The Bible – Why should I believe it?
C.S. Lewis, Professor of medieval Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, and noted author:
“If he [the biblical critic] tells me that something in a Gospel is legend or romance, I want to know how many legends and romances he has read… I have been reading poems, romances, vision-literature, legends, myths all my life. I know that not one of them is like this.”
Let’s look at what the evidence tells us…
Scientific accuracy: 100% to date. The more time that passes, the more science confirms the Bible. Categorically, Biblical statements are consistent with the actual findings of anthropology, astronomy, biology, geology, hydrology, meteorology, paleontology, and physics. In cases where man and Bible are placed in conflict, God’s Word has ended up being correct – 100% of the time.
Reliability: greater than any other work. We have copies of the manuscripts and throughout history these copies show that the Bible has been transmitted accurately. Despite common skeptical claims that the Bible has often been changed through the centuries, the physical evidence tells another story. The New Testament records are incredibly accurate, beyond those of other historical authors.
Historical Accounts Accuracy: 100%. At issue here is whether Biblical history follows what is known from other sources. It has been subjected to the minutest scientific textual analysis possible to humanity and has been proven to be authentic in every way. The names of over 40 different kings of various countries mentioned in the Bible have all been found in contemporary documents and inscriptions outside of the Old Testament, and are always consistent with the times and places associated with them in the Bible. Nothing exists in ancient literature that has been even remotely as well-confirmed in accuracy as has the Bible.
Archeological Agreement: 100% to date. Archaeology has confirmed the historical accuracy of the Bible. According to Dr. Nelson Grueck (Ph.d and a leader in the field of biblical archaeology):
“It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or exact detail historical statements in the Bible…”
Prophetic Accuracy: 100%. John F. Walvoord, author of “Every Prophecy of the Bible”, has discovered, listed, and explained a thousand prophecies in the Bible. He states, “Most significant is the fact the half of these prophesies..have already been fulfilled, establishing beyond any intellectual question that prophetic passages in the Bible were intended to be interpreted literally. The evidence is overwhelming that God means exactly what He says as prophecy…”
Two key notable items are: (1) there has never been a prophecy from God that failed to be accomplished when its time was due, and, (2) there has never been an incorrect prophecy from God.
Walvoord continues, “When history has run its course, every prophecy will be fulfilled.”
There are at least 100 of these prophecies that were fulfilled in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
The Bible is – a letter to humanity, God’s revealing of Himself to His creation. It’s a history book, a documentary, and a love letter. It’s also a book on morality, and for that reason, sinful man refuses to open its pages. The psalmist informs us that “the entrance of Your words give light (Psalm 119:130). The Bible further tells us that men love darkness rather than light, because the light exposes their evil,
“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19 NIV)
The Bible (details based on above summary) – PDF download
The Bible Stands Alone
http://www.evidencebible.com/witnessingtool/Biblestandsalone.shtml
Biblical Covenants
http://www.kingdom-come.net/?p=459
Archaeology and History Attest to the Reliability of the Bible
http://www.evidencebible.com/witnessingtool/archaeologyandhistory.shtml
Points to Ponder About the Flood and Noah’s Ark
http://www.evidencebible.com/witnessingtool/pointstoponderabouttheflood.shtml
Scientific Facts in the Bible
http://www.evidencebible.com/witnessingtool/scientificfactsintheBible.shtml
Science Confirms the Bible
http://www.evidencebible.com/witnessingtool/scienceconfirmsthebible.shtml
