The Reliability of the Bible

 Bertrand Ramm wrote, "No other book has been so chopped, knived, sifted, scrutinized, and vilified. What book on philosophy or religion or psychology or belles lettres of classical or modern times has been subject to such a mass attack as the Bible? With such venom and skepticism? With such thoroughness and erudition? Upon every chapter, line and tenet? The Bible is still loved by millions, read by millions and studied by millions."(Protestant Christian Evidences)

The Bible is filled with prophecies that were written hundreds of years before they took place, yet were fulfilled precisely as written. Even names of people -- including foreign kings like Cyrus -- are mentioned in books that were written long before these people were even born.

The miracles of Jesus, including his resurrection, were witnessed by thousands. After his death and resurrection, over 500 people saw Jesus alive at one time. The Jewish historian Josephus wrote in the first century that Jesus was a man who lived, performed miracles, was crucified by Pontius Pilate and was reported by his thousands of followers to have risen from the dead. English Scholar Brooke Foss Wescott said, “Taking all the evidence together, it is not too much to say that there is no historical incident better or more variously supported than the resurrection of Christ.” (The Gospel of the Resurrection) 

No written works refuting any of these accounts about the life or resurrection of Jesus exist. Dr. Paul Maier, professor of ancient history at Western Michigan University, concluded that “No shred of evidence has yet been discovered in literary sources, epigraphy or archaeology that would disprove [the resurrection account].&rdqyi;(Independent Press Telegram, April 21, 1973)

Millions of lives have been changed by Scripture and continue to be changed, proving that the words of the Bible transcend time and cultures. People from all walks of life are transformed, from homeless people on inner city streets to leaders of nations. Thousands living in hostile cultures are changed so completely that they give their lives for the cause of helping others discover eternal life through Christ.

Archaeology also proves the Bible to be true in its account of historical events. Not one archeological find has been discovered that refutes the biblical records. F.F. Bruce wrote, “Archaeology has confirmed the New Testament record.” (The Old Testament -- An Introduction) Reformed Jewish scholar Nelson Glueck has affirmed, “It is worth emphasizing that in all this work no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a single, properly understood biblical statement.”(Christianity for the Tough Minded)

From the Pocket Testament League