WHAT IS
THE BIBLE?
Christians call it the Word of God. Historians recognize it as one of the most significant collections of ancient writings ever preserved. But what exactly is the Bible—and why should anyone trust what it says?
It’s not really
one book.
The Bible is a collection of writings produced over many centuries by prophets, kings, poets, historians, fishermen, teachers, and eyewitnesses. It contains history, poetry, letters, prophecy, wisdom, biography, and law.
Christians believe that while the Bible had many human writers, those writers were guided by God so that their words communicate what He intended mankind to know.
From Genesis to Revelation, these writings form one unfolding story: God creating mankind, mankind turning away from Him, and God acting to redeem and restore people through Jesus Christ.
What does the Bible
say about itself?
Before asking whether the Bible’s claims are true, it is important to understand what those claims actually are.
God speaks through Scripture.
The Bible describes Scripture as being “given by inspiration of God.” Christians therefore do not view it merely as mankind searching for God, but as God revealing truth to mankind.
God worked through real people.
Biblical inspiration does not mean the writers lost their personalities, vocabulary, experiences, or writing styles. Scripture says that holy men spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
God’s Word claims to be true.
Jesus consistently treated the Scriptures as authoritative and trustworthy. In His prayer to the Father, He simply said, “Thy word is truth.”
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
But can an ancient book
really be trusted?
Believing that the Bible is inspired is a matter of faith—but that does not mean faith has to ignore history. The Bible comes from the ancient world, so historians can examine it using many of the same methods they use when evaluating other ancient writings.
Its text has been remarkably well preserved.
Ancient books survived because they were copied by hand. Thousands of biblical manuscripts, portions, and early translations have survived. By comparing these copies, scholars can identify copying differences and determine the wording of the text with a high degree of confidence.
It is rooted in real history.
The Bible repeatedly places its story in identifiable locations, governments, kingdoms, wars, cultures, and historical settings. Many people and places mentioned in Scripture are also known through archaeology and other ancient sources.
Archaeology helps illuminate its world.
Archaeological discoveries have provided information about ancient cities, rulers, customs, religious practices, and everyday life described throughout Scripture. Archaeology cannot prove every spiritual claim, but it can test whether biblical accounts fit the historical world they describe.
The New Testament comes from the earliest Christian generations.
Christianity began in the same generation in which Jesus lived. The earliest Christian writings circulated while eyewitnesses and others familiar with the events were still alive. The central message about Jesus did not first appear centuries later.
Its writers appeal to eyewitness testimony.
New Testament writers repeatedly present their message as testimony about events that happened publicly. Luke says he carefully investigated the reports he received, while John and Peter emphasize things they had personally seen and heard.
Its central message appeared very early.
The belief that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again was not a legend added to Christianity generations afterward. That message appears at the beginning of the Christian movement and is preserved in some of its earliest recorded teaching.
History can take us far—but not all the way.
Historical evidence can help us determine whether an ancient document has been accurately transmitted, whether its people and places fit the historical setting, and whether its authors were reasonably positioned to know what they were writing about.
But archaeology cannot dig up “inspiration,” and a manuscript cannot scientifically prove that God exists. The Bible’s greatest claims are ultimately claims about God, sin, salvation, Jesus, and eternal life.
The historical evidence gives us good reason not to simply dismiss the Bible as mythology or legend. Instead, it gives us reason to seriously examine what the Bible says—and especially what it says about Jesus.
Different centuries.
One unfolding story.
What is the Bible ultimately about?
You can read the Bible as history, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, biography, and letters—but all of those pieces belong to a much larger story.
A few things
worth knowing.
Hasn’t the Bible been changed over the centuries?
There are differences among handwritten copies, as we would expect with any ancient work copied before the printing press. But because scholars have access to many manuscripts, those differences can be compared rather than hidden. Most are minor, such as spelling or word-order differences, and they do not mean the Bible was continually rewritten into an entirely different book.
Does archaeology prove the Bible?
Archaeology can confirm historical settings, illuminate cultures, identify people and places, and provide connections with biblical accounts. It cannot prove theological statements such as “God forgives sin.” Those claims must ultimately be considered on their own terms.
Isn’t trusting the Bible just blind faith?
Biblical faith is not presented as believing something for no reason. Christianity makes claims about events that happened in history, especially the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Christians believe there are reasonable grounds for those beliefs while also recognizing that trusting God ultimately involves faith.
Where should I start reading?
If the Bible is new to you, start with one of the Gospels. The Gospel of John is an excellent place to begin because its central question is also the most important question the Bible asks: Who is Jesus?
Don’t just take
our word for it.
Read it for yourself. Start with Jesus. Ask questions. Examine the evidence. And see what the Bible actually has to say.
START READING THE BIBLE →
