Answering The Question: Is The Bible True

By Marlene Blevins


It's a dismal fact that one generation generally knows little about those that came before, even the one immediately preceding it. This is why even significant people and events can be quickly forgotten, and the lessons of history must be learned over and over again. A shining example of this is that people still ask the question: 'Is the Bible true?' even though this is the best-documented book ever.

Even in modern times - or maybe especially in modern times - archaeologists and anthropologists use the Bible as their most reliable source material. For example, it wasn't until 1993 that a secular historic reference was found to validate the existence of David, Israel's most famous King. Words carved on a basalt rock were discovered that year that spoke of his reign. In 2005, an archaeologist discovered the ruins of David's palace, just where the Old Testament accounts said it would be.

Science also tells us the truth of scripture. Long before scientists had the tools to evaluate earth's position, the Bible told us that it was round. This statement comes from the book of the prophet Isaiah, written some 700 years before the birth of Jesus. Official doctrine that the earth was flat was accepted until well into the 15th century.

The Book of Job, which is considered symbolic rather than historic by many, nevertheless tells us that springs of fresh water lie deep under the oceans, that light is a spectrum of colors, and that plants make their food from sunlight. All of these statements have been validated by scientists over the centuries and are common knowledge today.

Today it's almost automatic to say that those who believe in the truth of scripture ignore the evidence of science. However, the reverse is actually true. Those who cling to 'random chance' theories and macro-evolution are ignoring things like the discovery of DNA. Scientists often begin to wonder about things they read in the scriptures. One example is Matthew Maury, who became intrigued by the 'paths of the sea' in Psalm 8. A sailor familiar with the world's oceans, he began to look for these and found the Gulf Stream (not a new discovery but new for him).

The Smithsonian Institute is not regarded as a supporter of Christianity, but this prestigious organization has issued a statement calling biblical records the most accurate that we have. In comparison with those of other ancient civilizations - Greek, Egyptian, Mesopotamian - they are more reliable. Modern archaeology both uses the scriptures and validates them.

Anthropologists who study ancient civilizations have also found the scriptures to be authentic and reliable. By deciphering the monuments and inscriptions of ancient peoples, experts have traced the existence of Israel as a people and a nation for over 3,000 years. No other people group has been so coherent or enduring. From a purely secular viewpoint, this book is remarkable in its records of ancient times and its predictions of future events. This lends credibility to its spiritual content.

Apologetics, or the proving of biblical accounts, is a fascinating study for both Christians and non-believers. Most scholarly doubts about the reliability of scripture were set to rest when the Dead Sea Scrolls, which validated later copies and translations, were discovered in a desert cave by a shepherd boy.




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