| -Geisler, Norman. Baker Encyclopedia of Christian
Apologetics. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999), 94.
(short excerpt)
One supporting line of evidence for the Bible's divine origin is its unity
in great diversity. Even though composed by many people of diverse
backgrounds over many years, Scripture speaks from one mind.
Not taking into account unknowns in the dating for Job and sources Moses
could have used, the first book was written no later than 1400BC, and the
last shortly before AD 100. In all there are sixty-six different books,
written by perhaps forty different authors of different backgrounds, educational
levels, and occupations. Most was originally written in Hebrew or Greek,
with some small portion in Aramaic.
The Bible covers hundreds of topics in literature of widely varying styles.
These include history, poetry, didactic literature, parable, allegory,
apocalyptic, and epic.
Yet note the amazing unity. These sixty-six books unfold one continuous drama
of redemption, paradise lost to paradise regained, creation to the consummation
of all things. There is one central theme, the person of Jesus Christ, even
by implication in the Old Testament (Luke 24:27). In the Old Testament Christ
is anticipated; in the New Testament he is realized (Matt. 5:17-18). There
is one message: Humankind's problem is sin, and the solution is salvation
through Christ (Mark 10:45; Luke 19:10). Such incredible unity is best accounted
for by the existence of a divine Mind that the writers of Scripture claimed
inspired them. This Mind wove each of their pieces into one mosaic of truth. |
| -Stedman, Ray, C. Adventuring Through the Bible. (Grand Rapids,
MI: Discovery House Publishers),479.
(shorter excerpt)
Throughout the pages of the Old Testament, we have been reading about Jesus
Christ. Even though He is never named in the Old Testament, He appears on
every page in the form of symbols, shadows, types, rituals, sacrifices, and
prophecies. As we turn to the pages of the New Testament, we encounter Him
in the flesh. Here, in the form of a living, breathing human being, is the
one who satisfies and fulfills all the symbols and prophecies of Genesis
through Malachi. As we move from the Old Testament to the New, we find that
one person, Jesus of Nazareth, is the focal point of both Testaments. |
