Why should I accept the Bible as the final authority?

College courses will often undermine the authority of the Bible by making claims that the Old Testament was derived by myths and the law codes of the Babylons and the Assyrians. People frequently say that the Bible is full of contradictions, but often can't think of any when asked where they are. It is a rare person who has examined for themselves the text to see if any contridiction is really there. When someone says "I don't believe the Bible", the first question to ask is "Do you understand the message of the Bible?". That message is given clearly in John 3:16 when it states "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life". God loves you and has said so in His Word. If you want to get to know God, you must understand the message of his love stated in the Bible. God is love, and His character rests upon the authenticity and authority of God's Word, the Bible. He is the final authority.