Is the Bible true?

Joanna (No)

According to Gallup, the number of Americans believing in the Bible’s authenticity is plunging to only 20% believing it’s the literal word of God. On the other hand, 29% firmly believe it’s a collection of 'fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man.' What probably fuels people’s skepticism is the Bible itself. 

The Bible includes numerous contradictions. For instance, in Genesis 1:1-2:3 and 2:4-3:24, the text says man and woman were created before animals. However, the latter states that man was created first, followed by the animals, and finally a woman. The holy book also contains many mistakes about the physical world He created. Galileo was heavily prosecuted for contradicting claims that the Earth was the center of the universe. After all, the church believed in Biblical verses, such as “The world is established, that it cannot be moved” (Psalm 93:1). 

Many false prophecies further contribute to speculation on the Bible’s authenticity. The Old Testament has many of those, such as no uncircumcised person will be allowed into Jerusalem (Isaiah 52:1) and the waters of Egypt drying up (Isaiah 19:5-7). As these prophecies didn’t come to pass, they are things “which the Lord hath not spoken” according to the Bible itself. 

With the numerous outdated claims and contradictions, it’s apparent that God didn’t inspire the Bible’s statements. In fact, there's evidence to support this belief, as Acts 7:53 says the Law was given through angels, and not humans, like Matthew, Mark, and John, who later wrote the gospels. So, if the Bible contains so many mistakes, it can’t be divinely inspired and, therefore, isn’t a trustworthy source for answers and guidance. 

Elizabeth (Yes)

From documentation to archeological evidence to eyewitness accounts, the Bible has much more proof than many claim or will even consider. The Bible is a historical document, and the real life of Jesus Christ further validates its truth, amongst other factors.  

First, the Dead Sea Scrolls are some of the best proof of the Bible’s truth. According to Liberty Champion, ‘The Dead Sea Scrolls have been recognized for generations as one of the most convincing methods of proof of Jesus’ existence, both historically and theologically. Because they date back so closely to the time of Christ, they are all the more solidified as honest records of the Hebrew Bible.’ These texts shed light on its accuracy. There is also deep historical proof of the Bible. Despite some desperately trying to claim it is not a historical document, there is endless evidence for its historicity, such as Jesus’s birthplace and King David being a real person. 

Key archaeological discoveries prove the Bible true, such as archeological evidence for the story of Abraham, the book of Exodus, and King David’s kingdom, to name a few. In fact, there is more proof that the Bible is accurate and true than there is for historical figures like Homer, Plato, Caesar, or Tacticus combined; no one questions if they were real people. The evidence for New Testament writings is much more profound than what we see of classical authors, yet its authenticity is still questioned. 

Finally, there are endless fulfilled prophecies in the Bible, which is clear when examining prophecies about Israel. When it comes to Jesus, scholars and even atheists cannot deny he was real. The Bible is not just evidence of Jesus, but His life is evidence of the truth of the Bible itself.