Why Do Christians Believe The Bible Is True? How Can That Be Explained To Children?
Q: Why do Christians believe the Bible is true, and how can that be explained clearly to grandchildren?
A: David Guzik: I would begin with this: the Bible is the most unique, amazing book that the world has ever seen. It was written over a span of thousands of years by forty different authors, on three different continents, in three different languages, by people from all different kinds of classes and economic backgrounds and circumstances. And yet, it speaks with a unified voice about the most controversial topics and philosophical ideas that the world has seen. That’s one aspect that tells us the Bible is special.
Another aspect that speaks to us about the inspiration of the Bible is the phenomenon of fulfilled prophecy. I think you could explain to your grandchildren how God predicted certain things hundreds and sometimes a thousand years before they happened, and those things happened exactly as He said they would. A good example of this would be the virgin birth, which was prophesied in Isaiah and was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. This example shows us that the content of the Bible comes to us from an intelligence (God) who knows things are going to happen hundreds of years before they happen, and it gives real credence to the Bible.
Thirdly, tell them about its life-changing power. The word of God changes lives. It has changed our lives.
Inga-Lill Guzik: In thinking about how God’s word changes lives, that’s where you can bring in missionary stories and biographies. Read the stories of people who have brought the Word of God to the ends of the world and see how their lives have been changed because of it. It’s a good tangible example in our day and age, to read about situations where the Word of God has made a difference.