In our post-truth world, many wonder if the Bible is still God’s infallible word. How can we know it’s true? Is Jesus truly the Son of God, or just a historical figure? What evidence supports the Bible’s claims?
For Christians, the Bible is God’s divinely inspired message. Written over 1,500 years by over 40 authors, is it truly God’s Word, or just a collection of stories? If it’s unreliable, what does that mean for the Gospel and Jesus?
Thankfully, we don’t need blind faith. The Bible’s trustworthiness is supported by internal and external evidence. We’ll explore three key factors – Manuscripts, Archaeology, and Prophecies – that confirm its reliability as the most trusted ancient document.
Manuscripts
The Bible has more manuscript evidence than any other ancient document. According to the Institute for Creation Research, around 25,000 early manuscripts exist, including nearly 6,000 Greek texts and translations.
The early Church meticulously copied Scripture. While some variations occurred, God preserved accuracy through diverse translations. The Masorites, around the sixth century AD, compiled a vast collection of early manuscripts, including the Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Latin Vulgate.
The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in 1947, offer remarkable evidence. Found in Qumran caves, they include a complete Isaiah scroll and over 980 other manuscripts. Their remarkable similarity to our modern Bibles is astounding.
Archaeology
Numerous archaeological discoveries confirm the Bible’s accuracy. For example, the Tel Dan inscription mentions the “House of David,” corroborating the Assyrian invasion of the Kingdom of Israel around 722 BC.
Archaeologist Gabriel Barkay discovered the Ketef Hinnom scrolls in a Jerusalem cave. These silver scrolls contain the priestly benediction from Numbers 6, providing the earliest known record of this text.
These are just two of countless examples. Archaeology continually supports the historical accuracy of Scripture, especially in the land of Israel. For a deeper dive, explore Prepare for Israel by Josh Weidmann, which brings the Bible to life through archaeological insights.
Prophecies
The Bible contains around 2,500 prophecies, with over 2,000 already fulfilled with remarkable accuracy. Some date back to the ninth century BC. The likelihood of these prophecies being fulfilled by chance is incredibly small – less than 1 in 10 to the power of 2,000.
The fulfillment of these prophecies, like those concerning Jesus’s birth, life, death, and resurrection, strengthens the Bible’s reliability. (See Thomas Nelson Publishers for more details.)
The remaining prophecies point towards end-times events, often focusing on specific locations like the Temple Mount and Christ’s future reign.
What Does Your Experience Say?
While some may dismiss manuscript evidence or archaeological findings, the impact of Jesus’s message on millions of lives is undeniable. If the Gospel isn’t true, how can it have transformed so many lives?
Ultimately, the question is: Who do you believe Jesus is? What does the Bible tell you about following Him? These are profound questions. If you’re seeking answers, we’d love to connect with you.