THATS - Is the Bible Fact or Fiction Brother Bob Pellien: The Bible is undeniably a unique book. But should we appreciate it just as a beautiful work of literary fiction, like it’s just another book? What sets the Bible apart from other books, and is the Bible fact or fiction? [On-screen text graphics] Is the Bible Fact or Fiction? Brother Bob Pellien: The Bible is the basis of our teachings in the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ which answers questions about proper worship, the right relationship with God, and most importantly salvation - That’s in the Bible! [Show intro graphics] [On-screen text graphics] Brother Bob Pellien Minister of the Gospel  Brother Bob Pellien: I’m Bob Pellien, and welcome to the program, That’s in the Bible. We received a question from Kim in San Diego about the Bible itself, here’s what she asks:  [Video starts] [On-screen text graphics] Kim | San Diego California Kim: My question is why have so many people taken so much interest in the Bible and belief, when it’s just another book? [Video ends] Brother Bob Pellien: Thank you Kim for your question. To help Kim out and answer her question, we need to first address the assumption that some have, which is that the Bible is “just another book”. After that, we’ll be able to answer more specifically Kim’s question:  “Why have so many people taken so much interest in the Bible?” Let’s frame our discussion around these topics then:  [On-screen text graphics]  Is the Bible “just another book”? If not, what sets the Bible apart from other books?  What’s the value in learning and following what the Bible teaches? Brother Bob Pellien: Dear friends, what should we understand about the Bible or the Holy Scriptures? For proper understanding, let's read what is actually written 2 Timothy 3:15-17, it says: and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.  [2 Timothy 3:15-17 New King James Version] Brother Bob Pellien:  So according to what is written here, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,”—all scripture that we use as a basis of our faith from the Bible is Scripture written under the inspiration of God. We can already see that this is different from any other book. Man has his own inspiration, for example, to write down his own words, but the Bible or Holy Scriptures does not contain man’s words but rather God’s words. It was not written with the intention to be mere literature, or be created by authors for, let’s say, the sake of entertainment or for cultural purposes—no. Therefore, it’s not “just another book.”  How were God’s inspired words written down to make up the Holy Scriptures or as we now know it as the Holy Bible? We can learn how this was done by also opening up the ancient writings of the ancient prophets, for example, in Jeremiah 30:2, I quote what’s recorded there: “Thus speaks the Lord God of Israel, saying: ‘Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you. [Jeremiah 30:2 New King James Version]   Brother Bob Pellien: Dear friends, in this verse, God Himself is the One addressing one of His servants. What did God instruct him to do? He said, “Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you.” What is His servant supposed to write? Just anything he wanted? No. God said, “all the words that I have spoken to you.”  So,