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The Bible—Greatest Monument of Mankind |
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Written by Rev. George Mastrantonis
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There
are distinguished persons and distinguished monuments which stand out in the
annals of history. Their lives were full of adventure as they faced the
tremendous opposition of their contemporaries as well as accepting enormous
sacrifice in their own lives. One of the monuments, the greatest in the history
of the world, is the Bible.
It has met great challenges of its literal
expression as well as its trials over its validity and accuracy. The critical
scrutiny of the Bible is the most thorough effort and examination that has ever
been made of a literary work from the beginning of time, an examination
challenging its integrity, and meaning. Its words, thoughts and personalities
have been the subject of controversial discussion and debate through the
centuries, both in its original language and its translation.
From
approximately 12 centuries before the Christian Era through 20 centuries since
(the former for the Old Testament and the latter for both the Old and New
Testament), its construction, correction and restoration was achieved. The
Bible is stronger today than ever before, despite the "scientific"
effort to replace it with human elements of the laboratory and technology. The
Bible is so different from other literary works of famous writers whose names
are mentioned in the history of scientific findings that only a Superhuman
Providence has kept it alive through its orbit of destiny. The Bible has been
inscribed on stone, papyrus, lamb skin, in the memories of men and in the
hearts of the people.
This extraordinary adventure of the Bible, a written document of historical
validity, is so because its content and mission is different from all other
examples of human literature, regardless of their valuable content of knowledge
and human wisdom. The Bible was written by different writers over an extensive
period of time, especially the Old Testament. The writers of the Old Testament
began with Moses, covering 12 centuries before Christ and continuing through
the writers of the historical, poetical, instructive and prophetic books,
together with the writers of the New Testament, writing over a period of 50
years. They find themselves in agreement on thoughts, purpose, destination and
mission. The readers of the Bible are overwhelmed and astonished to find these
harmonious elements of destiny and purpose. No other literature of this kind
exists. A close coherence of the Old and New Testaments, keeping their content
intact their continuity in "promises" and "fulfillments",
links them together so closely. The various writings of the Old and New
Testaments witness one Editor with Authority that permeate their thoughts.
The literature of the Bible is an epic monument which influences the thinking
of man and the molding of his character. "The Bible carries its full
message, not to those who regard it simply as a heritage of the past or who
praise its literary style, but to those who read it that they may discern and
understand God's Word to man. That Word must not be disguised in phrases that
are no longer clear, not be hidden under words that have changed or lost their
meaning. It must stand forth in language that is direct and plain and
meaningful to people today."
This article is excerpted from "The
Bible: Its Original Languages and English Translations." The article can be
read in full at http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article7068.asp
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