In a similar way, this phenomenon of "witness of the opposition" has served to prove the truthfulness and divine inspiration of the Bible. Over the past two centuries many wealthy and influential people have deliberately set out to try to disprove the accuracy of events recorded in the Bible. Not only have they failed to undermine the Bible but their archaeological and historical research findings have served to prove the Bible's historicity and reliability.

A case in point is Scottish archaeologist Sir William Ramsay (1851-1939), an atheist whose parents were also atheists. He was definitely a hostile witness. Ramsay was wealthy and held a doctorate in philosophy from Oxford. When he set out to try to disprove the Bible he focused on the New Testament book of Acts which records the travels and evangelism of the Apostles.

He regarded the book of Acts as the most vulnerable book of the Bible because of its frequent specific mention of places, people and things. Ramsay thought he could expose Acts as mere myth.

Ramsay set out, funded by his immense wealth, and did extensive excavations and research over a period of 25 years. He wrote several books over this time and as each book came out it was more and more favorable to the book of Acts. Finally in one of his later books he declared that he believed Acts to be divinely inspired and that he had become a Christian! (Why I Believe by D. James Kennedy p. 33).

Another famous example is Lewis Wallace (1827-1905), Union general during the American Civil War and later ambassador to Turkey. Wallace set out to try to disprove the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His research led him not only to accept the biblical account of the resurrection of Christ but also to write a novel set in the time of Christ. His novel is titled Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ which was later made into a major Hollywood motion picture.

Even Constantin Francois Volney, who wrote the infamous anti-Christian book entitled Ruins (published in Paris in 1791), did research that confirmed the fulfillment of certain Bible prophecies. Abraham Lincoln was given a copy of Ruins in his youth and it caused him to turn against Christianity for a time. Lincoln returned to faith in Christ in the later years of his life.

It should be pointed out by way of contrast that the book of Mormon, a book that Mormons claim is inspired, records many place names but these places are not confirmed by archaeology.

Psalm 76:10 says "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee." How amusingly ironic it is that people who reject the Bible and try to prove it wrong unwittingly become powerful witnesses to its truth. The fact that the Bible is painstakingly accurate in its record of history is just one of many reasons to trust it to be what it claims to be: God's inspired word to humanity.

The Bible is scientifically accurate! Find the evidence at www.icr.org.  

Steps to salvation: Jesus said "Ye must be born again." (John 3:7)

1. Believe that God created you and loves you and sent the Messiah (Messiah is Hebrew for Christ) to redeem you.
2. Believe that Jesus the Messiah came in fulfillment of over 300 Bible prophecies to die for you to take upon Himself the penalty for your sins. (Isaiah 53:5-6, John 6:29, Romans 4:5, First Peter 3:18)
3. Turn from sin and call on the name of Jesus to receive forgiveness. (Romans 10:13)
4. Receive Jesus as Savior and experience the new birth. (John 1:12, Acts 2:38)
5. Follow Him as Lord. (John 14:21)

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)

To receive the salvation that Jesus purchased for us at the terrible cost of His suffering and death on our behalf I invite you to pray this simple prayer:

"Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for sending Jesus, the promised Messiah, to die for my sins. I admit that I am a sinner and I ask for your forgiveness on the basis of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit to empower me to serve you under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, Amen."

If you prayed that prayer in the humble sincerity of your heart then you have received everlasting life, which includes power to live right in this life and entrance into heaven in the afterlife!

Bill Nugent, Overcomer Ministries of West Harrison, New York, USA

(C) 2010 William P. Nugent, permission granted to email or republish if credit given

DEFENDING THE FAITH APOLOGETIC ARTICLES Bill Nugent currently writes a series of articles called "Defending the Faith" which, as the title suggests, defend the Christian faith from the many attacks leveled against it in our postmodern world. The articles deal with such topics as evolution, UFOs, cults, modern/postmodern philosophy, liberal theology and popular culture. At the end of each article is an invitation to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. These articles are sent out over the Internet to several opt-in email lists. People who receive these articles are encouraged to resend them to their own lists and in this way reach their own unsaved relatives and friends with the Gospel. All Defending the Faith articles are © 2009 William P. Nugent, permission is granted to email or republish if credit given. To receive these articles which are sent out once per month fill in your email address below and click the SUBMIT button. *Security: Write the characters in the image above (Case sensitive)