How To Know The Bible Is True
The Bible is considered to be the Word of God, and it is often referred to as the greatest book ever written. It is held in high esteem by many, but how can one know it is true? Asking this question is often met with answers that focus on faith or a personal testimony of how a believer was impacted by reading scripture. But today, empirical evidence from history, archaeology, documents, and fulfilled prophecies are offering real answers to such questions.
Before delving into evidence, it is important to note that personal experience, faith, and a feeling of assurance are valid responses to questions about the Bible’s truth. There are so many personal stories that demonstrate that thousands of people attribute their faith in God to their Bible reading.
Moving away from the personal experience and looking at empirical data, it can be seen that the Bible’s Old Testament accurately documents names, dates and places from thousands of years ago. This can be easily seen in historians uncovering and interpreting ancient documents such as the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of thousands of ancient manuscripts, some of which are believed to be two thousand years old, which are in remarkable condition. These scrolls, found between the years 1946 and 1956 on the north shore of the Dead Sea, contained copies of every book of the Hebrew Bible with the exception of the Book of Esther—confirming the authenticity of the Bible’s content.
Many prophecies predicted events with amazing accuracy. Examples of fulfilled prophecies are the life of Jesus, prophecies about Babylonian captivity, mention of Alexander the Great’s conquests, and much more.
In addition to fulfilled prophecies, archaeological discoveries continue to support the Bible’s text. These include the Pool of Bethesda, the Garden Tomb and what remains of Herod’s Temple, among others.
The Bible has also been under attack for centuries. It has experienced many attempts to dispute its authenticity, but with the passage of time, its textual integrity has been maintained. In spite of all types of scholarly criticism and cultural influences, the Bible’s fundamentals remain the same.
Furthermore, scientific and medical discoveries now prove many of the claims, made throughout the Bible, to be accurate, including the cycle of fertilization, the importance of sanitation and the fact that the Earth is round. Such discoveries further validate the Bible as a source of truth.
Ancient Manuscripts and Books
Another way to verify the Bible’s truth is through the vast number of its ancient manuscripts. To date, there are over 24,000 ancient manuscripts of the New Testament, which date from the early 100s to 1500s written in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Coptic. When compared to other classics, such as the Iliad, which have approximately 643 ancient manuscripts, it can be seen that the Bible’s copies far outnumber other ancient works.
In addition, some of the biblical variations between manuscripts indicate minor editing, which often involves corrections or alternative word-choices being suggested. Also, over 99 percent of the variant readings are trivial and do not affect any doctrinal or the major aspects of Bible stories. Therefore, it can be concluded that the Bible’s textual integrity is reliable.
Cross-referencing Bible passages with historical documents and writings also authenticate the Bible’s integrity. For example, studies of several New Testament passages show references to people, places, and events that have been accurately documented through non-Biblical sources.
Fulfilled Prophecies
One of the strongest evidence for the truth of the Bible comes from the hundreds of fulfilled prophecies. For example, the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel predicted the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity and their restoration in the original land.
The life and death of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, have also been foretold centuries before His incarnation. His perfect life, death, and resurrection have been predicted in various books of the Old Testament over 500 years before Christ.
Furthermore, the fulfilled prophecies are not just limited to people and places but also include scientific evidence. For example, Isaiah 40:22 states that the Earth is round, which was contrary to the beliefs of the ancient world and was only universally accepted in the 15th century.
Archaeological Discoveries
Archaeology has proven to be another tool to help in validating the Bible’s truth. Significant discoveries, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, are solid evidence of earlier text accuracy and the reliability of scripture.
Archaeological excavation in the Holy Land also confirms several Bible stories. Examples include Pontius Pilate inscription in Caesarea Maritima, David’s Palace remains in Jerusalem, and Jacob’s Well in Nablus. Even the Pool of Bethesda, mentioned in John 5:1-9, has been excavated and documented.
These findings have all served to demonstrate that the biblical stories, people, and places have accurate historical backgrounds. Through them, believers can have confidence in the truth of the Bible and its words.
Authenticity Over Time
Throughout history, those who weren’t Bible-believers have tried to disprove the authenticity of the Bible. But throughout all attempts to disprove the Bible, its fundamentals have remained the same and its authenticity has been confirmed.
Thus, even with translations, re-translations, and assessments, the Bible has grown stronger and stronger with each passing age. This is due to the Bible being backed by tangible evidence such as archaeological discoveries, scholarly writings, and fulfilled prophecies.
Scientific & Medical Discoveries
Science and the Bible are not in a confrontational relationship, as some people may think. In fact, many scientific and medical discoveries have verified the truth of the Bible.
For example, the Bible talks about animal regeneration, which was not scientifically accepted until the 19th century. Another example is the germ theory of disease, mentioned in Leviticus, which suggested washing of hands and feet and keeping certain materials out of the camp.
Also, even the idea of a round Earth, which was contrary to the ancient world’s belief, was stated in the Bible as ‘the circle of the Earth.’ The observations made in the Bible regarding the nature of humanity, such as their moral values and thoughts, have withstood the test of time.
Literary Quality & Impact
The quality of biblical writing stands out amongst the ancient books of its time. It speaks intelligently to a broad range of topics including science, history, ethics, and religion, and has a spiritual impact on readers.
Also, the Bible’s religious messages have done more for promoting morality, social and cultural values, and reform in the world, than any other book. Its influence is witnessed throughout history, from the fall of empires to the rise of civilizations.
Apart from its religious impact, the Bible’s literature has also inspired many poems, artworks, and works of fiction, while its parables, stories and proverbs continue to be appreciated and accepted across the world even today.
Conclusion
The Bible is an ancient book, but it still holds its relevance today. Its solid foundation of ancient manuscripts and archaeological evidence, fulfilled prophecies and scientific discoveries, help to prove its authenticity. Moreover, its impact and literary quality add to its undeniable spiritual and cultural significance.
