Is the Bible True?Is the Bible True?Proverbs 30.5-6

A recent Pew Study showed that atheists, agnostics, Jews, and Mormons know the most about the Bible, church history, world religions, and religion as it related to public and social policy.

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

• The Bible claims to be flawless.

“Without imperfection, blemish, or defect”

Definition: Flawless

• 2 testaments

• 4 types of literature– history / narrative– poetry– letters / teaching– prophecy

• canon established & closed

Where did the Bible come from?

Every book of the Bible was written by a prophet, an apostle, or someone with a direct link to one.

Where did the Bible come from?

How the Bible is Unique

A. In Its Composition:

1. It was written over 1600 years

2. By 40+ authors

3. With different backgrounds

4. In 3 different languages, from 3 continents

5. Yet with unmistakable continuity and agreement from cover to cover

How the Bible is Unique

B. In Its Circulation:

It’s the single most published book in the history of the world.

How the Bible is Unique

C. In Its Translation:

It’s the single most widely translated book in the world.

How the Bible is Unique

D. In Its Durability:

It has survived bans, burnings, ridicule, and criticism.

How the Bible is Unique

E. In Its Effect on People:

1. They never get through with it.

2. It alters their view of the world.

3. It changes their relating patterns.

4. It changes their values and ethics.

5. It changes their vocabulary.

6. It changes their view of eternity.

How the Bible Has Been Copied & Translated

A. written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek

B. The Talmudim were meticulous.

C. The Massoretes were MORE meticulous.

Author: When Written: Earliest Copy: Time Span: # copies:

Caesar 100-44 BC AD 900 1,000 years 10

Plato 427-347 BC AD 900 1,200 years 7

Tacitus AD 100 AD 1100 900 years 20

Thucydides 460-400 BC AD 900 1,300 years 8

Herodotus 384-322 BC AD 900 1,300 years 8

Aristotle 450-385 BC AD 900 1,400 years 49

Author: When Written: Earliest Copy: Time Span: # copies:

Caesar 100-44 BC AD 900 1,000 years 10

Plato 427-347 BC AD 900 1,200 years 7

Tacitus AD 100 AD 1100 900 years 20

Thucydides 460-400 BC AD 900 1,300 years 8

Herodotus 384-322 BC AD 900 1,300 years 8

Aristotle 450-385 BC AD 900 1,400 years 49

Homer (Iliad) 900 BC 400 BC 500 years 643Homer (Iliad) 900 BC 400 BC 500 years 643

New Testament AD 40-100 AD 125 25 years 24,000New Testament AD 40-100 AD 125 25 years 24,000

How the Bible Has Been Copied & Translated

A. written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek

B. The Talmudim were meticulous.

C. The Massoretes were MORE meticulous.

D. The New Testament has 24,000 manuscripts to compare.

E. The English Bible is translated directly from the original languages.

What the Bible says: What people thought: What we now know:

Earth is a sphere. Earth is a flat disk. Earth is a sphere.

Number of stars = Number of stars = Number of stars =more than a billion. 1,100. more than a billion.

Every star is different. All stars are the same. Every star is different.

Light is in motion. Light is fixed in place. Light is in motion.

Air has weight. Air is weightless. Air has weight.

Winds blow in Winds blow straight. Winds blow in cyclones. cyclones.

Blood is a source of Sick people must be Blood is a source oflife and healing. bled. life and healing.

What the Bible says: What people thought: What we now know:

Earth is a sphere. Earth is a flat disk. Earth is a sphere.

Number of stars = Number of stars = Number of stars =more than a billion. 1,100. more than a billion.

Every star is different. All stars are the same. Every star is different.

Light is in motion. Light is fixed in place. Light is in motion.

Air has weight. Air is weightless. Air has weight.

Winds blow in Winds blow straight. Winds blow in cyclones. cyclones.

Blood is a source of Sick people must be Blood is a source oflife and healing. bled. life and healing.

“Through the wealth of data uncovered by historical and archaeological research, we are able to measure the Bible’s historical accuracy. In every case where its claim can be thus tested, the Bible proves to be accurate and reliable.”

~ Jack Cottrell, The Authority of the Bible

How Prophecy Compares With the Bible

At least 332 prophesies were fulfilled in Jesus’ first coming.

The probability that even 8 of these prophecies would be fulfilled in one person is 1 x 1017.

The probability that 48 of these would be fulfilled in one person is 1 x 10157. There are 1066 atoms in the universe.