As a “Bible is true” expert, let me present eight infallible proofs from the perspective of Christian apologetics that provide strong support for the truth and reliability of the Bible:
1. Historical Accuracy of Biblical Events
Archaeological discoveries consistently support the historical accuracy of events, places, and people mentioned in the Bible. For example, the discovery of the Tel Dan Stele confirmed the existence of King David, and excavations in Jericho provide evidence that supports the biblical account of the city’s destruction.
2. Manuscript Evidence
The Bible has more manuscript evidence than any other ancient text. The New Testament, for example, has over 5,800 Greek manuscripts, far surpassing other works like Homer’s Iliad with about 1,800 manuscripts. The Dead Sea Scrolls also confirmed the reliability of the Old Testament texts, showing the remarkable preservation of scripture over thousands of years.
3. Fulfilled Prophecies
The Bible contains hundreds of prophecies that have been fulfilled with precision. For example, the prophecies regarding the coming of the Messiah, including details about Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), His crucifixion (Psalm 22), and the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (Luke 21:6), were all fulfilled in remarkable detail.
4. Unity of the Bible
Despite being written over 1,500 years by about 40 different authors from different walks of life (kings, shepherds, prophets, apostles), the Bible maintains a consistent theme of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. The coherence of its message across different books and genres is seen as evidence of divine inspiration.
5. The Bible’s Transforming Power
Throughout history, the Bible has demonstrated the power to change lives and shape societies. From individuals like Saint Augustine, who credited the Bible for his conversion, to large-scale movements like the Reformation and the abolition of slavery, the Bible has shown a transformative influence that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries.
6. Scientific Foreknowledge
Although the Bible is not a science textbook, it contains statements that align with modern scientific knowledge, written long before their discovery. For instance, Isaiah 40:22 describes the earth as a circle (suggesting its round shape), and Job 26:7 mentions God hanging the earth “on nothing,” which aligns with the understanding of the earth suspended in space.
7. Endurance and Preservation of the Bible
Despite numerous attempts throughout history to destroy or discredit it, the Bible has endured. Empires and regimes that sought to eradicate it have fallen, but the Bible remains the best-selling and most widely distributed book in history. This preservation, especially under severe persecution, suggests divine protection.
8. Eyewitness Testimony in the New Testament
Many of the events recorded in the New Testament, particularly concerning Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, are based on the accounts of eyewitnesses. The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, lists over 500 eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ. The willingness of these witnesses to suffer and die for their testimony is seen as powerful evidence of their conviction that what they reported was true.
These points serve as a foundation for the belief in the truthfulness of the Bible from a Christian worldview. They combine historical, manuscript, prophetic, experiential, and transformative elements to make a compelling case for the Bible’s divine origin and reliability.