Monday, May 05, 2008 Book of all seasons By Henrylito D. Tacio Regarding Henry
IN THE third century, there was a monk named Antony who lived a lifetime all alone in the endless desert of Egypt. Despite his isolation, he kept up a lively correspondence with many of the prominent personalities of the day. Emperor Constantine would write to ask for his advice. Other hermits would write asking for his prayers.
One day, one of the monk's pupils expressed surprise that even kings and emperors wrote him. The saintly hermit answered, "Think nothing of it. What the emperor writes is nothing special. And what the other famous people write about is not even worth mentioning. As a matter of fact, I know of only one letter which is really worth reading, and re-reading, and thinking about."
Coming from the mouth of the monk, he was surprised to hear that such letter existed. He wanted to know who could have written such a special kind of letter. So, Antony told him, "The letter that I am talking about was written for us, humans, by God Himself. We call it the Bible."
"The gospel is not a book; it is a living being, with an action, a power, which invades every thing that opposes its extension, behold! It is upon this table: This book, surpassing all others. I never omit to read it, and every day with some pleasure," said French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
American presidents believe in the sanctity of the Bible. Nobel Peace Prize winner Woodrow Wilson said, "When you have read the Bible, you know it is the word of God, because it is the key to your heart, your own happiness, and your own duty." Even before him, there was Abraham Lincoln, who admitted, "I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good of the Savior of the world is communicated to us through the Book."
Famous authors also draw inspiration from the Bible. French writer Victor Hugo said, "England has two books; the Bible and Shakespeare. England made Shakespeare, but the Bible made England." German writer and scientist Goethe commented, "I look upon all four Gospels as thoroughly genuine, for there shines forth from them the reflected splendor of a sublimity proceeding from Jesus Christ."
Is the Bible inspired by God for real? Robert Dick Wilson, fluent in more than 45 languages and dialects, concluded after a lifetime study of the Old Testament: "I may add that the result of my 45 years of study of the Bible has led me all the time to a firmer faith that in the Old Testament, we have a true historical account of the history of the Israelite people." And respectable newsweekly Time declared: "Reputable scholars now believe that the New Testament account is reliable history."
"This book had to be written by one of three people: good men, bad men or God," British religious leader John Wesley said. "It couldn't have been written by good men because they said it was inspired by the revelation of God. Good men don't lie and deceive. It couldn't have been written by bad men because bad men would not write something that would condemn themselves. It leaves only one conclusion. It was given by divine inspiration of God."
Just remember this: "All Scripture is God-breathed and He doesn't waste His breath," to quote the words of Jim McCotter
