the work of apologetics. So, it will be important to read at least one book on this subject to help you to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” I Peter 3:15
One title I suggest is Greg Bahnsen, Always Ready.