THE MORAL STANDARD OF THE BIBLE
I. Compared to standards surrounding the writers of the Bible:
1. Old Testament writers lived in a country and in a time that
was engulfed and influenced by heathen religions. These
religions abounded in immoral practices which are too
shocking to even discuss.
2. New Testament writers lived during a period that was
influenced by the immoralities and sensuous practices of the
Pagan Romans and Greeks. Much of the religious practices of
the world of idolatry was founded upon immorality and fleshly
abuses. The heathen temples were little more than brothels.
3. Yet, the moral standard of the Bible was set forth in the
midst of such influences. A moral standard which has never
been surpassed.
4. NOTE: The world's greatest literature and highest moral
standard came not from the "great minds of Rome," nor from
the philosophers of Greece, nor the "intellects" of our own
day, but from a few Jewish fishermen who never went to
college and are not known for their ability to write,
witnessed by the fact they never had another book published.
The skeptic cannot explain this astounding feat. The
Christian answers: These men were inspired by Jehovah to give
a moral standard that lifts man above all other creatures.
II. Christianity offers to the world a moral standard that pleads
universal application without destroying mankind:
1. The teachings of Plato would bring about slavery and make the
brothel an accepted way of life.
2. The Koran (Mohammedan, 570 A.D.) would replace the religion
of Christ (which is founded upon love) with cruelty and the
state of woman would sink to slavery.
3. Hinduism (2000 B.C.) venerates snakes, antelopes, cows,
monkeys. The foulest forms of obscenity are practiced. The
state of woman is degraded.
4. Buddhism (500 B.C.) is founded upon superstition and the
futility of existence. Women are dishonored. Marriage is
scorned. Some of the scriptures of Buddhism are so vile they
cannot be translated and printed in English.
5. Confucians (550 B.C.) -- emperor worship, women degraded.
6. Compare the moral standards of countries where the Bible is
taught in religious freedom with countries where the teaching
of the Bible is restricted or stifled.
III. The Bible stands alone as man's moral standard:
There is no comparison between the Bible and the books
produced by man. The Bible offers to man not only an exalted
moral standard, but also a hope for the life hereafter. The
Bible teaches an inward change which results in an outward
betterment. Men are made stronger, women are presented as pure
and chaste, the aged are honored. Children are revered.
The moral standard of the Bible increases our belief that
it is truly THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD.
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