Is the bible true?how can we know?

Question

Are the historical statements of the Bible accurate?

The Bible says, "I the Lord speak the truth, I declare what is right." Isaiah 45:19, RSV.*
Answer: Yes, Bible historical statements are accurate. What God says in His book is true. Sometimes, temporarily, evidence may not be found to substantiate certain historical facts from the Bible, but in time the evidence surfaces. Note the following:

A. For years skeptics said the Bible was unreliable because it mentions the Hittite nation (Deuteronomy 7:1) and cities like Nineveh (Jonah 1:1, 2) and Sodom (Genesis 19:1), which they denied ever existed. But now modern archaeology has confirmed that all three did, indeed, exist.

B. Critics also said that Bible-mentioned kings Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1) and Sargon (Isaiah 20:1) never existed. Once again, it has now been confirmed they did exist.

C. Skeptics also said the Bible record of Moses was not reliable because it mentions writing (Exodus 24:4) and wheeled vehicles (Exodus 14:25), neither of which they said existed at the time. They, of course, know better today.

D. At one time the 39 kings of ancient Israel and Judah who reigned during the divided kingdom were authenticated only from the Bible record, so critics charged fabrication. But then archaeologists found cuneiform records that mentioned many of these kings and, once again, the Bible record was proved accurate. Critics have repeatedly been proved wrong as new discoveries confirm biblical people, places, and events. It will always be so.

*The Revised Standard Version of the Bible (C) 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission.
7. One of the greatest miracles of the Bible is its unity. Please ponder the following amazing facts:

Answer:

A. The 66 books of the Bible were written:
1. On three continents.
2. In three languages.
3. By about 40 different people (kings, shepherds, scientists, attorneys, an army general, fishermen, priests, and a physician).
4. Over a period of about 1,500 years.
5. On the most controversial subjects.
6. By people who, in most cases, had never met.
7. By authors whose education and background varied greatly.

B. Yet, though it seems totally inconceivable,
1. The 66 books maintain harmony with each other.
2. Often new concepts on a subject are expressed, but these concepts do not undermine what other Bible writers say on the same subject.

C. Talk about astounding!
Ask people who have viewed an identical event to each give a report of what happened. They will differ widely and will virtually always contradict each other in some way. Yet the Bible, penned by 40 writers over a 1,500-year period, reads as if written by one great mind. And, indeed, it was: "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21. The Holy Ghost "moved" them all. He is the real Bible Author. The four Gospels do sometimes differ in the way they report the same event, but they complement each other.

Answer 1

It's called, "having blind faith".

Answer 2

The stories in the bible are written in the third person. They are stories - no one person who wrote [NT] made any claims of true knowledge by way of actually meeting up with the guy -other than in some dream state or what was handed down by others [which would be dubious truths at best]. The other things that you mention are man made ideas. Mark does not mention the birth of JC and John tells the story of JC that does not want anyone to know who he was. The books have some similarities but are in fact quite different in the stories themselves.

Answer 3

On spiritual matters there is no objective way to resolve the question. Millions of Christians say it rings true in their lives. Millions of atheists dismiss it as rubbish. Opinion, not fact



On the other hand the Bible has shown itself to be a pretty good record of historical things. Not perfect, but then how many historical documents are 'perfect'? It was clearly written at the time of many historical events, and in a few cases it has confirmed contemporary discoveries. That does not make it a book written by God, of course, but it does refute the all too easy charges by atheists and others that it is a work of fiction. It isn't.

Answer 4

2 Samuel 24:1 (NIV) Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, "Go and take a census of Israel and Judah."



Some Bible writers want to blame Satan for what God is doing! Taking a census is an awesome sin in the Bible! Nothing else offends God Almighty the most! Only God needs to know how many people he is dealing with! He will severely punish the world leaders for taking any population census!



I Chronicles 21:1 (NIV) Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.



As you can see, it is enough to say that God did it! He is in charge! He is using the Devil as someone else to blame! This census in Israel cost the life of 70,000 innocent Jews out of 1,100,000 Jewish men of war! Anyone can tell that God wanted to kill 70,000 Jewish soldiers just for the heck of it!



1 Chronicles 21:14 (NIV) So the Lord sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead.



Nobody beats the Bible God as the foremost evil doer! God is a whimsical killer…. And you better obey the clergy or you can be killed with all kinds of crappy diseases in no time!!! BTW never fail to pay your full tithe and offerings or God the Holy Ghost will kill you on the spot and the godly church people will bury your dead meat without notifying any of your relatives… (Acts 5:1-11)



Who do you think was that caused all the evil in the life of Job? God Almighty, of course!



Job 42:11 (KJV) Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over ALL THE EVIL that the LORD had brought upon him:

Answer 5

Excuse me, but this forum is for asking questions, not for promoting your beliefs.



You're using circular logic: The Bible is true because the Bible says so. Yeah, I'm sure it does reference historical events. So does "War and Peace." The Bible also mentions a lot of things that we simply know not to be true, especially the scientific absurdities.



Please try again, and maybe actually ask a question next time. You're currently not using the forum for what it was intended.

Answer 6

You talk about the 66 books of the bible and how they "all maintain harmony with each other".

You seem to be forgetting that these books were chosen out of many books that were put forward to be included in the bible.

It is therefore natural that the chosen books were included purely because of the similarities and that all books ,letters and gospels etc. that did not conform were rejected for that very reason

Answer 7

How long after the events was the stuff written? How accurate would a report you write today be about an event that happened 300 years ago?

Answer 8

Very good presentation... and remember that only thru the HOLY SPIRIT can any GODLY truth be understood.. all of GOD'S truth is spiritually discerned..read John ch 3 and note Nicodemus' reaction to what JESUS says to him....literal understanding.. and then note what JESUS teaches him..

and note what happened at Pentecost, when the HOLY SPIRIT came to the disciples.. their understanding of the life of JESUS was made clear and they started their inspired preaching of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST..there are more examples..for example the symbolism of the Sanctaury..and how it reveals GOD to us..

Answer 9

The Bible only makes sense if you actucally sit down and read it. Then go to church every Sunday and have a pastor read and give his opinion on what happened. My suggestion is if your just going to try and trash Gods word and not take it for what its meant for DON'T TALK ABOUT IT AND LEAVE IT TO PEOPLE WHO NEED AND CARE ABOUT IT!!! AND ARE GOING TO USE IT FOR SOME GOOD!!! When you actucally want to read it and use it for a good thing rather than commit blasphemy then we'll takl, until then let it alone.

Answer 10

It is through the Spirit of God that these things are known as true. All the world wonders at it. Many have read it, but few understand it. This is because they have not combined knowledge with Faith.



Faith = Trust. And God gives the ability to trust Him to those who He wants.

Answer 11

I don't think there is one actual eyewitness account written in the Bible. I think the better word for it would be "hearsay". You do realize that men without surnames likely were not the ones who actually wrote the "gospels", don't you?

Answer 12

Dostoevsky's "Crime & Punishment" mentions actual streets in St. Petersburg. Does that mean that "C&P" is literally true as well?

Answer 13

You obviously haven't read it or you would realize it is not in harmony. Perhaps you should take a reading comprehension class?

Answer 14

by reading it and letting God speak through it we can know it is he word.

Answer 15

not true and the proof is in the reading

Answer 16

WOW VERY INTERESTING FACTS MAKES ME WONDER ALOT MORE YOU KNOW