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Why Should We Consider the Bible?

The Divine Inspiration of Scripture


The Bible's divine inspiration is foundational to understanding its reliability and trustworthiness. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." This passage underscores the belief that the Bible is not merely a human creation but is breathed out by God Himself. This divine origin means that the Scriptures carry the authority of God and are therefore completely trustworthy.


The process of inspiration ensures that the Bible's authors, while employing their unique styles and perspectives, conveyed God's message without error. As stated in 2 Peter 1:21, "For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." This verse highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the biblical authors, ensuring the accuracy and divine authority of their writings.



Historical and Archaeological Evidence


The historical reliability of the Bible is corroborated by numerous archaeological findings. One significant example is the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947. These ancient manuscripts include portions of the Hebrew Bible and have demonstrated the remarkable consistency of the biblical text over centuries. The Isaiah Scroll, for instance, dates back to the 2nd century B.C.E. and aligns closely with the Masoretic Text of Isaiah used today.


Moreover, archaeological excavations have unearthed evidence supporting the existence of biblical figures and events. The Tel Dan Stele, discovered in northern Israel, contains an inscription referring to the "House of David," providing tangible evidence for the historical King David mentioned in 1 Samuel 16:13. Similarly, the Moabite Stone (Mesha Stele) references the Israelite king Omri, mentioned in 1 Kings 16:23-28, confirming the biblical account's historical accuracy.



Prophetic Fulfillment


The fulfillment of biblical prophecies serves as compelling evidence for the Bible's divine inspiration and reliability. Isaiah 53, written around 700 B.C.E., vividly describes the suffering and atoning death of the Messiah, which Christians believe was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:5 states, "But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed." This prophecy's precise fulfillment in the life and crucifixion of Jesus, as recorded in the New Testament, underscores the Bible's prophetic reliability.


Additionally, the prophecies concerning the rise and fall of empires, such as those found in Daniel 2 and 7, have been historically validated. Daniel 2:44, for example, predicts the establishment of an eternal kingdom by God, which Christians interpret as the Kingdom of God inaugurated by Jesus. These fulfilled prophecies demonstrate the Bible's accuracy and divine foreknowledge, further establishing its trustworthiness.


Manuscript Evidence and Textual Reliability


The Bible's textual reliability is supported by the abundance and quality of its manuscript evidence. The New Testament, in particular, boasts an unparalleled number of ancient manuscripts, with over 5,800 Greek manuscripts, 10,000 Latin manuscripts, and thousands more in various languages. This wealth of manuscripts allows scholars to reconstruct the original text with a high degree of confidence.


One notable manuscript is the Codex Sinaiticus, dating to the 4th century C.E., which contains the entire New Testament. The consistency of these early manuscripts with later copies underscores the careful transmission of the biblical text over the centuries. Moreover, textual criticism, the scholarly practice of comparing these manuscripts, has confirmed that the variations among them are minor and do not affect core Christian doctrines.



Internal Consistency and Unity


The Bible's internal consistency and unity, despite being written over 1,500 years by more than 40 authors from diverse backgrounds, is remarkable. This unity is evident in the coherent narrative and consistent themes that run throughout the Scriptures. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells a unified story of God's creation, human fall, redemption, and the ultimate restoration of all things.


This consistency is particularly evident in the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the New Testament. For instance, Micah 5:2 predicts the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem, which is fulfilled in Matthew 2:1. This seamless integration of prophecy and fulfillment across different books and authors points to a divine orchestration beyond human capability, affirming the Bible's reliability.


The Bible's Transformative Power


The transformative power of the Bible in individuals' lives and societies provides experiential evidence of its divine origin and trustworthiness. Hebrews 4:12 states, "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This verse highlights the Bible's unique ability to convict, guide, and transform hearts and minds.


Throughout history, countless individuals have testified to the life-changing impact of reading and applying the Bible. From the early church fathers to modern-day believers, the Bible has inspired faith, moral transformation, and a deeper relationship with God. The societal impact of the Bible is also evident in the establishment of hospitals, schools, and charitable organizations motivated by biblical principles.



The Role of Faith and Reason


While historical, archaeological, and manuscript evidence provide strong support for the Bible's reliability, faith also plays a crucial role in accepting its divine authority. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." This assurance is not blind belief but is based on the reasonable evidence and the internal witness of the Holy Spirit.


Christian apologetics bridges the gap between faith and reason, demonstrating that believing in the Bible is intellectually viable and spiritually enriching. As 1 Peter 3:15 exhorts, "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." This call to defend the faith underscores the importance of understanding and articulating the reasons for trusting the Bible.



Addressing Common Objections


Common objections to the Bible's reliability often stem from misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the text. For example, some critics argue that the presence of miracles in the Bible undermines its credibility. However, miracles, by definition, are extraordinary events that signify divine intervention. The resurrection of Jesus, a central miracle in Christianity, is supported by historical evidence and eyewitness testimonies, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.


Another objection concerns the perceived contradictions in the Bible. A careful study using the Historical-Grammatical method of interpretation reveals that these apparent contradictions often result from a lack of understanding of the cultural, historical, and linguistic context. When properly interpreted, the Bible's messages are coherent and consistent, reinforcing its reliability.



The Importance of a Literal Interpretation


A literal interpretation of the Bible, using the Historical-Grammatical method, ensures that the text is understood as intended by its original authors. This approach respects the genre, historical context, and grammatical structure of the biblical writings, avoiding the pitfalls of subjective interpretations. As stated in Nehemiah 8:8, "They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading." This approach seeks to uncover the original meaning and apply it faithfully to contemporary contexts.


Literal Bible chronology, for example, provides a clear framework for understanding the timeline of biblical events. By adhering to the literal dates given in Scripture, such as the creation of the world around 4,000 B.C.E. and the Exodus around 1446 B.C.E., believers can align historical events with biblical narratives, enhancing the coherence and reliability of the Bible.



Conclusion on Considering the Bible


The reliability and trustworthiness of the Bible are grounded in its divine inspiration, historical and archaeological evidence, prophetic fulfillment, manuscript evidence, internal consistency, and transformative power. A careful and literal interpretation of the Scriptures, supported by faith and reason, allows believers to confidently trust the Bible as the authoritative Word of God. By addressing common objections and understanding the importance of the Historical-Grammatical method, Christians can robustly defend their faith and encourage others to consider the Bible's profound truths.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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