This year winter is still gripping the Midwest like it’ll never let go, so it’s hard to feel like Easter is nearly here. Of course, Easter is arriving a little early, but still—March is supposed to be one of those “slushy” months, with at least a few transitional days as a promise of what’s just around the corner.
Not so this year. Cold, snow, and wind, all of which feels much like February.
Perhaps that’s why this year we can concentrate more on the spiritual side of this, the holiest of holidays. I’ve been watching the History channel’s presentation of The Bible, which has also been a nice supplement to the season. Even with its various skips and a few flaws in interpretation, it’s been wonderful to see the series received by such a wide audience.
Last night I watched the old movie The Robe. I can’t imagine Hollywood making such a pro-faith movie these days, but back when this released most of our country’s population was at least affiliated with one Christian church or another, even if they didn’t regularly attend. Times most definitely have changed.
Even to non-believers, Easter is a holiday of renewal, mainly because it comes in the spring—the season for renewal. For me, it’s a time to revisit all of the reasons I believe what I do, and that starts with why I accept the Bible as the word of God. My husband and I have discussed this over the years and here, briefly, is why we believe in the Bible’s authenticity:
The history as revealed in the Bible is supported by many outside sources, such as Josephus and Pliny the Younger and many others. (Just search “historical support for the Bible”)
The prophecy in the Bible. Before the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, many skeptics said the portions of the Bible that referred to prophecy were written after many events took place. The Dead Sea manuscripts are dated from approximately 200 BC to 69 AD, predating many of the manuscripts skeptics have tried denouncing.
The science of the Bible. The more science uncovers about the incredible design of our universe, the miracle of creation, the more science proves the Bible is true. It even revealed the expansion of the universe, discovered in the last century, by talking about the “stretching out of the heavens” in such places as Isaiah, Job, Psalms and Jeremiah. There is a sad divide within the Christian community as to the age of the Universe, and while it’s true the Bible is mostly concerned with “why” we’re here rather than “how we got here,” such places as Reasons to Believe does an excellent job of uncovering all the ways science and the Bible do not contradict.
The philosophy in the Bible understands the heart of man in a timeless fashion, one that stands today like no other document. Because God created us, His book understands us.
Personal experience as described in the Bible is still happening today, with the Holy Spirit speaking to us in ways that support the consistency of God’s character.
So there you have it: my Easter refresher course of why I believe what I believe. How about you? Why not take a moment to reacquaint yourself with what you truly believe . . . and why?
This is a very special day for all followers of our Lord and Savior. Such a great love to die for us who will believe HE is the Son of GOD and ask HIM into our hearts, we will one day join HIM in Heaven. How great is that? And, on this day HE arose as HE had promised. Would love to have this book. Been wanting to have it for quite awhile, just haven’t been able to get it yet. Thanks for this great give away. Sure hope this day is lucky for me. Would make a wonderful Birthday gift for my birthday is on Easter Sunday, the 7th. Maxie Anderson