Back in 1990 I wrote a book (pictured above) called, The Challenge. While most apologetic books try to get you to believe the Bible, my apologetic book takes a slightly different approach – I try to get you to read the Bible. My main contention, which I explore in the book, is that due to the incredible nature of the Bible you can’t call yourself a well-read, well-rounded individual without at least having read the Bible. I concede that if I don’t know anything about Plato, Darwin. Confucius, Marx, and Freud (pictured in my scale above) I am also not a well-read, well-rounded individual.
But why read the Bible? There is more action, adventure, romance, intrigue, wisdom, life and inspiration in the Bible than in any other book ever written. It is a breathtaking, panoramic saga of kings, empires and dynasties, vividly described in the rich, full texture of an ancient world setting. Great wealth and splendor are continuously contrasted with the everyday life and affairs of the common man.
The forty-plus authors, although spanning a period of 1,500 years, remarkably manage to connect all sixty-six books into a trilling tale of man and his quest for meaning. Layer upon layer of man’s intensely complex personality and emotions are laid bare before us, as the reader is given the most in-depth exploration into the very essence of our human nature.
Most books present their readers with a theme, some story information, perhaps entertainment, and a conclusion. These books are read, but after a while fade into our distant memories. But the Bible is not called the “book of books” for nothing. It is totally multidimensional in its scope. It’s a mirror. As we read it, we constantly see ourselves reflected in the lives of the biblical characters. It’s a treasure hunt. As we travel through its pages, we are guaranteed to find nuggets of wisdom of incomparable value.
Proverbs 3:13-15 declares:
How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.
For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.
She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
The Bible is history. So many archaeological digs have proven the veracity of a myriad of biblical facts and descriptions stated in the Bible that this one book is clearly an accurate depiction of real life events. The Bible is full of poetry. The Book of Psalms is world-renowned for its literary style and excellence of composition. It’s philosophy. The Holy Scriptures have more to say about human nature and what life is all about than Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Confucius and Freud combined. It’s science. Once again not only does the Bible talk authoritatively on many areas in the scientific realm, but it has been the indispensable mentor of many of the greatest scientific men of all time.
It’s inspirational. Jesus’ teachings on the Sermon on the Mount, the Psalms, the Ten Commandments and the continuous love of God for mankind have down through the centuries been the pillars on which millions have anchored their faith. No book can generate more comfort, encouragement and purpose for life than the Bible. So many great masterpieces of art, literature, music and film have been created by people touched with the message of God that our world would be deprived of much of its very heart and soul if it were deprived of this one book.
My friends, the genius behind this collection of sixty-six books is without rival on planet Earth. Imagine: all of the above themes, and the chance to find peace, joy and meaning in our lives, are all wrapped up in this one volume! Why not pick up a copy of the Bible today? You just may find yourself embarking on a scenic tour into a world you never dreamed could exist.