How do we know what the Bible says is right and true?

Question

I am in one of those periods where I am just questioning some aspects of my religion. I believe in God, and I believe that Jesus died for our sins. I dont think that will ever change. But I am just wondering why you think the Bible is the actual word of God seeing it was written by men hundreds of years after Christ walked the earth? Why do we believe and adhere to its rule and commandments?

I just want to know your opinion because I am at a crossroads in my beliefs. I only want to hear from believers. Trust me, I know that it not being true makes sense to people who dont believe. It makes sense for me too. But I want to know why it makes sense to people who DO believe.


Thank You

Answer 1

I would suggest that you learn the Bible, who wrote which books, and when. Your information is incorrect. The Old Testament was actually written before Christ walked the earth. Some books of the New Testament were written by people who personally knew Jesus--Matthew and John. Other books of the N.T. were written hundreds of years later. Paul--who wrote the letters to the Corinthians, Philippians, Ephesians, et al.--did know Christ personally, but it was after Jesus died in the flesh.

The Bible is exactly as it should be, but it can take time to study it, learn it, come to know who is who and what is what. It is the Word of God in that it is the story of God's relationship with people. There are things in the Bible that come directly out of the mouth of God--the Ten Commandments, what God said to Moses, and, of course, everything that Jesus said and did. Other things came out of the mouths of people faithful to God and who were inspired by God to build Christ's Church and the like.

You may very well like to pray to God to ask that he guide you in your search to better understand his Word and his will.

Answer 2

A few thoughts:
1. It was not written "hundreds of years after Christ". It was translated hundreds of years after. However, it was written directly after Christ died. Paul, John, Matthew, Mark, etc all walked, ate, and talked with Christ. They wrote down their experiences and what they were taught.

Depending on what denomination you are and the people who teach you, you might not be getting taught things that make sense. I've been in a few churches that taught some real nonsense.
The bible itself is true, but your instructors might be mis interpreting it so that could be why certain things don't make sense to you.

You should be praying every day for God to teach you and show you His ways. That is the first step. Every time I pray that prayer, I learn something.

If you have specific questions, you may contact me. I've been an instructor for over 6 years now and I believe I have a pretty good grasp on the truth of the Word.

God bless you in your search for truth.

Answer 3

There are many compelling reasons to believe the Bible is true.

1. Fulfilled prophecies (Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies during his time on earth.)
2. Historical accuracy. No archeological discovery has EVER controverted a Biblical reference.
3. Scientific accuracy (medical knowledge not yet known explained in Leviticus, hydrologic cycle in Ecclesiastes, and many more)
4. Unique structure. The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by many different men, although it is clearly 1 book with unity and consistency throughout.
5. Unique effect. No other book in history has had such an influentual effect on people of all nations and backgrounds for such a long period of time.

Answer 4

God Bless you and Keep you....... This is a great question that so many people have a problem with. Please do not feel alone. Simply put the Bible is the inspired Word of God through His servants that wrote what He told them to. Contrary though to popular opinion, the Bible was completed in text in 95AD and conscript ions of the apostles and Paul were put together about 100AD. I pray that this might shed some light on that fact that these men were not out of touch or did not know Jesus. They knew Him walked with Him and were taught by Him. I pray that the Lord will guide you along the path of His righteousness and His Truth as you seek the face of the Lord.

Answer 5

I completely understand where you are coming from. I spent several years questioning some of my beliefs and am still finding my way back to the church. I am a Christian who believes the Bible is meant to encompass the word and will of God, but believe that because it was written by men (who are imperfect) it may not need to be taken literally. For me it is a set of guidelines and life lessons that will help us in our day to day lives. For example I can't imagine a God who loves all his children would support slavery (even though the Bible speaks of slaves obeying their masters). I believe the reference is made by the writer who is simply existing in a time when slavery was permissable. I also believe in evolution, a big no no where I come from. I believe God created the earth and everything on it. I believe he made us special, but whose to say evolution wasn't his manner of creation. I am a scientist and even I choke on the idea that all of this happened by chance. I also have a hard time condemning other religions as often sadly happens among my fellow Christians. We are all going on faith. We all believe we are right. But that doesn't make it so.
My point is that it is really between you and God what you believe. If you can make peace with what you agree with and follow and what you chalk up to man's interpretation then that may be right for you. If God meant us to be the same, worship the same,a nd believe the same, you wouldn't see the diversity that is so obviously among us. The Bible itself has been handwritten and rewritten and translated so many times that we know there are whole passages that were added by the monks and priests who were transcribing it. I would say that you just need to concentrate on your relationship with God and the rest will come. That is how I deal with it. Hope this helps and my prayers are with you.

Answer 6

The Bible is inspired by God, not of human origination. 1Thessalonians 2:13 "That is why we also thank God incessantly, because when you received God's word, which you heard from us, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but, just as it truthfully is, as the word of God." Also, prophecy proves the Bible to be of Divine Origin. Isaiah 46:9,10 "I am the Divine One and there is no other God, nor anyone like me; the One telling from the beginning the finale, and from long ago the things that have not been done." I believe what the Bible says, because at Hebrews 6:18 says "it is impossible for God to lie."

Answer 7

You are at a wonderful place in life. Because the bible is what it claims to be, the inspired word of God. You are uncertain about that right now, you don't know if you can believe it all. That is just fine.

Ten years ago I got into bible study in a very good church. I didn't know I could trust the bible as God's word, either. My life has been transformed through the study of His word and the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Do not have one minute's hesitation about delving into the scriptures and putting them to the ultimate test: your life and what will happen as a result of seeking God. He is willing and able to show you more than you could possibly imagine.

God says this: "come to me and I will show you great and mighty things that you know not". Go to Him in study and prayer, ask Him to reveal His word to you. It will be the beginning of the greatest adventure of your life.

Answer 8

You just have to believe. I bet you that if you asked almost anybody,who is honest, will tell you that they have been through this phase in their walk with Christ. What made me believe was when I start thinking well who made the earth, who aligned the planets, who made humans to be so different in many ways. Not man. I don't no man that can create a whole universe! Just ask god to show you! I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 9

Aha. you are an anomaly to christian faith. But for me, you've probably outgrown some christian stuff and time to move on to a bigger picture. I am a God believer. I believe in Jesus. But it doesn't end there. We need to question things even though it appears to be rebellious. Believe me, you'll find truth better, clearer and invigorating to seek the wisdom of God. if you can be courageous enough to break the stereotyped associated to current dogmatism then you'll be free to see God better.

Answer 10

here are some reasons why i personally believe the bible is not true. its not in an attempt to convince you of anything, just to answer the question

1. creation, as described in the bible, is false. animals didnt appear all on the same day, and all plants didnt appear on the day before that
2. there was never a global flood, as described in genesis. the flood story actually first appeared describing a local flood of the euphrates river, and later it was adapted by numerous cultures, including the hebrews, who added their own morals and exagerrations
3. the miracles in the bible progressively become less grand, from the creation of the earth to the flood to the escape from egypt, destruction of jericho, and so on. each miraculous event seems less spectacular then previous ones, until in the end the only miracles were events that one or two people could witness
4. the miraculous power that jesus was supposed to possess and grant to his followers simply doesnt exist in the present. there are no healings, no blind people seeing, not even short-sighted people getting 20-20 vision.
5. the bible is seriously ambigious about what is right or wrong. there are times when god actually commands his people to murder and steal. he condoned abraham's adultery and blessed solomon despite his womanizing ways. the only thing that is clear in the bible about what is right or wrong is that god can arbitrarily change what is right and wrong
6. the canonization of the bible was motivated by constantine and his leadership style, which included justifying his persecution of non-christians in his time of reign. many books were altered before they were included, and many verses were added by various religious councils even after constantine's time. what is in the bible is not the unadulterated works of the original authors.

there are more. if you are so inclined, do some research based on this to see if what i say match the facts or not. but if youre looking for truth, then be open-minded about the facts, whether you like what you learn or not