Why You Can Trust the Bible

Does It Contradict Itself?

While some may claim the Bible contradicts itself, has anyone ever shown you an actual example? We have never seen one that could withstand scrutiny.

well then please allow me to do something ground breaking

Should we kill?
Ex. 20:13 Thou shalt not commit murder.
Ex. 32:27 Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, put every man his sword by his side...and slay every man his brother...companion..neighbor.(See also 1 Sam. 6:19; 15:2,3; Num. 15:36)

Should we steal?
Ex. 20:15 Thou shalt not steal. (Lev. 19:13)
Ex. 3:22. And ye shall spoil the Egyptians. (Ex. 12:35-36; Luke 19:29-33)

Is God good or evil?
Psa. 145:9. The Lord is good to all. (Deut. 32:4; James 1:13)
Is. 45:7 I make peace and create evil. I the Lord do all these things. (Lam 3:38; Jer. 18:11; Ezek. 20:25)

Is God Peaceable?
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. (Luke 2:14; Acts 10:36)
Matt. 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth, I came not to send peace, but a sword. (Matt. 10:35-37; Luke 22:36)

here's a good one

When was Jesus crucified?
Mark 15:22 and it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
John 19:14-15 And about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out...crucify him!"

not that I'm really much on bushing the bible, but to make that claim is just ignorant. The Bible isn't a book, it's a library. A collection of books, written by different people. Many of whom never even met. The variance within it is comparable to any other collection of stories written and assembled in a similar manner

Brian I have a feeling it doesn't matter what anyone says, you are going to believe what the guy at the church tells you.

That is OK, but what I can't understand is why you feel the need to continue to try to impress your way on those of us who have already explored and made our descion on it. I studied, and sometimes still study the bible, I just get an entirely different message than you. I find it very vain and presumptous on your part to think that your way, and only your way is the right way.

You are not here to debate, you are not here to learn, you are here to preach.

There is more than one book that was inspired by those who had a very personal relationship with the Spirit. Why don't you just focus on developing your own relationship (and POV, you do alot of cut and paste) and give the rest of us a break from your damn idea of perfection?

Before you read this I would like to say that I did not write this article. And while I'm not a member of this Church or desire to be, nevertheless, I recommend reading it....especially unbelievers/skeptics.

Why You Can Trust the Bible

Some people say the Bible is unreliable, and their views have gained wide acceptance. Thus many today dismiss what the Bible says as untrustworthy.
On the other hand, what Jesus Christ said in prayer to God promotes trust: "Your word is truth." And the Bible itself claims to be inspired by God.?John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16.
What do you think about this? Is there sound basis for trusting the Bible? Or is there really evidence that the Bible is unreliable, that it contradicts itself and is inconsistent?

Does It Contradict Itself?

While some may claim the Bible contradicts itself, has anyone ever shown you an actual example? We have never seen one that could withstand scrutiny. True, there may appear to be discrepancies in certain Bible accounts. But the problem usually is lack of knowledge regarding details and circumstances of the times.
For example, some persons will draw attention to what they consider a discrepancy in the Bible, asking: 'Where did Cain get his wife?' The assumption is that Cain and Abel were the only children of Adam and Eve. But the assumption is based on a misunderstanding of what the Bible says. The Bible explains that Adam "became father to sons and daughters." (Genesis 5:4) Thus Cain married one of his sisters or possibly a niece.
Often critics are just looking for contradictions and so may declare: 'The Bible writer Matthew says that an army officer came to ask Jesus a favor, while Luke says that representatives were sent to ask. Which one is correct?' (Matthew 8:5, 6; Luke 7:2, 3) But is this really a contradiction?
When the activity or work of people is credited to the one who is actually responsible for it, a reasonable person does not claim a discrepancy. For example, do you consider a report to be in error that says a mayor built a road even though the actual building of the road was done by his engineers and laborers? Of course not! Similarly, it is not inconsistent for Matthew to say that the army officer made a request of Jesus but, as Luke writes, that such a request was made through certain representatives.
As more details are known, apparent discrepancies in the Bible disappear.

History and Science

The historical accuracy of the Bible was once widely doubted. Critics, for example, questioned the existence of such Bible characters as King Sargon of Assyria, Belshazzar of Babylon, and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. But recent discoveries have verified one Bible account after another. Thus historian Moshe Pearlman wrote: "Suddenly, sceptics who had doubted the authenticity even of the historical parts of the Old Testament began to revise their views."
If we are to trust the Bible, it must also be accurate in matters of science. Is it? Not long ago scientists, in contradiction of the Bible, asserted that the universe had no beginning. However, astronomer Robert Jastrow recently pointed to newer information that refutes this, explaining: "Now we see how the astronomical evidence leads to a biblical view of the origin of the world. The details differ, but the essential elements in the astronomical and biblical accounts of Genesis are the same."?Genesis 1:1.
Men have also changed their views relative to the shape of the earth. "Voyages of discovery," explains The World Book Encyclopedia, "showed that the world was round, not flat as most people had believed." But the Bible was correct all along! More than 2,000 years before those voyages, the Bible said at Isaiah 40:22: "There is One who is dwelling above the circle of the earth," or as other translations say, "the globe of the earth" (Douay), "the round earth." (Moffatt)
Thus the more humans learn, the greater the evidence is that the Bible can be trusted. A former director of the British Museum, Sir Frederic Kenyon, wrote: "The results already achieved confirm what faith would suggest, that the Bible can do nothing but gain from an increase of knowledge."


You can read the rest at the site below.



Why You Can Trust the Bible - Jehovah's Witnesses Official Web Site

There is another interesting thread somewhere on this debate forum about Science & the Koran.

Reading this piece about the Bible vindicates my view that there is little difference between the two and fewer differences between each's proponents.

Both Biblical and claims made in the Koran can be refuted. Until recently I was of the view "to each his own". But now, giving the clamity being visited on the world by the followers of these two books, I have come to the belief that they MUST be refuted. Politely & with facts.

So I'll go through your posted article after my morning espresso and respond.

Well I have never nor do I personally know anyone who is a Christian that supports any form of violence by those who called themselves Christian. In fact, any form of violence against another person is wrong and does not reflect the love of Jesus. A fair minded person would get the facts before coming to a conclusion.

Well I have never nor do I personally know anyone who is a Christian that supports any form of violence by those who called themselves Christian. In fact, any form of violence against another person is wrong and does not reflect the love of Jesus. A fair minded person would get the facts before coming to a conclusion.

No, I do not believe my thoughts are the only right ones, only that they are right for me.

Sorry many soldiers believe and after taking the oath have to follow orders. My self I still beieve I didn't kill enough NVA in the Nam, as more of my brothers died after I went home. Maybe that is why Jesus, said don't take an oath. But my lifer dad decided for me and being raised around the Army I felt he was right that I do my duty to my country just like todays soldiers for the most part. My first kill later that night I cried as he was a teen if not younger.
But he had an AK-47 pointed at me and it jammed so I got the first shot off and at only 10 paces. I still see his eyes. But I also think if I just killed several more there would have been a few less names on the wall.

The Bible is a horrifically violent document. Both the Old and the New, albeit the Old winning the prize hands down on who is bloodier.

And back to the thread, I believe in the Christian Bible, but don't preach it to others unless asked or to debate a little bit.

And can I ask where is wvpeach?

It would require me to write an article explaining to you both the Old and New Testament, and what its about. You have just gave me a thought...I don't know if or when I will do an article about that, but I will think about it.

Sorry many soldiers believe and after taking the oath have to follow orders. My self I still believe I didn't kill enough NVA in the Nam, as more of my brothers died after I went home. Maybe that is why Jesus, said don't take an oath. But my lifer dad decided for me and being raised around the Army I felt he was right that I do my duty to my country just like todays soldiers for the most part. My first kill later that night I cried as he was a teen if not younger. He had pictures in his helmet o fhis family. Man i tore a family apart. Yet I had to.
But he had an AK-47 pointed at me and it jammed so I got the first shot off and at only 10 paces. I still see his eyes. But I also think if I just killed several more there would have been a few less names on the wall.

If Jesus and the first Christians were to take that position that gospel would not have been preach to the world. Jesus did not say that we should wait for people to ask?.the problem is that most will not ask. He said go and preach the gospel. The gospel is good news; why should we wait for people to ask? If your family is facing bankruptcy, because of loss of income and they are about to lose their home, and be put out on the street. what if you heard about a company that will take anyone who is in dept, and pay off all the dept that anyone owe without any strings attached, except to tell everyone they know about the company, Wouldn?t you not tell as much people as you can? The kingdom of God is infinitely greater than a company getting someone out of dept.

It's not about forcing people to believe, it's about spreading the good news.

Yeah.....I trust that dang old thang, but I don't interpret it literally. I'm CATHOLIC, and I live in TEXAS. Yeah. You betchya.