The Bible: A Book Like No Other in Human History
The most influential, best-selling, and most translated book ever written
The Christian Bible is the best-selling and most translated book in human history.
I had the privilege of visiting the two largest libraries in the world: the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., and the British Library in London, England. Both those libraries are free to the public and are well worth visiting. The US Library of Congress holds more than 175 million books and artifacts, while the British Library houses over 170 million. I saw one of the original Gutenberg Bibles (the first printing press - printed Bible) in a glass case at the US Library of Congress.
Among those vast collection of books, there is only one book that is fully inspired by the Holy Spirit: it's the Holy Bible.
The Bible is not merely a single book; it is a library of books—written by many different authors over a span of roughly 1,500 years, from approximately 3,500 years ago to about 2,000 years ago. Year after year, the Bible continues to be the best-selling book in the world, a distinction it will almost certainly continue to hold in the future.
Why the Bible Is Not Mythical
One compelling reason to believe the Bible is truthful rather than a series of mythical stories is in its honesty. When Moses wrote the first five books of the Old Testament (Torah), Egypt was Israel's dominant enemy. In ancient Egypt, pharaohs were regarded as "gods"—perfect beings who could do no wrong. Egyptian records never included embarrassing or negative accounts of their rulers (pharaohs).
I had the pleasure to visit several of Egypt's largest and fascinating museums. I studied basic Egyptology. The contrast to what is written in the Bible compared to Egyptian writings is striking. Egyptian writings glorify their leaders (pharaohs) as perfect beings, while the Bible openly records the failures, sins, and the dysfunctionality of Israel's leaders and forefathers of the Jewish nation of Israel. No one invents humiliating and embarrassing stories about their founders or heroes unless those accounts are true. The Bible is filled with such candid portrayals—not only of the ancient Israelites, but also of Jesus' closest apostles.
Egyptian Records vs. Biblical Records
Egyptian Writings:
- Pharaohs portrayed as perfect gods
- No embarrassing accounts recorded
- Leaders could do no wrong
Biblical Writings:
- Leaders shown with flaws and failures
- Honest accounts of sins and dysfunction
- Candid portrayals of heroes' weaknesses
A Bible Filled with Real People – people with flaws, dysfunction, and sin – just like you and me
All humans are flawed, sinful and mortal. Every family past and present has some degree of dysfunction. The Bible does not hide this reality. Instead, it presents both the strengths and weaknesses of men and women. Below is a brief summary of a few of the strengths and weaknesses of some of the key figures in the Bible:
Adam & Eve
Strengths
The parents of the entire human race. They remained committed to one another through painful trials and provided the first illustration of God's grace.
Weaknesses
Yet, they disobeyed God, made excuses, and attempted to hide their sin rather than confess it.
Noah & his sons
Strengths
Noah was the sole faithful follower of God in his generation and became a second father to the human race. He modeled obedience, patience, and perseverance for his three sons.
Weaknesses
Yet later in life, Noah stumbled and brought embarrassment upon himself through drunkenness. His son Ham responded dishonorably, an act that Scripture records as having lasting consequences that extended well beyond their own generation.
Abraham & Sarah
Strengths
Abraham & Sarah willingly left their comfort and familiarity to obey God. Abraham became the father of the Jewish nation and, spiritually, of all people who place their faith in God.
Weaknesses
Yet, fear sometimes led Abraham to protect himself at the expense of his wife. At times, Abraham and Sarah attempted to help God fulfill His promises through human contrived schemes. Abraham and Sarah acted harshly toward Hagar and Ishmael.
Isaac & Rebekah
Strengths
Their marriage began with love and unity.
Weaknesses
As parents, however, favoritism and deception fractured their family. They often justified questionable actions rather than trusting fully in God.
Esau & Jacob
Growth
Esau & Jacob grew beyond their failures: Esau learned forgiveness after deep anger, and Jacob matured into humility and repentance.
Weaknesses
Jacob was a deceiver—a cheater and trickster—while Esau acted foolishly, selling his birthright to his brother for a single bowl of soup. Both men frequently pursued their own desires with little regard for others.
Joseph & his brothers
Strengths
Joseph rose from slavery to become Egypt's prime minister, demonstrating integrity and spiritual discernment.
Weaknesses
However, Joseph's youthful immaturity and arrogance contributed to family conflicts and strife.
Moses
Strengths
One of the greatest leaders in all of Scripture—marked by faith, courage, humility, and a willingness to seek counsel.
Weaknesses
Yet, Moses could be impulsive and he struggled at times with self-doubt.
David
Strengths
A man after God's own heart, David was known for his courage, faith, and humility. Even after being anointed king of Israel, he patiently waited for God's timing rather than his own.
Weaknesses
Yet David succumbed to fleshly temptation with Bathsheba, and his efforts to conceal his sin led to deeper wrongdoing and brought harm to others and to his own family.
Solomon
Strengths
The wisest and wealthiest man ever to live on earth—a man of extraordinary wisdom and remarkable accomplishments.
Weaknesses
Yet, despite his unparalleled knowledge, his infatuation with and desire for numerous, beautiful women led him astray. His pursuit of sexual pleasure ultimately drew Israel into idol worship, ignited civil conflict, brought about the destruction of Israel's united kingdom, and resulted in the scattering of the Jewish people across the earth.
Peter
Strengths
Bold, passionate, and a natural leader among the apostles, Peter's enthusiasm played a key role in spreading the gospel.
Weaknesses & Restoration
Yet his impulsive nature led him from a place of confident loyalty to repeatedly denying Jesus during one of Christ's greatest moments of trial and need on earth. In time, however, Peter was restored and went on to become a foundational pillar of the early Christian church.
Apostle Paul
Strengths
Deeply committed to every cause he pursued, Paul became a powerful spokesman and evangelist for Jesus Christ, playing a central role in the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman world.
Weaknesses
Yet before his conversion to faith in Jesus Christ, Paul fiercely persecuted early believers, organizing efforts that led to the torture and death of Christians.
All of the individuals mentioned above were real people, just like you and me. Their lives remind us that true change does not come through human effort alone, but through following Christ and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Through Him, we are shaped into people who are more loving, patient, and peaceful—marked by kindness, forgiveness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and genuine joy.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
– 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will."
– Romans 12:2
The Honesty of Scripture
The Bible's willingness to record the failures and sins of its heroes is a powerful testimony to its authenticity. No ancient culture invented embarrassing stories about their founders unless those accounts were true. This radical honesty sets the Bible apart from all other ancient religious texts and demonstrates its divine inspiration.
Discover the Truth for Yourself
The Bible stands as a unique testament to God's interaction with humanity. Its honesty, historical accuracy, and fulfilled prophecies point to its divine origin.
Let's Discuss the Bible