The bible ... timeless truth

Is the bible an anthology of the musings of diverse people or it the product of intelligent design.

It amazes me how subtle and layered the scriptures are. I know of no other book with such complex and intriguing multi-dimensionality. There are threads that connect seemingly unrelated thoughts together, to create a tapestry of meaning and inspiration. There are other thoughts that had meaning for the moment in which they were written, yet telescope into the current era to provide relevant meaning to 21st century believers, whilst still meaning different things to different people at different stages or different moments in their lives.

In recent times I have come across scriptures I can not recall ever having read, but which suddenly had such meaning in the context of my present experience. Yet for all its wonder, God chose to write the bible through very ordinary people and He never edited out any of their regrets or failings, so that we might have an authentic and relevant reference for our faith.

This is all just so wonderful. Indeed, after many years of reading the Word I have come to trust and love it as a familiar old friend. I am so deeply riveted by its complexity and power that I could have believed God for potentially no other reason than because His Word is so compelling. People who refute the Word, the Bible, have simply no grasp of its wonders or its power to transform lives. It is a wellspring of life and one of the greatest legacies that God, let alone anyone else, ever deposited into this world.

Debates about its authenticity are spurious. Handling it brings its own validation. As C S Lewis said, "Defend the bible - nay, I would sooner try and tame a wild lion."

Image source: http://glennhager.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/neon-bible.jpg