How can you know that the Bible is the Truth?

[Guest]

Why is the Bible the "Truth"? Every other religion claims their book is true? How can you be sure the Bible is really the Truth?

[Guest]

Hi Allyn,

I usually approach that question from this angle: The authenticity of the book itself, and the message the book reveals. Also, the bible isn't just one book, it is 66 books.

1.) No other Ancient book can compete with the bible concerning historical fact's. Most of the cities mentioned in it have been found and we have bundles of manuscript evidence that far surpass that of any other work.

2.) I believe the bible contains the greatest message ever revealed to mankind. Namely, that Jesus died to save sinners who did not deserve it. This message has transformed lives, and still continues to do such.

Lastly, the bible has stood the test of time. No other book has ever been more loved/hated scorned/adored faught against/faught for (whew!, I need a cookie! )than the book we love here at the family fellowship forum.

[Guest]

Why is the Bible the "Truth"? Every other religion claims their book is true? How can you be sure the Bible is really the Truth?

I think it's an honest desire to know the truth followed by a seeking of the truth in combination with the call and conviction by the Holy Spirit. One thing in your journey (for the truth) should be the Bible. It's both historically accurate and contains predictive prophecy that has been fulfilled. It also opens your eyes to the nature of man. When I read the Bible, for the first time in my life I understood why the world is the way it is (full of both good and evil people). And the account of Jesus. No natural man with that much power at his disposal would allow himself to be crucified. True love was shown to us by Jesus who died for us and set an example for us which is completely against the grain of the world. And yet, as Brody said, it still around today and growing.

It seems like it takes honest desire on man's part. If man is willing to settle for a lie, God can only do so much for someone who supresses the truth.

That's my take anyway.

[Guest]

If it could be absolutely proved that the Bible contained one or more false statements, historical, or otherwise, would this affect your faith in any way?

[Guest]

I believe the religion of the bible to be the only religion based on facts, i.e., "that which has been done". Real people, real places, real events, in space and time.

[Guest]

If it could be absolutely proved that the Bible contained one or more false statements, historical, or otherwise, would this affect your faith in any way?

Not mine,

But I have to ask, do you think the bible has any errors in it? If so, where are they? Besides the numerical things in some of the Prophets.

[Guest]

For some possible helpful material, check out:
Pt. 1
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/tqdecide.html
Pt. 2
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/decide2.html

[Guest]

Paidion wrote:

If it could be absolutely proved that the Bible contained one or more false statements, historical, or otherwise, would this affect your faith in any way?

Not mine,

But I have to ask, do you think the bible has any errors in it? If so, where are they? Besides the numerical things in some of the Prophets.

Not mine either, Brody.

I do not know whether there are any errors or not. There are a number of apparent contradictions which have been pointed out by many. Others have attempted to explain that they are not real contradictions, but their attempts to explain seem to be stretching things in their desire to defend the bible at all costs.

For example, to resolve the two different accounts of how Judas died, some people say that Judas attempted to hang himself, but botched the job and ended up falling and bursting his middle.

To explain the varying wordings of what was written on the cross, people have invented a composite wording, saying that in each gospel account some of the words were omitted.

To avoid the contradiction as to who slew Goliath, the King James translators inserted "the brother of" before "Goliath" in 2 Samuel 21:19 and 1 Chronicles 20:5. Of course, the NKJV and the KJ21 slavishly followed this example. All other translators, to the best of my knowledge did not insert this phrase, but lived with the contradiction.

[Guest]

Paidion wrote:

If it could be absolutely proved that the Bible contained one or more false statements, historical, or otherwise, would this affect your faith in any way?

Not mine,

But I have to ask, do you think the bible has any errors in it? If so, where are they? Besides the numerical things in some of the Prophets.

Not mine either, Brody.

I do not know whether there are any errors or not. There are a number of apparent contradictions which have been pointed out by many. Others have attempted to explain that they are not real contradictions, but their attempts to explain seem to be stretching things in their desire to defend the bible at all costs.

For example, to resolve the two different accounts of how Judas died, some people say that Judas attempted to hang himself, but botched the job and ended up falling and bursting his middle.

To explain the varying wordings of what was written on the cross, people have invented a composite wording, saying that in each gospel account some of the words were omitted.

To avoid the contradiction as to who slew Goliath, the King James translators inserted "the brother of" before "Goliath" in 2 Samuel 21:19 and 1 Chronicles 20:5. Of course, the NKJV and the KJ21 slavishly followed this example. All other translators, to the best of my knowledge did not insert this phrase, but lived with the contradiction.

Hi Paidion,

Thanks for your reply. I have always understood the thing about Judas falling headlong and bursting open this way: I think that he hung himself, and that after a undetermined period of time, the limb broke and he fell and burst open. The bursting open could be because he sat out in the sun for a while and literally got "cooked". We all know that it can get pretty hot over there in the day time.
But much of what I said is speculation, but in any event I dont see a contradiction there. As for the others, I am in the middle of a midnight snack, so I will think about those later. Peace.

[Guest]

I've read the three major holy books (Jewish Scriptures, Koran, New Testament) and it has given me a decent frame of reference. The Buddhist and Hindu scriptures aren't really refered as the "word of God" by their adherents so it's pointless to compare those to the "big 3."

The Jews, Christians, and Muslims all claim unique, direct revelation from God. I believe two of them are correct because my understanding is that Christianity is the outcome or fulfillment of Judaism. I believe Islam is false and can't understand why anyone would think the Koran is inspired if they've actually read it. Anthony Flew made similar comments when comparing it to the Jewish/Christian bible.

One reason I'm convinced the bible is God's revelation to man is the obvious singularity in voice/tone throughout, despite having been written over 1500 years by 40 authors, ranging from fisherman to kings. If you read through the entire bible it will appear as though there's only one author. One might argue that this is due to clever editing centuries later. If that's true, it would seem that they would also edit out any mistakes or contradictions since they had hundreds of years to do so. However, since many difficult passages were not removed, this speaks of accurate handling.

Probably the biggest distinction the bible has as a holy book is the accuracy of the prophets. Daniel wrote things that only someone living in that time period would know (like who the last king of Babylon was). Critics laughed at Daniel for centuries because it contradicted Herodotus and other anchient historians until archeology proved Daniel correct. Anyone who is familiar with history will know that Daniel's prophecy was detailed and exact. The prophet Isaiah predicted the coming of the Medes/Persians and even mentioned Cyrus by name, 100 years before he was even born.

These two things, above any other, set the bible apart from other holy books.