Why Do I Believe The Bible?

There are a lot of people who want to put the Bible in the same category as any other collection of religious writings found throughout the world. But, there are HUGE differences.

First, every religious writing in the world teaches that utopia, nirvana, oneness, heaven, etc. can be obtained by following their teachings. Second, these writings teach that God, godhood, or oneness is waiting for man to achieve his ultimate glorification where man and God can unite and be as one.

The Bible teaches just the opposite.

First, the Bible teaches that man can never enter heaven because man is a flawed and sinful creature unable of achieving heaven via his own actions. Nothing man can ever do will make him good enough to enter the gates of heaven. Second, the Bible teaches man will be judged for his sinfulness and be judged harshly for it.

But, amazingly God has given man a "Get out of jail free" card in the person of Jesus Christ. While all the worlds religions teach that man must strive to achieve his goal (heaven, nirvana, etc.) the Bible teaches that man can't do it, so God had to...in the person of Jesus Christ. In the OT, Jesus is represented throughout the temple with the building, the ornaments and the sacrifices. He is represented in the OT symbolically just as He is represented symbolically in the NT with baptism and communion.

Therefore, the judgment of God is handled via sacrifice. The OT shows the Jews that their sins must be blotted by sacrifice. The Christian learns that Jesus is the "suffering servant" of Isaiah 53 that takes the sins of the world upon Himself.

Unlike the other religious writings, God and His judgment are written about from Genesis all the way to Revelation. The Bible consists of two testaments (wills, covenants) that God has made with man. The Old Testament (OT) and the New Testament(NT) teach about God's outreach to humanity. Herein, lies the big difference between the Bible and all other writings.

If you go throughout the world you will find that all known cultures have particular rituals in place. Among these are marriage, adoption, bequeaths upon death and some even continue with a ritual the American Indians called blood brothers. Or, as the Bible calls it, the oath of the Lord.

Marriage, adoptions, blood brothers and death bequeaths (last will and testament) are all legal arrangements called wills, testaments, agreements or covenants. Each of these testaments is made about death. In marriage (death til us part), adoption (you make someone your legal heir in the event of your death), your will (lists your bequeaths upon your death), blood brother (similar to marriage but between two members of the same sex). Whenever I think of blood brothers I think of David and Jonathan (King Saul's son) or, to be honest, the Lone Ranger and Tonto.

Throughout history, excluding modern history, in all these ceremonies (weddings, adoptions, blood brother) animals were killed and eaten. The animals were representative of the "death" that was implied in these ceremonies. When you entered into one of these "covenant agreements", you were quite literally pledging your life. Meaning that should you violate this agreement, you will be put to death. That is why committing adultery got you the death penalty in the OT. The same held true for the one with whom you made the agreement. Remember, animals were killed representing the death of the participants should they fail to keep the covenant.

The OT is about the covenant God made with Abraham (Genesis 15). God and Abraham are essentially blood brothers brought together for a common bond (I will be your God and you, and your descendants, will be My people). The NT is about the covenant God made with Jesus Christ. In Genesis 15 you have ritual where God and Abraham became blood brothers and, of course, you have the death on the cross in the NT where Jesus' last will and testament goes into effect as the sacrificial Lamb of God.

Except for Judaism and Christianity, no other religions have these legally binding contracts between man and God.

Only in the Bible do you have God legally binding Himself to His creatures. Only in the Bible do you have God wanting His people, His children to know Him legally. You actually have a legal right to contact God, via prayer, and have Him listen and answer. No other religions in the world offer that.