Can we trust the Bible to be true?

Here are the facts. You decide.

The Bible has 66 books written by approximately 40-45 authors. These authors lived in

numerous places over a 1500 year course of history with varied backgrounds: one was a

physician, another was a priest—and one was a tax collector. King David of Israel wrote much of

the book of Psalms (some of them while he was a shepherd boy watching over the sheep).

Several were prophets correcting and guiding the people through their books within the Bible.

Luke a disciple of Jesus, wrote the book of Acts. He was a major player throughout the New

Testament, alongside ten other disciples who authored numerous Biblical books.

Aside from the amazing fact the Bible was penned by different authors over 15 centuries, its 66

books of holy truth hold no contradictions. Imagine that, along with the fact no errors can be

found in any of the Biblical books. Each author presented different angles and assessments, but

they all proclaim the same truths about there being one God. Plus, the ultimate message totally

supports the fact God has expectations of us while also being helpful, forgiving and loving.

How can the above be true? Because the authors writing these many books were each inspired

by God to record exactly what God was saying directly to them. Second Timothy 3:16 declares

that the Bible was "breathed out" by God. In other words, this book we call “the Bible” actually

came to us from outside the realm of time—for it extends history before it happens. This

happens because God knows all--both the end and the beginning.

It was given to us by the Creator of the world, the sun, the moon, the stars. This book holds all

the facts about life that we need to live a blessed, joyous, effective life. It shows that we can

count on God directing our paths. All it takes is purposeful reading while “listening” . . . which is

an essential part of prayer.

Finally, consider the proof concerning the Bible being trustworthy: anyone who seriously reads

the Bible, and follows it—that person's life is changed—becoming by far the better. This book

changes lives! This proves the magnificent truth of God's presence in the book, yes, but in our

lives.

How does this happen? We come to know and love Christ , which brings out the “love nature”

within human hearts, We become find us more honest with ourselves and with others and more

helpful while here on earth. Maintaining good manners makes for better relationships, both with

those close to us and with those encountered momentarily day-by-day.

Multiple prophets spoke during the earliest centuries pointing to the coming of a Messiah who

we now know as Jesus Christ our Redeemer, born as time changed from BC to AD ('Anno

Domini', a Latin term for 'Year of Our Lord.) In addition, these prophets of old portrayed definite

details that only God could know about Jesus and what would happen through Him and to Him.

Reading the Bible makes us believers, hungry for truth. And, it brings our minds to higher realms

expanding our comprehension of what this life is meant to be about. Scriptures help us

experience the Spirit of the living God— helping us grasp the truth that God is “here for us” and

that there is life with Him after death in a glorious place.

Subsequently, we want God’s guidance as we long to make the most of our time here on terra

firma. We realize that what we do with our lives on Earth will determine how blessed we are

while here--as well as in the afterlife, (See Matthew 25: 14-30). The more we read the Bible, the

more truth we want.

The truths that come from reading the Bible bring meaning and purpose—while it also shows

God cares about the choices we make. It is all about learning, learning to be all we can be within

this time on earth. We are uplifted and comforted when we read those truths as a part of daily

living. Doing so can greatly lessen our fears and angst as it has for many billions of people

throughout the centuries.

The truth remains that many billions of people throughout the history of humanity have placed

their trust in God and the Bible. Those who write about it say the same thing: peace, love and

joy results from this trust. In fact the peace that comes to us as believers “surpasses all

understanding,” (Philippians 4:6-7). Also, within this trust comes an innate "knowing" that this life

here on earth is not all that that God has in store for us—eternity will be our everlasting home.

Without a doubt the Bible is the most translated book in existence. However, because countless

translations have taken place the question arises, “Is it reliable?” 

Fortunately The Dead Sea Scrolls found in jars in a cave on the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea in 1947 by teenage Bedouin shepherds have served well to settle that question due to the most important archaeological discovery of modern history.

The scrolls date back to the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD and included the entire Book

of Isaiah, 24 feet long, written in Hebrew. Fragments of every Old Testament book except Esther

have been found, as well as many other, non-biblical texts. Of the 850 scrolls found, the book of

Isaiah was fully preserved. One outstanding factor, and for many of us the most critical finding,

comes to us through the scholars' conclusion: Within the Dead Sea Scrolls there are absolutely

no discrepancies between our Old Testament available to us today and what the Dead Sea

scholars have studied word for word within the book of Isaiah found within the Dead Scrolls.

Consequently, their work fully supports the authenticity of the biblical Old Testament that has

been purchased and read throughout modern history.

How does the New Testament connect with the Dead Sea Scrolls?

I will quote Millar Burrows here as regards The Dead Sea Scrolls (New York: Viking

Press, 1955), 383). “One more manuscript [speaking of those found in Dead Sea Scrolls] that

has come to light in recent years provides a fascinating background to the New Testament

messianic hope. It has been reconstructed from twelve small fragments furnishing less than two

columns of writing; but this much can be ascertained from its brief contents: It is a prediction of

the birth of a Wonderful Child, possibly drawing on Isaiah 9:6–7: “For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given:...and his name shall be called Wonderful...” (verse 6; King James Version). This child will bear special marks on His body and will be distinguished by wisdom and intelligence. He will be able to probe the secrets of all living creatures, and He will inaugurate the new age for which the

faithful fervently awaited.”

Numerous prophecies within the scrolls carry promises of a future Savior who would bring in a

new covenant. The words “New Covenant” are mentioned seven times within the New

Testament. The coming Savior was foretold as one who had to first die as an atonement for our

sins, after which he would rise from the dead. The New Testament is a record of Jesus' life, His

teachings, His death, His resurrection and the promises of eternal life for all who believe in Him

and receive Him as Lord of their lives.