Why I Believe the Bible is True…
Well I thought I better touch on this topic, but at the end of the post you will find links to other, better essays and articles about why we know the Bible is true. This particular post is a personal answer, only hitting the highlights, there are many many more reasons to believe it word for word.
Firstly, I believe that the Bible is true because of personal experience. I see it working in my life. I know that when I follow the principles and commandments in the Bible, my life is better. My marraige works, my kids obey, my heart isn’t troubled with drama etc. I see that when I show others the love that Jesus defined they are uplifted. I find that when I am struggling with difficult life circumstances relying on Jesus and His Word to solve the problem, or to carry me through the dark days, I am given peace and joy. A peace that passes understanding of the situation, and a joy that springs up from my spirit and cannot be doused. (these things are all posts in and of themselves, perhaps if I get inspired i will cover them sometime.)
Secondly,I believe the scriptures are true because history has not been able to deny its truth. No one has been able to say that these things are made up, with any proof. All evidence points to a clear historical line of manuscripts, originals and copies that are (if I recall correctly, ) 99% accurate (if i recall incorrectly, it may be 95.9%) either way that is VERY ompressive since Homer’s Illiad is considcered an accurate representation of the original and is based on far less. The Bible has been changed far less than the Illiad, and yet people don’t deny Homer as having written it, neither do they deny that it is the Illiad story! And the Bible was written far longer ago.
Thirdly, the Bible is supported not refuted by science. * Roundness of the earth (Isaiah 40:22)
* Almost infinite extent of the sidereal universe (Isaiah 55:9)
* Law of conservation of mass and energy (II Peter 3:7)
* Hydrologic cycle (Ecclesiastes 1:7)
* Vast number of stars (Jeremiah 33:22)
* Law of increasing entropy (Psalm 102:25-27)
* Paramount importance of blood in life processes (Leviticus 17:11)
* Atmospheric circulation (Ecclesiastes 1:6)
* Gravitational field (Job 26:7)
* and many others.
(from Christian Answers: http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t003.html
)
Fourthly, I believe that the Bible supports itself with fulfilled prophecies. There are thousands of prophecys in the Bible, none of which have been proven false, though there are some which are yet to be fulfilled. For examples concerning this topic, follow the following links and see for yourself what people with more time and dedication to the issue have discovered and painstakingly written for you.
(there seems to be something wrong with my linking buttons, so please copy and paste these addresses into the address line.)
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/bible/scripture/index.htm
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t003.html
http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/b_proof.shtml
http://www.shenessex.heartland.net/kyfr/bibletru.htm
http://www.comereason.org/cmp_rlgn/cmp005.asp
http://www.salisburybible.org/questionsaboutgod/IsTheBibleTrue.htm
There are many many others…
seek and ye shall find. google it and it will be shown to you! lol
Mrs Meg Logan
September 23rd, 2006 at 10:03 am
1) Your subjective experience is not evidence of anything. If I have to accept the fact that following the bible makes you happy as evidence of the bible’s truth, then you have to accept the fact that following the bible makes other people miserable (for example) as evidence that the bible is false. This is why science doesn’t admit anecdotal evidence.
2) the Bible is supported not refuted by science.
This is simply not true. While there are statements in the bible that happen to be scientifically accurate, there are many more that are not. Some examples:
a) The bible claims that the earth is 5767 years old.
b) The bible claims that the earth was created in no more than six days.
c) The bible claims that rabbits chew their cud (Lev. 11:5, Deut.14:7)
d) The bible claims that the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter is 3
e) The bible claims that the earth is immobile and the sun goes around it.
I could go on, but I imagine you get my point by now.
This comment has only addressed what was written in the post. I might be back after I’ve read your links.
BTW, to make a link you type <a href=”http://www.example.com/subdomain”>Text for the link</a>
September 24th, 2006 at 7:36 pm
Jake,
I am not equipped to answer all of your questions. As you well know. Which is why I will continually refer you to outside sources. I take the Bible on faith, and also, I have read many many refutations of critics and skeptics, and so I believe that there are refutations and defenses against any critic’s criticism.
Regarding rabbits chewing cud: check here It discusses Hebrew words and modern day understanding of chewing cud. and this is good> too. In fact I would say that the second reference is better but longer.
Regarding Diameter, I do not know which verse you are referring to a you do not quote it or refer to it. When you tell me where the Bible says this I will look up the apologetics regarding it. Same for claiming the earth immobile and the sun rotating.
Regarding the age of the earth, well lets see…there are two major arguements in just the Christian side, those who say that God being outside of time can define time anyway He chooses, and since the Word also mentions how a day is like a thousand years it stands to reason that those days could have been much longer than 24 hour periods. The other arguement says it is totally literal , and modern science is wrong, since it is based on arbitrary assumptions which are not proveable. I have not come to a clear and definate decision on either side, other than to say that the Genesis account is accurate. I tend toward the literal interpretation since that seems most like God to me. Since He uses the simple things to confound the wise (in the world), and it would be quite simple for Him to create the world in six literal days, while also counfounding to those who see themselves as wise (i.e. academic scientists). Not to mention it brings Him greater glory to have done it in a short time, as opposed to a long time. Obviously I do not know about science, but I seriously doubt the validity of and methods of measuring the ages of rocks and such. I am sure we could find good arguements on both sides of this, and I mean CHRISTIAN sides. Some things are not for us to know at this time and I am fine with that.
So check out some apologetic sites like the two I mentioned above.
Praying for you,
Mrs Meg Logan
September 24th, 2006 at 10:11 pm
I take the Bible on faith
This is fine, and I would never tell you not to. But please stop telling others that we should. Also, please stop pretending that there is any reality-based evidence for the bible until you find some.
Obviously I do not know about science, but I seriously doubt the validity of and methods of measuring the ages of rocks and such.
Can you really not see how arrogant this is? You, who admit you know nothing about science, feel yourself qualified to dismiss out of hand the work and conclusions of hundreds or thousands of people who have spent their lives studying these things and actually do know what they’re talking about.
September 25th, 2006 at 8:22 am
Jake, I do not find what I believe to be arrogant in the least. I also do not believe that just because I have not spent my whole life studying the “science” of evolution, that I have no basis to dismiss it’s theories. In fact there are many people who have spent their whole lives studying science and who have come to the Truth that way. They were convinced that Darwinism is wrong, and have written many articles regarding such, and have come to believe the validity of the Bible. It is not totally unsupported, it is simply that I have not personally done the research. And you can claim no better. You are not an evolutionist who dedicated your whole life to studying it, neither have you dedicated you life to studying the Bible, yet you feel free to make claims regarding it’s authenticity and accuracy out of hand. You don’t even know where the Bible claims the things you find an “issue” with.
I will not stop telling people that they ought to read and believe the Bible, and place their faith and trust on the One True God, in Jesus. I could not do as you request and still believe that the Bible were true. If I believe it is true, and that people in your situation are going to a terrible aweful place, I would be a fool, a liar, and a hater of people if I did not warn them, and point them in the right direction. It would mean that I did not actually believe God’s Word. Which you can plainly see that I do.
Regarding reality based support for the Bible I have shown you plenty, you like I mentioned in the beginning are looking for any “Reason” logical or not, to justify yourself, to yourself, so that you may continue in your sin without feeling guilty. If you really don’t like to listen to people call the Bible truth, then stop reading Christian blogs! I mean really! That doesn’t make any sense. You have every right to refuse God, He gives you that right, it is your choice. You could completely ignore Him and He will be sad about it, possibly angry about it, but He isnt going to compell you to serve Him. Once again, the fact that you ARE reading Christian blogs tells me that you want ot know the truth. So put down your defenses and open your eyes. In fact why don’t you pray that the Lord would show you the truth. He makes Himself known to those who seek Him.
I am praying for you too.
Mrs Meg Logan
September 25th, 2006 at 9:56 am
If the Bible said that following it would bring only hapiness, then certainly, Jake, you would have a point. Jesus promised not peace but a sword. Now, you cannot dismiss Meg’s testimony about a personal impact out of hand simply on the basis of whether others were happy when following it or not, because it is not “happiness” that she used as a standard, but the fact that this book had and is having a personal impact far deeper than any other piece of literature.
While it may be true that you cannot prove that the Bible is true by experience, you cannot proposition that it is false by experience either.
I believe the correct statement here is that people have used the Bible to deduce that the world is less than 10,000 years old.
I’m glad you think this– a lot of Christians do not necessarily. In any case, this is more of a historical question than a scientific one. One’s worldview impacts how old they think the world is more than science.
All things that people have said that the Bible says rather than it stating that itself.
September 25th, 2006 at 2:38 pm
Hello everyone,
Just a little reminder: please read 2 Timothy 2: 14-23.
I have just preached on this portion of Scripture at my church. I guarantee you that this debate you are having with Jake is a 100% waste of time, and it is more than just that: it is sin. You are striving about words to no profit. You are answering foolish and unlearned questions. Jake has no interest in the Truth that is in Christ Jesus. She wants to argue. Why? Because that’s how false teachers spread their false teachings. Check 1 Corinthians 15:33
(and check from a literal translation):
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
Do you honestly think Jake has read the Scriptures. Do you really think she is honestly seeking the Way? Give me a break. She goes to dumb and wicked websites that fabricate errors and contradictions in the Bible and she uses these foolish arguments to get you all going. Friends, don’t fall into this snare of the devil. Do not sin. Jake has heard and read enough Truth… if she rejects it, don’t waste your time, the Holy Spirit is not working. By all means pray for her, and “hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD” (Lamentation 3:26), but don’t get into vain babblings.
I hope to have my sermons up on my blog in mp3 format soon. Have a listen if you want.
Rand
September 25th, 2006 at 10:08 pm
This question and answer debate reminds me of Joshua McDowell and Frank Harber, both famous for being out to prove Jesus and the Bible wrong. Athiests with a huge agenda. And in trying to prove it all a farce, they found irrefutable evidence that it’s the real deal. Josh M wrote a great book, fascinating read, that details logically the truth that refutes evolution/atheistic thinking. I can’t remember the exact title of his book, something like “Evidence that demands a verdict”? It would be easy to find on Google, but I don’t have time. Frank Harber, of Got Life Ministries is a Christian radio preacher who has a great testimony of setting out to disprove the Bible and God and failed in the process.
November 17th, 2006 at 10:13 am
Which is exactly what Jake said: “Your subjective experience is not evidence of anything.”
Meg, much of your apologetics that you link to sum up as “You should take the Bible as literal truth. Except when it’s wrong–then it’s not literal, but still truth.” Example–rabbits don’t chew their cud as it says in the Bible, but the Bible didn’t really mean “chewing cud”, it meant moving its mouth like it was chewing cud. The problem with this apologetic is that it argues that, in cases where independent evidence is not available, that a literal interpretation of the Bible may or may not be correct. For example, if you believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible and had never seen a rabbit, you would believe that the rabbit chewed its cud. You would be wrong.
Yes, God (if it exists) could certainly lie to me and get me to believe it. Are you arguing that it did? If so, why should I revere a diety that is going to willfully mislead me?
Similarly, since I believe that the Bible is not true in any meaningful sense, would Ibe “a fool, a liar, and a hater of people” if I allowed you to continue to throw your life away on such a fable? I don’t think so…if the Bible floats your boat, so be it. However, I won’t let you bully, intimidate, and (unintentionally, I’m sure) lie other people into following your superstition out of fear and ignorance. So, if you keep your faith among the faithful (and those who are interested in it), we have no problem. If you want to spread your faith to the masses, I will insist on fact-checking you.
Let’s fact-check that.
Evidence for an almost infinite universe–”For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
You have GOT to be kidding me!?! The Bible says that the heavens are higher than the earth, and you take that as evidence of a near-infinite universe?!? When Job says “My bum itches.”, is that evidence of the germ theory of disease???
Evidence for the laws of conservation of mass and energy–”But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
Did you even read these, or did you just pull them unchecked from an apologetics site? He is talking about why the world hadn’t ended yet, when everyone was saying God was coming back real soon. What does this have to do with the physical laws?
Evidence for the Theory of Gravitation–”He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.”
Compare with the non-divine “Every single point mass attracts every other point mass by a force heading along the line combining the two. The force is proportional to the product of the two masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the point masses.” I mean, come on. This is the same chapter that talks about the heavens being supported by pillars. Where are the pillars holding the heavens up?
OK, let’s skip to the next advanced scientific principle (I mean, is anyone surprised that ancient people could look up and say “Yep, that’s a lot of stars” or “people who loose a lot of blood don’t do so well”); the law of increasing entropy (also known as the second law of thermodynamics)–”25Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.”
Hmmm…so, from a passage saying that God is eternal, and was here before the beginning and will be here after the end, you derive “Heat cannot of itself pass from a colder to a hotter body.” Stunning, truly stunning.
Are these the great scientific truths held by your sacred book of eternal wisdom?
Rand is right–do not speak with those who believe differently! Do not examine your faith! Verily, believe blindly and without question, and follow his authority upon the matter (for he, like various pontiffs before him, does derive his authority from the Bible, which is never wrong, and he knows exactly the right way to interpret it). Speak not to the heretics and unbelievers.
The problem is, as Meg pointed out, your book also requires you to try to convert the unbelievers. So, your screwed no matter what you do. Talk to the non-believer, and you are engaging in “profane and vain babblings” and, apparently, sinning. Don’t talk to us, and you are condeming others to eternity in Hell and being poor stewards of the Word of God (and, again, sinning). Really, your religion often looks like a form of debt bondage.
Most agnostics/atheists in America not only have read the Scriptures, but know them better than most theists. The Scriptures are the #1 tool for converting people away from Judaism and Christianity. Irrational, illogical, and often factually incorrect stories about a capricious and often evil God will do that to a religion.
No, they are both famous for being Christian apologists. Their claims to be converted atheists are unsupported (not that I’m saying they are lying, but this “conversion” certainly isn’t their claim to fame, and it probably does help them sell books).
I can’t speak for Jake, but the only “dumb and wicked” website I used was BibleGateway.com, and that was only to confirm the “scientific proofs” offered by Meg. Like many agnostics/atheists, I converted solely due to reading the Bible and thinking about it. No websites required, and I didn’t even know any atheists/agnostics at the time. I was a steady church-goer, born-again, the whole nine yards. But, religion just didn’t do anything for me.
If religion helps you get through your day, great, have at it. If you know someone else who is interested in religion because it would help him/her in his/her personal life, tell them about it. But be honest. The bulk of science does not support a literal interpretation of the Bible. Heck, the Bible doesn’t support a literal interpretation of the Bible. There is no reliable evidence for God. Sell you belief as a faith, and I have no problem with it. Sell it as an evidence-supported truth, and you will always have me and like-minded people to contend with.
November 17th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
The Bible is literally true—however it does record people telling lies, it does record sin and other wrong things. The point is to take it in context. What you must understand is that the Bible is written over the span of 2000 years and in that period of times there are some meaning shifts. One has to take the meaning of the words of thing in context in order for it to make any sense.
In the example of the rabbit chewing its cud in Leviticus, one must define all the words and do the due diligence that “rabbit” and “chewing its cud” both mean the same as they used to. In fact, if you researched the terms, you would see that “chewing its cud” has a different meaning now than it did at the writing. This is not a place where the Bible is wrong, but a place where your research is.
God states that He created the world in six literal days, but again, look at what the Creation is recorded as being—Did God create Adam as a baby? How about the animals? The trees? None of these things were stated as God creating saplings, eggs, etc, but everything at a mature age. It would then stand to reason that God would have created the earth and not “set the clock back to zero” but allowed for age. Also, keep in mind that dating methods are far from infallible.
I believe you have yet to prove that people of faith that try to live life to a higher standard are “throw[ing] your life away on such a fable?” Indeed, if the Bible is false the worst that these people have done (if they indeed follow it) is to show love to their common man, to put others ahead of themselves, to seek good for others, to believe in things that are bigger than themselves, to have stable families, etc. If there is nothing out there bigger than you, then this world would in fact be worse off because this would be the only thing out here for us, we should live life for self and only cooperate when it benefits us. If you scour the great writers and thinkers of all time, even those that were skeptical about religion believed that there was a reason for it.
I do not agree that Bible is a science textbook. I don’t think you approach the Bible looking for scientific truth. What I do believe that you find is that where the Bible clearly touches on science it is truthful.
As far as a testimony—we are to share the Good News that there is a way out of our bondage to sin. Talking about the faith and applying reason are not wrong… to a point. There is a point in time in which we are just serving to help harden hearts. Moses kept telling Pharoah to let God’s people go. Each time, the Pharoah’s heart got harder. The problem in spending so much time in debate and not focusing on the key issue of salvation is that we run the risk of aiding in people’s hearts to be hardened and they’ll miss the important point—that God sent His Son to die to redeem us to Himself and that He has made a difference in our lives.
I have no doubt that the Bible is a tool for converting people away from Christianity for the very reason you state. When you come at the Scriptures with a worldview to find errors you will take anything that you can find and twist it to meet your goal. You’re not coming at it honestly, looking to see what it says about itself, but looking for ammunition. Then you seek out weaker Christians to prey upon, and they allow themselves not to study things out for themselves and are preyed upon by doubt.
If you came at the Bible honestly with a clear intentions and did your research into the time periods and what it was saying at the time you would not find the contradictions that you claim it has, but you would find a book written over 2000 years by 40 authors that are all in agreement: God created the world, is involved in the world, sent His Son to die for the world, and is coming back to judge the world.