Do you have any independent evidence that the Bible is the word of God, or is it basically an emotional thing?

Question

Those of you who write long answers, I must admonish you. Short answers will do -- and don't be shy to admit your belief is just an emotion if that's what it is. Let's be honest.

Answer 1

If people were to do their homework, the bible, like all other books, was written by man.
In addition, I find it quite convenient that the god that is spoken about is referenced to the male gender.
*chuckles and shakes her head*
Proof that it was written not only by mankind, but by men themselves--given the timeframe that it was written.

Answer 2

The Bible was written by men. Whether or not God had a hand in what they wrote is a matter of faith.

The Bible was written so long ago over a considerable period of time, by so many different people and then edited, modified, translated and copied so many times subsequently that it would be nearly impossible to even find as much as a first-hand witness account of a single Chapter being written. And after such a long period any such account would itself be called into question.

It's existence cannot in itself prove its origin - nothing can be used to prove itself beyond that it does indeed exist. Trusting what the Bible says is true is no different to trusting that wizards are real because the Harry Potter books say so. No-one is obliged to prove that the Bible isn't the word of God because it is impossible to prove a negative.

In other words - it all comes back to faith.

Answer 3

Mostly circumstantial evidence; such as, details mentioned in the stories can be backed up by archeology, so it appears that the person who wrote the story was an eye witness, not someone making up legends centuries later. Besides, if the story of the resurrection of Jesus was completely made up so that the apostles could get fame, money, & power (as some claim), then wouldn't at least some of the disciples recant their story when being tortured to death? Most liars would tell the truth to save their own life.

So, I guess that it actually does come down to a gut level decision at some point, but then again, physiologists tell us that most people make most decisions in live based on their feelings anyway.

--------------------------------------------------------------
...Frank Morrison, a British lawyer of the 1930s, undertook an expedition to collect circumstantial evidence to disprove the resurrection. Such evidence, of course, is admissible in all courts of law in civilized countries to prove or disprove events of which there are no living eyewitnesses. When he analyzed the evidence, he reached a stunning conclusion: The resurrection had actually taken place! Morrison presented his case in his book, "Who Moved the Stone?"

Another factor worth considering is the character of the disciples. They were eleven cowardly men who shut themselves in a room after the crucifixion because they were afraid. Yet what galvanized them into action so that within their own lifetime, much of the then known world could hear the message of Christ? Some of them paid for this message with their lives. Would they have done so if the resurrection were a hoax?...

Answer 4

The question is...do you have any independant evidance that it isn't? No it's not an emotional thing, I'd like to say the Bible is a great "instruction manual" on how not to screw up your life. If more people followed it the world would be a better place. I know men who were in gangs who started reading the Bible and changed their lives and are now amazing people. You can't say that the Bible isn't a good thing for people.
You can thumbs down me all you want but that's the truth and I'm sticking to it.

Answer 5

The Bible's accuracy and reliability have been proved and verified over and over again by archaeological finds produced by both believing and no believing scholars and scientists. This included verification for numerous customs, places, names, and events mentioned in the Bible.
One among many examples is the fact that for many years the existence of the Hittites (a powerful people who lived during the time of Abraham) was questioned because no archaeological digs had uncovered anything about them. Critics claimed the Hittites were pure myth. But today the critics are silenced. Abundant archaeological evidence for the existence of the Hittites during the time of Abraham has been uncovered.
Bible scholar Donald J. Wiseman notes, "The geography of Bible lands and visible remains of antiquity were gradually recorded until today more than 23,000 sites within this region and dating to Old Testament times, in their broadest sense, have been located." Nelson Glueck, a specialist in ancient literature, did an exhaustive study and concluded: "It can be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverter a biblical reference." Well-known scholar William F. Albright, following a comprehensive studies, wrote: "Discovery after discovery has established the accuracy of innumerable details, and has brought increased recognition of the value of the Bible as a source of History."

There are more than 24,000 partial and complete manuscript copies of the New Testament. These manuscript copies are very ancient and they are available for inspection NOW. there are also some 86,000 quotations from the early church fathers and several thousand lectionaries (church-service books containing Scripture quotations used in the early centuries of Christianity). In fact, there are enough quotations from the early church fathers that even if we did not have a single copy of the Bible, scholars could still reconstruct all but 11 verses of the entire New Testament from material written within 150 to 200 years from the time of Christ. Bottom line: The New Testament has an overwhelming amount of evidence supporting its reliability.

Answer 6

The Bible speaks for itself. If you read it and dont see the truth in it then that is evidence you love the dark more than the light.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. -1 Peter 2:9

Answer 7

It has to be based on some aspect of faith because not everything can be explained. But there are certain factors that can be addressed that may act as evidence to support one's views. For example, archeaology is something that many people use to support their views in the events and people that are talked about in certain passages. But there has to be some faith, just as there has to e an element of faith in belief in any religion or theory.

Answer 8

I have independent evidence that God is real. In a logic exercise if A=B and B=C then A=C. So if God exists and created the world then what He said in the Bible is true.... Jim

Oh The evidence is rather long if you really care email me and I'll send it along...

Answer 9

Deep down, in our heart of hearts, we ALL know the Bible is the TRUE word of God, because God gave us our life when He breathed the breath of life into us at conception. His spirit came with the breath and exists in every living thing...However, if you need proof, turn to science, yes, science! God TOLD Moses what to write on the tablets of stone to tell us how we can live in harmony and peace with Him and others. God told the Prophets and Apostles what was going to happen, and then it did, and continues to do so. God had them write His letter of love to the world, to anyone who is seeking the truth, so we ALL may know Him and His love, Mercy,Forgiveness, and Grace.
The Bible tells how God created the earth, seas, creatures, and man..and here we all are, just as it says in the Bible. We see evidence of this truth in everything we see, including ourselves in the mirror each day! Everything on the earth was created just as He said it was.Here's proof... The Bible tells us there were Mammoths, ( Dinosaurs) on the earth before He flooded it completely to kill all creatures on earth, except Noah and his family. You can go to many Museums to see the remains of these mammoths; the earth itself, gives us proof of the great flood. There is proof and evidence of a great flood provided by todays scientists, and there are still people on earth that came from Noah's family, otherwise we wouldn't be here to ask questions! Scientists have found Noah's Arc and are studying in more fully.The Bible tells of the birth of our Messiah, our savior, Jesus Christ, and He came and was crucified, so we may have the one and only way to God just as the Bible predicted. It tells of how the Israelites were led out of Eygpt, were followed by Pharoah's army, and how the Red Sea was parted so they could walk through on dry land, and how the sea swallowed the Eygptians army when they tried to follow them. Scientists have found the remains of the chariots and other relics in the sea bed to prove this really happened. All of the major wars we have had were predicted in the Bible. We have proof of the plagues and diseases God sent on the earth in the Bible, we see them in history and still see them today, and will see more of them in the future, as the Bible predicts. There is scientific proof for the words in the Bible coming straight from God's mouth to the writers of the Bibles ears..." Let those who have ears, listen and those who have eyes, see the truth" as it is written...God's Word, the Bible, is the truth and the light and the way to God, it has nothing to do with emotions or whether you feel it is true or not,...it simply IS the TRUTH! Ask for God's wisdom and understanding on this subject, and He will provide the truth for those who seek it...

Answer 10

No I don't have any proof, just faith. I do believe that the Bible is the Word of God, because of the way the Lord has worked, and is working in my life.

Marci