An old storybook. Something written by imperfect, un-inspired men. Even an elaborate hoax. I’ve heard them all. I’m sure you’ve guessed, at least by the title, that I’m speaking about the Bible. Many different views exist concerning the Bible. I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of god and is “alive and sharper than any two edged sword”(Hebrews 4:12)
The bible was written by many men. Most modern Bibles consist of 66 books, from Genesis through Revelation. It was written by people from all walks of life, the rich and the poor. One Bible writer, Amos, is known as a nipper of figs. There are about forty Bible penmen all together. If you were to pick forty people of different backgrounds and different time periods to write a book as long as the bible, I doubt that each entry would coexist with the others the way the Bible books do. A lot of people think that the Bible contradicts itself, but if you look closer, I am certain that with enough research and an open mind, you will find that the entire Bible is harmonic. It would take the direction of God to create a masterpiece using forty imperfect humans.

The Bible answers questions humans instinctively ask themselves, such as Why are we here; What is our purpose; and What happens when we die. Some of the answers are difficult to find at first, and some are obvious and just waiting for someone to open the Bible and find them. I can safely say that I would be confident answering the three questions above, thanks only to the Bible. Curiosity is something everyone possesses to some extent, and the answers to life's biggest questions are right there in this marvelous book.

The Bible promotes peace with our neighbors and even complete strangers. It says that everyone is our neighbor(Luke 10:25-27) , and to treat them as such. It even says to pray for our enemies(Matthew 5: 44,45). If that's not peace-keeping, I don't know what is! It gives outlines and principles that can make us better people and more well liked by others. I'm sure that if a person told you that not stealing, lying, gossiping, or hurting other people would make you a better person, you would accept that advice as truthful and just. The Bible gives us the same admonition (Proverbs 16: 16-19) .

The bible is scientifically correct. It states in John, chapter 26, verse 7, that “[God] is stretching out the north over the empty place, hanging the earth upon nothing.” We now know, years after the bible was written and established, that the earth does, in fact, stay in orbit with nothing but natural forces suspending it. The Bible writers did not know that on their own accord. The Encyclopedia Americana says: “The earliest known image that men had of the earth was that it was a flat, rigid platform at the center of the universe. . . . The concept of a spherical earth was not widely accepted until the Renaissance.” That is only one example. There are others as well, including an accurate description of the water system (Ecclesiastes 1:7).

There are very few, if any, books that are as old and widely distributed as the Bible. It is translated in almost every language, and reaches almost all countries. It is over 3,500 years old, and approximately 98% of humans have access to a Bible in their own language. This could be a coincidence, but combined with all the other factors, I think it hardly is.

The Bible has much to offer in the way of reading material. If you enjoy action packed history, many of the Hebrew books, such as first and second Kings, as well as Joshua and many others, provide it in surplus. If you love a good romance, Song of Solomon is chaste and pure, but plenty romantic. Heartfelt wisdom can be found in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Poetry and prose that exceeds all else is bountiful in the Psalms. This is just a small sampling.

There are many other reasons I find the Bible accurate and practical, but the list would be far too long to write. Nor can I quote every scripture I find useful, because that would be the Bible as a whole. I can only hope that this small essay opens people's minds to give the bible a chance. You just may be surprised.