The Bible has been demonstrated to be historically accurate and carefully preserved over the ages. The Bible’s reliability is not surprising considering that God desires to give us a reliable testimony of himself.
1. THE BIBLE HAS A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF HISTORICAL ACCURACY.
Just like a witness in a trial, the Bible can be shown to be reliable by testing the accuracy of its statements. We have many examples of historical facts that were first taught in the Bible and then later validated through other historical accounts and archaeology. For example, archaeology recently confirmed the existence of Israel’s most famous king, King David.
2. THE BIBLE HAS BEEN CAREFULLY PRESERVED FROM CHANGE OVER TIME.
Because the Bible has been written and compiled over thousands of years, one would expect changes to the manuscript to appear over time. However, we have abundant manuscript evidence to show that the Bible we have today faithfully transmits the message of the original.
For example, in 1947, archaeologists discovered the “Dead Sea Scrolls,” which is a collection of Old Testament texts dating from 150 BC. Many scholars expected this to prove that the Bible we had today had changed, but to their great shock, these ancient documents were virtually identical to the copies of the biblical text we have today.
We have over 66,000 copies and fragments of ancient biblical manuscripts, the highest number of any ancient document (compare to Homer’s the Iliad, which has only 2,000 copies remaining). Although small changes may happen in any given document, the science of Textual Criticism allows scholars to discern what the originals said.
We even have records of the meticulous procedures that biblical scribes followed in order to preserve the text accurately.
The accuracy of the Bible is backed up by a large numberof ancient documents. Even if every copy of the New Testament was destroyed, the major historical events and teachings of Christianity can be discovered by reading the early church fathers and non-Christian sources, such as Greek and Jewish historians.
Check out this video that summarizes all the reasons that the Bible we have today is reliable.
3. GOD CARES ABOUT REVEALING HIMSELF CLEARLY
It is a constant teaching of Scripture that God desires to be worshipped in spirit and in truth (John 4:23).
If God had not provided a carefully preserved written record, it would have been easy for people to believe false things about him and His expectations for mankind.
Because God has the power to create the universe from nothing, He certainly has the power to preserve a truthful book about Himself. His plans are not foiled (Job 42:2).
The Bible has been demonstrated to be historically accurate and carefully preserved over the ages. The Bible’s reliability is not surprising considering that God desires to give us a reliable testimony of himself.
1. THE BIBLE HAS A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF HISTORICAL ACCURACY.
Just like a witness in a trial, the Bible can be shown to be reliable by testing the accuracy of its statements. We have many examples of historical facts that were first taught in the Bible and then later validated through other historical accounts and archaeology. For example, archaeology recently confirmed the existence of Israel’s most famous king, King David.
2. THE BIBLE HAS BEEN CAREFULLY PRESERVED FROM CHANGE OVER TIME.
Because the Bible has been written and compiled over thousands of years, one would expect changes to the manuscript to appear over time. However, we have abundant manuscript evidence to show that the Bible we have today faithfully transmits the message of the original.
For example, in 1947, archaeologists discovered the “Dead Sea Scrolls,” which is a collection of Old Testament texts dating from 150 BC. Many scholars expected this to prove that the Bible we had today had changed, but to their great shock, these ancient documents were virtually identical to the copies of the biblical text we have today.
We have over 66,000 copies and fragments of ancient biblical manuscripts, the highest number of any ancient document (compare to Homer’s the Iliad, which has only 2,000 copies remaining). Although small changes may happen in any given document, the science of Textual Criticism allows scholars to discern what the originals said.
We even have records of the meticulous procedures that biblical scribes followed in order to preserve the text accurately.
The accuracy of the Bible is backed up by a large numberof ancient documents. Even if every copy of the New Testament was destroyed, the major historical events and teachings of Christianity can be discovered by reading the early church fathers and non-Christian sources, such as Greek and Jewish historians.
Check out this video that summarizes all the reasons that the Bible we have today is reliable.
3. GOD CARES ABOUT REVEALING HIMSELF CLEARLY
It is a constant teaching of Scripture that God desires to be worshipped in spirit and in truth (John 4:23).
If God had not provided a carefully preserved written record, it would have been easy for people to believe false things about him and His expectations for mankind.
Because God has the power to create the universe from nothing, He certainly has the power to preserve a truthful book about Himself. His plans are not foiled (Job 42:2).
