Question from a reader:
Randy, why do you believe the Bible is the truth? Why don't you believe the Quaran is the truth or the Book of Mormon is the truth? Can you quote one verse in the Bible that was written by God? We have no verified authors for Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. Why should we believe what anonymous authors have to say? Do you believe that drowning babies is a good thing? God drowned thousands of babies in the supposed global flood. Why did a perfect God make an imperfect world? Why would a loving God create an eternal place of punishment called Hell? Do you have any verifiable evidence that God is real? I see no evidence that the Bible is true or should be followed. I have read it front to back, and the God of the Bible is a brutal thug. Christianity is a blood cult of brutal human and animal sacrifice. God is not Good, he is evil. Isaiah 45:7 even says God creates evil. Why? Insane!
Answer from Doreen Button, EPM staff:
I’m writing on behalf of Randy and appreciate your questions. I especially am glad to see that you’ve read the Bible yourself, which is surprisingly unusual for people who don’t like it. Most simply take other people’s word for what they believe the Bible says.
Much has been written about how Christianity stands alone in the crowd of world religions. Same for material dealing with why the Bible is a trustworthy document. And personally, I have found that the more time I spend reading and studying it, the more incredible it seems that multiple people authored it over millennia. It is so cohesive. I’m an avid reader—have been for all my life. I’ve been an editor for more than 15 years (for Randy and others). The ‘hyperlinks’ between books, calling back and forth to each other across the ages are nothing short of miraculous. There just isn’t any other book like it. If you are truly interested in answers to your questions, here are some places to start:
What Is Faith? Why Should I Believe in Christianity and Not Some Other Religion?
I’m sorry I just don’t have time to re-invent the wheel by answering questions that others have answered so well, and the above links are a good beginning into the wealth of resources. The third link is an article written by Randy. If you’re serious about wanting to know his thoughts, Randy has written extensively on the topic of why there’s evil and suffering (here’s a link) including a large book called If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil.
Based on the tone of your comment, and since we can’t sit across the table from each other and share our stories, I can only guess that somewhere in your past someone has hurt you deeply and you blame God. The Old Testament is full of God offering and choosing good for us and about how we, time after time, refuse Him and do life our own way. His mercy and patience shocks me every time I read it. The New Testament tells of God’s ultimate means of saving us from ourselves and offering a true, deep, loving relationship with Him which makes a true, deep, loving, servant-hearted relationship with one another possible. And that invitation is for everyone. He is The Way, The Truth, The Life. No one comes to the Father but through Him (see John 14).
I can tell you from personal experience that I have never enjoyed life (despite nasty outward circumstances) and never felt so loved than I have since I chose to take Jesus at His word and follow Him with a whole heart. And honestly, unless you choose to do the same, the Bible will not make sense because you will be missing the key to a depth of understanding and desire needed to truly “get it.”
Take your questions to God. Ask Him to prove Himself. Chances are, He’ll take you up on it. Are you sure you’re ready for that? I hope so. I pray so.
God bless you in your search for healing and hope.
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