The Bible: Criticized and Scrutinized

By Tom Wacaster

The Bible is, without doubt, the greatest book ever written.  Consisting of 66 books, it stands as a monumental representation of heaven's love for mankind.  From the moment that God's word has gone forth to man, Satan has scrutinized, criticized, de-emphasized and sought to minimize the Holy word.  Critics have assailed its "contradictions" and "inconsistencies."  But the honest seeker knows that all such attempts to find fault with Scripture are mere subterfuge, and a whistling in the wind.  The Bible has survived the onslaught of critics, and the more scrutiny and examination the Bible receives, the more it shines.  A few years ago brother Curtis Cates wrote the following: 

"No book has ever been scrutinized so closely or vigorously, and, I might say, viciously.  The microscope and the telescope of man have been applied to 'the Book of books,' but the more close the investigation and the more detailed the study, the more beautiful its fabric. The productions of men undergo but a mere fraction of a fraction of such investigation; they are examined, riffled through, and somewhat rigorously tested at the mercy of mankind; and such results in their complete exhaustion and abandonment. Man moves on to other thoughts, other pursuits, and other works. Now, why does the Bible multiply in its beauty and complexity [as a snowflake or a butterfly wing under a microscope] as its innermost thoughts, precepts and principles are dissected and scrutinized?  That, my friend, is he difference between the meager and fallible works of finite man and the inexhaustible and vibrant revelation of the infinite Creator! 'The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul' (Psa. 19:7)."  

Beloved, we hold within our hands the map that can help us to successfully chart the troubled seas of life. It is the compass that will ultimately lead us across the Jordan into the Promised land. Have faith, weary pilgrim!  The Book is true, the Author trustworthy, and the hope sure and steadfast.  For this we give thanks, and to this end we have committed our very souls.  No doubt many of you have either read or heard the following, with which we will close this week’s article:


The Hammer And The Anvil

by John Clifford
Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith's door
And  heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
When looking in, I saw upon the floor,
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.
"How many anvils have you had," said I,
"To wear and batter all these hammers so?"
"Just one," said he; then said with twinkling eye,
"The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."
And so, I thought, the anvil of God's word
For ages skeptics' blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed - the hammers gone!