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Can We Trust the Bible to be True? |
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Written by Brent Wilson
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How does one determine the validity of biblical narrative? Like testimony given in a courtroom, statements asserted as fact within the scriptures are subject to critical examination -- they can be weighed, tested, and compared to that which has been proved true. To determine Bible authenticity, one can examine internal evidences (ie., those evidences derived from the Bible text itself) and external evidences (ie., those evidences derived by comparing the Bible without outside sources).
In a courtroom, the jury carefully critiques the statements of each witness in order to determine consistency and accuracy; thus, they weigh the internal evidence for the case. The jury also weighs the testimony with known facts that are external to the case; thus, they weigh the external evidence for the case. If members of the jury find that the testimony is inconsistent or that it contradicts facts known to be true, they will reject the validity of the case. Similarly, we can weigh the internal and external avidence in the case for the Bible's inspiration.
This article examines two specific external evidences -- historical and scientific accuracy -- regarding the legitimacy of the Bible's claim of being inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16) and according to absolute truth (John 17:17).
Historical accuracy
Although critics have accused the Bible of being nothing more than fanciful storylines, rising no higher in their minds than that of a classical literary work, this wonderful book has proved to be much more. The Bible gives historical accounts not only of those nations favored by God but also of other historically renowned individuals and nations, thus allowing the Bible's historical record to be compared with secular histories. A critical examination of the Bible's historical record to be compared with secular histories. A critical examination of the Bible's historical reliability includes documented consistency and archeological confirmation.
Documented consistency. The historical accuracy of the scriptures has been verified repeatedly, proving far superior to the written records of Egypt, Assyria, and other early nations. Interestingly, the Bible does not speak of historical peoples and events in a generic way, thus leaving its statements open to interpretation; instead it speaks with specificity and at great length. Critics, therefore, have ample opportunity to discredit the validity of the Bible's historical record. As one writer said, however, "despite the continuing media assaults on the Bible's claim to be a supernatural revelation from God, evidence from historical inscriptions and manuscripts discovered in the last century proves that the word of God is inspired."
Ancient writings discovered in the past century have revealed that forty-one kings named in the Old Testament, ruling either Israel or surrounding nations, are not fabricated personalities as some had previously thought. On the contrary, rulers such as David (2 Samuel 5:3), Solomon (1 Kings 4:1), Nebuchadnezzar (1 Kings 24:1), and others have been found to be actual historic individuals. Amazingly, these discoveries came as an unwelcome surprise to numerous Bible critics, who in past decades made accusations against the scriptures that these very people were nothing more than myth.
In the past, unbelieving scholars have also alleged there are no ancient manuscripts about Jesus outside the New Testament. Such claims have been shown to be absurd and without merit. Writings confirming Jesus' birth, ministry, death, and resurrection include, but are not limited to, Flavius Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews (AD 93), the Babylonian Talmud (AD 70-200), Pliny the Younger's letter to the Emperor Trajan (around AD 100), the Annals of Tacitus (AD 115-117), the writings of Mara Bar-Serapion (post AD 73), and Suetonius' Life of Claudius and Life of Nero (AD 120).
The Bible's record of many historical events has also been confirmed to be accurate. For instance, Diodorus Siculus (90-21 BC), a Greek historian who traveled extensively throughout the Middle East acquiring a vast knowledge of ancient history, spoke of the Exodus in his literary work Library of History. Within his writings he spoke of "a great plague in Egypt," "many strangers in the land," and "these emigrants were led by Moses, who was superior to all in wisdom and prowess." In fact, his account is not the only one to record the marvelous event. Manetho and Cheremon, two Egyptian priest-scholars, also wrote of the Exodus, the Israelites, and Moses, confirming the historical accuracy of one of the greatest Bible stories ever recorded.
Archaeological confirmation. The unearthing of archeological sites -- resulting in discoveries of specific cities, unique individuals, and other ruins -- has shed new light on the historical accuracy of the sacred text. In fact, many archeologists and historians have gained enough respect for the Bible's precise record of historical events that they now use it as a historical guide in their relentless pursuit of lost civilizations. Dr. Nelson Glueck, one of the foremost modern authorities on Israeli archeology who prefers to describe himself as a "biblical archeologist," once said:
No archeological discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference. Scores of archeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or in exact detail historical statements in the Bible. And, by the same token, proper evaluation of Biblical descriptions has often led to amazing discoveries.
Today, the Bible remains a reliable guidebook to fascinating discoveries in archeology. From the excavation of Jericho's crumbled walls (Joshua 6:20; Hebrews 11:30) to the discovery of chariot wheel remnants scattered along the seafloor in the Gulf of Aqaba, part of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-25); from the uncovering of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-29) to the findings related to the house of David, King of Israel (2 Chronicles 8:11); many are overwhelmed by the innumerable antiquities found constantly by archeologists to be just as the scriptures claimed. It is no wonder that individuals such as Dr. Henry M. Morris, president of the Institute for Creation Research, concluded:
Problems still exist, of course, in the compete harmonization of archaeological material with the Bible, but none so serious as not to bear real promise of imminent solution through further investigation. It must be extremely significant that, in view of the great mass of corroborative evidence regarding the Biblical history of these periods, there exists today not one unquestionable find of archaeology the proves the Bible to be in error at any point.
Scientific accuracy
Another striking proof of the Bible's divine origin is that several modern principles of science were recorded within the pages of the scriptures as fact long before science was able to confirm them experimentally. In fact, many early scientific hypotheses and theories completely contradicted both the Bible and modern scientific precepts. It is amazing that of all the remarkable statements regarding the natural realm made by the Spirit-guided writers of the Bible, no matter how ridiculous that statements might have seemed in that day, not one biblical statement regarding natural phenomena has ever been contradicted by the laws of science or modern scientific discoveries.
For example, consider the following evidence. The Bible claims that the stars cannot be numbered (Genesis 15:5; 22:17), a fact astronomers did not agree to until three thousand years later. The scriptures also state that the universe is running down, a discovery not made by man until 2,500 years after it was initially revealed in the Bible (Isaiah 51:6; Psalms 102:26; Romans 8:20-21). Regarding the earth, the Bible says it is round (Isaiah 40:22), rotates on an axis (Job 38:12; Luke 17:31-34), and is suspended in the vastness of space (Job 26:7) -- amazingly, these biblical statements were made 1,600, 3,550, and 3,600 years, respectively, before scientists were able to prove independently their validity. The scriptures also foretold that man was made from the same materials as the earth (Genesis 2:8, 3:19, Psalms 103:14) 3,200 years before scientists concurred. The Bible states that blood sustains life (Leviticus 17:11), a fact that physicians agreed to 3,300 years after it had been revealed in scripture.
Science has proved biblical statements regarding natural phenomena to be scientifically accurate, and these truths have assisted some scientists in their pursuit of knowledge and truth. For example, Matthew Fountain Maury, often referred to and accredited as the father of oceanography, simply "took God at His Word" and set out to discover the natural occurrence of oceanic currents as described in the Bible. Where would we be today and what marvels of science would we be experiencing if man had simply put his faith in the Bible long ago?
Though the Bible often refers to the physical realm, it is not a scientific textbook -- its primary concern is with those things that are spiritual. Nevertheless, biblical references to the facts of nature, whether alluded to or specified, are completely in accord with provable, scientific facts.
Conclusion
As in a courtroom, if the testimony is found to be accurate on internal and external grounds, then the case is strong and believable. The Bible's claims to inspiration are true. Based on a careful examination of the evidence found therein, we can confidently conclude: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17.)
Bibliography
1. Jeffrey, Grant R. The Signature of God. Toronto, Ontario: Frontier Research Publications Inc., 2002, p 43.
2. Josephus, Flavius. Josephus Against Apion. Translated by William Whiston. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 1960.I., 26
3. Glueck, Nelson. Rivers in the Desert. New York: Farrar, Strous and Cudahy, 1959, p 136.
4: Morris, Henry M. The Bible and Modern Science. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1956.
5: Lewis, Charles Lee. Matthew Fontaine Maury: The Pathfinder of the Seas. Annapolis, MD: United States Naval Institute, 1927; 1969 reprint by AMS Press, New York.
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