John Wycliffe, who in the late 14th century rendered the Bible into the vernacular, made it available to the peoples of Europe. The Bible in their language made the English the most literate people in Europe. From the 16th century onward, it fostered reading habits and reflection. Its study led to freedoms of thought, interpretation, and study that are indispensable to democratic freedom.
With the resurgence of the Christian faith in formerly strong Communist lands like Russia in 1989, and later in China, there is a new emphasis on the Bible. There has been a resurgence of Christian faith in reaction to the spiritual poverty of soul induced by a state enforced religion of atheism. India, with its millions of gods is craving the good news of the Bible.
What can account for the rising interest in the New Age movement and angels? Mankind has lost his spirituality, which only God and the Bible can restore. Augustine, the fifth century Bishop of Hippo, wrote "Thou hast created us for Thyself and our hearts are restless until they repose in Thee." This original thinker also wrote that man has a "God shaped hole" that only God can satisfy. The Bible can help you fill that void.
America's most prolific female religious author wrote that, “As a means of intellectual training, the Bible is more effective than any other book. No other study can impact such mental power…The mind thus brought into contact with the Infinite cannot but expand and strengthen.” (Education, Ellen G White, 1901, p 124.)
In its pages we may soar on eagles wings to the eternal heights, for God's ways are higher than mans ways, and God's thoughts are higher than mans thoughts: even as high as the heavens are above the earth. See Isaiah 55:8-9.
“As an educator, the Holy Scriptures are without a rival. The Bible is the most ancient and the most comprehensive history that men possess. It came fresh from the Fountain of eternal truth; and that throughout the ages a divine hand has preserved its purity…in the Word of God the mind finds subjects for the deepest thought, the loftiest aspirations. Here we may…listen to the voice of the eternal.” (Education, Ellen G White, 1901, p 263.)
In the Bible, there are rich fields of thought to inspire the mind, stimulate the intellect, and quicken the faculties. It has conveyed a wealth of reading pleasure and enlightenment.
It is not some relic of antiquity, or a dry dusty tome. Those who search its sacred pages as for hid treasures, find it of more worth than all the world's silver and gold. It is most interesting to intellects trained in the study of it. There is spiritual power in feeding upon the word.
In its pages, we read of a God of love who has an infinite pity for those who need Him most. He yearns over mankind as the lover of their souls. Christ left a paradise of glory to win back the pearl of great price, the salvation of a ruined world. He gave His all to win back a planet locked in rebellion against the legitimate government of heaven.
The Christian is advised, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim 2:15. The truth of God lies not always on the surface, we need to be earnest in the study of it, it not enough to read the Scriptures.
Read the sensuous love poetry of the Song of Solomon, or discover the beauty and comfort of the 23rd psalm. You can read the inspiring story of Joseph in Genesis, or the beauty and majesty of Isaiah, the gospel prophet's vivid page. Open the book that elevates the mind to the eternal and to the divine.
The Bible illumines the pathway to the Fathers glorious kingdom. The psalmist says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Ps 119:105. Jesus said "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God." Mt 4.4.
There was little time for formal education for Abraham Lincoln, textbooks were scarce; but with a thirst for knowledge, he read from his first textbook, the Bible; and from it, he produced a learning that not only changed his nations life, and affected the thinking of his day. If the Bible can do this for all them, what can it do for you?
I commend to you dear reader Holy Writ, for Jesus says, "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." Jn 5:39. If we would know Jesus, we must know that old black Book. It is chart and compass to the travelling pilgrim who would walk at last into the city of lights beyond the stars and spend an eternity with Him in paradise. It is an unerring guide that cannot fail.
