How Do We Know The Bible Is True?
1. Archeological Evidence: Biblical References and Archaeological Harmony
Archaeology strongly supports the Bible's credibility by consistently aligning with its accounts. Many cities and structures mentioned in the Scriptures have been confirmed through archaeological discoveries. Importantly, no archaeological find has ever contradicted the Bible. This ongoing agreement reinforces the trustworthiness and accuracy of the biblical record.1
2. Historical Evidence: Unwavering Confirmation of Biblical Events
Historians from the New Testament era, including secular historians, do not dispute the events mentioned in the Bible. Josephus, a prominent Jewish historian, extensively corroborated many New Testament events, providing valuable external validation. His accounts align with the biblical narratives, lending further credibility to the historical accuracy of the Scriptures. This corroboration from contemporary and secular sources strengthens the case for the reliability of the biblical record.2
3. Textual Evidence: The Remarkable Test of Textual Reliability
A powerful method to assess the reliability of any modern text is by comparing it with ancient copies. The greater the consistency, the stronger the reliability. A pivotal event affirming the reliability of the Old Testament occurred in 1947 when a shepherd boy accidentally discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls, one of the most important archeological discoveries of all time. While herding goats, he stumbled upon clay jars containing over 200 scrolls, including the complete book of Isaiah and parts of every Old Testament book except Esther. These scrolls, dated around 70 AD, bridged a gap of over a thousand years. Comparing them with texts from around 1100 AD revealed an astonishing agreement, affirming the accuracy of transmission and dispelling doubts about the Old Testament's integrity.
The New Testament also boasts strong manuscript evidence. Existing manuscripts date to around 120 AD, some within twenty-five years of the original writings. Sir Frederic Kenyon, an expert on ancient manuscripts, highlighted the negligible interval between the originals and existing evidence.4 With over 5,300 early Greek manuscripts, the New Testament's textual agreement confirms its accuracy and reliability. F. F. Bruce noted that no other ancient literature has such extensive attestation.5
Concerns about textual variants are minimal, as scholars affirm the essential agreement word-for-word with the original from Genesis to Revelation. Even if all variants were accepted, the core message of each Bible chapter would remain unchanged. These variants, often minor, include spelling errors, incidental omissions, and transpositions of words or letters. This meticulous study of textual transmission underscores the Bible's robust reliability and the preservation of its core message over the centuries.6
The New Testament also boasts strong manuscript evidence. Existing manuscripts date to around 120 AD, some within twenty-five years of the original writings. Sir Frederic Kenyon, an expert on ancient manuscripts, highlighted the negligible interval between the originals and existing evidence.4 With over 5,300 early Greek manuscripts, the New Testament's textual agreement confirms its accuracy and reliability. F. F. Bruce noted that no other ancient literature has such extensive attestation.5
Concerns about textual variants are minimal, as scholars affirm the essential agreement word-for-word with the original from Genesis to Revelation. Even if all variants were accepted, the core message of each Bible chapter would remain unchanged. These variants, often minor, include spelling errors, incidental omissions, and transpositions of words or letters. This meticulous study of textual transmission underscores the Bible's robust reliability and the preservation of its core message over the centuries.6
4. Internal Evidence: The Marvel of Biblical Consistency Across the Millennia.
The Bible, a literary masterpiece spanning 1,400 years, was composed in three languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic) by forty writers on three continents. It stands as an extraordinary testament to internal coherence. Despite the authors being non-contemporaries with no shared language or incentive, they produced a work free of doctrinal errors.
Paul Enns describes the Bible as a "great unified whole," highlighting its seamless agreement within its pages. This harmony among diverse writings supports the argument for the Bible's divine authorship.7 Theologian Lewis Sperry Chafer emphasizes that explaining the Bible's continuity through natural means would require a greater miracle than divine inspiration itself.8
The Bible's uniqueness is further underscored by its honest, self-condemning content and distinctive storyline. If orchestrated by human means, it would likely be contradictory and hardly worth reading. Yet, the Bible remains consistent, reinforcing its divine origin.
Rene Pache notes that nowhere in Scripture does one passage declare another erroneous, even in the smallest details. This unparalleled internal consistency bolsters the claim of divine authorship, setting the Bible apart as a singular literary masterpiece.9
Paul Enns describes the Bible as a "great unified whole," highlighting its seamless agreement within its pages. This harmony among diverse writings supports the argument for the Bible's divine authorship.7 Theologian Lewis Sperry Chafer emphasizes that explaining the Bible's continuity through natural means would require a greater miracle than divine inspiration itself.8
The Bible's uniqueness is further underscored by its honest, self-condemning content and distinctive storyline. If orchestrated by human means, it would likely be contradictory and hardly worth reading. Yet, the Bible remains consistent, reinforcing its divine origin.
Rene Pache notes that nowhere in Scripture does one passage declare another erroneous, even in the smallest details. This unparalleled internal consistency bolsters the claim of divine authorship, setting the Bible apart as a singular literary masterpiece.9
5. Prophetic Evidence: The Precision of Prophetic Fulfillment: A Statistical Marvel
The Bible's reliability is evident in its extensive and accurate prophecies. None of its predictions have proven false, showcasing God's ability to reveal the future, as stated in Isaiah 46:10.
The Old Testament contains many prophecies about the Messiah, and Jesus Christ has fulfilled over a hundred of them. These prophecies, made centuries before His birth, included details beyond His control, such as His lineage, birthplace, and the manner of His death and resurrection (Genesis 49:8-11; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 53:1-12; Psalm 16:10).
To illustrate the precision of these prophecies, consider the probability of Jesus fulfilling just eight of them is one in 10 to the 17th power. This is like covering Texas with coins two feet deep, marking one coin, mixing them, and having a blindfolded person pick the marked coin on the first try. Mathematician Peter Stoner notes that the chance of this happening is comparable to the likelihood of the prophets writing just eight prophecies and all being fulfilled in one person.10
Further, the probability of Jesus fulfilling 48 prophecies is an astounding one in 10 to the 157th power. To put this in perspective, this exceeds the number of electrons in the known universe. The near impossibility of these prophecies being fulfilled by chance highlights their accuracy and supports the divine nature of the Bible's predictions.11,12,13
The Old Testament contains many prophecies about the Messiah, and Jesus Christ has fulfilled over a hundred of them. These prophecies, made centuries before His birth, included details beyond His control, such as His lineage, birthplace, and the manner of His death and resurrection (Genesis 49:8-11; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 53:1-12; Psalm 16:10).
To illustrate the precision of these prophecies, consider the probability of Jesus fulfilling just eight of them is one in 10 to the 17th power. This is like covering Texas with coins two feet deep, marking one coin, mixing them, and having a blindfolded person pick the marked coin on the first try. Mathematician Peter Stoner notes that the chance of this happening is comparable to the likelihood of the prophets writing just eight prophecies and all being fulfilled in one person.10
Further, the probability of Jesus fulfilling 48 prophecies is an astounding one in 10 to the 157th power. To put this in perspective, this exceeds the number of electrons in the known universe. The near impossibility of these prophecies being fulfilled by chance highlights their accuracy and supports the divine nature of the Bible's predictions.11,12,13
Summary. Inescapable Evidence: The Unrivaled Magnificence of the Bible
When examining the Bible's foundations, a compelling mosaic of evidence emerges, intertwining verifiable facts, historical accuracy, and substantiated records. This sacred text, with its uninterrupted unity and precise prophecies, invites rigorous inquiry and stands resilient despite intense scrutiny.
The Bible's steadfast truthfulness transcends mere narrative; it integrates reason, demands logical engagement, and insists on thoughtful consideration; it requires a conclusion. As Josh McDowell aptly states in his work, it is "evidence that demands a verdict."14
This ancient literature, unparalleled in human history, stands as a singular treatise. Its unity, fulfilled prophecies, and transformative power set it apart. The Bible humbles the proud, comforts the sorrowful, guides the lost, forgives the guilty, transforms lives, and offers salvation, saving those destined to perish. Within its verses, it provides peace, hope, and joy, testifying to its divine origin. It is not just a compilation of words; it is the living Word of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV).
The Bible's steadfast truthfulness transcends mere narrative; it integrates reason, demands logical engagement, and insists on thoughtful consideration; it requires a conclusion. As Josh McDowell aptly states in his work, it is "evidence that demands a verdict."14
This ancient literature, unparalleled in human history, stands as a singular treatise. Its unity, fulfilled prophecies, and transformative power set it apart. The Bible humbles the proud, comforts the sorrowful, guides the lost, forgives the guilty, transforms lives, and offers salvation, saving those destined to perish. Within its verses, it provides peace, hope, and joy, testifying to its divine origin. It is not just a compilation of words; it is the living Word of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV).
Other Resources
- Read: Is the Bible Reliable? Got Questions
- Read: Why Should I Trust the Bible? Got Questions
- Watch: Why Should I Believe the Bible? (7:11) Got Questions
- Watch: Textual Criticism and Why It Matters. (6:25) Seasoned Apologist
- Watch: What is Textual Criticism? (30:25) Got Questions
- Watch: Is There Any Historical Evidence for Jesus Christ? (3:38) Got Questions
- Don Stewart, You Be the Judge (San Bernardino: Here's Life, 1983), 48.
- G. J. Goldberg, The Flavius Josephus (Josephus.org), accessed October 17, 2018, http://www.josephus.org
- R. Brown, Why Are The Dead Sea Scrolls So Important? (One For Israel), accessed February 11, 2021 https://www.oneforisrael.org/bible-based-teaching-from-israel/importance-dead-sea-scrolls-study-bible/
- Josh McDowell, More Than a Carpenter (Carol Stream: Living Books, 1986), 48.
- F. F. Bruce, The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003).
- John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth (Wheaton: Crossway, 2017) 127-128, Kindle
- Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology (Chicago: Moody, 1989), 155.
- Lewis Sperry Chafer, Major Bible Themes (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976), 12, Kindle.
- Rene Pache, The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture (Chicago: Moody, 1980), 122.
- Josh McDowell, Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World (Nashville: Nelson, 2017), 167.
- McDowell, 167.
- Arthur Eddington, Eddington Number: Wikipedia, accessed, April 20, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddington_number
- David Reagan, “Applying the Science of Probability to the Scriptures, Do Statistics Prove the Bible’s Supernatural Origin?” (Lamb & Lion Ministries), accessed January 12, 2018, http://christinprophecy.org/articles/applying-the-science-of-probability-to-the-scriptures.
- McDowell, Evidence. Title.