Why do you believe the Bible is true?
Ragnar Oborn
That is a very good question. Many people ask this question, but few take the time to think it through carefully. If there is even a possible chance that the Bible is indeed true and/or inspired by God, would it not be worth while to carefully review this question.
This is the way that I have come to the conclusion that the Bible is true and from God.
1) First the Bible does make this claim. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "Every scripture is inspired by God [God-breathed] and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." Of course, many people/holy books make the same claim, so this does not prove it, but it puts it on the list of 'possibles' as it were.
2) The Bible is an ancient book, and the original copies are long gone, but the evidence is quite clear that the text of the Bible (both Old and New Testament) has not changed or been tampered with. This means that what I read today in the Bible is what was written down in the original. Again this does not prove truthfulness or inspiration, but forms an important prerequisite because we can study the message of the Bible seriously.
3) The Biblical account is, in large part, historical narrative, rather than a set of philosophical teachings or abstract doctrines. Its basic approach is to show how God has entered into history and shown himself to people. Think of the account summary in this website: Creation right to Coming are historical events. They may have spiritual truths, but the spiritual truths are based on events, and they either happened or did not. Or take Jesus in the Bible for example. The Bible records where he lived, what he did, the people's reaction to him, how he died etc. Now these accounts may be true or they may be false, but they are historical and thus can be examined in that manner. Since it is based on history we have a way to check its truthfulness by usual historical methods. Thus we have ways to verify some biblical claims. For example, the Biblical statement, "God is love" is difficult to verify. But the statement that 'Jesus was crucified' can be cross-examined historically as it were. There are many other writings outside the Bible from that time period that corroborate or agree with that statement, and will agree with other Biblical details as to when, where, how etc. Very much of the Bible is made up of this historical type of narrative. If we cross-check this we find evidence and agreement on the history of the major Biblical events. The upshot is, that though this does not in and of itself prove God is behind it, it rests on a historical foundation.
4) Some of the historical events are clearly miraculous. Since we know that the miracles were in the original text (point 2) and that the events are historical (point 3), then it is difficult (I would maybe even say impossible) to explain these events apart from God being behind them. The great test case is the resurrection of Jesus. A very good case can be made that he rose from the dead. If that happened (in a real historical sense) then the implications are hard to avoid.
5) Many of these historical events are clearly predicted in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New. Since we know the Old Testament writings preceded the New Testament by hundreds of years, it is difficult to explain how this could be apart from Divine inspiration.
6) In my own life I have tried out the promises in the Bible. The promises are many, but fundamentally they invite us to experience God and trust Him with our lives. I have experienced this in so many ways through my life that I can only conclude God is alive and standing by his word.
These are the main reasons why I accept the Bible's inspiration, and thus base so much on it. The most important thing I would stress though is not so much my summary reasons, but that this is a big question, of fundamental importance. I mean the human race spends so much money and energy trying to see if there is life outside of earth. So many of us look to tarot cards, palm reading, and crystals for guidance. Others look to learned people for wisdom. If there is a chance that Someone is communicating to us, from outside this earth, and gives guidance and wisdom (and eternal life) isn’t it foolish not to a least consider it seriously?