Are there any sources outside the Bible that prove that the Bible is the word of God?

Question

There may be passages within the Bible that say "Every word in the Bible is the Word of God." But that's like saying "This sentence is true," or someone writing a book about describing their visit to another planet and saying "Every word in this book is true."

Belief in God is one thing. But belief in a group of writings confuses me. How can we really know who wrote these works? How can we really know God told these authors what to write? How can we be sure God told the early church fathers what books to accept and which ones not to? If someone as powerful and all-knowing did these things, why are there so many mistakes and inconsistencies?

Wouldn't it make more sense that these author's were just pretty darned close to God, smart, loving, etc? But what they wrote is no more divine than the millions of other religious books that have been written since writing began?

And I am aware that there are historical sources that coreallate with Biblical events. But I'm not asking about these. I'm talking about anything that supports that God dictated every word of the Bible.

As to predicting future events, many secular books have done that. Look at how many of the things that were envisioned by scientists and sci-fi authors that came true (DaVinci, H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Arthur Clarke). And the books 1984 and Animal Farm. But that doesn't make any of these books divine.

As to proving the existence of God? I don't think there is any scientific proof. Just personal/emotional/spiritual "proof." But, I believe in a Creator, and don't question the Creator's existence. I just question how directly/literally the Creator has spoken to us.

As to OT prophecies, how do we know the gospel authors didn't add or change details to Jesus' life to fit the prophecies?

As to miracles, Jesus always prayed to the Father for a miracle. But so did Moses and many other OT prophets.

Answer 1

How could you prove some book is the word of a god, if you can't even prove that the god in question exists?

Answer 2

**There may be passages within the Bible that say "Every word in the Bible is the Word of God." **

Actually, there are no verses that say this. The Bible was not written all at once, like a novel, but was compiled over many centuries by numerous different authors. The Bible, as we know it, was not compiled until 1611, and even then, it contained the writings known as the Apocrypha, so it was closer to the current-day Catholic bibles. Thus, there is noplace that says anything about "the Bible" because it did not exist when the authors were writing it.

Not one of the biblical books has a known author. The so-called books of Moses were written by five different authors, and you can see how they added to each other's writings here: http://www.religioustolerance.org/jepd_gen.htm This is a gem of a website that every Christian should study--that is, IF they wish to be knowledgable about their Bible, and not merely believe everything their pastor tells them.

The fact is that the Bible is no better than any other collection of myths in the world. ANYBODY can write anything and claim that God told them to write it...who cares? Why should we believe them? Why do Christians want so desperately to believe just any old thing they read, just because someone claims that God wrote it? Jesus said that his followers must be simple-minded and be childlike in their thinking, and this is certainly evident in Christianity. Is anyone more gullible than a child or a Christian?

Answer 3

If you really want the answer to your question, I would suggest reading the book "The Bible, God's Word or Man's" it is published by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Some of the Chapter titles include: The Bible's fight to live, How Believeable is the "Old Testament"?, The Miracles-Did they really happen? Does the Bible Contradict Itself? Science: Has it Proved the Bible Wrong?

If you go to the link posted below, you can request the book. There is no charge and if you take the time to read it, it will provide you with the answer you are looking for.
Or if you are really brave you can ask one of Jehovah's Witnesses next time they come to your door for the same book.

Answer 4

If you don't believe in Jesus Christ as your personnal Savior, you are never going to understand the Bible. Jesus said that the word of God would be a stubbling block for those who don't believe. How can you understand what God is telling you if you read the Bible with hate and mistrust in your heart?
I believe in the absolute power of God. He can make ANYTHING happen. He's parted seas. Stoped the sun in the sky. Healed men. Forgave sin and gave us guidance so that we could live a more upright Christian life. He gave us his only begotten Son so that we could be saved. I believe if God wanted a man to write what He wanted He has the power to make that happen!!! God can work through anyone. The Bible say it is the true word of God written by prophets moved BY THE HOLY SPIRIT!!!!!!!!This means that God wrote it not a man!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

Man wrote the bible. We have proof of that. What inspired them to put those particular words on paper? I don't know the answer to that. Lots of ideas and theories, but unfortunately no concrete facts to lay down where the inspiration is concerned.

In case you were unaware, there are quite a few books that were never included in the bible as we see it today. The important question I think people might need to ask themselves is "Why?".

Personally, I think that only the books that served to empower the church were included. Such a wonderful tool they have used to enslave the masses. Brilliant.

Answer 6

The bible is a book of future prophecies.

Well over 200 major prophecies, many of them written thousands of years before, applied specifically to the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Calculate the odds. This is a billion to one shot. No one could accomplish this but God.

More importantly, that same Jesus Christ rose from the dead, just as the bible, and he, had earlier predicted.

Hundreds of eye witnesses attested to that fact, many of whom chose to die, rather than recant their testimony.

Catholics believe that Jesus was God the Son, incarnate in human flesh, firstly because God's physical manifestation on earth, plus all the circumstances of that manifestation, were prophesied time and again in Divine Revelation, and Jesus fulfilled that prophecy right to the letter; secondly, because He claimed that He was God (John 10:30, 14:9-10 and numerous other passages), and He never deceived anyone; thirdly, because He proved His divinity by His impeccable holiness and the flawless perfection of His doctrine; fourthly, because only God could have performed the miracles He performed miracles such as walking on the sea, feeding five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish, and, after His death on the Cross, resurrecting Himself from His own tomb; fifthly, because only God could have, in the brief space of three years, without military conquest, without political power, without writing a single line or traveling more than a few score miles, so profoundly affected the course of human events; sixthly, because only God can instill in the soul of man the grace and the peace and the assurance of eternal salvation that Jesus instills.

Again, eye witnesses were available to testify to all these things, long before anyone had taken the time to write them down.

Answer 7

We can think in 2 perspectives. One, there is. The Holy Spirit, who is the author of the Bible, prove that the Bible is the Word of God. He proves it empirically in the believers' hearts. So the believers became "proof" or "witnesses" that the Bible IS God's word. For example, I was not a believer before and I did not believe Adam was made out of dust and was blown a spirit of life by God as the Bible says. After I became a believer, my heart strangely changed, and I believe very certainly this is true now. It's like seeing things in their ture colors. Without the glasses, I do not see; with the glasses, I now see. Or, before, I was blind, now, I can see!

Secondly, the logic to prove something from OUTSIDE is not the only validated logic. Think about your ID. It's outside of you to prove who you are. But let's say you lost your ID, do you cease to be who you are?

Answer 8

You looking for the truth but who cares about the truth?
There is a universal mathematical truth somewhere but we will never know.
Our own point of view for the truth is very subjective.

Truth is good only when it concern others, its not good when it directs at us.

ALl religion don't support truth because truth has to be proven. Myth and other b/s can simply be abused by the faith. That's why Religions invent faith.
GOd exists coz Bible says so. BIble is true coz bible say it is.
Circular logic. That's why most Christians are fat and looks like circles. Thier mind works same way as their body.
Therefore GOD and circular logic exists.

Answer 9

one thing that is interesting, although it doesn't prove the Bible is the Word of God, is to see how historically accurate it is. It is flawless when it comes to history, and modern science only proves the Bible right when it comes to history. We know that Jews were the slaves in Egypt because there are artifacts in Egypt supporting it. We know how old the writings are because of scientific dating methods are, and the prophesis in the Old Testament came true. While it doesn't prove that the Bible is the Word of God, it does support the argument.

Answer 10

As I have gotten older, I have questioned many things. I guess what most of it boils down to is FAITH. If you believe the Bible is the word, it is...having faith and peace within is the answer.

You can take the Bible for what it is because you have faith in it, it gives you peace. I believe what is written in the Bible is meant for one person's understanding and belief. I guess what I am trying to say is try to be content with what God has allowed for us to have as a reference. Why search outside of it? If it is so far out there, you can't fathom it, then it wasn't meant to be.

Our minds are limited, and the Bible is the source that God felt that someone who has faith can comprehend and understand.

I do not believe in searching for something saying that the Bible is not the word of God. Because to me, it is the word of God. It is complicated enough, searching for something beyond it is more than my pea brain can handle.