Today’s reading is really more about the Bible itself.  It is looking at some of the textual criticisms that have come up over time, and some of the common critiques of the Bible that people use in justifying their antithetical position as it relates to its validity.  The thing is, this is an easier chapter in my opinion, as any kind of a real study of the Bible’s origins and assembly leads to one reasonable outcome - this collection of writings is a miracle in-and-of-itself.  There just aren’t great arguments that the Bible, as a whole, isn’t a very reasonable representation of historical and revelational events.  People can and certainly will always argue about the spiritual element of the Bible, the fact that there is a God and there are supernatural themes and events, but no one has been able to bring a credible argument against the work as a whole.  All of the issues that arise in such a critique are fleshed out with just a little textual criticism...in fact, most people who are skilled in textual criticism have accepted that the Bible as a whole is pretty well defended.  Rice presents great arguments in this chapter about seeming contradictions one finds in scripture, about the assembly of the Bible, about timelines and history and all of that - it is really good.  For me though, I have spent a lot of time resolving this particular issue in my personal studies.  If you haven’t, this is a great, great read, and a chapter well worth the time.

My big take away from today’s reading is more reflective...I am moved this morning; moved by the Bible itself, and that I am able to sit here and admire it, hold it in my hands, read it and gaze back into time by opening this thing up.  It truly is a miracle that is often overlooked.  I mean, when we understand all that had to happen for this thing to be right here in my hands, it is amazing.

Great reading this morning.