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. 

The Bible 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, for sure, and validates the magnificent truth of God's presence to us as we read it. 

How does this happen? We come to know and love Christ , which brings out the “love nature” within human hearts, We become 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 in order 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. Many billions of people throughout the centuries have found this to be true from reading the Bible. 

The truth remains that billions 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 were  found in jars in a cave on the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea in 1947 -- initially by a teenage  Bedouin shepherd. These scrolls have served well to settle that question due to this most important  archaeological discovery of modern history. 

The scrolls date back to the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD. It includes 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 and Savior.