How do we know that the Bible is reliable? – by Dave Caplin

“We believe that the holy spirit inspired the human authors of holy scripture so that the bible is without error in the original manuscripts. We receive the sixty-six books of the old and new testaments as our final, absolute authority, the only infallible rule of faith and practice” – from the Association of Vineyard Churches Statement of Faith

Perhaps like me you have been brought up to believe that the Bible is ‘God’s Word’ and like a divine guidebook it can be consulted to give a comment on just about everything. The Bible has been a means of challenging me and instructing my path and showing me how to live and act. But how can we be sure that this is the Holy Spirit inspired Word from God?

The problem is there is so much ‘fake news’ around it is difficult to see the wood for the trees! I have a friend in London who takes every conspiracy to heart. I have had many conversations with him about God, but it often comes down to the fact that he just doesn’t accept the Bible not even as a historical book. It made me think, after all there are some differences between the 4 Gospels, and it was all written so long ago has it all been doctored to fit what we believe?

Witnesses and writers

I realise that there are probably more questions than answers, but I want to share something of what I have been thinking about.

The Bible is a collection of 66 books separated into two volumes, the old and the new testaments written thousands of years ago. But are these texts reliable and what proof do we have of the truth they contain? And do we have an accurate copy of the original or have the words and themes altered over all these years? How relevant is the Bible today anyway, when science and technology bring so much to contradict or challenge our beliefs?

Let’s start with the New Testament. The Gospels were said to be written around 55-75 AD and written from witness reports. The 4 Gospels vary in small ways, and it is accepted that each writer was aiming their Gospel towards a particular readership. Matthew in his Gospel has clearly targeted his words towards a Jewish readership and John’s Gospel takes a completely different approach using themes to demonstrate the life and purpose of Jesus and our relationship with Him. There were no printing presses so each copy was written by hand scribes would carefully produce copies of the Gospels and distribute them throughout the Roman empire.

Verifying the New Testament isn’t just a case of comparing a few dozen manuscripts, according to most scholars there are over five thousand manuscripts in the Greek language and these need to be examined to establish their age and if they differ from one another.

Apparently, the earliest manuscript we have is a fragment from John’s Gospel about the size of a credit card and dates between 50 and 100 years after the original. By checking and comparing these early manuscripts it was noticed that there were minor differences but most of the thousands of errors just proved that these scribes were no better than us at spelling and grammar and do not significantly alter the truth and meaning of what was being recorded.

Another interesting point regarding the witness accounts is that the writers don’t try to cover up their own failings and faults. Would they not be tempted to portray themselves as perfect follows of Christ but time and again they reveal their own dis-belief and doubts. If we wanted to start a new religion, I am sure we would want to paint a positive picture of what it was all about, the Gospels though are radical and put the early disciples in a place of danger. To follow this new religion demanded change and sacrifice and the Gospel writers were not shy in making these points clear. The writers were also not afraid of breaking with convention certainly the role of women was quite radical, and the Gospels accurately record geographical and historic facts some of which would be difficult to add later.

I suppose much of our belief or trust comes from our own experience where we have found the words of the Bible to ‘speak’ directly to us and our situation. I remember when I have been facing difficult times words and promises contained in the pages of this book have spoken directly to my fractured heart. If we do believe that the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit, then surely our own experience has proved that these words come alive and are relevant to us today? What a wonderful demonstration of the reality of this fact.

So, do I believe that the Bible is the Word of God?

When I ask myself this, I admit that there is no way to scientifically prove this and to be honest I think that even if there was or if Jesus were to appear in the sky declaring this fact, there would still be those who would doubt or declare that it is all false. For me, whilst there is much for me to question, much I cannot fully understand and certainly much I take on trust or faith, I do believe that the Bible has been faithfully recorded by witnesses and tested by scholars over thousands of years.

“Every Scripture has been written by the Holy Spirit, the breath of God. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness. Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfil any assignment God gives you”. 2 Timothy 3 verses 16-17 (The Passion Translation)