7 Life-Changing Reasons Why Every Christian Should Read the Bible Daily

Why Did God Give Us a Book?

The Bible is a remarkable and influential book that has shaped literature around the world. It is considered to be uniquely inspired by God, making it an authoritative and inerrant collection of 66 books. But have you ever wondered why God chose a written medium to reveal Himself? In this article, we will explore several reasons why a collection of written documents was the ideal way for God to give us His revelation.

Preserved Revelation

While God is often associated with the spoken word in Scripture, written documents offer a level of preservation that oral tradition does not. Studies show that oral tradition can be accurate, especially in societies with low literacy rates. However, history passed down solely through oral means tends to change more rapidly than written documents. We can see this in the various Flood stories found around the world.

The Bible, being a collection of written documents, has been meticulously copied throughout history. By examining ancient manuscripts, we can gain an accurate understanding of what the Bible actually says. While copyists may have made mistakes during the copying process, the abundance of copies allows us to compare them and identify any errors. This level of accuracy would not be possible with an oral tradition where earlier versions would die out with those who transmitted them.

Propagated Revelation

When a message is strictly oral, its transmission is limited to those within earshot of the speaker and those they encounter. In contrast, a written document can be copied multiple times and taken anywhere in the world. This propagation allows for wider dissemination of the message.

Written words convey concrete meaning and factual statements about things. Messengers who carry written documents can faithfully communicate the message because they have it written down. This was crucial for the rapid spread of the Gospel. While Paul traveled on his missionary journeys to establish churches in Asia, he also wrote letters to provide teaching from afar. The written revelation enabled authoritative quoting, which others could verify for authenticity. The New Testament authors frequently quote from the Old Testament. In turn, the Church Fathers made over a million references to the New Testament. This abundance of quotations allows for the reconstruction of much of the New Testament from these references alone.

Translated Revelation

Another reason why God chose to reveal His Word in written form is that it can be translated into any language. Early in Christian history, translations began to emerge. For example, while there are over 5,800 manuscripts of the New Testament in the original Greek, there are about 10,000 manuscripts of Latin translations, as well as 5,000–10,000 translations into other languages like Coptic and Aramaic.

As Christianity spread and more people groups became converted, these translations allowed them to access God's Word in their own language. This aligns with the belief that Christ will save people "from all tribes, and peoples, and languages" (Revelation 7:9).

Perfect Revelation!

The Bible claims to be the Word of God, and its written form allows us to read the same truth penned by people thousands of years ago, even when we read it in a different language. No other medium is as easily transmitted, preserved, and made available to wide groups of people as a written book.

Propositional Revelation

Words convey concrete meaning through propositions or factual statements about things. While a painting may have various interpretations, there are only so many ways to interpret a sentence like "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

Throughout Scripture, God's revelation and action in the world are characterized by words. For example, God created the universe through His spoken word (Genesis 1), and His covenant with Israel was mediated through words (Exodus 20). Jesus Himself is referred to as "The Word" (John 1). The Bible equates God's Word with God Himself. To love God's Word is to love God, and to reject God's Word is to reject God.

Why This Matters

Understanding why God chose a written medium for His revelation helps us appreciate the preservation and propagation of His Word. It emphasizes the reliability and authenticity of the Bible as a collection of documents inspired by God. This knowledge can deepen our faith in God's Word and its relevance for our lives today.

Think About It

Consider how different it would be if God had chosen another medium for His revelation, such as an oral tradition or visual medium. How would this impact the preservation, propagation, and translation of His message? Reflecting on these aspects can help us grasp the significance of the written Word of God and its unique role in communicating His truth to us.