a question about the christian bible?

Question

i have a general question, i am not christian myself, nor do i plan to be, but i was wondering what makes you beleive what you read belieable? i'm not like looking down on your religion but your book has been altered so many times, peices have been taken out volunteerily and randomly peices made up have been added in, besides faith, what makes you think what your reading is true? this is just a question i dont want anyone to think i'm looking down upon christianity or mocking it, just wondering out of the blue

Answer 1

Can an intelligent person believe in the Bible?

Yes. The Bible is not a book of fables. Unlike other spiritual books, it does not demand blind faith. Multiple categories of evidence support the historical accuracy of the Bible as well as its claim to divine authorship.

Ancient history supports the Bible's accuracy as a historical record.
The Gospels provide multiple reliable accounts of Jesus' life.
Archaeology backs up the Biblical account.
Textual scholarship confirms that the books of the Bible have not changed since they were first written.

For example, the Bible reports that Jesus of Nazareth performed many miracles, was executed by the Romans, and rose from the dead. Numerous ancient historians corroborate the Bible's account of the life of Jesus and his followers:

Cornelius Tacitus (A.D. 55-120), an historian of first-century Rome, is considered one of the most accurate historians of the ancient world.1 An excerpt from Tacitus tells us that the Roman emperor Nero "inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class...called Christians. ...Christus [Christ], from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus...."2

Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian (A.D. 38-100+), wrote about Jesus in his Jewish Antiquities. From Josephus, "we learn that Jesus was a wise man who did surprising feats, taught many, won over followers from among Jews and Greeks, was believed to be the Messiah, was accused by the Jewish leaders, was condemned to be crucified by Pilate, and was considered to be resurrected."3

Suetonius, Pliny the Younger, and Thallus also wrote about Christian worship and persecution that is consistent with New Testament accounts.

Even the Jewish Talmud, certainly not biased toward Jesus, concurs about the major events of his life. From the Talmud, "we learn that Jesus was conceived out of wedlock, gathered disciples, made blasphemous claims about himself, and worked miracles, but these miracles are attributed to sorcery and not to God."4

This is remarkable information considering that most ancient historians focused on political and military leaders, not on obscure rabbis from distant provinces of the Roman Empire. Yet ancient historians (Jews, Greeks and Romans) confirm the major events that are presented in the New Testament, even though they were not believers themselves.

Archaeology can (and does) substantiate the Bible's historical accuracy. Archaeologists have consistently discovered the names of government officials, kings, cities, and festivals mentioned in the Bible--sometimes when historians didn't think such people or places existed. For example, the Gospel of John tells of Jesus healing a cripple next to the Pool of Bethesda. The text even describes the five porticoes (walkways) leading to the pool. Scholars didn't think the pool existed, until archaeologists found it forty feet below ground, complete with the five porticoes.7

The Bible has a tremendous amount of historical detail, so not everything mentioned in it has yet been found through archaeology. However, not one archaeological find has conflicted with what the Bible records.

Answer 2

Actually there is much evidence to show that the Old Testament has been handed down to us with a 95% accuracy. That's more than any other book dating from before the printing press.
The New Testament was complied from the works of the Apostles during the first century. What people don't seem to realize is that the letters and gospels were copied and sent to others in letters that the entire New Testament could be reconstructed from these letters. This occured by 70AD which means they had to have been written around 20-30AD and if anyone tried to change the writtings it would have been identified immediately. The books that are not included in the Bible have been proved to be written centuries later and not by those who claim to be the author.

There are, then no alterations to the Bible other than changes which have occured as people learned more about the original languages and improved the translations. Those changes have only served to improve our understanding of the Bible.

Answer 3

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 4

While some of what you are saying is true, some is not. Yes, there has been may imitators of the Word of God but no duplicators. Many people who would want to see the Word of God null and void have tried to dispel the Word of God but God's true believer know the difference. The Word of God says that man looks on the outward appearance but God knows the heart. I don't understant why the Bible seems to be such a myth for so many. I mean they can take stock in, let's say the History books in our classroom and use it in many debates to try to prove it it correct. Yes, it has been proven that some of the facts noted in them is untrue. No one has ever proved that anything in the Bible is untrue. There has been many accusations, but none proven true. Yet it is so hard for some to believe in God. May God Bless U.

Answer 5

it was written by 40 scribes or prophets over 1600 years and it all runs in continuity.
man could never achieve that on his own. why science said 500 years ago if man ever reached the awesome speed of 30 miles an hour he would lose grip and fling off the earth. that was actually accepted back then but today we laugh at that and would call him ignorant. man can't achieve such continuity by himself
plus, the same God that gave His word will maintain it. Heavens and earth shall pass away but my word shall not pass away. It is eternal

Answer 6

I suspect you've not really studied much of these so called alterations and changes. There have been very few, actually and manuscript evidents suggests this. If you would like to address a specific change that concerns you, I'd be happy to comment on it. Do you know of one, or two, or three?

Answer 7

What makes you think the Bible has been adulterated as much as you claim? It hasn't. You need to spend some time with God. Then read the Bible. It'll clarify a lot of the wrong ideas you have.

Answer 8

What made you think that it has been altered? Where have you read that in any literature? What pieces are you talking about that was taken out and random pieces added!? Before you start claiming this incredulous and blasphemous claims, read more into it. Click on the link below and you'll get more answers. Honestly!


Offended by your post
wasabi

Answer 9

Not looking down on it ? You did everthing you could to try to discredit it ! Nevertheless, it remains intact, and virtually unchanged even after countless translations, etc. Show me any other book that is as accurate as the Bible in predictions, history, and prophecies. The Jews being restored as a nation after 2500 years, and countless attempts to destroy them !!?? How accurate is that !!!??? Plus many others to come !!

Answer 10

It's the Spirit of God working in those who trust God, and He brings them to understanding. This is why Jesus spoke in parables:
Matthew 13:11 He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 13This is why I speak to them in parables:
"Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 14In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
" 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15For this people's heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.