The Bible is unique in a variety of ways:

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1. It is unique in Continuity

a. The only book written over a 1500-year span.

b. Written by over 40 authors from every walk of life, including Kings, military leaders, peasants, fisherman, statesman, scholars, shepherds etc.

c. Written in different places—in a King’s palace, wilderness, dungeon, traveling, on an island

d. At different times– a times of war and sacrifice and during peace and prosperity

e. On three continents: Asia. Africa, Europe

f.  Three languages-Hebrew, Aramaic (common in the Near East until Alexander the Great), Greek

g. Wide variety of literary styles: poetry, song, historical narrative, romance, biography, allegory, and personal letter

h. Addresses hundreds of topics, from marriage, parenting, to issues of sexuality, finances, relations to government authorities, and the nature of God

i. And yet throughout the Bible there is a unique unity in its message – That message is that there is a God who wants to have a relationship with human beings, and who has made this possible.

j. Throughout the Bible there is a single main Character- the true living God made know through Jesus Christ.

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2. Unique in its Circulation:

a. Most best sellers print a few hundred thousand copies, or a good one into the millions. (A Harry Potter book sold 9 million in US and Britain in first 24 hours.)

b. But Bible sales reach into the Billions- More then any book in history. In the USA alone in 1998, 585 million Bibles and portions of the Bible were distributed.

 

3. Unique in its Translation:

a. According to the United Bible Society, the Bible has been translated into 2,200 languages which represent over 90% of the world’s population.

 

4. Unique in its Survival:

a. Through time, although first written on perishable materials such as papyrus and animal skins- it has been copied and recopied for hundreds of years with very little change.

b. Through persecution– Voltaire, who died in 1778, boasted that in 100 years Christianity would be swept from existence. Instead Voltaire is gone and 50 years after his death the Geneva Bible Society used his house and printing press to produce Bibles.

 

5. Unique in its Teachings:

a. A combination of history, poetry and prophecies, it gives an honest view of human character that is as true today as it was when it was written. I’ve met Christians from many countries. It’s amazing how the Bible can communicate to different cultures and societies through all generations.

 

6. Unique in its influence on Civilization

a. The teachings of the Bible have influenced the development of modern civilization more than any other source.

b. Millions of people have been transformed by encountering the God of the Bible in Jesus.