Can We Trust the Bible?
A Theological and Historical Case for the Reliability of Scripture
Introduction
The Bible is one of my favorite subjects to cover. The content, concept, and context are so fascinating to me, and it’s why I’ve devoted my life to studying it.
But, in a world shaped by modern skepticism, many regard the Bible as an outdated religious artifact—one that reflects human opinion rather than divine revelation. Its age, diversity of authorship, and transmission through centuries have led some to ask whether it can still be trusted.
These concerns are understandable. How can a book compiled thousands of years ago, across cultures and languages, be considered a reliable guide for life and faith today? Yet the Christian tradition affirms that the Bible is not merely ancient; it is authoritative. It is not simply a human record about God but the divinely inspired Word of God to humanity.
To wrestle with this question is not an act of faithlessness—it is a step toward thoughtful and robust faith. The following reflections aim to engage the question of Scripture’s trustworthiness theologically, historically, and pastorally.
The Bible as a Unified Library, Not a Singular Volume
The Bible is not a monolithic document, but a collection of 66 books written over approximately 1,500 years, by more than 40 authors from diverse backgrounds—kings, shepherds, prophets, tax collectors, physicians, and prisoners. These texts span three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe) and were written in three primary languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
Despite this vast diversity, the Bible presents a unified theological narrative centered on God’s redemptive work in history. From Genesis to Revelation, it tells a coherent story of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation. The literary and thematic unity of Scripture across so many centuries is compelling. As New Testament scholar F. F. Bruce has noted, “The Bible is not simply an anthology; there is a unity which binds the whole together.” This unity testifies to a singular divine Author working through human instruments.
Divine Inspiration Through Human Agency
The doctrine of inspiration affirms that the Bible is both fully divine and fully human. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” The Greek term theopneustos (God-breathed) underscores the origin of Scripture as divine.
However, inspiration does not suggest mechanical dictation. Rather, God sovereignly used the personalities, styles, and contexts of human authors to convey His truth without error in what they intended to affirm. The Apostle Peter echoes this dual agency when he writes, “Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21).
In theological terms, this affirms a concursive model of inspiration, where divine sovereignty and human responsibility operate simultaneously. Such a model preserves the Bible’s theological authority while acknowledging its literary diversity.
Historical Transmission and Textual Reliability
One of the most common objections to the Bible’s reliability concerns the transmission of its text. Critics often assume that the Scriptures have been altered or corrupted over centuries of copying.
However, the manuscript evidence for the Bible, particularly the New Testament, is unparalleled in the ancient world. We possess over 5,800 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, along with thousands more in Latin, Syriac, Coptic, and other languages. Many of these manuscripts date to within a few generations of the original texts. By comparison, the earliest manuscripts of works by Plato, Herodotus, or Caesar are separated from the originals by several centuries, and their manuscript counts rarely exceed a few dozen. As scholar Daniel B. Wallace argues, the textual variance that exists among New Testament manuscripts is overwhelmingly minor—affecting style or word order rather than doctrine. The preservation of the biblical text is not a matter of blind faith but of rigorous scholarly corroboration.
Scripture in Historical and Cultural Context
The Bible was not written to modern readers—but it was written for them. That is to say, the biblical authors wrote within specific historical, cultural, and linguistic settings. Understanding these contexts is crucial for interpretation. Misunderstandings often arise not from the text itself but from reading ancient literature through modern assumptions
For example, interpreting Genesis 1 as a modern scientific treatise rather than ancient Near Eastern cosmology results in needless conflict. As John Walton has argued, the biblical creation account functions more as a theological declaration of God’s sovereignty than a scientific explanation of material origins. Recognizing genre, literary conventions, and cultural frameworks helps readers discern the Bible’s intended meaning. Responsible interpretation requires humility, study, and guidance—especially in a culture prone to soundbites over substance.
Scripture’s Enduring Relevance and Transformative Power
Despite its ancient origins, the Bible continues to speak with surprising immediacy. Hebrews 4:12 declares, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.” This is not mere metaphor. Millions of lives across centuries have been transformed by its message of grace, hope, and redemption.
The ethical teachings of Jesus, the psalms of lament, the prophetic cries for justice, and the epistles’ moral exhortations remain relevant because they reveal timeless truths about God and humanity. Scripture exposes sin, offers salvation, and forms communities centered on love and holiness. As J. I. Packer once wrote, “The Scriptures are the lifeline God throws us in order to ensure our rescue.” The Bible is not simply to be read—it is to be received, wrestled with, obeyed, and treasured.
Conclusion
The Bible is not a relic to be dismissed but a revelation to be explored. It stands as the most historically attested, theologically rich, and spiritually transformative text in human history. While objections and questions are natural—and even necessary—the testimony of the church across centuries affirms its reliability and divine origin. In the end, the Bible is not merely a book to be defended; it is a voice to be heard. It is the Word of the living God, pointing us to the living Christ. And that Word still speaks.