Introduction
In Part One of our study of the inspiration of the Bible we mentioned six areas of supporting evidence that the Bible is indeed inspired. Let us review these six areas:
We examined areas 1) and 2) in our first lesson, in today's lesson let us take a look at area 3).
The Unusual Style of the Scriptures
We will now examine the scriptures from five different viewpoints to show what we mean by an "unusual style."
By examining these five aspects we hope to show characteristics so unusual in style that only the superintendence of God through the Holy Spirit could account for them.
ONE: The Brevity of Entire Books
In only 50 chapters, the Book of Genesis:
Contrast this to the writings of man. It takes a modern day news reporter more space to describe a high school football game than Moses used in describing the creation of the universe. The Reader's Digest uses more words every month than the entire Book of Genesis! Imagine how long the gospels' of Christ would be if uninspired man had written them?
TWO: The Brevity of Bible Incidents
It is unnatural for man to write with such restraint!
THREE: The Omissions of the Scriptures
Compare what Mark and John have to say about the first 30 years of the life of Christ (nothing) with two uninspired writers of the second century. One ancient work uses 25 chapters to describe supposed events of the life of Jesus between the time of Mary's conception and Herod's infant slaughter. Another ancient book uses 50 chapters to tell of Christ's first twelve years. Even Matthew and Luke who do tell of the virgin birth and childhood spend very little time with these events.
Christ's total life covered more than 18,000 days and His active ministry more than 1,870 days. Combined the four gospels describe only 34 different days. Out of 8?9 verses in the gospel of John, 237 (27%) pertain to the same day. Jn. 20:30-31;21:25
Acts of the Apostles only concerns Peter and Paul. In Paul's case it even omits his appearances before Nero.
Imagine a modern novelist or historian describing the events of 2 Cor. 11:24-27.
Where is the physical description of Jesus in the Bible? Could his likeness have been preserved? Was the technology available? ABSOLUTELY, by stone sculpturing. Not only could a physical description been given but a physical likeness could have been handed down. Obviously God's will was against these things.
FOUR: The Impartiality of the Scriptures.
No apologies, no reproaches, just facts. Prejudiced historians often hide flaws of their heroes or explain away their faults. No Watergates or sex scandals kept in the closet.
FIVE: The Calmness of the Scriptures
Where are the emotions of the Bible writers?
Why are the wonderful and the everyday described alike?
Could you describe the transfiguration of Christ as calmly as Matthew did (17:1-5) if you were a companion of the witnesses?
The murder of John the Baptist, Mt. 16:6-12.
Miracles and resurrections.
The events of the betrayal night are told without anger.
The crucifixion, the resurrection, the events of Pentecost are all described calmly,
Where are the words "amazing, unbelievable, unprecedented, stupendous, colossal, unrivaled?"
Conclusion
Men do not write like this. The only possible explanation for this unusual style, is that God guided and limited their writing. Add to this the background of the writers, many of whom were unlearned and ignorant and we conclude that the Bible is truly God's book.
We must study it to learn his will for us.
We must obey its commands to please God and receive salvation.