How Can We Know the Bible is Inspired by God?

The Bible’s divine inspiration can be supported through seven compelling lines of evidence:

1. Manuscript Evidence

The Bible has unparalleled manuscript evidence. There are more than 5,800 Greek New Testament manuscripts and more than 19,000 copies in other languages. The preserved quantity and quality of manuscripts have enabled scholars to reconstruct the original text accurately.

2. Fulfilled Prophecy 

The Bible contains hundreds of detailed prophecies that have been precisely fulfilled. For example:

• Isaiah 7:14 prophesied that Jesus would be born of a virgin. Matthew 1:23 tells of the fulfillment
• Micah 5:2 prophesied Bethlehem would be the Messiah’s birthplace. Matthew 2:1-6 tells of the fulfillment.
• Daniel 9:25-26 prophesied when the Messiah would present Himself to His people. Mark 11:7-11 tells of the fulfillment.
• Zechariah 9:9 prophesied how the Messiah would present Himself to His people. Mark 11:7-11 tells of the fulfillment.
• Psalm 22 prophesied about Jesus’ crucifixion and suffering.  The Gospels tell of the fulfillment
• Psalm 16:10 prophesied of Jesus’ resurrection. The Gospels tell of the fulfillment.

The precise fulfillment of the above prophecies and many more that the Bible records substantiate divine foreknowledge and inspiration.

3. Archaeological Confirmation

Archaeology has repeatedly validated the Bible’s historical accounts. The Dead Sea Scrolls, Tel Dan Inscription, and Ketef Hinnom Scrolls are only a few of the numerous archeological finds that have supported the Bible.  Furthermore, archaeologist Nelson Glueck stated, “No archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference.”

4. Internal Consistency 

More than 40 authors wrote the Bible over a period of 1,500 years, yet the Bible is consistent and without contradiction. This points to divine oversight in its composition.  The Bible claims divine inspiration in 2 Timothy 3:16  “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

5. Transformative Power

The words of God have shaped cultures and transformed lives since creation, and the written word inspires and empowers people to know their Creator.  Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

6. Scientific and Historical Accuracy

The Bible has records of scientific claims long before human discoveries.  For example,  Isaiah 40:22 describes the earth as a sphere suspended in space, something ancient people did not understand and millennia before this became scientifically proven.  There are also prophecies of events long before their fulfillment.  For example, Isaiah prophesied that King Cyrus of Persia would make it possible for the Jews to leave Babylon and return to their homeland. Isaiah even mentioned Cyrus by name (Isa. 44:28; 45:1) — and this prophecy was about 50 years before Cyrus’s time. Both biblical and secular historical records confirm the fulfillment of this prophecy.

7. Testimony of Jesus

Jesus testified that the Bible is divinely inspired truth (John 17:17) and that the Scriptures are divinely preserved (Matthew 5:18). In secular history, His life and teachings are well-documented, and His resurrection is attested to based on reported post-mortem appearances.  Such information gives credibility to Jesus’ claim of divine inspiration of Scripture.

Summary

Ultimately, the Bible’s divine origin is believed by faith. While no one can fully prove it with observational evidence, substantial evidence from reputable sources provides adequate proof. We know that Jesus is the Word, and Jesus is God (John 1:1). Therefore, we can trust the Scriptures as the absolute truth of God and our perfect guiding light.

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