When
was the Bible written?
 The Bible was written over a
span of 1500 years and over 40 generations. It was finished with the
completion of the book of Revelation about 95 A.D.
Let's also look at
the question, How is the Bible unique?
The definition of the
word “unique,”
according to Webster is: “1. one and only; single; sole. 2.
different from all others; having no like or equal.”
The Bible is unique
in many ways.
The Bible is unique in its
continuity.
The Bible was written
by over 40 authors from a variety of occupations, including kings,
peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars,
shepherds, military commanders, cup bearers, a doctor, a rabbi, and
others.
The Bible was written
on three different continents, Asia, Africa, and Europe. And it was
written in different types of places, which include: in the wilderness,
in a dungeon, on a hillside, in a palace, in a prison, while traveling,
and in exile on a small island.
The Bible was written
in times of war and times of peace.
The Bible was
originally written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic (the common
language of Jesus' time) and Greek.
The Bible reveals
“God's plan of redemption of man” and also reveals
God's character and mercy and grace.
The Bible is unique in its
circulation.
There
have been more copies produced of the whole work and more portions and
selections than any other book in history. Some will say that in a
certain month or year more of a certain book was sold. But there never
has been a book that has more consistently reached a higher overall
circulation than the Scriptures.
The
Cambridge History of the Bible says about the Bible: “No
other book has known anything approaching this constant
circulation.”
The Bible is unique in its
translation.
The
Bible was one of the first major books that was translated. The Old
Testament was translated into Greek before the time of Christ about 250
B.C.
The
Bible has been translated and paraphrased more than any other book in
existence.
The Bible is unique in its
survival.
It has survived over
time. By a general consent of scholars, there are fewer uncertain or
corrupt New Testament Bible verses (12-20) after almost 2000 years than
there are uncertain or corrupt passages in the works of Shakespeare
(about 100) after less than 400 years since they were written.
The Bible has
survived through persecution. The Bible has outlasted many people's
efforts to ban it, burn it, outlaw it, despise it, and use it as toilet
paper. Even God says it will accomplish what He has sent it out in the
world to do and not return to Him void.
The Bible has
survived through criticism. Bernard Ramm writes:
“A thousand
times over, the death knell of the Bible has been sounded, the funeral
procession formed, the inscription cut on the tombstone, and committal
read. But somehow the corpse never stays put.
“No other
book has been so chopped, knived, sifted, scrutinized, and villified.
What book on philosophy or religion or psychology or belles lettres of
classical or modern times has been subject to such a mass attack as the
Bible? with such venom and skepticism? With such thoroughness and
erudition? Upon every chapter, line and tenet?
“The Bible
is still loved by millions, read by millions, and studied by
millions.”
The Bible is unique in its
teachings.
The
Bible foretold future events by prophecy. Over 100 prophecies of Christ
were written hundreds of years before they were fulfilled by Jesus.
Mohamed and no one else had such prophecies.
The
Bible presents accurate history. Archeology has been proving the Bible
correct over the years.
The
Bible presents people and people groups accurately with all their sins
and character flaws. The Bible names names and gives detailed
genealogies.
The
Bible is unique in its influence on surrounding literature. This can be
seen in the book: The Greatest English Classic: A Study of
the King James Version of the Bible and its Influence on Life and
Literature by Cleland Boyd McAfee.
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