By Nelly Favis Villafuerte This is the age when people are vulnerable to receive anything that is supernatural. When people see things that are supernatural, their natural curiosity to know more about the events is aroused. We hear of mediums, reincarnations, astrologers, theosophists, hypnotic-regressors, astral projectors, socio-telepaths, mind-controllers, and clairvoyants. But what many do not realize is that everything supernatural is not necessarily of God. * * * What is the drawing power of things that are supernatural? To some people, probably this is their way of responding when circumstances in their lives call for worry and anxiety. * * * There are, however, people who are responding differently to the situation. I am referring to the group of people who are joining the spiritual revival now sweeping the country like a gentle breeze – and have found peace, joy, fulfillment by regularly reading and studying the Bible . . . and living its teachings in their daily lives. * * * The Bible is not just an ordinary human book. It is the living Word of God – the world’s best seller put together in a period of 1,600 years covering 60 generations participated in by more than 40 authors from various backgrounds writing in various styles on hundreds of controversial subjects covering happenings at different times in various places, in three different continents (Asia, Europe, Africa). * * * Here are other amazing insights about the Bible: In 1728, Voltaire, French philosopher, novelist, and historian once boasted: “Another century and there will be not a Bible on the earth.” The century has gone but the Bible is still in circulation. Fifty years after Voltaire’s death (he died in 1778), the Geneva Bible Society bought Voltaire’s old printing press and the house where he lived. The Geneva Bible Society later used Voltaire’s printing press to print more Bibles. His house was also made the headquarters for the distribution of the Bibles. * * * The astounding credential of the Holy Bible is its absolute harmony from beginning to end, notwithstanding the fact that its 40 writers come from totally different backgrounds living in different times. The first writer died 1,450 years even before the last writer was born. * * * Let’s go over the profile of the writers: Moses was an Egyptian prince; Isaiah, a prophet; Daniel, a prime minister; Luke, a physician; Paul, a tentmaker; Joshua, a soldier; Matthew, a tax collector; Esther, a queen; Ruth, a housekeeper; David, a king; Samuel, a prince; Ezra, a scribe; Job & Amos were farmers; Nehemiah, a cup-bearer; and Peter & John were fishermen. * * * “All scripture is given by inspiration of God. . .” (2 Tim. 3:16). This means that all parts of the Bible are equally inspired by God. The writers through revelation wrote that which God wants written. * * * The Book of Genesis, the statement “God said” is repeated 9 times in the first chapter. The phrase “Thus says the Lord” appears in Malachi, the last Old Testament Book 23 times. The statement “The Lord spoke” appears at least 3,800 times in the Old Testament. * * * The word “Bible” comes from the Greek word “Biblion” meaning “book.” Biblion in turn comes from the word byblos meaning papyrus. In the early ages, papyrus was used in making the paper from which books were manufactured. The Bible was originally written on papyrus reed in scroll form. Before the printing press came about, tens of thousands of copies of the Bible were handwritten. With the invention of printing in the 15th century by John Gutenberg, cheaper Bibles were made available to more people. Incidentally, one of the ancient copies of the Bible is found in the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, USA, bought at a price of US$350,000. * * * Historical accuracy of the Bible was proven by various archaeological discoveries. About a hundred years ago, agnostics pointed to “hundreds of historical mistakes” in the Bible until each “shovel of dirt” dug by archaeologists erased their doubts. The Garden of Eden mentioned in Genesis 2:8-14 has been established by archaeologists to be located at the lower Tigris-Euphrates Valley in Mesopotamia. This is said to be the original home of all existing races of men. The traditional site fixed as the place of the Garden of Eden is a group of mounds, 12 miles south of Ur (home of Abraham) known as Eridu. The ruins of Eridu were dug by Hall and Thompson of the British Museum in 1918-1919. Hall and Thompson discovered traces of a flourishing city revered as the original home of man. There are many other Biblical sites already authenticated by archaeology. (To be continued) * * * This column continues to give out copies of the Holy Bible for free to those who cannot afford to buy their own copies. If interested, please send your letter-request to Ms. Nelly Favis Villafuerte, 5233 Fahrenheit St., Palanan, Makati City. Kindly mention if it is the Tagalog, English, Cebuano, or Ilocano Bible that is preferred. Be joyful and forgiving! (Comments may be sent to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: [email protected].)