How can one be certain that any book is the word of God?

Question

There are just too many discrepencies to say that it is absolutely the Word. (mainly the bible and quran)

Answer 1

May be faith and belief. But yours is a really difficult question, even theologists have to scratch their heads. We dont need fictions likd Davince Code. But real answers to your sincere queries like this one.

Answer 2

Just ask the book's followers. They'll all tell you "we're right, they're wrong" Boil all window dressing away, and you'll be left with the argument, "The book's true, because it says so right there in the book." Or, an ordained follower of the book will tell you the same thing. Where'd HE hear that it was the "truth"? Answer: from the book. Most conveniently forget that sometime in the middle ages, all the world's religious leaders (am referring to the Bible) got together and began revising, rewriting parts, and removing complete tracts from the bible. Makes one wonder does'nt it? There IS alot of wisdom and guidance to be found in the bible, but as far as it being the word of god???? I don't think so. It'd be more acurate to say that it's the word of God's followers. Taking the bible to be the end all, be all are copping out. It's easier to be a blind sheep than use the brain and eyes that "God" gave you in the first place. Those gifts seem to imply that god wanted us to be capable of independant thought.

Answer 3

I think that the Bible itself gives us the way to trust it as the word of God. We believe "not by sight, but by faith." Although I can't find the exact reference to this fragment of verse at the moment, the Bible places emphasis on our faith to believe, even when we don't have proof.

When looked at closely, what seem to be discrepancies are in fact not at all. There are differences that appear due to errors in translation. And there are those created by writers in the Bible. It is my experience that God does not use a man for a vessel of his Word and take away that individual's personality or way of writing. God treats each of us as individuals.

There is an eastern Bible known as the Lamsa Bible based on translations from the Peshitta. This fresh translation offers many insights to what are seeming discrepancies in other versions of the Bible. For instance, the verse about it being harder for a rich man to get into heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle is clarified when it is not a camel but a rope that is referred to. The difference comes in similarities of words in the original language of the Bible.

Answer 4

The first word in the Noble Qura'n (chapter 96), which was revealed to prophet Muhammed is "Read". I believe, the matter could have not been more challenging. There is a vast body of literature of the prophet sayings, when compared with the Qura'n, the difference is not something that one would dispute. If you are able to point out discrepancies in the Qura'n, the challenge has already been set, and from the first word, not just for you but for he whole of the human kind. Peace.

Answer 5

The words were certainly given by God but were written and recorded by man and therefore left open to their interpretation of those words and subsequently the interpretation of those that then read these written words. Hence our different beliefs in what these words actually mean to us. It really is a matter of our own interpretation and faith. Anything can be twisted around, including the bible to mean what we want it to so it is up to our hearts and common sense to see them in a positive light, in a good way as they were originally intended.

Answer 6

It's not. It was written (bible) by humans. Not only that, scribes who would copy (word for word) the book to pass down throughout history made their own changes/additions and interpretations. Not the word of god, but this perhaps makes it more....'godly' in that every person the bible went through, now has his own mark on it...throughout 100's of years. Neat.

Answer 7

I always pray for God's guidence before reading the Bible. I don't see discrepencies, maybe you just don't understand it. It takes a lot of study, I'm no rocket scientist, but it makes sense to me.

Answer 8

Well, when speaking of Christianity-- it is all about faith. That is one of the main aspects of the religion: Faith. (that's what I believe anyway) You have to believe and have faith that it is true and real. Without faith, the relationship with God could never work. It is your own personal decision to accept God and have faith in Him.

So the answer to your question... how can one be certain? It seems that no one could present any concrete proof, and therefore no one could be completely certain. But one can be certain that it is true if he or she has God in their hearts and has faith that the Bible is the true word of God. If you have faith that it is real, then you know it is.

Answer 9

Unless you have seen it with your own eyes you cannot be certain it is truth. All of history, all of anything.

I don't watch the news, I know anything I hear or even see - could or could not be real.

But is my life even real? So who cares. If the bible is real, then it says that Jesus' sacrafice covered all my sins, and any required faith. So we're covered anyway.

Take in what gives you peace and joy and give it back.

Answer 10

Hello bc_munkee.. :)

We cannot convince anyone..you have to find it out for yourself..

If one truly wants to know..then ask God..to reveal to you if it is His inspired word..If we could convince others that His word is true..than all would believe..but it is a matter of the heart..Faith.. :)

I know and I am certain it is the Word of God..but why would you ask this question if you did not want to believe us.. :(

Jesus Loves you..and I do too.. :)

With Love..In Christ..

Answer 11

I agree. I don't think anyone can be certain. Especially since they were written it completely different languages thousands of years ago and translated in to english. They could have gotten all kinds of stuff wrong. Its hard for me to put all of my trust and faith in a book that some guy wrote.