[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22509]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK STATEMENT

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                           HON. W. TODD AKIN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2008

  Mr. AKIN. Madam Speaker, it was my great pleasure to serve this year 
as the Congressional Co-chair for the House of Representatives for 
National Bible Week, November 23 though November 30, 2008.
  The Bible was foundational to the development of our country. The 
English Puritans came to the New World to follow the Bible according to 
the convictions of their own consciences. Of the 56 signers of the 
Declaration of Independence, 24 had what today would be considered 
Bible college or seminary educations. Only a few years later, in 1782, 
Congress itself authorized the printing of the Bible.
  The Bible has found its way into everything from casual 
conversation--expressions like ``by the sweat of your brow'' and ``the 
salt of the earth'' and myriad others all come from Scripture--to the 
landscape of America. From Corinth, Maine to Bethel, Alaska, the Bible 
has marked our national map.
  More than any map, however, the Bible has marked who we are as a 
people. Earlier generations of Americans almost inhaled the words of 
Scripture as they inhaled the air. To read the inaugural addresses of 
our Presidents, from George Washington to George W. Bush, is to read 
repeated allusions to or quotations of biblical texts.
  The Bible speaks to the uniqueness of man--that we are all made in 
the image and likeness of God. It speaks of the greatness of God--that 
He is the object of true worship, the fount of all blessings, and the 
Redeemer, Lawgiver, Friend, Savior and Judge.
  Historically, we have been a people of the Book. We lose our 
allegiance to and our reliance on the Bible to our grave peril.
  The Bible can be hard to understand. Yet as the theologian R.C. 
Sproul has written, ``We fail in our duty to study God's Word not so 
much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is 
dull and boring, but because it is work.''
  And it is worthwhile work. There can be nothing nobler than seeking 
not only to know the Bible's teachings but also to know the Bible's 
God.
  It was President Lincoln who said, ``I believe the Bible is the best 
gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the 
world is communicated to us through this book.'' Or, as Jesus Himself 
remarked, ``Search the Scriptures . . . for they testify of Me.''
  Today, Madam Speaker, I echo Abraham Lincoln's comments and urge my 
colleagues and all Americans to reacquaint themselves with the Bible. 
As literature, it is unmatched. As philosophy, it is unparalleled. And 
as truth, it will make you free.
  I commend the National Bible Association for its outstanding work to 
bring the Bible to the attention of all Americans of every faith and 
creed. And I am humbled by the opportunity to serve in such a way as to 
draw attention to this most precious of books.

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