This post is the second in a series on the reliability of the Bible. Follow this link to read the previous entry.
Internal Consistency
The internal consistency and unity of the Bible is truly an amazing testimony to its divine authorship. The forty men that God inspired in writing the Scriptures came from several different walks of life. For example, Matthew was a tax collector, Peter was a fisherman, David and Solomon were kings, and Amos was a shepherd.1 Despite the different occupations, locations, and circumstances surrounding these men, the writings come together and give a solid, coherent book that maintains internal agreement throughout its pages. Considering that the Bible was written over fifteen hundred years2, the fact that it is internally consistent becomes even more compelling!
Many critics of the Scriptures claim that the Bible contradicts itself. However, claims of “contradictions” are oftentimes the result of a desire to believe that the Bible is false, not as the product of careful research. This link provides an example of an apparent contradiction and its very rational solution. Many of the supposed contradictions are results not of an author’s mistake, but rather of a misunderstanding or a confusing translation from a manuscript’s original language into another. Consider also that different Biblical authors wrote with different styles. The four Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — are all written with different stylistic techniques. Much of the information provided in the different accounts on particular miracles and events doesn’t point to contradictions, but rather to the author’s decision to include specific information relevant to his telling of the Gospel. After all, if all four Gospel accounts were identical, it would be easy to assume that corroboration was involved in their writing.
Fulfilled Prophecies
As the Biblical authors wrote their respective books, they made hundreds of prophecies. All of these prophecies — minus a few regarding Christ’s impending return — have come true.3 No other religious book can claim anything near the number of prophecies fulfilled in the Biblical Scriptures. Consider these examples.
In Ezekiel 26 — which was written in 587 B.C. — a prophecy was given about the destruction of the city of Tyre. The city was divided into a land-based section and an island extension. Ezekiel prophesied that God would “bring many nations against” Tyre (v.3), specifically stating that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon would “ravage your settlements on the mainland with the sword” (v. 8). Ezekiel also prophesied that “They will plunder your wealth and loot your merchandise; they will break down your walls and demolish your fine houses and throw your stones, timber and rubble into the sea.” (v. 12) He further stated that God said He would make Tyre “a bare rock, and you will become a place to spread fishnets.” (v. 14) Let’s take a look at what happened, shall we?
Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the mainland city of Tyre in 573 B.C. Refugees from the devastated city fled to the island extension. However, their escape from disaster proved only temporary. 240 years later in the year 333 B.C., Alexander the Great besieged Tyre. In order to reach the island city, rubble from the demolished mainland portion was thrown into the sea to form a causeway. Able to cross over to the island, Alexander and his troops finished the job, and Tyre was completely annihilated. Over 2,000 years after these astonishing events, the once mighty city of Tyre is now nothing more than a small fishing town where fishing boats spread their nets.4
In addition to prophecies concerning cities and nations, there are nearly one hundred prophecies about Jesus throughout the Old Testament. For example, in Micah 5:2, Bethlehem is prophesied to be the city in which the Messiah will be born. Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:4-7). In Zechariah 11:12,13, there it is prophesied that the Messiah will be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver. Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). In Psalm 22, details are given about the Messiah’s crucifixion. (This is especially fascinating, since this Psalm was written 800 years before crucifixion was ever employed as a means of execution.)5 It is stated that the Messiah will be pierced in His hands and feet (v. 16), that his garments will be divided among those who crucify Him, and that lots will be cast for His clothing (v. 18). Matthew 27:35 affirms that, “When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
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When all the evidence for the veracity of the Bible is laid on the table, it truly conveys a compelling case. The Bible is a God-inspired book with insight into the human condition unlike any other piece of literature. Not only does the Bible provide astounding insight, but it also conveys the most hope-filled message of all time. While the Bible clearly states that man is sinful, it outlines the steps a person needs to take to be free of his or her sin. Those steps are found in Romans 10:9.
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Saved from what? From our sin. Many people believe that simply being a good person is enough to get into heaven. Going to church, giving money to charity, volunteering for a cause, etc. are all good, but they don’t ensure eternal salvation. The Bible gives a list of things a person must do — perfectly. That list is the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20: 1-17) If a person breaks just one of them, they are unfit to enter heaven. Sin has hideously blemished them. However, there is hope. Because it is impossible for man to live his life perfectly, he is in desperate need of a savior. That Savior is Jesus Christ. God sent His only Son, Jesus, to die a horrible, bloody, and tortuous death on a cross for the sin of the world — past, present, and future. Three days later, God raised Him from the dead. Because Jesus died and shed His blood for us, we can be eternally cleansed from our sin. What one needs to do is “confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead”. And then you will be saved.
1. – Patrick Zukeran, “Authority of the Bible,” Probe Ministries, (2005), http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4227389/k.6202/Authority_of_the_Bible.htm (accessed February 5, 2010).
2. – Ibid.
3. – Mark Cahill, One Thing You Can’t Do In Heaven (Rockwall, TX: Biblical Discipleship Publishers, 2007), 157.
4. – Zukeran, op. cit.
5. – Cahill, op. cit., 157-158
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
