Christian Blind Faith
Believing Christians are oftentimes accused of following a “blind faith.” This is clearly not the case for many of those inside the fellowship of faith who can share the solid reasons why they believe in Christ’s Gospel. As for me, in my long life, I have done my due diligence, studied, participated in expeditions, peeked behind the curtain and learned a lot about life, love and relationships by simply living. But there is blindness in play, it’s a personal blindness to the Bibles’ Gospel message; a malady common to unbelievers. Even though God’s Spirit is active in an unbeliever’s conscience, convicting them of His presence and how they have failed God’s requirement of righteousness and reminding them of their mortality and judgment to follow, they resist and even rebel against Him and His salvation plan.
For some unbelievers, the seasons of life along with the accompanying difficulties, may eventually soften their hard hearts changing their disposition toward their Creator. When in humility, an unbeliever cries out to God for salvation, a change takes place with them, their once blind spiritual eyes are opened. Reading the Bible before this change of heart was fruitless, the scriptures made no sense. Now, after yielding to God’s way of salvation, the scriptures come alive with personal meaning and purpose, sometimes, in very profound and helpful ways.
When perusing books regarding the purpose of life, it would seem to make sense to consider a book that is unique and different from all the others venerated holy books.
There are many reasons that the Bible is unique from all other supposed holy books, but I am only going to present two. The first one is the Bible’s unique and unlikely continuity. Josh McDowell writing in “Evidence that Demands a Verdict” adequately lists how unique the Bible is when compared to other supposed holy books.
THE BIBLE- UNIQUE IN ITS CONTINUITY –
- Written over a 1,600 year span.
- Written over 60 generations.
- Written by over 40 plus authors from every walk of life including kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars, etc.
- Written in different places:
Moses in the wilderness.
Jeremiah in a dungeon.
Daniel on a hillside and in a palace.
Paul inside prison walls.
Luke while traveling.
John on the isle of Patmos.
Others in the rigors of a military Campaign - Written on three continents:
Asia, Africa and Europe. - Written in three languages:
Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic.
The subject matter includes hundreds of controversial subjects. A controversial subject is one which would create opposing opinions when mentioned or discussed. Biblical authors spoke of hundreds of controversial subjects with harmony and continuity from Genesis to Revelation, there is one unfolding story: “God’s redemption of man.”
Considering the Bible’s continuity, McDowell says: “… Take just 10 of the authors, all from one walk of life, one generation, one time, one mood, one continent, one language, and just one controversial subject. Would (the authors) agree? Would there be agreement and harmony? It is more than doubtful; the likely result would be a conglomeration.”
The unique continuity of the Bible does not prove that it is the Word of God, but, its uniqueness should catch the attention of those sincerely inclined to search for their Creator and purpose.
The Bible alone is unique in future-telling, otherwise known as prophecy.
God Himself says that one of the proofs of the authenticity of the Bible as God’s Word is proven by something that God alone can do, tell what will happen before it happens. Here He is speaking to His chosen people that had turned from worshiping Him, to worshiping idols:
Isaiah 46:8-10, Do not forget this! Keep it in mind! Remember this, you guilty ones. Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.
Isaiah 52:12 – 53:12 is a key prophecy written in around between 740 and 680 BC. God tells that in a future time, He will send His “Suffering Servant” to atone for the sins of those that would accept and trust Him.
There are many hundreds of prophecies in the Bible, Here are a few Biblical prophecies you can validate for yourself.
Written Scripture Event
1,400 BC Deuteronomy 28:64 – The Jews would be scattered worldwide.
740 – 680 BC Ezekiel 11:16-17 – The Jews would be re-gathered.
740 – 680 BC Isaiah 66:7-8 – The Jewish people would become a nation again. May 14,1948
570 – 622 BC Ezekiel 36:34-35 – Desolate Israel will be reclaimed. Major produce exporter to EU.
Try researching the other supposed holy books and see if they accurately and specifically tell the future.
For those interested in eternal live with their loving creator, I recommend that you obtain an easy to read Bible version, New King James (NKJ) or, the New Living Translation (NLT) and start your reading with the Gospel of John. If you are sincerely seeking reasons to believe, God will honor that and enable you to understand who Jesus is and His plan of salvation.
In Jeremiah 29:11-14, God is addressing the Jews while in their Babylon captivity. This same principle applies to all who are held captive to the ways of the world. Ways that are in opposition to God’s precepts and plan.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD…”
A successful search for God starts with a heart inclined toward finding and knowing God. The search and resulting hope and peace is definitely worth it. Wouldn’t an eternal life with your loving Creator in an environment complete free from evil in all its facets and free from sickness, pain and death be worth investigating? A good first start would be to read the Gospel of John’s eyewitness account of the things Jesus said and did. Don’t stake your eternity on what other people say about Jesus and His Gospel of salvation, read and come to your own conclusions of who Jesus is. Salvation Now?
Amen