Is the Bible God's Inspired Book?

If the Bible is an inspired book surely it would claim to be from God.  It would be accurate with no contradictions.  Such a book would be all-sufficient in the realm for which it was intended.  It would also deal with profound things such as origins, destiny, and purpose.  It would also be a book that could be read and understood.  The Bible meets all of the above and even more criteria, showing it is the inspired word of God.  In this article I will attempt to show three areas of proof that the Bible is the inspired word of God.

First, consider the Bible and its unity.  The Bible was written by about 40 men over a period of approximately 1,600 years.  There is remarkable unity in the Bible.  The Bible contains no contradictions.  The reason for this is seen in II Peter 1:19-21: "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."  Not only its unity is remarkable, but also its simplicity.  There are about 200,000 words in the English language. Shakespeare used about 15,000 of them in his works; Milton about 13,000 of them.  The entire English Bible only uses about 6,000 different words with the average length of a word being four letters.

Second, consider Bible prophecy as proof of its inspiration.  A French astrologer and physician by the name of Nostradamus lived from 1503-1566. Many have said that his so-called prophecies are parallel to the prophecies found in the Bible.  They speak of his amazing accuracy of foretelling future events.  Let's examine some of his so-called prophecies.  From the book The Prophecies of Nostradamus by Erika Cheetham 1973, consider the following:  "The sun and the Eagle will appear to the victor.  An empty answer is assured to the defeated.  Neither bugle nor shouts will stop the soldiers.  Liberty and peace, if achieved in time through death."

Think about this quote!  Have you figured it out yet?  If not, listen to E. Cheetham's explanation: ". . .It contains the vivid description of Waterloo with Napoleon, the Imperial Eagle, coming out of the midst into the sun to attack the victor, Wellington. . ."  You are probably saying that was so clear, how could I miss it!

Consider another of Nostradamus' prophecies: "The bird of prey flying to the left, before battle is joined with the French, he makes preparations.  Some will regard him as good, others bad or uncertain.  The weaker party will regard him as a good omen."  E. Cheetham says, "Nostradamus is describing one of the great warmongers of all time, Hitler, as a bird of prey, which name he also gives to Napoleon. . ."

One final illustration to describe the prophecies of Nostradamus: "At night they will think they have seen the sun, when they see the half pig man: Noise, screams, battles seen fought in the skies.  The brute beasts will be heard to speak."  I know everyone by now has figured this one out; it is so clear and precious!  E. Cheetham explains, "Nostradamus describes a vivid picture of a battle in the air.  The sun, appearing at night, is the searchlight piercing the sky, or possible bombs exploding.  The pig-like man, which no commentator to date has ever deciphered, seems a clear picture in silhouette of the pilot in oxygen mask, helmet and goggles.  The oxygen breathing apparatus would look just like a pig's snout to Nostradamus. . ."

Now let's consider real prophecies from the Bible. In Ezekiel 26:3-4, 7-8, 12-14, 21, there is a prochecy against the city of Tyre. Ezekiel's prophecy said:

1. Nebuchadnezzar will destroy the mainland city of Tyre (26:8).
2. Many nations will rise up against Tyre (26:3).
3. Tyre will be made like a flat rock; she will be made a bare rock (26:4).
4. Fishermen will spread nets over the site (26:5).
5. Her debris will be thrown into the water (26:12).
6. Tyre will never be rebuilt (26:14).

Notice how clear this Bible prophecy is. One does not have to guess what city the prophet is talking about. Who will destroy this city? Nebuchadnezzar! Consider the fulfillment of this prophecy.

1. Nebuchadnezzar did destroy the old mainland city of Tyre about 585-573 B.C.
2. Many nations were against Tyre.
3. Alexander the Great scraped the city clean, making it as a bare rock.
4. It is said that even in modern times where Tyre once stood fishermen spread their nets.
5. Some of the inhabitants from Tyre had fled from the mainland to an island. Alexander the Great with his troops scraped the old city of Tyre clean and made a causeway throwing all the rocks and items into the water in order to reach the island.
6. The city was never rebuilt at that location.

Bible prophecy is not like Nostradamus' so-called prophecies. The Bible doesn't say one day in a special place a special child will be born and do wonderful things.  It tells us Jesus would be born in Bethlehem and many of the things he would do.  The Bible tells us in great detail of His life, death, burial, and resurrection.

The third area of proof for the inspiration of the Bible is scientific foreknowledge. Consider the following:

These are but a few of the points that help us to know that the Bible is God's inspired Book. We need to read it and obey it because we will all be judged by it.
—Ronald D. Gilbert