The Bible claims to be God’s inspired guidebook for humankind, but how can you know if this is a true claim? Examination of the Bible’s uniqueness, history, reliability, and archaeology provide intellectual facts upon which you can base a sound decision.
History
The Bible is the only book that has been written over a 1,400 to 1,800 year span, by over 40 authors, from peasants and fishermen to kings and scholars. It was written on three continents, in three languages. Despite all of this, it has covered many controversial subjects while remaining harmonious and in agreement. The Bible has been read, translated and reproduced more than any other book in history. While these facts alone are not enough to prove the Bible is the Word of God, they certainly do show its uniqueness.
The history of the Bible follows the very history of writing itself. The Bible was written on papyrus sheets, clay tablets, wax tablets, parchment, and vellum before being printed on paper as it is today. The need to make the Bible portable led to the development of the modern codex book format, where sheets are assembled in leaf form and written on both sides to replace scrolls.
Reliability
Historical documents are often tested using the bibliographical test. This test determines the reliability of copies by examining the number of manuscripts and the time interval between the original and extant copy. The New Testament manuscripts are the most frequently copied books of antiquity. There are more than 5,300 known Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. The only other document of antiquity to come even close is the Iliad by Homer, which only has 643 surviving manuscripts.
Archaeology
Before the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, there was some doubt as to the accuracy of the Old Testament Hebrew text (also known as Masoretic) for which the oldest existing original dated about A.D. 916. The Isaiah scroll, found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, dates back to 125 B.C. When it was compared with the Masoretic text of Isaiah from A.D. 916, the exactness was astounding. For example, out of the 166 words in Isaiah 53, only 17 letters were in question, none of which affected the meaning of the passage. Many of the events written in the Bible can be fortified by archaeological evidence. Everything from the fallen walls of Jericho, to the ancient cities to which Paul journeyed, to proof of Abraham’s existence, have been found and proven to exist.
Finally, if you are still in doubt over the validity of the Scriptures, or whether they are still relevant today, we recommend you read them for yourself. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow.” Experience the power of God’s Word for yourself - read the Bible - it will change your life.
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