Christianity brings us into a close relationship with God and leads us to eternal life in heaven. But that is not all. It provides us with a positive, fulfilling life on earth. As we learn and grow, it gives us meaning, direction, a sense of self-worth, confidence, a meaningful answer to personal guilt, a means of finding happiness and personal peace in the face of hardship, a healthy way of living, and the help and encouragement of close friends who share the same beliefs and values.

I recognize, however, that many other groups and philosophies make similar promises. Indeed, many find fulfilment and friendship in a host of organisations and belief-systems other than Christianity. But whilst many political, philosophical and religious bodies may deal with some of the facts and issues of our existence, Christianity deals with the whole, eternal reality.

The Bible, as discussed in the previous article, is not merely a collection of rules. Nor is it a book of myths. The Bible is set in a factual historical and geographical context. It deals with real persons and real events which occurred at real times in real places. On page, after page, after page, the reliability of the Bible can be tested. And when it is tested, the accuracy of detail after detail is affirmed. To quote just one out of many such comments:

In view of the overwhelming mass of authentic and well-attested evidence now available, as I thought of the sceptical criticism which from the eighteenth century onwards would fain have demolished the Bible altogether, there kept hammering on my brain this one sentence: “The Bible is right after all!” (Keller, W., The Bible as History, pp.22-24.)

If the Bible is reliable in regard to its many historical, geographical and biographical details, we cannot simply ignore what it has to say in regard to spiritual details. But even in regard to “spiritual” matters, there is very powerful supporting evidence.

Central to the Bible’s message is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. He claimed to be uniquely related to God, sent into the world from heaven. He staked His credibility on the claim that he would be alive again, three days after being killed. We have supportive historical evidence for Jesus’ existence. There is testimony to the fact that he lived and was executed. But the evidence does not stop there. A careful analysis of the evidence leads to the conclusion that Jesus was indeed raised from death to life just as the Bible says he was. Every attempt to provide an alternate explanation of the facts leads to failure. As Josh McDowell states in his book, “More Evidence That Demands a Verdict” (pp. 338,339):

Although critics have tried every conceivable way to explain away the evidence, one after another the theories collapsed. The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible reports, “Recent scholars have, therefore, tended to abandon the attempt to give rationalistic explanations of the narrative as it stands.”

Jesus Christ is neither a myth nor a fraud. He declared: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The evidence supports that claim, just as it supports the authenticity of the One who made that claim. God exists. Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour of all. God, through Jesus Christ, provides us with promises and blessings which no one else can give. That applies here on earth and in the life to come. For all these reasons, you really should give thoughtful, honest consideration to Christianity. If you desire more information, let us know.