Israel My Glory - July/August 2011

results are little short of astound- ing. . . . In light of the fact that there are over 5,000 Greek manuscripts, some 9,000 versions and translations, the evidence for the integrity of the New Testament is beyond ques- tion. . . . Thus, the New Testament has not only survived in more manuscripts than any other book from antiquity, but it has survived in a much purer form than any other great book, whether or not they are sacred works, a form that is over 99 percent pure. 2 Over the centuries, both the Old and New Testaments have undergone exten- sive microscopic analysis conducted by renowned scholars who specialize in biblical history, literature, grammar, and archaeology. Although some textu- al critics have pointed out what they consider discrepancies, errors, and con- tradictions within the Bible, centuries of careful analyses have never conclusive- ly proven the Bible text to be in error. While variant readings exist within the copies, they are minor and relate to spelling and word order. They affect no major doctrine of Scripture. To have 40 different authors over a period of 1,600 years write a unified book without error or contradiction is unique indeed in both ancient and mod- ern history. The Bible is unique in its history, mes- sage, universality, influence, fulfilled prophecies, preservation, power to change lives, and testimony throughout history. God’s oversight and providen- tial preservation give us assurance that oday we possess the verbal, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. It stands alone as the most unique Book of all time. And it will stand forever.