To the Editor:
The Tri-Cities in Tennessee was named America’s fourth most Bible-minded area for 2017 by the American Bible Society. People were considered Bible-minded if they had read the Bible in the last week and believe strongly in the accuracy of the Bible. With Chattanooga found to be number one in Bible-minded cities, we can be proud Tennessee is probably the number one fan of the best-selling book in history — the Holy Bible. I support making the Gideon Bible the official book of Tennessee to honor both the Gideons and the Bible. State lawmakers have tried in the past to make the Bible the official book of Tennessee, but failed. Now that we have a more Christian friendly governor it could be done. The Gideons are headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., and have given out over two billion Bibles and New Testaments in more than 110 years!
The recognition of the Gideon Bible as the official state book can’t establish a religion. President George Washington and every president have placed their hand on the Bible to administer the oath of office and added, “so help me God.” President Washington and the other presidents were constitutional experts and didn’t see this as establishing a religion.
The Bible contains more wisdom than all textbooks, teachers and professors combined as many presidents and founders have said. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “I feel that a comprehensive study of the Bible is a liberal education for anyone.” President Theodore Roosevelt said, “No educated man can afford to be ignorant of the Bible.” President John Adams said, “The Bible is the best book in the world. It contains more than all the libraries I have seen.” Patrick Henry said, “The Bible is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed.” President Thomas Jefferson said, “I have always said, and will always say, that studious perusal of the sacred volume (Bible) will make us better citizens.” Horace Greely said, “It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a Bible reading people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom.” President Abraham Lincoln said, “The Bible is the greatest gift God gave man; apart from it, we would not know right from wrong.”
Willmington’s Guide to the Bible lists 10 proofs that the Bible is the word of God. The first supernatural evidence is its amazing unity. The unity is achieved in spite of the long period of time involved (1500 years) in its writing, the many writers (some 40) and their many occupations, the many different places it was written, and the many different styles of its writers. Second supernatural evidence is its indestructibility. Its indestructibility in spite of political persecution, religious persecution and philosophical persecution. Third supernatural evidence is its historical accuracy. Proven by archaeology. Fourth supernatural evidence is its scientific accuracy. The Bible is scientifically accurate. The Bible was the first book to correctly say that the earth is circular and suspended in space (Isaiah 40/Job 26). The fifth supernatural evidence is its prophetical accuracy.
The Bible correctly predicts the future. Jesus fulfilled all predictions concerning the coming savior. The Bible correctly predicted Israel would come back as a country and control Jerusalem in the end day just before the tribulation and the return of Jesus. Sixth supernatural evidence is its universal influence upon civilization. Western civilization and law are founded directly upon the Bible and its teachings. The Bible says that people are evil and can’t be trusted. (Jeremiah 17) So our American founders put in checks and balances and three branches of government. Seventh supernatural evidence is its care and copy. There are more ancient copies of the Bible than any other book. Eighth supernatural evidence is its amazing circulation. More copies have been made of the Bible than any other book. Ninth supernatural evidence is its absolute honesty. God tells it like it is. God writes bad things about some of his friends and good things about some of his enemies. Human authors don’t consistently write this way. Tenth supernatural evidence is its life transforming power. The greatest proof that the Bible is God’s word is its amazing ability to change corrupt, evil people who repent (turn from sin and self) and turn to Jesus in faith, believing in the blood, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus as your only payment for your sins.
Other books inform; only the Bible transforms. Millions have given up drugs and crime and their marriages and families have been saved after reading the Bible. Jesus said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.” Psalm 30 says, “Every word of God is (pure) flawless.”
God has given us truth in every word of the Bible and the truth can’t be improved on! Reading, believing, and living up to the Bible commands such as “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” is the only sure way to live up to the Tennessee’s official slogan — “Tennessee — America at its Best!”

D.D. Nave
Elizabethton