WHAT MAKES CHRISTIANITY DIFFERENT, AND BEST?

Is Christianity the only true religion? There are more than 3000 religions in the world. Why do Evangelical Christians present their faith as the only right and true choice? Having faith is important—having faith in the right belief is essential. Having faith in the right thing not only impacts the joy and a sense of purpose one experiences in the present but also determines the destiny of one’s eternal soul. The importance of putting one’s faith in the right thing—in the right God, is paramount. God created humans with inquisitive minds and, in His mercy, has provided both reasons to believe and helps to believe.

Many religions speak of God, the Spirit, Jesus, love, heaven, eternity, Scripture, and peace. It is important to note that different religions define those terms differently. For example, in Islam, Jesus was an important teacher (Who’s true message has been corrupted by the West). The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus is Michael the Archangel. To Mormons, Jesus was the son of God as we are all children of God (though created first). To Christians, Jesus is the Son of God and one in essence with God (John 1:1; Col. 1:16, 2:8-10). To many, Jesus highlighted just one of many ways to get to heaven. To Christians, Jesus is the only way to get to heaven (John 14:6). Therefore, knowing the terminology is not enough. How we define key terms is vital. Our eternal destiny is determined by the choices we make. The stakes are high.

It is true that we are to “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7), but God, in His mercy, has provided an abundance of evidence to help those with questions discover the truth and know what to believe. I believe God has provided this evidence not only to be confident in His love but also to be confident in our faith and be well-positioned to provide a compelling defense for what we know in our hearts to be true. Christians are called to impact the world for Christ and persuade individuals to believe (2 Cor. 5:11). It is not enough to simply state what we believe—to be a powerful witness; we must also be able to articulate why we believe it.

God created humanity with the ability to reason and has provided compelling reasons to believe. I believe God expects His followers to study to be equipped to share His truth

(2 Timothy 2:15). Further, Scripture notes that believers are to be able to defend the faith (Philippians 1:16) and be prepared to give “every [person] an answer” (1 Peter 3:15).

Compelling Reasons to Believe (categories)

• Archaeology: Archaeological evidence supporting the biblical record (verifying the Bible is true) is now abundant. In the last 150 years, archaeological finds have verified:
  • The existence of Bible characters such as David, Pontus Pilate, Herod, Mary Magdalene, Moses, and the Red Sea crossing.
  • Many long-lost and disputed cities mentioned in Scripture have been discovered. This includes many of the conquest cities referenced in the book of Judges, the New Testament city of Nazareth, Nineveh, Sodom, and many more.
  • Summary: Archaeology verifies the accuracy of Scripture. No find has shown the Bible to be in error.

·     Scientific Evidence

• Long before it was proven, the Old Testament noted that the earth is a sphere.
  • Long before it was proven to be true, the Old Testament noted that the universe had a point of beginning.
  • There is evidence for a global flood, corroborating the story in Gen. 6-9.
  • The Bible references a prior age when there were great creatures, fitting the description of dinosaurs (Job 40:15-19).
  • The Bible rightly notes that the principal star in the constellation Draco was once the highest (most Northern) star in our sky, but now it has been replaced by Polaris, our ‘North Star.’
  • The Bible rightly notes that the center star in the belt of the constellation Orion is not one star, but a double star – two stars moving away from each other or “uncoupling.”

• The Bible describes streams in the ocean (the Gulf Stream), and in the clouds (wind patterns and weather fronts).

The Study of Historical Documents (Manuscript Attestation—The science of validating the authenticity and reliability of works of antiquity).

• Old Testament-era markers, scrolls, and documents validate dozens of laws, customs, traditions, and rites mentioned in the Bible.
• Secular historical documents verify many aspects of the biblical record, including Babylonian captivity, the Second Temple, the Jerusalem wall, the Roman census, and Jesus’ crucifixion.
• No historical document has proven the biblical record to be in error.

• The number of early-generation copies of the New Testament exceeds the number of copies of writings held to be best-preserved works of antiquity by several thousand percent. Over 5,000 copies of Bible writing exist compared to fewer than 50 copies of Plato or Aristotle.
• The span of time separating the writing of the original New Testament text from the oldest preserved text available today is several hundred percent lower than the averaged time gap in the so-called ten best works of antiquity – writings of Shakespeare, Socrates, and others.

By all analysis points, this secular field of study notes that the Bible is fully unique – unequaled in seamless consistency and accuracy in the production of thousands of early-generation copies. The Bible deserves to be in a category all its own. Christians understand this is because it is the inspired word of God.

Prophetic Fulfilment

Bible scholars and skeptics have verified that the approximately 900 Bible Prophecies that

should have been fulfilled by this point in history, have been fulfilled. The biblical record for prophetic accuracy is 100%. To put this in perspective, the probability of less than half of the 125 messianic prophecies being perfectly fulfilled by one man, Jesus, is roughly equal to the chances of picking one marked electron in all the universe. Biblical prophecy is specific, precise, and always perfectly accurate. This confirms the “inspired” nature of Scripture. It verifies the Bible to be true, and it beckons the hearer to be spiritually prepared because the 100 or so prophecies remaining will also unfold exactly as predicted in the days to come.

There are good reasons to believe the Bible is true, accurate, and inspired. Christians must be able to make compelling arguments for their faith and be able to articulate not merely what they believe but also, why they believe it.

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