QUESTIONING
THE BIBLE?

There have been many people who question the truth of the Bible. What are some questions that a person can ask to help them determine the authenticity of the Bible for themselves? One thing we know is that something is neither true nor false simply because someone says so. Illustrations surround us that demonstrate the inaccuracies of both pro and con testimonies in every area of life. Truth is revealed by questioning. What questions does the Bible answer that demonstrate it is true?
1- Has the text been faithfully copied over time? (Does the current text accurately represent the original text?)
2- Does the text accurately represent known history?
3- Does the text accurately represent know geography?

1- It is safe to say that no text in all of human history has been as studied, questioned and evaluated as meticulously and continuously as the Bible. The science of textual criticism has overwhelmingly concluded that the present text of the Bible accurately represents the original.
Regarding the Old Testament texts:
There are: “hundreds of Jewish communities worldwide, all using the same text, with strict scribal rules, all coming out with the same Torah version after 2,000 years of separation.” From “Is The Torahs Text Accurate?”

“Perhaps the strongest evidence for the reliability of the OT is the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls in 1947 at Qumran.” …… Comparing the Dead Sea Scrolls with older Masoretic texts, “Their conclusion? 95% word for word copying accuracy over almost 1100 years! And the 5 % of variations consisted of nothing more significant than omitted letters or misspelled words—slips of the pen.” From "Is The Old Testament Reliable?"

The text of the Bible is widely tested and confirmed for textual accuracy. Anyone can search the subject on the internet. There are numerous pro and con sites that address the issue. It is neither wise nor fair for a person to simply take the word of others regarding the textual accuracy of the Bible (or any other religious text) without personally investigating the issue.

2- Like every other issue it is easy to investigate both the pro and the con on the internet. Anyone truly interested in knowing the Bible accurately should have no reluctance to research the historical contents of the Bible. If the Bible is not historically accurate it is not true. Do the stories of the Bible, both generally and specifically fit into real world historical events.
Is there evidence that Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar and many others were real people? Were the Hittites and the Edomites real people? If the peoples or individuals named in the Bible could not be found in other historical records it would be a good indication that they were not real and thus the Bible untrue, no matter who claimed otherwise. We should all be willing to investigate the historical accuracy of the Bible, or any other text we value. Who would want to be faithful to a deception?

3- In addition to the verified text, and the truly historical people and events, archaeology is one of the things that demonstrates the authenticity of the Bible. True and real history leaves evidence not just on paper but in the ground. Where there were cities, foundations remain, where there were wars, destructions are evident. The Bible describes many specific places and events that archaeology has clearly confirmed. If there were no specific, identifiable archaeological remains in the places the Bible describes it would be wise to seriously doubt its authenticity. Again, there are many sources that discuss the archaeological validity of the Bible. If it is real and true, the Bible can stand up to any investigation. Don’t take my word for it. Check it out and decide for yourself.